Test drives Kia Stinger against Skoda Superb
Actually, it is customary to compare the Kia Stinger with the Audi A5 and BMW 4, but we decided to look for a competitor in the mass market. Skoda Superb is ideal for the role of a rival, but there is one caveat
The head of the European design center Kia Gregory Guillaume, who led the Stinger project, has repeatedly repeated that he was trying to create a stylish "Gran Turismo" with a fastback body, and not a sports car, as many perceive it. But if we completely discard marketing, then we can say with confidence: Stinger is not a fastback "Gran Turismo", but an ordinary business-class liftback. It's just very bright.
That is, in fact, not only premium Audi A5 Sportback or BMW 4-Series GranCoupe, but also Volkswagen Arteon and Skoda Superb can be recorded as competitors to Stinger. Moreover, the latter, despite all the democratic nature of the Czech brand, at its cost has long aspired to compete with cars in higher and more prestigious segments.
An ordinary buyer, as a rule, does not care much about how the engine is located under the hood and to which axle the torque is transmitted. Most people choose cars rather for a combination of good consumer qualities, such as design, dynamics, comfort, interior convenience and value for money. And in this sense, Stinger and Superb are very close to each other.
Kia throws dust in the eye in a striking way, which, however, is not devoid of imbalance. There are too many reflectors, gills, linings, fins and other "jewelry". Skoda, on the contrary, does not look so impetuous and even seems a little overweight: its body shapes are laconic and not full of unnecessary elements.
The interiors of Kia and Skoda are a logical continuation of the exteriors. The Stinger's cabin is reminiscent of a fighter jet's cockpit, while the Superba's interior displays austere cabinet style.
The Czech flagship pleases with exemplary ergonomics. Still, he also inherited the genes of the almost reference Volkswagen Passat. However, the driver's seat of the Kia Stinger is also devoid of any major drawbacks. The fit is comfortable and all controls are close at hand. The button blocks on the center console are logically arranged - you use them almost intuitively. So it is difficult to single out a clear leader in the design and development of the interior among these two. But until then, until you change to the back row.
Superb is one of the most spacious and roomy cars in the class. Only the Kia Optima can compete with it in terms of space. But the Stinger, which is one step higher, being a car of similar dimensions, is still slightly inferior to both. There is enough room here, but not as much as in the opponent. Plus, the third passenger is hindered by a massive central tunnel.
But the Stinger is primarily a driver's car. It has good dynamics with each of the motors, a sharp steering wheel, a responsive gas pedal and a perfectly balanced chassis. Against the background of Superb, he is not lost, but the habits of the "Korean" no longer seem so outstanding. The Czech liftback feels less harsh and emotional, but it also drives correctly and interestingly. And in terms of the balance of handling and comfort, the chassis seems to be more refined.
A curious surprise comes from the overclocking dynamics. Formally, overclocking to "hundreds" of the Stinger with a 247-horsepower two-liter turbo engine is faster than the 220-horsepower Superb, but in reality - a completely different impression. Feels like Skoda picks up speed more easily, and in acceleration on the move it is ahead. The Czechs use for their flagship a DSG robotic gearbox with two clutches, which is characterized by a rate of fire and lower switching losses.
The Stinger uses a classic "machine". This is one of the most modern units with eight gears, but against the background of the "robot" it feels slight delays when switching. In addition, the losses in the torque converter are still higher, so some of the horsepower and Newton meters are stuck in it.
On the other hand, Stinger more than compensates for this with gambling behavior. It is much more interesting to ride it not in races in a straight line, but in corners. This is where the notorious layout features come into play. A car with obvious rear-wheel drive behavior behaves more clearly and clearly on the arc. Well, the main advantage of Kia against the background of Skoda is the presence of all-wheel drive.
Superb is equipped with a 4x4 system only in the top version with a 280-horsepower engine. While in the Stinger, the AWD transmission is already available with an initial 197 hp engine and is offered on all trim levels with an intermediate engine with 247 hp.
The Stinger in each version is slightly more expensive than the Superb, but all of them, as a rule, are richer. And starting from the second configuration, each Kia relies on an all-wheel drive system. And then it becomes clear that the overpayment is $ 1 – $ 949. - by no means a marketing markup for the image.
| Body type | Liftback | Liftback |
| dimensions (length / width / height), mm | 4831/1896/1400 | 4861/1864/1468 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2906 | 2841 |
| Ground clearance, mm | 134 | 164 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1850 | 1505 |
| engine's type | Gasoline, R4 turbo | Gasoline, R4 turbo |
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 1998 | 1984 |
| Power, hp with. at rpm | 247/6200 | 220 / 4500-6000 |
| Max. cool. moment, Nm at rpm | 353 / 1400-4000 | 350 / 1500-4400 |
| Transmission, drive | AKP8 | RKP6 |
| Maksim. speed, km / h | 240 | 245 |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h, from | 6 | 7 |
| Fuel consumption, l | 9,2 | 7,8 |
| Cargo space, l | 406 | 625 |
| Price from, $. | 33 459 | 31 083 |
The editors would like to express their gratitude to the Khimki Group company and the administration of the Olympic Village Novogorsk for their help in organizing the shooting.
