Did you know that Kia offers a diesel engine for the Stinger? This four-door grand tourer is offered in Europe with a diesel engine.
While we can lament many of the diesel models that never seem to make the jump over the pond to be part of what we enjoy in the US, the Kia Stinger CRDi, which is what the diesel model is called, isn’t one of those that we should long for.
Our Kia Stinger is Better
Let’s think about what makes a diesel engine useful and what these cars offer when we drive. A diesel engine often takes longer to reach its peak power level than a gasoline model. The torque could be reached sooner in some cases, which makes it possible for the car to reach faster speeds sooner, but these engines are meant more for comfort than for the drive we want in a sports sedan. The Stinger diesel is offered with a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine that makes 197 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque, which is respectable, but not what we want.
Why did Kia build this Car?
The Kia Stinger CRDi is a car that’s meant to satisfy a need in the European market. This market demands that diesel power is offered in the premium and higher models to be successful. More than half of all sales of this class of vehicle in Europe is in the form of a diesel model. This means the Kia team had to build a Stinger with a diesel engine in order to be competitive and remain relevant in a market with a car that’s better off without the diesel engine.
More Noise and Less Excitement
When shopping for the Kia Stinger, most of us will gravitate to the model that uses a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged engine under the hood. This V6 is exciting and fun to drive. The diesel model offered in Europe is similar to the model we sell that has a four-cylinder engine, but not quite as smooth. The diesel version is loud and it vibrates vigorously on the road. You’re certainly going to want to drive the gasoline models rather than a diesel version, which means we can let the European market continue to enjoy their Stinger CRDi models while we sit back and enjoy what we have in the US.
Keep on Driving the Kia Stinger
If you’re thinking about the Kia Stinger as the next car you want to drive, you’ll be glad to find that you can choose one of the two gasoline-powered models that have the features and driving performance you already know and love. Choose the car that’s right for you and take it out for a test drive. Don’t lament the fact that the diesel model isn’t offered in the US, be glad that you don’t have to think about that car at all.
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