2018 Stinger 2.0T AWD vs. New AWD Buick Regals

[CoconutRob]

I'd take many other cars, Accord Sport , Camry XSE to name a couple, over the new bland Regal GS.
Previous gen Regal had a macho stance and appearance. The new one does not.

Not the camry ( I test drove and hated it) but I will agree previous gen regal looked better

 

[Kia Stinger]

I don't think it looks bad - it's just nearly on the same level, appearance-wise, as the Stinger. Not even on the same planet...

 

[MarkyMark]

The Regal GS won't turn heads like the Stinger GT does. But that's not really what Buick is about anyway. Looking forward to hearing your review...

Sorry for the delay. I've been to two dealers (showing they had them) but do not. Just expecting them...

 

[moinmoin]

Just expecting them...

You really want the GS: While the Regal wont't be available before the end of the year, the GS's appearance on the scene will likely not much before the end of the first quarter 2018. So patience is going to be in order.... But the GS is IMHO the only model in that lineup that should be (if it could be) compared to the Stinger.

 

[MarkyMark]

You really want the GS: While the Regal wont't be available before the end of the year, the GS's appearance on the scene will likely not much before the end of the first quarter 2018. So patience is going to be in order.... But the GS is IMHO the only model in that lineup that should be (if it could be) compared to the Stinger.

Hello Moinmoin, I totally agree on a GS for a Buick. Alas, I'm not going over $31k for any car. Thus, it moves to 2.0L Turbo vehicles, and the Stinger at that level has what it takes. The Regal has far too many cut corners on the interior, and it's exterior looks don't do much for me... But that's just my opinion of course. When I test drive and see in person maybe that'll change. I doubt it, but I'll wait to make the final call once I test drive it.

 

[moinmoin]

not going over

I totally understand. The GS is $50K in Canada. Depending on your requirements, would a high/higher end Optima do rather than a "scaled down" Stinger? Just thinking out loud
You can probably get a deal on an Optima, but not on a Stinger.
In the end, it's a personal choice, whatever you like best. Good luck hunting.

 

[Kia Stinger]

The Regal has far too many cut corners on the interior

Buick tried so hard and Kia just came along and cleaned up. That's what happens when you don't pay attention. Buick. Such a long history and can't even compete with Kia - which is "new" compared to Buick...

 

[westcoastGT]

You really want the GS: While the Regal wont't be available before the end of the year, the GS's appearance on the scene will likely not much before the end of the first quarter 2018. So patience is going to be in order.... But the GS is IMHO the only model in that lineup that should be (if it could be) compared to the Stinger.

................still got that dealer on speed dial

 

[CoconutRob]

Buick tried so hard and Kia just came along and cleaned up. That's what happens when you don't pay attention. Buick. Such a long history and can't even compete with Kia - which is "new" compared to Buick...

But did they really try hard? It' no ss, G8,GTO,. I own a beater 2005 grand prix and I just can' get it out of my head that the GS seems like a updated grand prix GT. with that being said I haven't seen it in person yet. LOOK AT THE STINGER THEY TRIED! And they will be rewarded but the question is will I pay the price.

 

[Kia Stinger]

But did they really try hard?

That's a good question. I would think so. But the "GS" hasn't really been anything special in a long time. The 2011+ Regal GS was never as competitive, performance-wise, as the previous generation many years ago. Back then it was a legitimate sleeper. The 2011+ couldn't even keep up with a Toyota Camry. That's kinda weird. I guess we'll have to see how this new one fares but I don't think it's going to be all that impressive. As it stands, they have no answer for the Stinger GT...

 

[MarkyMark]

I totally understand. The GS is $50K in Canada. Depending on your requirements, would a high/higher end Optima do rather than a "scaled down" Stinger? Just thinking out loud
You can probably get a deal on an Optima, but not on a Stinger.

In the end, it's a personal choice, whatever you like best. Good luck hunting.

An Optima is simply not the performance car in driving characteristics, or looks (interior or exterior) that the Stinger is. It's just not. In fact, if I stayed in the mainstream mid-size sedan market, I would likely wait another 18 months to see what the next Generation Mazda 6 brings forth. 2018 brings forth the 250hp turbo, but in 18 months Mazda will start showing off the spark-plug-less CCI SkyActiv engine tech, and all-new design...

I really have appreciated my 2014 Mazda, but even the base Stinger, w/Safety Package packs a ton of tech for $34,800 ($2k more for safety tech package).

The Stinger? It's the only player in this class coming around with rear-wheel drive, and it drove amazingly well compared to my Mazda, with a lot of power pointed directly into the wheels to go! Loved the 5 drive modes, and being able to build my own custom mode? Nice touch Kia!

