2018 GT2 vs 2019 GT1 - help!

[Mike P]

Hello all,

First time poster so apologies if this is formatted poorly. I am in the market for a Stinger and with my budget (~40k) I cannot convince myself to jump all the way up to the 2019 GT2. I have seen some good deals on 2018 GT2 (low miles - 5-12k) but now I’m expanding my search and it looks like I could get a new 19 GT1 for the same/less. This would pay out in the end financially with 0% financing from a dealer as opposed to a couple % from a CU, so financially I know what makes sense. Plus with the known caliper deposit issues it seems it would be wise to get a new one that I know does not already have deposits developed (though I’m sure any brake related issues would be covered under remainder of warranty for the 18).
Ultimately my question is this - what do I NOT get if I go the 19 GT1 route versus the 18 GT2 route? This is tentatively my first purchase with all the “bells and whistles” so I don’t want to regret settling if indeed that is what I would be doing. Also, has Kia vastly improved the reliability of any modules/components between 18 and 19? My guess is no, so it really comes down to options/features and fortunately it looks like they carried over a lot of the missing features into the 19 GT1.
If anyone has personal advice or a good comparison between the two I would greatly appreciate it. From what I can tell there is no HUD, less customization for front seats, lesser leather quality, and no dynamic low beam adjustment with the 19 GT1 (all included on the 18 GT2). Anything I’m missing? In your personal experience/opinion, would I miss any of those features not having them if I landed on the GT1?

Thanks so much!

 

[Issemann]

I recently went through the same dilemma and finally chose the '19 GT1 over the '18 GT2. I could live without the added bells & whistles that you get from the GT2, but in reality, it was the 0% financing and color options (I have the ceramic silver) that sealed the deal. As for your question, in addition to the items you already listed above, I believe the GT2 has the automatic trunk/hatch, whereas the GT1 does not. Good luck with whatever you choose as I am very happy with this car!!

 

[Johnnyfive]

The GT2 has ventilated front seats. A nice option for those in warmer climates! The 18 won’t have 360 cameras though.

 

[Issemann]

The GT2 has ventilated front seats.

My '19 GT1 has ventilated front seats too.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The GT1 has the manual gate "T" shifter; which I happen to like a lot. Shift by wire sounds annoying to me.

The 19 GT1 of course has all the "nannies" as standard, just like the 18/19 GT2.

 

[Mike P]

I recently went through the same dilemma and finally chose the '19 GT1 over the '18 GT2. I could live without the added bells & whistles that you get from the GT2, but in reality, it was the 0% financing and color options (I have the ceramic silver) that sealed the deal. As for your question, in addition to the items you already listed above, I believe the GT2 has the automatic trunk/hatch, whereas the GT1 does not. Good luck with whatever you choose as I am very happy with this car!!

Thanks for the reply! Do you find the seats to be comfortable? That was one thing I wondered about - more seat adjustability with the GT2 but I wonder what sort of difference that would really make in the end

 

[Issemann]

Thanks for the reply! Do you find the seats to be comfortable? That was one thing I wondered about - more seat adjustability with the GT2 but I wonder what sort of difference that would really make in the end

Yes, the seats are very comfortable, in my opinion. While the GT2 has the thigh extender, I don't feel it's needed as I'm not tall enough to use that feature. The '19 GT1 has enough seat adjustability for me. Of course, you should go and sit in one to see if it's OK for you.

 

[Redvoodoo55]

Yes, the seats are very comfortable, in my opinion. While the GT2 has the thigh extender, I don't feel it's needed as I'm not tall enough to use that feature. The '19 GT1 has enough seat adjustability for me. Of course, you should go and sit in one to see if it's OK for you.

I have to agree on the comfort question. Although the GT2 may be marginally more comfortable than the GT1, it really comes down to how important that is to you. For me the GT1 is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned in my 30 years of owning cars. Mind you that I have always owned BMW, Audi, Infiniti, and Porsche performance cars. The GT1 is more comfortable than my current other cars, BMW X2 and Porsche Cayman GTS. IMHO the GT1 is the sweet spot in the trim levels for bang for the buck and balance of options.

 

[Rob M]

2018 models in USA all had heated steering wheel; optional in 2019 i believe.

 

[CeramicGT001]

2018 models in USA all had heated steering wheel; optional in 2019 i believe.

I thought only the AWD models came with heated steering wheel..?

 

[CeramicGT001]

Thanks for the reply! Do you find the seats to be comfortable? That was one thing I wondered about - more seat adjustability with the GT2 but I wonder what sort of difference that would really make in the end

I’ve had my 19 GT1 since March, 10k miles in the drivers seats. I find them to be comfy but I’ve never sat in a GT2 with the Nappa Leather to compare.
I would like to have the adjustable side bolsters like the GT2 Nappa’s though to hug me in a little more.

So the main feature differences between the 18 GT2 and the 19 GT1 include the seats, GT2 drive by wire, GT2 HUD, GT2 dynamic bending headlights, GT2 Smart liftgate (also wish I had)..The GT1 gets wireless charging. Correct me if missing anything thanks.

 

[ScottM]

2018 models in USA all had heated steering wheel; optional in 2019 i believe.

This is not the case. I have a 2018 GT2 with no heated steering wheel. Though I don't need it living in Las Vegas, NV...but as they say, it's a dry heat.

 

[robz32]

Heated steering wheel only come with the AWD package.

 

[DiabloStinger]

The seats are quite different, but you have to look for the differences. HUD, meh... not a deal breaker for me. The shifter is what it is. Now, the power hatch is a huge deal. Really love that feature.

 

[Issemann]

Now, the power hatch is a huge deal. Really love that feature.

I've had a power liftgate for the past 14 years. And while it's an excellent convenience feature, I don't mind having a manual hatch on my GT1.

 

[Ruturaj]

I think GT1 will be better choice for you, I hate the look of that shiftier but people have upgraded it pretty easily.

 

[Kodiak]

I would do the new just because you have no idea if the used car was abused. What kind of offers are you seeing for the gt1 new?

 

[Rob M]

This is not the case. I have a 2018 GT2 with no heated steering wheel. Though I don't need it living in Las Vegas, NV...but as they say, it's a dry heat.

The kiamedia.com website in error. It makes sense that it primarly linked with awd for cold weather operation, but nontheless kia's mobile site is incorrect because it specifies heated steering wheel as Standard across the stinger lineup. Doin a little research, there was an earlier discussion that revealed the same error.

 

[Kgh31386]

Wait a couple months and snag a killer deal on a 19 GT2 since the 20’s will be out and they want everything gone by Christmas. Some of us have gotten 19 GT2’s for around $40,000 new.

 

[Mike P]

I would do the new just because you have no idea if the used car was abused. What kind of offers are you seeing for the gt1 new?

I really haven’t done much research on those yet but from what I recall there was one or two in my area for ~39k list. I’d be keen to know what people have gotten them for, final out the door price