Car & Driver Stinger GT AWD (Full Test) - Almost a Sport Sedan

[Bamm1]

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-kia-stinger-gt-33t-awd-test-review

• AWD is faster to 60 (vs. RWD MT test)
• 1/4 mile about the same
• 5 - 60 mph in 5.3s, pretty good
• Weight is not too bad
• AWD pulled more g's on the skidpad
• All this on REGULAR fuel
• Seems to think the AWD GT2 is too close in price to better options

 

[Chris]

I think the key part of that article is the fully loaded version isn't worth the cost when other better cars can be had in that price neighborhood. Bummer...

 

[Bamm1]

I think the key part of that article is the fully loaded version isn't worth the cost when other better cars can be had in that price neighborhood. Bummer...

I agree. I just updated my post to include that piece. Most Stinger reviews have been almost glowing. This one seems more realistic with the pros and cons.

 

[ralzod]

I think the key part of that article is the fully loaded version isn't worth the cost when other better cars can be had in that price neighborhood.

Not if one wants a hatch. The only thing worse for selection/competition is full-on long roofs.

 

[Bamm1]

Not if one wants a hatch. The only thing worse for selection/competition is full-on long roofs.

I really like the hatch as well. But it isn't a "must have, damn the cost" kind of thing for me.

 

[hereward]

I agree. I just updated my post to include that piece. Most Stinger reviews have been almost glowing. This one seems more realistic with the pros and cons.

Yes, this is where rubber meets the road. People have been beguiled by the 3.3GT at Nurburgring and other places. To be fair, the test circumstances probably did not permit a thorough examination of the car. However, one or two reviewers over the last three months touched upon some of the limitations of the car, such as the interior quality and turbo lag.

I find the Ceppos' review not a glowing one, but a measured one. High speed transient handling shows a problem. This will become more apparent as comparative reviews are done with the German cars. Let us hope we'll begin to see such real life reviews, giving practical perspectives. In terms of cost, a GT2 will still be an advantageous proposition in comparison to a BMW 430i Gran Coupe, but at $52k, people will begin to consider depreciation, interior material quality in long term durability, and above all, depreciation and dealership experience.

 

[Chris]

In terms of cost, a GT2 will still be an advantageous proposition in comparison to a BMW 430i Gran Coupe, but at $52k, people will begin to consider depreciation, interior material quality in long term durability, and above all, depreciation and dealership experience.

Especially since it is not really 52k. It's 52.5 + 2200 for AWD + destination (assume 800) so in reality that is 55k. I got a quote on a Jag xe r-sport fully loaded for 58k. For only 3k more I get the Jag name, all the same options + more, a full aluminum body etc, etc.. and that doesn't even get in to the expected deprecation issues that Kia has. I was holding out for the legroom in the backseat of the stinger but it sounds like that might not be that great.. I really think Kia is still 5-6k over priced for the top of the line car..

 

[Bamm1]

Yes, this is where rubber meets the road. People have been beguiled by the 3.3GT at Nurburgring and other places. To be fair, the test circumstances probably did not permit a thorough examination of the car. However, one or two reviewers over the last three months touched upon some of the limitations of the car, such as the interior quality and turbo lag.

I find the Ceppos' review not a glowing one, but a measured one. High speed transient handling shows a problem. This will become more apparent as comparative reviews are done with the German cars. Let us hope we'll begin to see such real life reviews, giving practical perspectives. In terms of cost, a GT2 will still be an advantageous proposition in comparison to a BMW 430i Gran Coupe, but at $52k, people will begin to consider depreciation, interior material quality in long term durability, and above all, depreciation and dealership experience.

I have no intention of tracking the Stinger. So any criticisms of its track performance I tend to put in the "nice to know" category and move on. But the possibility of this car reacting poorly to some uneven pavement on a backroad does impact how I intended to use it. I would put that in the unnerving category.

