Differences Between Trim Levels

[unintelligible]

What a mess. It's kinda funny at this point. It'll be interesting to see how the press cars they had out in the Mojave Desert were equipped, I think the review embargo ends this coming Monday. It's a very, very poor quality photo, but one of the journalists posted a pic of the rear of a white Stinger on Twitter and it actually looks like it has a "GT2" badge on the back... so there may be some surprises yet to come.

 

[jburns]

I will never buy another car without smart cruise, period. It changes the whole driving experience when in moderate or greater traffic. No more, cruise on, brake cruise off, cruise on, brake cruise off ad nauseum.

 

[damtachoa]

It seems to me that Kia just copies Mercedes strategy with a formula: Bait and Switch.

I still remember a couple years ago Mercedes introduced CLA45 with all options and features. However, when it came out, the car looked plastic all over interior and features cut back so many for a price of $65K+. The car was completely different from the original one. Good job, Kia.

 

[eljay]

I will never buy another car without smart cruise, period. It changes the whole driving experience when in moderate or greater traffic. No more, cruise on, brake cruise off, cruise on, brake cruise off ad nauseum.

I'm looking forward to it. I used to use my (conventional) cruise control frequently, but given changes in traffic locally, I haven't used it at all in a couple of years.

 

[jburns]

I'm looking forward to it. I used to use my (conventional) cruise control frequently, but given changes in traffic locally, I haven't used it at all in a couple of years.

Same experience here. You will love it.

 

[davebo]

I'm looking forward to it. I used to use my (conventional) cruise control frequently, but given changes in traffic locally, I haven't used it at all in a couple of years.

I'm sure I'm the crazy one but I pushed a cruise control button once in 1996 and haven't ever used it since. I've also never used an ATM, but it's not like I'm afraid of technology since I'm on computers every day. Some things I just like doing manually.

 

[eljay]

I'm sure I'm the crazy one but I pushed a cruise control button once in 1996 and haven't ever used it since. I've also never used an ATM, but it's not like I'm afraid of technology since I'm on computers every day. Some things I just like doing manually.

You're not crazy--under most conditions, I prefer driving w/o cruise, but find it really comes in handy sometimes--to break up long drives, when there are distractions to attend to (like when I have a car full of my talkative friends), or when I know the CHP is lurking and my lead foot is getting itchy.

But no ATM? I'm shocked! (Kidding--I wish I could avoid them.)

 

[jbweb7]

The lack of options for a sunroof and standard safety features across the range has me very frustrated. 2018 optima base models at 22,500 have blind spot and cross traffic. I really expected Kia to nail the value aspect. They seem to be be chasing the germans in the wrong way at this point.

I can get an optima with a 2.OT, led lights, sunroof blind spot and cross traffic for $30,000. I can get all but the sunroof on a mustang for $34,500. The stang has vented seats and a 9 speaker system too. Given that Kia should..
$32,500: 2.O stinger with led headlights, blind spot, cross traffic
$34,500: AWD Or Sun/sound below
$36,000: 9 speaker, Rim upgrade and sunroof w/awd

Anything more is just delusional by Kia. If they do not learn at launch, I will wait for the 2019 models. I bet some of the auto break and smart cruise will make there way in by 19 too.

 

[jwhollan]

A much more extensive options list has been posted here by Kia:

http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/stinger/2018/features#stinger

Ventilated seats, smart cruise, and rear cross traffic alerts are standard on the GT2 only, the latter two optional on the other trims (with the $2k driver assistance package I would assume). Still nothing on wireless charging and 360° camera.

This would seem to be about as official as it's going to get. I don't get the impression that any of this is subject to change at this point, and considering the extensiveness of this particular list, I'd find it hard to believe that any other options would have simply been missed.

 

[CHC]

A much more extensive options list has been posted here by Kia:

http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/stinger/2018/features#stinger

Ventilated seats, smart cruise, and rear cross traffic alerts are standard on the GT2 only, the latter two optional on the other trims (with the $2k driver assistance package I would assume). Still nothing on wireless charging and 360° camera.

This would seem to be about as official as it's going to get. I don't get the impression that any of this is subject to change at this point, and considering the extensiveness of this particular list, I'd find it hard to believe that any other options would have simply been missed.

