2018 Kia Stinger Full Review & Comparisons - In 4K
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
spooty01
Sorry Alex. I completely disagree with your comments on the interior material quality and finish. It is definitely inferior to luxury sedans like the 3/4-series, A4/5, C-class. First, the 3 series does not have hard plastic on the lower half of the dash and door bins. You kept repeating that statement which is just flat out false. Second, fitment quality, while acceptable, is more flimsy than the Germans. Things fit more loosely and are less sturdy. Give stuff inside the finger flick and shake tests. Finally, actual materials are lower quality. I was highly disappointed. The dash feels like a cheap kids rubber basketball. An issue Ive noticed with many mainstream cars attempting soft touch finishes, not just the Stinger. Not all soft touch finishes are created equal. The overall feel and finish is not very elegant or premium. With that in mind, it may sound like I hate the Stinger but thats far from the truth. I actually do like it and Im considering it for my next vehicle. And while it does include quite a bit standard, the actual equipment sophistication is not that great. I like the car and may get one but Im not going to kid myself into believing its a great deal and equal to the Germans at a lower price point. To me it definitely feels and looks like its 10k cheaper. Fortunately, the driving experience is 95% there and makes it a worthwhile car. To me thats what really matters the most.
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Sorry Alex. I completely disagree with your comments on the interior material quality and finish. It is definitely inferior to luxury sedans like the 3/4-series, A4/5, C-class. First, the 3 series does not have hard plastic on the lower half of the dash and door bins. You kept repeating that statement which is just flat out false. Second, fitment quality, while acceptable, is more flimsy than the Germans. Things fit more loosely and are less sturdy. Give stuff inside the finger flick and shake tests. Finally, actual materials are lower quality. I was highly disappointed. The dash feels like a cheap kids rubber basketball. An issue Ive noticed with many mainstream cars attempting soft touch finishes, not just the Stinger. Not all soft touch finishes are created equal. The overall feel and finish is not very elegant or premium. With that in mind, it may sound like I hate the Stinger but thats far from the truth. I actually do like it and Im considering it for my next vehicle. And while it does include quite a bit standard, the actual equipment sophistication is not that great. I like the car and may get one but Im not going to kid myself into believing its a great deal and equal to the Germans at a lower price point. To me it definitely feels and looks like its 10k cheaper. Fortunately, the driving experience is 95% there and makes it a worthwhile car. To me thats what really matters the most.
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Marcus Mackey
After trying one on at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, my only negative experience was just getting in/out. The door opening combined with the seat movement (drivers) on the car seems to be rather small (it has rather small front doors with them actually appearing to be smaller than the rear door openings) and makes it extremely difficult for some people to get in/out comfortably. Im not a very tall guy (57 - fairly short honestly) but I am a bit rounder than the average person and it just feels like compared to even the platform-mate G70 (which I also sat in. its a bit more snug than it really should be for a car of its size. I tried the G70 and found it much more comfortable in the front seating area to get in/out of for a car that actually is supposedly quite a bit shorter. It struck me as weird. I was extremely disappointed as Im absolutely smitten by this car, especially in the Ceramic Grey. I might try it on again later at a dealership to see if I just didnt have the seat moved all the way back in its tracks or something but it just seemed way too small for someone of my stature. It kills me as Im absolutely smitten with this car. :(
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After trying one on at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, my only negative experience was just getting in/out. The door opening combined with the seat movement (drivers) on the car seems to be rather small (it has rather small front doors with them actually appearing to be smaller than the rear door openings) and makes it extremely difficult for some people to get in/out comfortably. Im not a very tall guy (57 - fairly short honestly) but I am a bit rounder than the average person and it just feels like compared to even the platform-mate G70 (which I also sat in. its a bit more snug than it really should be for a car of its size. I tried the G70 and found it much more comfortable in the front seating area to get in/out of for a car that actually is supposedly quite a bit shorter. It struck me as weird. I was extremely disappointed as Im absolutely smitten by this car, especially in the Ceramic Grey. I might try it on again later at a dealership to see if I just didnt have the seat moved all the way back in its tracks or something but it just seemed way too small for someone of my stature. It kills me as Im absolutely smitten with this car. :(
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Candy monster 120
This acceleration lag prevalent in recent performance vehicles is infuriating - what I want MOST out of a car with a powerful engine is that feeling of being thrust back in your seat when accelerating of the line. That initial 0 - 30 burst of speed is one of the most important aspects of getting FUN out of a car that is your daily driver, and not one thats focused on taking to the track, etc. Even the modest 300 HP provided by the NA 3. 5L V6 in the Acura TLX is more than adequate for highway passing, etc. I find the TLX has plenty of smooth power but is very sorely lacking in that throw you back in your seat thrilling acceleration, and, its really the only thing about the TLX that I find to be significantly disappointing. Im disappointed to hear that Kia has seemingly, intentionally handicapped the Stinger in this most important aspect, from the perspective of the sorts of people I would imagine would be drawn to a car like the stinger in the first place?
