Two Korean premium midsize sedans, the Kia Stinger and the Genesis G70 gained some minor changes for the 2021 model year and with the former taking a more conservative approach, the latter goes for a more heavy approach to its minor change. What's up with their latest minor change?
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| 2021 Kia Stinger |
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| 2021 Kia Stinger |
Let's begin with the Kia Stinger. When it was launched three years ago, this sports saloon caught the attention of horsepower-hungry, phone-flipping, speedo boys who can't wait to enjoy its dynamic character and its newfound street cred. Despite its popularity, there were only a few who are buying it, which is rather sad. While the Stinger's fate is in the balance, this minor change feels like it doesn't help because of its same looks, or is it?
On the styling side, the minor change features the same front as the old Stinger but with some new headlamps to differentiate it. Then, there is a new set of wheels to make a clear statement about it. And on the rearview, the Stinger gained new rear lamps, which sums up really well.
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| 2021 Kia Stinger interior |
On the inside, you will notice that the sat-nav is now longer than the old one, gained blue accents on the trim, and ambient lighting, and sports new and premium seats to make it look luxurious. These interior updates made the Stinger feel more luxurious, which is somewhat contrasting.
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| 2021 Kia Stinger |
The recent minor change made the Stinger look mature but it feels as fun to drive as the previous one especially when there are big changes under the hood. In the list of engines, the 2.0L turbo, and 2.2 diesel have been thrown away for good and while it retains the top-of-the-line 3.3L Turbo V6 engine, now producing up to 373PS of power, the facelift welcomes the Smartstream 2.5L turbo engine first appeared in the latest Genesis G80, producing 304PS of power and 43kg-m of torque. Both of these engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
While it behaves like the old Stinger thanks to its sport-tuned suspension, available AWD with Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control, and Brembo brakes, the facelifted Stinger has a load of safety tech that feels like it's in charge of driving.
Price? 38,530,000 Korean Won, which sounds more costly than the old but amazingly, it's less expensive than the Genesis G70 that I'm showing it to you right now.
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| 2021 Genesis G70 |
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| 2021 Genesis G70 |
The 40,350,000 Won Genesis G70 boasts a big minor change, which sounds like a heavy approach compared to the Stinger's because the new model now sports the signature Genesis look first debuted on the GV80 SUV last January. With that new look, the G70 is starting to look and feel like a different car compared to expensive European imports.
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| 2021 Genesis G70 interior |
The interior looks the same as the old one except for the sat-nav, which is now longer than the previous one, and now boasts tons of tech stuff including the rather handy built-in dash cam, which is great for spotting sweet potatoes on the road, if you know what I mean, and humiliate them on social media when you come home.
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| 2021 Genesis G70 |
Unlike the Stinger, the G70 retains most of its engine lineup consisting of the 2.2L CRDi-VGT engine with 202PS of power output, the 2.0L Turbo GDi engine with 255PS of power output, and the 3.3L Turbo V6 engine producing 370PS of power and 52kgf-m of torque. All are mated to an 8-speed AT.
What's surprising is that the new G70 boasts a new "Sports+" drive mode which lets its engine and gearbox loose to get the most out of it and in the high-end 3.3L V6 with Sports Package, it features a flashy Variable Exhaust Valve System which makes it sounds more frisky. Couple that with its sport-tuned suspension and available Dynamic AWD system and the result is a rather enjoyable Korean luxury car that can be driven harder and longer.
On the safety side, the new G70 boasts a wide array of safety techs such as Forward Collision-Avoidance, Blind-spot Collision Avoidance, Safe Exit Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Lane Following Assist, Multi Collision Brake, Rear Occupant Alert, and so on.
These updated Korean luxury midsize sedans may feel different but they're worth the try so, which one will you go for?
Photo: Kia Motors/Hyundai Motor Company
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