2021 Kia Stinger Goes V6-Only In Europe, Brings Styling And Tech Upgrades

Following its debut in Korea last month, the facelifted Kia Stinger has now been unveiled in European specification.

Kia’s fastback sedan gains the same updates in Europe, including subtle styling tweaks, an upgraded infotainment system, more safety kit and a revised 3.3-liter V6 T-GDi engine. Interestingly, the facelifted Stinger comes exclusively with the six-cylinder engine in Europe, ditching the previously-available four-cylinder petrol and diesel units.

Kia explains this decision with the fact that the majority of European customers have chosen the 3.3-liter powertrain during the model’s first three years on the market. In total, Kia sold around 10,000 Stingers in Europe since the model’s launch in 2017.

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For the 2021 model year, the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 has received four more horsepower, delivering 370 PS (365 HP) at 6,000 rpm and 510 Nm (376 lb-ft) of torque from 1,300 to 4,500 rpm. The facelifted Stinger is the fastest-accelerating Kia ever sold in Europe, as the zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint improves by 0.6 seconds to 4.9 for the AWD model.

The Stinger will be offered with standard AWD in left-hand drive markets, while right-hand drive markets will get it solely with rear-wheel drive. Both variants feature an eight-speed automatic transmission.

You’ll recognize the refreshed Stinger thanks to a new design for the ‘tiger-nose’ grille, new multifaceted reflector LED headlamps with integrated DRLs, new LED taillights with turn signals arranged in a grid pattern, and exclusive 19-inch alloys. Another exterior update is the introduction of a new ‘Ascot Green’ body color.

2021 Kia Stinger interior in Korean specification

Inside, the architecture of the cabin remains unchanged, but Kia’s designers made subtle visual and material enhancements for a more luxurious ambience. Changes include a metallic finish to sections of the steering wheel, a chrome bezel around the instrument cluster, and a frameless rearview mirror. Depending on the trim level, the 2021 Stinger features new contrast stitching on the dashboard and doors, aluminum finish on the center console, and 64-color ambient lighting.

European-spec models are available with Nappa leather upholstery in Saturn Black or optional Red, as well as a suede package featuring Saturn Black suede with contrasting red stitching and red seatbelts.

The main interior upgrade is the new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system, which is said to offer improved functionality. New features include Bluetooth multi-connection, split-screen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and an improved voice control system. A 7.0-inch digital display within the instrument cluster is also new, as is the Remote Engine start system.

In the safety department, the facelifted Stinger brings upgraded functionality for most of the available ADAS technologies. New additions include Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) based on traffic sign recognition.

Sales of the 2021 Kia Stinger will begin in Europe during the final quarter of 2020 and into early 2021.