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This acceleration lag prevalent in recent performance vehicles is infuriating - what I want MOST out of a car with a powerful engine is that feeling of being thrust back in your seat when accelerating of the line. That initial 0 - 30 burst of speed is one of the most important aspects of getting FUN out of a car that is your daily driver, and not one thats focused on taking to the track, etc. Even the modest 300 HP provided by the NA 3. 5L V6 in the Acura TLX is more than adequate for highway passing, etc. I find the TLX has plenty of smooth power but is very sorely lacking in that throw you back in your seat thrilling acceleration, and, its really the only thing about the TLX that I find to be significantly disappointing. Im disappointed to hear that Kia has seemingly, intentionally handicapped the Stinger in this most important aspect, from the perspective of the sorts of people I would imagine would be drawn to a car like the stinger in the first place?
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ilwol1004
03: 28 Hyundai owns Kia since 1997. Many Korean companies including Kia went bankrupt because of South Koreas economy deterioration started from 1997. So South Korea requested bailout to IMF to save the countrys economy. At the end of the 1997 there were many motor groups to buy Kia including Ford, Daewoo, Samsung and Hyundai. Ford and Daewoo refused to take over Kia because of the companys bad capital situation. Even Samsung refused to buy Kia because they judged that Kia had no technical power to build new platform and cars. So Hyundai decided to take over Kia in the beginning of 1998 and built current Headquarters in Seocho, Korea. Since then, Mazda(Technical adviser and alliance with Kia) quit trading with Kia. Hyundai-Kia s first platform-shared based car was 2003 sonata and 2003 first generation optima. They designed the interior EXACTLY the same and shared many parts. Buy the way, KIA ) means Rise up, Asia) in Korean words. :)
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03: 28 Hyundai owns Kia since 1997. Many Korean companies including Kia went bankrupt because of South Koreas economy deterioration started from 1997. So South Korea requested bailout to IMF to save the countrys economy. At the end of the 1997 there were many motor groups to buy Kia including Ford, Daewoo, Samsung and Hyundai. Ford and Daewoo refused to take over Kia because of the companys bad capital situation. Even Samsung refused to buy Kia because they judged that Kia had no technical power to build new platform and cars. So Hyundai decided to take over Kia in the beginning of 1998 and built current Headquarters in Seocho, Korea. Since then, Mazda(Technical adviser and alliance with Kia) quit trading with Kia. Hyundai-Kia s first platform-shared based car was 2003 sonata and 2003 first generation optima. They designed the interior EXACTLY the same and shared many parts. Buy the way, KIA ) means Rise up, Asia) in Korean words. :)
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dachunde
Here is the reason I purchased my 2018 Kia Stinger AWD GT2. I wanted a luxurious car with a good deal of performance that was AWD and well below the 100, 000 dollar price tag of most cars that caught my eye. I sort of stumbled upon The Stinger in my internet searches and was very intrigued. After I actually went to a dealership and sat in one and went for a test drive I saw a car that was the best of both worlds for me. I was looking for Performance for all seasons and I also wanted something Luxurious, NOT small yet not over the top in any category. I. E. Too much performance attracts cops to follow you. Too much Luxury attracts gold diggers. Being a Tall Guy I wanted a car to drive year round that I would not feel cramped in yet not feel like a New York Gangster in either.
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Here is the reason I purchased my 2018 Kia Stinger AWD GT2. I wanted a luxurious car with a good deal of performance that was AWD and well below the 100, 000 dollar price tag of most cars that caught my eye. I sort of stumbled upon The Stinger in my internet searches and was very intrigued. After I actually went to a dealership and sat in one and went for a test drive I saw a car that was the best of both worlds for me. I was looking for Performance for all seasons and I also wanted something Luxurious, NOT small yet not over the top in any category. I. E. Too much performance attracts cops to follow you. Too much Luxury attracts gold diggers. Being a Tall Guy I wanted a car to drive year round that I would not feel cramped in yet not feel like a New York Gangster in either.
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Michael Quaiser
Good job Alex, the most comprehensive review of a car I have ever seen. Not just about the ups and downs of the car you are reviewing but also the cars competition. I am a car enthusiast and am impressed with the minute details that you cover. You will certainly pare someones shopping list to just a few. All then that will be required is a comprehensive test drive of said models. I explore all car purchasers to take a lot of time test driving any proposed purchase. At least one or two hours with all eventual drivers having seat time. Again Alex, excellent job. Also, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of the Kia Stinger. The German models are definitely going to have some problems competing with this cars value and quality.
