Red looks good on my new Stinger!

[Johnnyfive]

Happy owner of a GT2! What a blast this thing is! Noticed turning heads and already asked twice what it is. Loving it!

 

[Merkur720]

Congrats. It’s beautiful!

 

[Kia Stinger]

Great picture, @Johnnyfive! It looks fantastic! What do you think so far? I mean of driving it...

 

[Johnnyfive]

I've really enjoyed it so far. Will spend some time with it tomorrow to get used to the instrumentation and control layout. Smooth ride in comfort mode and puts a grin on my face every time I hit the gas. Quiet, though I noticed that rattle mentioned in other posts. Will need to nail that down. Will post morning photos and drive impressions later.

 

[Kazz]

Congrats and yes, that red's good looking!

 

[oxide365]

damn that's hot.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Let us know how it goes when you chase down that rattle in the hatch. The window tint was done by the dealer?

 

[Johnnyfive]

Yes, it was already tinted when I test drove it.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Yes, it was already tinted when I test drove it.

It looks very good - and legal...

 

[Kazz]

I fixed my hatch rattles by unscrewing the bumpers at the end of the hatch a full rotation. I tried a half-rotation and that didn't quite get rid of it. This adjustment's working so far.

 

[Johnnyfive]

Hi all. I wanted to give a more detailed description of my experience so far. I really love this car! I've had it for 24 hours now, and I have not yet been disappointed. The ride is very smooth. Bumps are still noticeable, but not nearly as much as in my Altima. It is very quiet as well. Minimal road noise, nice note from the engine/exhaust (in my opinion), and the sound system seems good to me though I am no audiophile. The climate control is very nice, and cools off very quickly (still somewhat warm afternoons in Texas!). The HUD is really nice and clear, though I can't see it with my polarized sunglasses on. It displays your speed, the speed limit (GPS based, I think), safety info such as lane departure and blind spot warnings (which is really nice!), cruise control settings, and radio settings for presets (I think, haven't played much with it yet).

The adjustments on the seat are great. Dialing in the height, tilt, lumbar, thigh cushion, and bolster firmness basically let me design my ideal driving position. Pedal position feels right as well. Everything feels well thought out and ergonomically placed. I have no trouble reaching anything, though I am 6'3". Rear visibility through the rear window is limited, but not so much that you can't see anything. The side mirrors are very nice, and tilt down while in reverse to help see (still wish we had that 360 camera though). Idle stop and go seems to work well. A lightly depressed pedal seems to not let it activate, but upon providing more pressure on the pedal the system shuts the engine down. It starts back up immediately and with no noticeable issues when leaving the stopsign/stoplight.

The blinker sound is nice, and the horn is not bad. I was afraid of some little dinky horn, but this isn't. It could maybe use some extra oomph, but its acceptable. The manual and other books come in a nice sleeve with magnetic clasp. It does, however, take up most of the glove box. I can easily fit a Canon Rebel T6 in the center console, though (oddly specific, I know, but I just tried and was surprised). The accent lighting on the passenger dash is very subtle and looks great at night.

The back seat occupants can control the temperature independent of the front, and have power ports as well. Seats seem comfortable, though the roof is a little low as expected. Trunk room is enormous! Shouldn't have any issues fitting suitcases in there. The drive is wonderful, put even a little pressure on the gas and away you go. Give it more, and it pushes you back into your seat. I have the AWD, and so far have really felt complete control. It has a nice turning radius, perhaps due to the AWD.

I feel like I am rambling a bit now, so on to some photos. If you have any questions, or want close ups of any feature inside or out let me know!

 

[Kia Stinger]

Hi all. I wanted to give a more detailed description of my experience so far. I really love this car! I've had it for 24 hours now, and I have not yet been disappointed. The ride is very smooth. Bumps are still noticeable, but not nearly as much as in my Altima. It is very quiet as well. Minimal road noise, nice note from the engine/exhaust (in my opinion), and the sound system seems good to me though I am no audiophile. The climate control is very nice, and cools off very quickly (still somewhat warm afternoons in Texas!). The HUD is really nice and clear, though I can't see it with my polarized sunglasses on. It displays your speed, the speed limit (GPS based, I think), safety info such as lane departure and blind spot warnings (which is really nice!), cruise control settings, and radio settings for presets (I think, haven't played much with it yet).

