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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.

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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.

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