I keep going back to this point: While Buick, Honda, Toyota, Ford, etc... will build a mid-size sedan to pull in as many family buyers as they possibly can, offering all types of engines, stripped down versions to souped up "sport" models, they ALL make massive compromises for enthusiasts.

I've been enthusiast stuck at an economic level that won't allow for a BMW, Audi (boring IMHO), etc... But now? Buick Regal tried and missed. Kia Stinger? Nailed it! Kia didn't compromise the car to broaden its base of sales, cheapening it here or there, give it a non-turbo base engine, etc... Kia stayed focused, targeted true Luxury sports sedans and they came awfully close. And for the money, more than close enough for me!

 

[Kia Stinger]

An Optima is simply not the performance car in driving characteristics, or looks (interior or exterior) that the Stinger is. It's just not. In fact, if I stayed in the mainstream mid-size sedan market, I would likely wait another 18 months to see what the next Generation Mazda 6 brings forth. 2018 brings forth the 250hp turbo, but in 18 months Mazda will start showing off the spark-plug-less CCI SkyActiv engine tech, and all-new design...

I really have appreciated my 2014 Mazda, but even the base Stinger, w/Safety Package packs a ton of tech for $34,800 ($2k more for safety tech package).

The Stinger? It's the only player in this class coming around with rear-wheel drive, and it drove amazingly well compared to my Mazda, with a lot of power pointed directly into the wheels to go! Loved the 5 drive modes, and being able to build my own custom mode? Nice touch Kia!

I keep going back to this point: While Buick, Honda, Toyota, Ford, etc... will build a mid-size sedan to pull in as many family buyers as they possibly can, offering all types of engines, stripped down versions to souped up "sport" models, they ALL make massive compromises for enthusiasts.

I've been enthusiast stuck at an economic level that won't allow for a BMW, Audi (boring IMHO), etc... But now? Buick Regal tried and missed. Kia Stinger? Nailed it! Kia didn't compromise the car to broaden its base of sales, cheapening it here or there, give it a non-turbo base engine, etc... Kia stayed focused, targeted true Luxury sports sedans and they came awfully close. And for the money, more than close enough for me!

A lot of people feel the same and this is why people are buying the Stinger. I'm not expecting explosive amounts of sales because it's not a well-known car now and it probably won't be for a while. And Kia isn't the type of brand that sells a massive amount of high performance cars. Any brand with a history of cars like the M3, RS4, or CTS-V is going to sell a lot because the products are well known. So don't be surprised when the Stinger isn't this break-through vehicle that the world is envious over. I'm sure a lot of the nay-sayers will bring this up throughout 2018 to "prove" that the Stinger isn't a success. But Kia is going to sell plenty of them...

 

[corradoMR2]

A lot of people feel the same and this is why people are buying the Stinger. I'm not expecting explosive amounts of sales because it's not a well-known car now and it probably won't be for a while. And Kia isn't the type of brand that sells a massive amount of high performance cars. Any brand with a history of cars like the M3, RS4, or CTS-V is going to sell a lot because the products are well known. So don't be surprised when the Stinger isn't this break-through vehicle that the world is envious over. I'm sure a lot of the nay-sayers will bring this up throughout 2018 to "prove" that the Stinger isn't a success. But Kia is going to sell plenty of them...

I think it will sell ok but not great in the US. The issue I see is the pricing is not aggressive enough as compared to the luxury brands. For the price of a loaded Stinger GT AWD ($52K USD !) you can get a similarly loaded Audi A5 Sportback or 4-series 4cyl. Take engine out and styling as subjective, and the advantages of fuel economy with the Germans, who wouldn't pick the German luxury car over the Kia?

In comparison, a loaded Audi A5 Sportback Quattro is about $12K MORE over a loaded Stinger GT AWD Limited in Canada ($52K Cdn) making the Stinger an excellent value proposition and how it swayed me to try my first non-luxury vehicle in many years. Came from Audis and Lexus...

But had the Stinger been much closer to the German pricing ~64K, no way would I be able to justify to myself, the Kia badge at that price knowing I can be in a luxury branded car with the additional perks, experience, and extra refinement - it's the unfortunate reality still for many buyers and will be for a few years. Kia Canada made the right move in choosing an aggressive pricing to get their (excellent) product out there much like Lexus did 27 years ago. Big mistake on Kia USA's part.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I think it will sell ok but not great in the US. The issue I see is the pricing is not aggressive enough as compared to the luxury brands. For the price of a loaded Stinger GT AWD ($52K USD !) you can get a similarly loaded Audi A5 Sportback or 4-series 4cyl. Take engine out and styling as subjective, and the advantages of fuel economy with the Germans, who wouldn't pick the German luxury car over the Kia?

In comparison, a loaded Audi A5 Sportback Quattro is about $12K MORE over a loaded Stinger GT AWD Limited in Canada ($52K Cdn) making the Stinger an excellent value proposition and how it swayed me to try my first non-luxury vehicle in many years. Came from Audis and Lexus...

