Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia Stinger GT S (2017-2022) review – interior and tech

Overall interior design and quality is great; infotainment is bigger and clearer, but does take some getting used to

Evo rating
  • Chassis has no problem putting a smile on your face; looks brilliant
  • Steering lacks clarity; engine effective but muted; thirsty

We suspect Kia’s interior designers might have spent some time in recent Mercedes-Benz models, as the Stinger’s centre console looks quite familiar – a trio of round central air vents, an infotainment screen perched atop the dash, and a large, flat-topped gear selector not unlike that used by AMG.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Unfortunately the materials Kia has used on its much cheaper car aren’t quite up to the level used by the German premium brands, with an abundance of faux hide and shiny plastics, though Kia does seem to have spent money where it matters – the steering wheel, gear selector itself, the seats and the door handles all feel suitable for a premium-market vehicle.

The build quality is nothing to sniff at however – nothing squeaks, creaks or rattles and the cabin is sealed well enough to keep wind noise to a minimum – and the driving position is also hard to fault, with plenty of adjustability and supportive seats. You can sit yourself nice and low if that’s your preference, and you’d struggle to find any irritations in the layout and operation of frequently used controls.

If anything, Kia’s slightly lower-market position is beneficial here; while you do get a touchscreen, there are still large, easy-to-find physical buttons and knobs for things such as heating, volume, and menu access.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Toyota GT86 review (2012 - 2021) – a flawed but fun and affordable Japanese sports car
Toyota GT86
In-depth reviews

Toyota GT86 review (2012 - 2021) – a flawed but fun and affordable Japanese sports car

Toyota’s small sports car wasn’t perfect but still offers genuine driving fun of an increasingly rare flavour
20 Apr 2026
Why you've probably been driving the Audi TT RS wrong this whole time
Audi TT RS fast fleet front
Long term tests

Why you've probably been driving the Audi TT RS wrong this whole time

My Audi TT RS coupe reveals its strong suit on a most unlikely road
22 Apr 2026
I fell in love with the Honda Civic Type R, until it started fighting me
Civic Type R interior
Opinion

I fell in love with the Honda Civic Type R, until it started fighting me

Porter can tolerate the tsunami of active safety features, but not their inaccuracy
23 Apr 2026