 

[hereward]

Especially since it is not really 52k. It's 52.5 + 2200 for AWD + destination (assume 800) so in reality that is 55k. I got a quote on a Jag xe r-sport fully loaded for 58k. For only 3k more I get the Jag name, all the same options + more, a full aluminum body etc, etc.. and that doesn't even get in to the expected deprecation issues that Kia has. I was holding out for the legroom in the backseat of the stinger but it sounds like that might not be that great.. I really think Kia is still 5-6k over priced for the top of the line car..

Yes, the rear leg room is a real disappointment.

 

[hereward]

I have no intention of tracking the Stinger. So any criticisms of its track performance I tend to put in the "nice to know" category and move on. But the possibility of this car reacting poorly to some uneven pavement on a backroad does impact how I intended to use it. I would put that in the unnerving category.

Lest I am misunderstood, let me hasten to add that I've been an early, enthusiastic supporter of a contender to the German marques. I considered the Nurburgring buzz a marketing distraction and tracking is not my desire either, but I am hoping that the Stinger will at least meet my sedate needs for long distance cruising as befitting the GT appellation. As more reviews come out, it'd be inevitable that what Chris describes with the Jaguar will occur to many potential buyers.

 

[Bamm1]

Especially since it is not really 52k. It's 52.5 + 2200 for AWD + destination (assume 800) so in reality that is 55k. I got a quote on a Jag xe r-sport fully loaded for 58k. For only 3k more I get the Jag name, all the same options + more, a full aluminum body etc, etc.. and that doesn't even get in to the expected deprecation issues that Kia has. I was holding out for the legroom in the backseat of the stinger but it sounds like that might not be that great.. I really think Kia is still 5-6k over priced for the top of the line car..

Just for clarification the current estimated pricing is accurate in the article.

GT2 RWD $49,500
AWD + Rain Sensing Wipers $2200
Destination $895
Total: $52,595

I agree. I thought with the larger wheelbase it would get top marks in the rear seat room/comfort category.

I second the "overpriced" assertion.

 

[Chris]

Yeah prices have bounced around in a lot of the reviews and I guess we don't really know what the final cost will be. I read quite a few that were quoting the 52.5k figure. A couple that were quoting the 49.5k and one yesterday that quoted 50,395.. that's one of the reasons I haven't pulled the trigger on the Jag yet. (I also told the sales guy he had to get to 55k for me to buy it)

 

[Bamm1]

Yeah prices have bounced around in a lot of the reviews and I guess we don't really know what the final cost will be. I read quite a few that were quoting the 52.5k figure. A couple that were quoting the 49.5k and one yesterday that quoted 50,395.. that's one of the reasons I haven't pulled the trigger on the Jag yet. (I also told the sales guy he had to get to 55k for me to buy it)

Given that these prices are still "estimates" I can understand why there is confusion.

$49,500 is the GT2 RWD w/o destination
$50,395 is the GT2 RWD w/ destination

It would seem an "every option" Stinger is $52,595. I would use that as my comparison price as you cross shop and try to find a deal that suits you. 3k more for a Jaguar sounds like a pretty good deal if you can "swing it". Plus its supercharged, so no "three beat" turbo lag

 

[CTBumpkin]

Don't forget, as a first year production model, it's bound to have some bugs. It's a gamble and for this price ($53k with destination) one could buy two Civic Sis and take one's significant other on a nice vacation.

 

[hereward]

Don't forget, as a first year production model, it's bound to have some bugs. It's a gamble and for this price ($53k with destination) one could buy two Civic Sis and take one's significant other on a nice vacation.

A 2018 Honda Accord (FWD) 2.0T with a full complement of driver assistance features, and all the features the Stinger 2.0T, and also including heated and cooled seats, will be at $36.7K, close to what a Stinger 2.0T Premium (RWD) would cost. Of course no AWD option on the Accord, but in terms of history of reliability and depreciation it has a record.

Where the Stinger becomes a choice is RWD/AWD. I think it is likely that many potential Stinger buyers might go for the 2.0T Premium - 1.2 seconds slower than the 3.3T, but comes with nearly all the goodies on the GT2.