The adjustments on the seat are great. Dialing in the height, tilt, lumbar, thigh cushion, and bolster firmness basically let me design my ideal driving position. Pedal position feels right as well. Everything feels well thought out and ergonomically placed. I have no trouble reaching anything, though I am 6'3". Rear visibility through the rear window is limited, but not so much that you can't see anything. The side mirrors are very nice, and tilt down while in reverse to help see (still wish we had that 360 camera though). Idle stop and go seems to work well. A lightly depressed pedal seems to not let it activate, but upon providing more pressure on the pedal the system shuts the engine down. It starts back up immediately and with no noticeable issues when leaving the stopsign/stoplight.

The blinker sound is nice, and the horn is not bad. I was afraid of some little dinky horn, but this isn't. It could maybe use some extra oomph, but its acceptable. The manual and other books come in a nice sleeve with magnetic clasp. It does, however, take up most of the glove box. I can easily fit a Canon Rebel T6 in the center console, though (oddly specific, I know, but I just tried and was surprised). The accent lighting on the passenger dash is very subtle and looks great at night.

The back seat occupants can control the temperature independent of the front, and have power ports as well. Seats seem comfortable, though the roof is a little low as expected. Trunk room is enormous! Shouldn't have any issues fitting suitcases in there. The drive is wonderful, put even a little pressure on the gas and away you go. Give it more, and it pushes you back into your seat. I have the AWD, and so far have really felt complete control. It has a nice turning radius, perhaps due to the AWD.

I feel like I am rambling a bit now, so on to some photos. If you have any questions, or want close ups of any feature inside or out let me know!

View attachment 1532 View attachment 1533 View attachment 1534 View attachment 1535 View attachment 1536 View attachment 1537 View attachment 1538 View attachment 1539 View attachment 1540

Thank you very much for the update and extensive review! Like every other review, it sounds like you're pretty much thoroughly impressed with the Stinger so far. I'm glad to hear you like the way the audio system sounds. It should even improve over time as the speakers break in. It's a pretty high tech car with a lot of power! A very nice upgrade from the Altima - which is all quite nice...

 

[ralzod]

The side mirrors are very nice, and tilt down while in reverse to help see (still wish we had that 360 camera though).

Wow, that's great to hear! I was looking for tilt-down mirror on the feature page, and it's not listed. Other Kia models do list it, however, so I assumed Stinger just didn't have it. Chalk another one up to KMA marketing inconsistencies.

Could you tell me if the driver's side sun visor is telescoping? At 6'2" I usually sit far enough back to have a big gap along the side window, so the telescoping sun visor is a mandatory feature for me. The demo GT model I sat in had it, but I haven't confirmed if the actual US-spec cars got them.

Thanks...great review overall!

 

[Kia Stinger]

Could you tell me if the driver's side sun visor is telescoping? At 6'2" I usually sit far enough back to have a big gap along the side window, so the telescoping sun visor is a mandatory feature for me. The demo GT model I sat in had it, but I haven't confirmed if the actual US-spec cars got them.

It just HAS to... But I know... We need to ask...

 

[davebo]

I'm curious what made you go for the AWD living in Texas?

 

[Johnnyfive]

Sure does! Base position and extended position.

 

[ralzod]

Sure does! Base position and extended position.

Awesome, thanks! On another topic, do you have a finished garage, or do you keep your Stinger in your living room?

 

[Johnnyfive]

I'm curious what made you go for the AWD living in Texas?

Overall control, turning capability, and future proofing.

 

[Johnnyfive]

Awesome, thanks! On another topic, do you have a finished garage, or do you keep your Stinger in your living room?

We aren't supposed to keep them in the living room?


Finished garage.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Sure does! Base position and extended position.
View attachment 1541 View attachment 1542

Thank goodness! I can stop holding my breath now...