But had the Stinger been much closer to the German pricing ~64K, no way would I be able to justify to myself, the Kia badge at that price knowing I can be in a luxury branded car with the additional perks, experience, and extra refinement - it's the unfortunate reality still for many buyers and will be for a few years. Kia Canada made the right move in choosing an aggressive pricing to get their (excellent) product out there much like Lexus did 27 years ago. Big mistake on Kia USA's part.

Pricing similar to Canada's would have been a big help but I keep seeing people initially talk about how the price is too close - but when they try to build a similar car at Audi or BMW, they come to the conclusion that it can't be done. If you just want the badge and good service and don't mind missing the features that make owning those cars so nice - they'd be a good bet. But if you want the warranty and options (at least most of them) for a discount - and don't mind driving a non-luxury branded vehicle - the Stinger is hard to beat. The GT compares squarely with the S5 and 440i - and you're going to end up paying somewhere in between $10k and $15k more for the German car. Audi and BMW are more competitive in the leasing department but I don't see anyone stopping by posting pictures of their Audi or BMW after giving up on the Stinger. They will. But it hasn't happened yet. I think it may be more of an illusion that you can get the German equivalent for a better deal. I guess time will tell...

 

[MarkyMark]

A lot of people feel the same and this is why people are buying the Stinger. I'm not expecting explosive amounts of sales because it's not a well-known car now and it probably won't be for a while. And Kia isn't the type of brand that sells a massive amount of high performance cars. Any brand with a history of cars like the M3, RS4, or CTS-V is going to sell a lot because the products are well known. So don't be surprised when the Stinger isn't this break-through vehicle that the world is envious over. I'm sure a lot of the nay-sayers will bring this up throughout 2018 to "prove" that the Stinger isn't a success. But Kia is going to sell plenty of them...

It (Stinger) seems to be a disruptive product in the segment. Or cracking a segment of it's own it appears to be trying to do. Reaching for a BMW 4 series, or Audi A5, not quite getting there, but really nixing out anything else in it's price range. It should be a concerning trend for others like Buick, Accura, Nissan (Maxima), etc... I see a few cars in this segment of "tweeter" going EOL, while the Stinger over time really niche's itself out a nice chunk, while continuing it's refinement.

The one area of worry is Kia doesn't try to make Stinger too much an all-things to all-people vehicle. That's Buick's space, and I see this being the last Regal they make, with a 3-5 year run, quietly fading away. Perhaps not, but I'm thinking so...

 

[Kia Stinger]

It (Stinger) seems to be a disruptive product in the segment. Or cracking a segment of it's own it appears to be trying to do. Reaching for a BMW 4 series, or Audi A5, not quite getting there, but really nixing out anything else in it's price range. It should be a concerning trend for others like Buick, Accura, Nissan (Maxima), etc... I see a few cars in this segment of "tweeter" going EOL, while the Stinger over time really niche's itself out a nice chunk, while continuing it's refinement.

The one area of worry is Kia doesn't try to make Stinger too much an all-things to all-people vehicle. That's Buick's space, and I see this being the last Regal they make, with a 3-5 year run, quietly fading away. Perhaps not, but I'm thinking so...

The same way Hyundai and Kia brought high tech options to cars that less than wealthy people could afford, forcing top tier luxury brands to be more reasonable with their option prices, I see the same thing happening where mainstream brands like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai, Ford, Chevy, etcetera - they're all going to need to rethink how their midsize family sedans fit into the big picture.

Personally, I don't see them conforming. I think they're going to fight it and try to stay in the market as front wheel drive economy cars (even though they're getting expensive) while Kia takes the Stinger higher and higher, eventually replacing the Optima, and leading the mainstream brands with the best midsize family car in its class.

If Buick didn't get rid of the Verano, I'd say for SURE the Regal is on its last generation (again). But it's probably the LaCrosse that's going away - and with no Verano, the Regal is going to be the car that sticks around to fill in as the big sedan. Outside of it, it's going to be all CUVs for Buick. I don't see the Cascada convertible living very long either. Buick definitely isn't getting a proper full-size sedan. Maybe they'll get another tiny little car - but that won't be enough to replace the "car" for Buick buyers that want a sedan.

I don't know what Nissan is going to do with the Maxima. I hardly see any as it is. I doubt it sticks around very long. Either IT or the Altima will serve as the main family sedan. I think the Avalon will be around for a while. It's supposed to be getting a very nice update. And Toyota has all the money in the world so I'm confident they can keep their big, soft car around for the Toyota buyers...