 

[moinmoin]

Well, what is the upshot then? Are you all in or out?
Just because one C&D reviewer can't drift around a curve on a rough surfaced road? As if the Nürburgring has the smoothest track surface in the world, and American roads are suddenly crap. In fact, the "Ring is a bitch to drive on, the road is unter constant repair. Check the videos on youtube. Nobody I heard of complained then about the Stinger's roadholding abilities. Of course, it's not just that....I know that.

I believe, C&D should have let the guy who did the Nürburgring do this particular article as a follow-up also.
What makes these drive reports so questionable is the fact, that the vehicle provided are still pre-production cars. I have no idea why KIA screws this up in this fashion, but pre-production everywhere in North America: on the roads, at the dealers, but no willing buyer can drive them and form his/hers own opinion. All these "tests" should be taken with a grain of salt.

Look at the two cars below and at their tail lights, lacking the LEDs a "proper" GT should exhibit. These cars are the ones that will eventually be scrapped. In addition, #1 & #2 have the same licence plate.

The third picture with the Franfurt licence shows a Stinger with the proper LED tails for comparison.

Jody Lai in the autoguide write-up does not like the way the smart cruise control works, it's not "smooth" enough (or similar). Did she read the manual. Does she know there are settings? Who knows?

I know, the car will be a compromise, as ANY car, and everybody who drives it, will likely have different impressions, depending on the last meal, weather, road surface, trouble with the boss, well you get it....

We all have different reasons to buy this car. We all want different things out of this car. Most of the wannabees here have yet to sit in one, never mind drive it. So we make up our minds purely on the opinions of people we don't know, and don't know what their bias is. Personally, I want a car that's quiet, makes little more than a "swoosh" when accelerating, no "tuned" muffler, and can pass cars quickly. The only time I drift a car is at first snow of the year on a parking lot to get used to the car's, or truck's, rear-end is braking out on slippery surfaces. That's it. No track, no drifting, no "launch" (well, maybe once), no midnight races, no off-roading, just driving. Fast, when safely possible. I don't drive long distances with four adults in the car. If I were to do that, I'd get a van. For me, it's like a two seater with four seats. With a large trunk.

Except for the Buick Regal, I have not considered any other European car, because I do not want to deal with looming repair costs after the warranty period. As I intend to keep the car for as long as possible, resale value, depreciation is not a deciding factor. To me, it will come down to the test drive.

BTW, I went to yesterday afternoon to KIA Canadas HO, just outside Toronto, and they had a blue GT sitting in the parking lot. No licence plates, but the blue in the late afternoon sun looked very, very nice. Too bad, this one will be scrapped too.....

Just my contribution to this thread.

https://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/2018-kia-stinger-3-3t-awd-instrumented-test-gallery#26




http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/kia/2018-kia-stinger-review
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...de.com_daily&utm_source=AutoGuide.com20171016

 

[Chris]

Are you all in or out?

I really, really want to be in, but right now I would say I'm on the fence.

I do agree with you list of wants for the most part. I will never track or race the car. I'm not 18 anymore. Besides if I wanted a car to hoon around in I'd be looking at a golf r or a civic type r. A 4000 lb car is not and shouldn't pretend to be a track car. I want something super comfy I can take day trips in. I would like the backseat to be useful though.

 

[Jumpy]

"Almost"? Please...this is about as sporty as a sedan gets.

 

[eljay]

First, like moinmoin says, every car is going to be a compromise.

Second, we all should test drive the Stinger before we accept or reject anything we read in a review, especially since they seem to be contradictory. I so far tend to trust the Mojave reviews more than this recent one, since I know the roads they drove to get to the test track, and if the car handled them as well as the reviewers generally think, it's good enough for my purposes, which admittedly are conservative compared to most of yours.

The best choice is entirely personal. The Jag XE, which I considered at one time, is probably a great value and the perfect car for some of you, but when I "seat-tested" one, I knew there was no point in a test drive--not comfortable for me. The Audi A5 was very comfortable, but I keep a car for too long to trust that an Audi won't drain my pension dry once it's out of warranty. (Plus I know too many people who've had bad experiences with ones under warranty. Despite that, if I kept a car for 3 years and had money to burn, I'd buy an S5 in a heartbeat.) I've rejected other great cars purely because they didn't have HUD or the hatch, because those are my favorite features of previous cars I've owned--and that doesn't leave a lot of choices.