I share everyone's frustrations here, and I have been almost obsessing over this car almost weekly. I have even downloaded the KIA USA spreadsheet of features just a couple of days ago (the old one) to highlight what I consider as priorities for myself and am still dismayed by the lack of the 360 camera on the top trim levels and wireless charging. It seems that this new list was just recently updated for formatting purposes and still don't see the inclusion of the content that we are hoping for. Fingers crossed for us though, who knows, they haven't even published for USA brochures yet.

 

[jwhollan]

I'm content with this. Not as happy as I would be if ALL of the features we've been shown were available, but I'm feeling better about it than I did a couple days ago when it was looking like we would get none of those features.

The last thing I think Kia needs to do now is drop the MSRP on the GT2 $2600 (to $46,900) so that adding AWD plus destination means your still under $50k. We have been lead to believe in the past that a fully loaded, top end Stinger would be under $50k and I feel like that is a good spot for it

 

[CHC]

I'm content with this. Not as happy as I would be if ALL of the features we've been shown were available, but I'm feeling better about it than I did a couple days ago when it was looking like we would get none of those features.

The last thing I think Kia needs to do now is drop the MSRP on the GT2 $2600 (to $46,900) so that adding AWD plus destination means your still under $50k. We have been lead to believe in the past that a fully loaded, top end Stinger would be under $50k and I feel like that is a good spot for it

I totally agree with the GT2 being around the midpoint ~$45 mark since that seemed to be everyone's expectations on here and would make it pretty competitive. I still don't understand why KIA Canada has the discrepancy with the features, but it is still taking a LONG time for ther US media department to push out stuff. Perhaps they are still tweaking on the exhaust for the US domestic market, but still not an excuse. There's a dealership who's about 1.5 hours away which I have yet to make the trek to go see, so I'm still excited about making the trip to see the car in person, although it seems like these demo units going around aren't US spec.

The only other reservation that I have about this car, is the transmission, which would make it or break it for me personally, since I've been driving manual for years. A test drive can't come soon enough!

 

[Merkur720]

A much more extensive options list has been posted here by Kia:

http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/stinger/2018/features#stinger

Ventilated seats, smart cruise, and rear cross traffic alerts are standard on the GT2 only, the latter two optional on the other trims (with the $2k driver assistance package I would assume). Still nothing on wireless charging and 360° camera.

This would seem to be about as official as it's going to get. I don't get the impression that any of this is subject to change at this point, and considering the extensiveness of this particular list, I'd find it hard to believe that any other options would have simply been missed.

It does confirm several trim levels get the LED rear turn signals --- so silver lining??! I'm most disappointed with lack of ventilated front seats (in all but highest GT2 trim level). That's a MUST HAVE living in a hot climate like Texas. Especially since my 2012 Optima has that... To me, that's more valuable than a standard heated steering wheel.

 

[unintelligible]

I have even downloaded the KIA USA spreadsheet of features just a couple of days ago (the old one) to highlight what I consider as priorities for myself and am still dismayed by the lack of the 360 camera on the top trim levels and wireless charging.

I am still holding out hope that it will have the wireless charging, because the press release that dropped on the same day as the options list actually mentions it specifically. It seems like forgetting to include it in the options list is an easier mistake to make versus accidentally writing all of this language into the press release, but who knows.

Resting within the center console is a wireless Smartphone charging pad and Bluetooth®6 hands-free operation is standard while many of the vehicle’s subsystems may be accessed through the steering-wheel-mounted controls.

 

[Bamm1]

I'm content with this. Not as happy as I would be if ALL of the features we've been shown were available, but I'm feeling better about it than I did a couple days ago when it was looking like we would get none of those features.

The last thing I think Kia needs to do now is drop the MSRP on the GT2 $2600 (to $46,900) so that adding AWD plus destination means your still under $50k. We have been lead to believe in the past that a fully loaded, top end Stinger would be under $50k and I feel like that is a good spot for it

I am really struggling to stay on board. In Canada, the top spec GT Limited includes ALL of the options on the US GT2, plus rear heated seats, wireless charging and 360 degree camera. All that with AWD standard for $11,500* less than we pay for the highest trim car with every option. If the US got all the same options but had to pay more I would just chalk it up to different markets. But getting less for way more money is offensive.

