Car of the Year finalist

[Bigtam9]

The Stinger is Motor Trend car of the Year finalist

We Like: Stunning design, stirring performance, strong value

We Don’t Like: Porpoises a bit, noisy over rough roads, interior doesn’t match snazzy exterior

Kia’s Stinger was one of six all-new contenders for COTY this year, and other than the Model 3, it was the most anticipated. Since the Stinger’s debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, Kia has been pretty mouthy about how its four-door coupe would lay wurst to the brats from Audi and BMW. Does it live up the hype? Oh ja. (read more)

 

[oxide365]

http://www.motortrend.com/news/kia-stinger-2018-car-of-the-year-finalist/

 

[Chris]

I read the article. 2 things really struck me.
1) how much slower motortrend clocked the car in both 0-60 and 1/4 mile time then what was being widely reported.
2) Their feeling that the car does not handle all that well, especially on rough roads.

They also weren't impressed with the interior feeling that it did not match the exterior, but I was expecting that.

 

[CoconutRob]

I read the article. 2 things really struck me.
1) how much slower motortrend clocked the car in both 0-60 and 1/4 mile time then what was being widely reported.
2) Their feeling that the car does not handle all that well, especially on rough roads.

They also weren't impressed with the interior feeling that it did not match the exterior, but I was expecting that.

I agree what also stood out for me is a lower Mpg

 

[eljay]

Can anyone explain for me: The chart in this article says that the GT1 AWD MPG is 16.7/29.0/20.6 and the GT2 RWD is 14.4/29.2/18.6. Is this because of AWD vs. RWD, or is it something about GT1 vs. GT2? I maybe wasn't paying attention, but I don't remember seeing this much of a difference in other things I read.

 

[Merkur720]

Can anyone explain for me: The chart in this article says that the GT1 AWD MPG is 16.7/29.0/20.6 and the GT2 RWD is 14.4/29.2/18.6. Is this because of AWD vs. RWD, or is it something about GT1 vs. GT2? I maybe wasn't paying attention, but I don't remember seeing this much of a difference in other things I read.

Yeah --- that doesn't make sense to me either. The GT1 AWD is heavier. It really makes it hard to justify the 3.3 if you can't do any better than 20mpg in mixed driving.

 

[Kia Stinger]

http://www.motortrend.com/news/kia-stinger-2018-car-of-the-year-finalist/

Welcome aboard, @oxide365! Thank you for signing up. I merged your post into the discussion we're already having about this article...

Yes, it's interesting that Motor Trend couldn't get anywhere near the 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds that Car and Driver got... Yes, the ride favors plush over firm - we know that... I'm not sure what they would have done to the interior to match the exterior.

When all is said and done, the important quotes:

"Good looks, quality interior, a functional package for a fastback, sporting to drive, and a tremendous value. A modern take on timeless classics like the Maserati Ghibli; Kia has come a long way in a very short time."

"Ranks pretty highly in terms of grace, space, and pace. Korea is delivering German grand-touring performance at a substantial discount. High marks."

 

[eljay]

Yeah --- that doesn't make sense to me either. The GT1 AWD is heavier. It really makes it hard to justify the 3.3 if you can't do any better than 20mpg in mixed driving.

Given I'm buying the GT2 in order to get the the HUD, the power hatch, and the seating upgrades--and am unwilling to compromise on that--I'm OK with the expense, but I just don't understand why the RWD gets basically the same MPG as my FWD '97 Grand Prix when the heavier AWD does better. Anyone have an explanation? Or is some other feature causing this difference? Or is this just yet another error we're hearing from the reviewers?

 

[CoconutRob]

I tend to go by the mpg stated by the manufacturer. I always exceed these values then again most of Delaware's flat where I do 95% of my driving

 

[Mike_10]

I thought the stinger GT2 was the top of the Stinger food chain ? numbers seem off.

I'm also a bit confused with list of cars considered. Not to take away from the KIA Rio but when the term COTY is used, it doesn't make the cut in my eyes.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I thought the stinger GT2 was the top of the Stinger food chain ? numbers seem off.

I'm also a bit confused with list of cars considered. Not to take away from the KIA Rio but when the term COTY is used, it doesn't make the cut in my eyes.

Imagine the Kia Rio won car of the year?

 

[admonite]

I tend to go by the mpg stated by the manufacturer. I always exceed these values then again most of Delaware's flat where I do 95% of my driving

I usually exceed the EPA and Manufacturer's estimates on the Interstate and do considerably worse in the city. I like to have real world evidence. So, I usually check fuelly.com. However, there are no Stingers in the U.S. , and the best comparison's (the Genesis G90 with the 3.3TT and the new Genesis G80 Sport with the 3.3TT) have no one reporting yet. I am a little concerned since I've been known to exceed 35,000 miles in a year.

 

[Chris]

I usually exceed the EPA and Manufacturer's estimates on the Interstate and do considerably worse in the city. I like to have real world evidence. So, I usually check fuelly.com. However, there are no Stingers in the U.S. , and the best comparison's (the Genesis G90 with the 3.3TT and the new Genesis G80 Sport with the 3.3TT) have no one reporting yet. I am a little concerned since I've been known to exceed 35,000 miles in a year.

FYI, in case you weren't aware. The EPA changed the way the measure this starting for year 2017 cars. It is "supposedly" a lot more accurate then it used to be. I read an article the other day that was comparing the EU measurement against the new EPA measurement against real world driving. The EU average was 20 something percent more optimistic than real world driving, the new EPA measurement was something like 2 or 3 percent more optimistic than real world driving on average. Obviously a lot of it depends on how you drive. I know for me, I have a hard time keeping my right foot out of the turbo. I don't even come close to what they claimed I would in my optima for city driving.(I average high teens in the city) Long trips on the freeway I get about what they claimed, sometimes even better. My Titan on the other hand seems to get only 15 no matter what, city, highway, hell I'm pretty sure I could put it in neutral and coast down a hill and still only get 15. The only time it changes is if I'm towing the toy hauler around, then I get a solid 7.5 if I'm lucky.