Automatic transmission

[Deividas]

Hello guys!

I'm looking into Kia Stinger GT AWD. Last week I drove it during test drive and I was surprised by it's performance. That's a nice car!

But my only concern is it's automatic transmission. I've noticed that it's not so smooth driving in city in comfort mode. For example, in BMW I don't feel any of gear changes. In Stinger almost every 3 or 4 gears till 50km/h I feel it.

So I am wondering, is it just with that one tester, or you guys are experiencing the same?

Tomorrow I've second test drive with another Kia Stinger. I hope it will be better and I'll buy it!

 

[Sabz]

I really only notice it in sport mode... comfort or eco it’s pretty good.. depends on your driving style usually around town I am in comfort or eco and don’t drive fast at all so shifts are pretty good..

 

[Revvdmedia]

I feel the shifts in sport mode and feel it is normal due to the programming. While my car in normal or custom (engine/trans is on normal) I rarely feel any gear changes. I do sometimes get a rather abrupt and disconcerting gear change...a bit of a slam. It seems to do this less when the trans is up to full temperature. The transmission is otherwise quite smooth for gear changes, noticeably much better than my wife's '13 Santa Fe, that thing feels rough in comparison (albeit I know there is no issue with her trans).

 

[Sabz]

There was also a TSB to update the trans which I did and it seemed to help a bit so the car you drove may not have had that yet

 

[NS_Stinger]

The transmission used in the Stinger was built in-house by Kia, I think they actually did a decent job but yes the transmission does shift harder especially when it's cold, things do improve a lot once it warms up. As mentioned by others the degree of harshness also varies by drive mode. The BMW transmission you felt was probably a ZF unit which are known to be among the best in the world right now, so not surprising you preferred that unit.

 

[Deividas]

So today I drove second time with Kia Stinger. Transmission sometimes is harsh, sometimes it isn't. But I didn't find other things to complain about. Now I'm waiting for dealerships final offer and I think I'm buying it. I hope I won't have toregret this.

 

[mldavis2]

I've been on this forum since the beginning of the year and while there are a few nit-picking comments here and there, I have yet to hear complaints of the transmission which seems to be almost bullet proof.

 

[Deividas]

Don't get me wrong. It's not bad transmission. But now I'm driving Lexus GS 450h and it has CVT transmission without gears. So every transmission with gears won't be so smooth for me, I know that. Just was expecting little bit better

 

[mldavis2]

There several types of transmissions. Direct clutch transmissions are usually in cars with strong engines and are very quick shifting and firm. They tend to be very slightly quicker than torque converter transmissions like the Stinger, but they can become "confused" at times because they "guess" or pre-select the next gear change and if your driving gear change isn't "logical" such as you might have in mountain twisted road running with up and down shifts and power modulation. The CVT's are smooth but they feel like one big, continuous torque coverter like the old 2-speed Chevy Powerglides (you kids won't remember those.) The Stinger's torque converter is a good compromise and should be smooth enough for 99% of us. Efficiency and durability is my concern, and harder shifts simply mean less clutch slippage or torque converter soaking up the power. My GTO is a 6-speed manual, so the Stinger is just fine on my scale.

 

[MerlintheMad]

My trans is very smooth. The only time I actively notice shifting is when it is still warming up, and even then the feeling is minor. I like to do my own shifting if my driving is anything beyond totally relaxed. Especially when I get "pole position" at a stop light, I will move the shifter to manual gate, and use the paddle shifters for a burst of acceleration. Obviously, shifting points are out the window for that sort of thing. I especially like the way the trans shifts down automatically; so even when using manual gate and paddle shifting, I almost never shift down myself, but let the trans do it.

 

[robz32]

If you liked the car during those short test drives. Then you will fall in love driving it everyday. You will not regret it