 

[MarkyMark]

The same way Hyundai and Kia brought high tech options to cars that less than wealthy people could afford, forcing top tier luxury brands to be more reasonable with their option prices, I see the same thing happening where mainstream brands like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai, Ford, Chevy, etcetera - they're all going to need to rethink how their midsize family sedans fit into the big picture.

Personally, I don't see them conforming. I think they're going to fight it and try to stay in the market as front wheel drive economy cars (even though they're getting expensive) while Kia takes the Stinger higher and higher, eventually replacing the Optima, and leading the mainstream brands with the best midsize family car in its class.

If Buick didn't get rid of the Verano, I'd say for SURE the Regal is on its last generation (again). But it's probably the LaCrosse that's going away - and with no Verano, the Regal is going to be the car that sticks around to fill in as the big sedan. Outside of it, it's going to be all CUVs for Buick. I don't see the Cascada convertible living very long either. Buick definitely isn't getting a proper full-size sedan. Maybe they'll get another tiny little car - but that won't be enough to replace the "car" for Buick buyers that want a sedan.

I don't know what Nissan is going to do with the Maxima. I hardly see any as it is. I doubt it sticks around very long. Either IT or the Altima will serve as the main family sedan. I think the Avalon will be around for a while. It's supposed to be getting a very nice update. And Toyota has all the money in the world so I'm confident they can keep their big, soft car around for the Toyota buyers...

Loved the thoughts, as I think you nailed it with the Buick.

There is certainly a shift and issue with the mid-size sedan market, as people continue to move into CRV's and Mazda CX-5 - like vehicles. Thus what to do? Toyota finally discovered their Camry was selling to Sr. Citizens, and Honda is bring to recapture a youthful market. Bottom Line: These companies are all taken platforms, which are just mid-size sedan, compromise as much as possible to sell as many as possible, and oh, let's try to make them as sporty as possible now too!

It's all compromise. The Regal is on the Epsilon II platform, which is used from Europe (Insignia), Malibu, to Regal. It's a mid-size sedan chassis and it's been worked on to try and be sporty luxury, with lower price points and appeal to everyone they can.

These, to me, are all compromised vehicles. It's not what I'm looking for. Hyundai/Kia with the G70 platform, is for the new Genesis and Stinger. It's a focused design from the ground up. It isn't looking for massive sales, it's looking to carve a solid niche, bring caché to their respective brands. The Stinger has the opportunity to set forth a new level of luxury/performance combo, with that upper mid-size sedan buyer making the switch.

It's just a really smart car and approach at just the right time.

 

[Kia Stinger]

It's just a really smart car and approach at just the right time.

Yes, I think this can work really well for both Kia and Hyundai. The Stinger/G70 is purely what it is and not trying to be all things to all people. The new Camry looks very sporty but still drives very soft. The new Accord has a harsher suspension but that doesn't translate to sporty AT ALL. Believe me, I have the Touring version with the biggest wheels available for the car - I don't know, 19" or 20" - who knows/who cares? But the car handles like garbage.

Some people say this is a dying segment, and that may be true, but it leaves a wide-open space for an automobile manufacturer to step in and shock the masses. In the 80s, Cadillac thought the "traditional luxury" segment was gone for good - but Lexus came right in and stocked-up on all those forgotten customers. This kind of situation works well for the motivated...

 

[MelbourneStinger]

Hi all, thought i would add some Australian content to this thread since there seems none, i was reading through some threads that i have not looked at before, and i read the title of this thread but i did not know what a Buick Regal looked like, when i saw pictures of this vehicle, i immediately realised it is the global car platform vehicle used by GM, firstly as the Opel Insignia, then the Buick Regal, and in February 2018 will be sold in Australia as the new 2018 ZB Holden Commodore, when it arrives im sure the Kia Stinger will be compared to this new generation Commodore with only FWD and AWD, No RWD like our local Holden Commodore, which has ceased production.

I am adding a short teaser trailer should anyone be interested to see that Australia's new generation, first imported 2018 Holden Commodore is the same car as the US Buick Regal, but with Holden badges.
Enjoy.

 

[westcoastGT]

Hi all, thought i would add some Australian content to this thread since there seems none, i was reading through some threads that i have not looked at before, and i read the title of this thread but i did not know what a Buick Regal looked like, when i saw pictures of this vehicle, i immediately realised it is the global car platform vehicle used by GM, firstly as the Opel Insignia, then the Buick Regal, and in February 2018 will be sold in Australia as the new 2018 ZB Holden Commodore, when it arrives im sure the Kia Stinger will be compared to this new generation Commodore with only FWD and AWD, No RWD like our local Holden Commodore, which has ceased production.

I am adding a short teaser trailer should anyone be interested to see that Australia's new generation, first imported 2018 Holden Commodore is the same car as the US Buick Regal, but with Holden badges.
Enjoy.

Nice looking car , they way they shot it