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Good job Alex, the most comprehensive review of a car I have ever seen. Not just about the ups and downs of the car you are reviewing but also the cars competition. I am a car enthusiast and am impressed with the minute details that you cover. You will certainly pare someones shopping list to just a few. All then that will be required is a comprehensive test drive of said models. I explore all car purchasers to take a lot of time test driving any proposed purchase. At least one or two hours with all eventual drivers having seat time. Again Alex, excellent job. Also, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of the Kia Stinger. The German models are definitely going to have some problems competing with this cars value and quality.
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howlingwolf125y
Dear Alex, I hope you are paying attention to this. I want to mention what I like about the Stinger BTW, nice review. but look at the interior dashboard. you kind of skipped over most of the GREAT more traditional dashboard layout. The Tacho, speedo, etc. on the dash are a simple traditional design. And there is a traditional console shifter. All this is super great to see. However, I am a SUV guy, and I hope Kia (and Hyundai) puts this design (interior dashboard) in their future SUVs. I also hope Honda is listening and looking at the interior dash layout because the dashboard designs on their Pilot, Ridgeline, and CR-V (except for the steering wheels - which are very nice) are pretty bad.
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Dear Alex, I hope you are paying attention to this. I want to mention what I like about the Stinger BTW, nice review. but look at the interior dashboard. you kind of skipped over most of the GREAT more traditional dashboard layout. The Tacho, speedo, etc. on the dash are a simple traditional design. And there is a traditional console shifter. All this is super great to see. However, I am a SUV guy, and I hope Kia (and Hyundai) puts this design (interior dashboard) in their future SUVs. I also hope Honda is listening and looking at the interior dash layout because the dashboard designs on their Pilot, Ridgeline, and CR-V (except for the steering wheels - which are very nice) are pretty bad.
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Jj Tinkler
They copy traditional manufacturers well, so their offer to the mature markets should be a Tesla copy rather than a version of the Mustang that is a copy of the Mustang that is competing for a limited market. if this was a Tesla clone it would sell throughout the traditional market. I am a petrol head who has justrecently bought an i3 all battery, and I love it. but if there was a tesla clone I would buy that and Kia, or any brand which nails its colours to that mast, will become the brand that inserts itself alongside Merc and BMW leaving Nissan to lead the charge in the affordable sector.
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They copy traditional manufacturers well, so their offer to the mature markets should be a Tesla copy rather than a version of the Mustang that is a copy of the Mustang that is competing for a limited market. if this was a Tesla clone it would sell throughout the traditional market. I am a petrol head who has justrecently bought an i3 all battery, and I love it. but if there was a tesla clone I would buy that and Kia, or any brand which nails its colours to that mast, will become the brand that inserts itself alongside Merc and BMW leaving Nissan to lead the charge in the affordable sector.
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Martin Ricardo
Very good comparison. Stinger is a super fast car. Ive leased cars every two years for the past 15. I have now a Kia Stinger GT1. This one has been the best after having BMW, Subarus, Lexus, Acuras and Audis. Super good performance, styling and reliability. People asked me in every corner what is my car. Italian style with German dynamics. It is also a hatchback same as Audi A7 but this one is 70K My stinger smoked many cars for only 42k. Koreans showed with Hyundai, Genesis and Samsung and other brands than can be very reliable and competitive My best car in 15 years.
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Very good comparison. Stinger is a super fast car. Ive leased cars every two years for the past 15. I have now a Kia Stinger GT1. This one has been the best after having BMW, Subarus, Lexus, Acuras and Audis. Super good performance, styling and reliability. People asked me in every corner what is my car. Italian style with German dynamics. It is also a hatchback same as Audi A7 but this one is 70K My stinger smoked many cars for only 42k. Koreans showed with Hyundai, Genesis and Samsung and other brands than can be very reliable and competitive My best car in 15 years.
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John V
I would disagree with you Alex, the best car bang for your buck is Lexus GS F. Its true NA engine with driving dynamics of old M5. Chris Harris even liked GS F, and motor trend who are Germany bias like how the GS F preforms. End of the day, would a lawyer or doctor be caught dead driving Kia? Image and brand is very is important. If you are going spend 50000 USD, might as well get mustang or Camaro which true sports cars which get just same amount of MPG as a stinger, and buy economic car for daily use.
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I would disagree with you Alex, the best car bang for your buck is Lexus GS F. Its true NA engine with driving dynamics of old M5. Chris Harris even liked GS F, and motor trend who are Germany bias like how the GS F preforms. End of the day, would a lawyer or doctor be caught dead driving Kia? Image and brand is very is important. If you are going spend 50000 USD, might as well get mustang or Camaro which true sports cars which get just same amount of MPG as a stinger, and buy economic car for daily use.
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