Also, I don't understand the references above to rear seat room. I've sat in 3 Stingers, and adjusted the driver's seat to suit me in 2, and the legroom in the rear was generous compared to every other car I tested except the A5--which felt comparable, not better. I never have more than one 6-footer in the car at a time, and they can ride shotgun.

Moinmoin, notice that the plates aren't quite the same in your two pictures--they're CA distributor plates, and the big central numbers are the distributor number, but the vertical number on the right differentiates the individual cars from one another.

 

[Bamm1]

Well, what is the upshot then? Are you all in or out?
Just because one C&D reviewer can't drift around a curve on a rough surfaced road? As if the Nürburgring has the smoothest track surface in the world, and American roads are suddenly crap. In fact, the "Ring is a bitch to drive on, the road is unter constant repair. Check the videos on youtube. Nobody I heard of complained then about the Stinger's roadholding abilities. Of course, it's not just that....I know that.

I believe, C&D should have let the guy who did the Nürburgring do this particular article as a follow-up also.
What makes these drive reports so questionable is the fact, that the vehicle provided are still pre-production cars. I have no idea why KIA screws this up in this fashion, but pre-production everywhere in North America: on the roads, at the dealers, but no willing buyer can drive them and form his/hers own opinion. All these "tests" should be taken with a grain of salt.

Look at the two cars below and at their tail lights, lacking the LEDs a "proper" GT should exhibit. These cars are the ones that will eventually be scrapped. In addition, #1 & #2 have the same licence plate.

The third picture with the Franfurt licence shows a Stinger with the proper LED tails for comparison.

Jody Lai in the autoguide write-up does not like the way the smart cruise control works, it's not "smooth" enough (or similar). Did she read the manual. Does she know there are settings? Who knows?

I know, the car will be a compromise, as ANY car, and everybody who drives it, will likely have different impressions, depending on the last meal, weather, road surface, trouble with the boss, well you get it....

We all have different reasons to buy this car. We all want different things out of this car. Most of the wannabees here have yet to sit in one, never mind drive it. So we make up our minds purely on the opinions of people we don't know, and don't know what their bias is. Personally, I want a car that's quiet, makes little more than a "swoosh" when accelerating, no "tuned" muffler, and can pass cars quickly. The only time I drift a car is at first snow of the year on a parking lot to get used to the car's, or truck's, rear-end is braking out on slippery surfaces. That's it. No track, no drifting, no "launch" (well, maybe once), no midnight races, no off-roading, just driving. Fast, when safely possible. I don't drive long distances with four adults in the car. If I were to do that, I'd get a van. For me, it's like a two seater with four seats. With a large trunk.

Except for the Buick Regal, I have not considered any other European car, because I do not want to deal with looming repair costs after the warranty period. As I intend to keep the car for as long as possible, resale value, depreciation is not a deciding factor. To me, it will come down to the test drive.

BTW, I went to yesterday afternoon to KIA Canadas HO, just outside Toronto, and they had a blue GT sitting in the parking lot. No licence plates, but the blue in the late afternoon sun looked very, very nice. Too bad, this one will be scrapped too.....

Just my contribution to this thread.

https://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/2018-kia-stinger-3-3t-awd-instrumented-test-gallery#26

View attachment 722


http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/kia/2018-kia-stinger-review
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...de.com_daily&utm_source=AutoGuide.com20171016



View attachment 724


View attachment 723

You seem a little upset. I am sorry if that is the case.

You pre-ordered the Stinger and put down a 5k deposit, correct?

Seems like there is some confirmation bias going on here. The "good" reviews are all true but the "bad" ones - the guy can't drive, the woman can't work that particular feature, the reviewer had a bad day, these are pre-production cars, et al.

I can be neither in nor out at this point in the game. Too many unknowns.

But remember, at the end of the day, this an internet forum for a car that doesn't exist yet in most markets. We dissect ALL the information about the Stinger we can get (as any good enthusiast would). Nothing is personal.