I was pretty strongly leaning towards the Stinger because it appeared it was going to "out content" and "out price" other "similar" cars (regardless of the class). I was willing to ignore any performance, fuel economy, brand perception and depreciation deficits. I can't get ventilated seats on a BMW 440i GC. I can't get rear heated seats or wireless charging on a MB C43.

Now it might not "out content" an Optima or '18 Accord. With a price a good bit more than I was expecting (and to be honest, more than it is worth...I don't think they are selling it at a loss in Canada)

*took a guess at destination cost

 

[ballistic]

smart cruise and cooled seats are great features and is very useful to everyone. we have a hot summer here in florida but new york has hot summers as well. new york city in july is steaming. just not for as long as down here in orlando. i know a 360 camera would probably be nice and wireless charging but they're not deal breakers for me. heated seats in the back would be nice but if you don't have back seat passengers all but once in a blue moon it's really not a big deal either. i don't think any of my rear seat passengers will be all that impressed with heated rear seats. it's going to be other aspects of the car that impresses them.

 

[Bamm1]

smart cruise and cooled seats are great features and is very useful to everyone. we have a hot summer here in florida but new york has hot summers as well. new york city in july is steaming. just not for as long as down here in orlando. i know a 360 camera would probably be nice and wireless charging but they're not deal breakers for me. heated seats in the back would be nice but if you don't have back seat passengers all but once in a blue moon it's really not a big deal either. i don't think any of my rear seat passengers will be all that impressed with heated rear seats. it's going to be other aspects of the car that impresses them.

For me its not one thing by itself. Like no heated rear seats = no purchase. Its all one synergistic combination of missing options, higher price than it should be, gas mileage lower than all other players, good but not class leading performance (that is exacerbated when the faster cars get better fuel economy) and brand perception that leads to heavy depreciation of an already too expensive item.

I get all the retorts as well: I don't need that option; its still cheaper than a BMW; it has "more room" so its not as fast/gets worse fuel economy; all sedans depreciate because SUVs; et al. So I have to ask, will telling myself I have a "discount BMW" make me happier driving it? If I already have to give up certain options can I give up even more to find something at a lower price? Do I need that much space or can I go smaller (and maybe faster)? When I thought we were getting every option for under 50k I was not inclined to go down these roads. Now, not so much.

 

[hereward]

For me its not one thing by itself. Like no heated rear seats = no purchase. Its all one synergistic combination of missing options, higher price than it should be, gas mileage lower than all other players, good but not class leading performance (that is exacerbated when the faster cars get better fuel economy) and brand perception that leads to heavy depreciation of an already too expensive item.

I get all retorts as well: I don't need that option; its still cheaper than a BMW; it has "more room" so its not as fast/gets worse fuel economy; all sedans depreciate because SUVs; et al. So I have to ask myself, will telling myself I have a "discount BMW" make me happier driving it? If I already have to give up certain options can I give up even more to find something at a lower price? Do I need that much space or can I go smaller (and maybe faster)? When I thought we were getting every option for under 50k I was not inclined to go down these roads. Now, not so much.

Bamm1 is starting on a trajectory which I am also entering - may be a BMW is a better deal. All this buggering about by the Kia marketing - Gad, why do Canadians get a better deal than us- beats me.

 

[Chris]

Bamm1 is starting on a trajectory which I am also entering - may be a BMW is a better deal. All this buggering about by the Kia marketing - Gad, why do Canadians get a better deal than us- beats me.

Yep just on principle I don't think I can talk myself in to paying 53k plus for a car that doesn't have some of the features my 4 year old optima that was 27k has. Just found a 2017 Jaguar F pace online for 57K It is used but only has 5k miles on it. I bet I could get them to knock at least a couple Grand off that price. I really liked the stinger but I don't think I can buy one when I can get all the F-pace has to offer for 1500 more?

 

[Merkur720]

Maybe a certified A7 is the way to go. Here is an example.

https://www.carmax.com/car/15053940

Proven platform -- Check
Depreciation hit -- Check
Better resale -- Check
Power everything -- Check
Luxury Brand -- Check
AWD V6 Turbo -- Check

Just warranty and 360 camera and maintenance would be negatives for the same money.... I'm not giving up yet though!