Ten years ago few people would have guessed that Kia, the South Korean manufacturer best known for its reasonably priced hatchbacks, SUVs and superminis, would bring out a car that directly rivals one of Audi’s most accomplished fast family models. Yet that is exactly what has happened with this, the Kia Stinger GT S, which has set its sights firmly on the Audi S5 Sportback. It’s a big leap for a company such as Kia to take on a brand like Audi – but the Stinger’s 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 ensures it has the performance to rival the S5, even if the £40,495 price means it’ll have to impress buyers used to premium models. The Kia does undercut the Audi on price, but can it really manage a win over the establishment? Head-to-head Model: Kia Stinger GT S Audi S5 Sportback Price: £40,495 £48,175 Engine: 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol Power/torque: 365bhp/510Nm 349bhp/500Nm Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 0-60mph 4.9 seconds 4.7 seconds Top speed: 168mph 155mph Test economy: 28.6mpg 26.2mpg CO2/tax: 225g/km/£450 174g/km/£450 Options: Metallic paint (£645) Metallic paint (£645), privacy glass (£375), Light and Vision Pack (£750), multifunction steering wheel (£100), Comfort and Sound Pack (£1,295) Kia Stinger GT S 33 For: Surprisingly fun to drive, lots of equipment, comfortable ride.Against: Engine could be more exciting, finish lacking in some areas, pricier on finance. A high-end sports saloon with 365bhp from Kia will be a surprise to many, but it’s time to get used to the idea because the car is here, and it’s well worth a look.

The steering could do with more feel, but it’s no worse than the S5’s lifeless set-up. The Audi’s extra driven wheels mean it’s more planted as you come out of a corner, but the Kia’s rear-wheel-drive layout and limited-slip differential mean there’s more of a sense of movement in the Stinger as you balance the throttle, brakes and steering. It’s heavy, at 1,855kg, but still has an agile-feeling chassis, and it also manages to blend ride comfort and sportiness even here on UK roads. Adaptive dampers mean you can set the suspension to comfort mode and enjoy a reasonably smooth ride, but there are also Sport and Sport+ modes that stiffen things up and reduce body roll. The S5’s adaptive dampers aren’t standard, and it’s £900 to upgrade from the normal ‘S’ Sport suspension. So the Kia is a winner for drivers, and it’s also very well equipped as standard. However, the Stinger’s cabin isn’t quite as nicely designed or built as the S5’s. Testers’ notes • Steering wheel: The steering wheel is a key touch point in a car’s interior, which is why it’s so strange that Kia has fitted a cheap-looking plastic centre section.

The steering wheel is a key touch point in a car’s interior, which is why it’s so strange that Kia has fitted a cheap-looking plastic centre section. • Fit and finish: Metal detailing is a nice touch, but the Stinger can’t match the Audi’s top-quality materials.

Metal detailing is a nice touch, but the Stinger can’t match the Audi’s top-quality materials. • Seats: The Kia’s seats and driving position are excellent, so long trips aren’t a problem. Audi S5 Sportback 33 For: Excellent performance, high-quality interior, sharp styling.Against: Not that much fun to drive, firm ride, not enough standard kit.

The Audi S5 Sportback’s strong points are its sharp styling, high-quality interior and huge performance. While it falls behind the Kia for engagement, the S5’s impressive traction adds another dimension to its character on the road. It’s faster off the line than its rival here, beating the Kia’s 0-60mph time by two tenths of a second, but where you really notice the benefit of the all-wheel-drive set-up is in corners. Get on the power aggressively and the Audi will stick to its line for longer, although it’s not as exciting as the Stinger as a result. In wet weather, though, the S5 feels almost as composed as it does in the dry and that’s where the quattro system comes into its own. While the Audi is down on power and torque compared with the Stinger – 349bhp and 500Nm versus the Kia’s 365bhp and 510Nm – it is 195kg lighter than its Korean rival. At 1,660kg, the S5 Sportback undercuts the GT S’s 1,855kg kerbweight, which helped it deliver competitive performance. 33 While the Audi was a little slower from 30-70mph, taking four seconds compared with the Stinger’s 3.9 seconds, both cars offer fantastic acceleration, with the pair covering 30-50mph in fourth gear in three seconds flat.