AWD Tires in the US?

[WPJoe]

I was wondering how I can figure out which AWD Tires come with the GT2 Stinger here in the US?

I looked around the web site and found ( P225/45R18 All Season) but I am not sure how to understand what that means in terms of the brand - I would like to research and read reviews of the tire, but cant really figure that out.

Apologies if this is a stupid question - I did try searching the forum but didnt find this specific answer.

Thank you.

 

[mldavis2]

The GT2 (and all GT trim levels) come with 19" Michelin Sports as the default tire on both AWD and RWD models. The only way to get 18" all-weather tires is to specifically order them as a no-cost option which is done by the dealer when putting in the order. In the past (see a lot of history here on this forum) many of the AWD cars were ordered with the 18" tires because (apparently) either the dealer or Kia thought people buying AWD cars wanted all-weather tires. But if you do not specify 18" you get 19" by default. Obviously all-weather is better in all weather, but the downside that has twisted a knot in the tail of some buyers is that the 18" tires come with a computer top speed limitation of 130mph (some say 140) while the 19" tires are limited to 167 mph. That doesn't matter to most people for obvious reasons.

 

[WPJoe]

Thank you so much! I cant tell you how helpful that reply was - I was really struggling to make sense of all the posts on this issue.
If its OK, I wanted to just clarify:
- if I request the 19" and it is all AWD I will get Michelin Sports either way? If I want an all-weather tire, there is no 19" all weather tire option?
- and if that is the case, does this mean I either get 19" wheels and separately buy all weather tires, or if I want it to come with all weather tires, I need to go for the 18" wheel size?

Did I understand that correctly?

 

[mldavis2]

I think you have it correct. No 19" all-weather tires. No high-performance (167 mph) 18" tires.
The other thing that you should do is make sure if you do order a car that it says 19" tires are on it if that's what you want. Once the door sticker says 18" tires, then putting "better" tires on it won't change the computer limiter and the dealer won't (can't) change it. And having the dealer swap 19" tires onto an 18" tire car won't turn it into a 167 mph car either. The tire sticker on the door is the determining factor.

 

[WPJoe]

got it - if I go with the 19" I will just add in new tires to the cost and replace whatever comes with them.

other than the top speed (not an issue for me) do people have thoughts on 18" vs 19"? I think I have read that 18" would provide a more comfortable ride? Other factors to consider?

 

[Mach_Tuck]

18 will most likely be a smoother ride given same tire brand/style. Prob a bit cheaper as well. Personally, i think the 19 look way better!

 

[Johnni]

I feel the need for speed at the moment with 19, but agree that the cost to replace them will cost more then the 18. However IMHO I rather get the 19 and can down grade the rims size down the road should I need it be without losing the 167 MPH. Not that I will go that fast, but never know when the moment come...

 

[WPJoe]

I guess also worth asking - does anyone know which 18" all weather tire comes with the GT2 in that scenario?

 

[Thang]

I live in Colorado and own a GT2 AWD. My car came with the 19" wheels. The sticker in the door shows that my car comes with 225/45/18. I have never seen 18" tires on 19" wheels ever. I looked it up and it can actually happen as 18 and 19 is so close in terms of total diameter. Anyway, my tires are:

Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS-02 95V
225/45R18

 

[+StingerGT2]

At this time there is no set package. I've seen different tires from different dealerships.

I guess also worth asking - does anyone know which 18" all weather tire comes with the GT2 in that scenario?

 

[eflyguy]

A guy in CO got Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS-02 95V 225/45R18

Edit: oh crap - yes, that guy, two posts above!!

Anyhow, if you search for Potenza, you'll see that's what a lot of owners are getting.

 

[GetYourWheels]

Kia Stinger 2.0 and the Premium will come with 18" wheels from factory. The GT models come with 19" so for those with factory 18" wheels, 225/45/18 tires and all the GT folks get the 225/40/19 unless optional "All-Season" package with 18" wheels.

Summary

2.0 / Premium RWD or AWD with 18" - 225/45/18
GT - 225/40/19 | 255/35/19
GT w/ All Season Package - 225/45/18

Hopefully that makes it easier for you guys.

 

[Grayt 8]

A guy in CO got Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS-02 95V 225/45R18

Edit: oh crap - yes, that guy, two posts above!!

Anyhow, if you search for Potenza, you'll see that's what a lot of owners are getting.

That is the same tire on cars I've seen in the Midwest also, and TireRack indicates is factory.

 

[Grayt 8]

Kia Stinger 2.0 and the Premium will come with 18" wheels from factory. The GT models all come with 19" so for those with factory 18" wheels, please get 225/45/18 tires and all the GT folks get the 225/40/19

Summary

2.0 / Premium RWD or AWD with 18" - 225/45/18
GT AWD - 225/40/19
GT RWD - 225/40/19 | 255/35/19

Hopefully that makes it easier for you guys.

I don't think that is quite correct, or at least I find it confusing. AWD with 19" get staggered tires, right?
And you can get 18" on GT, GT1 and GT2 AWD, just to be clear.

 

[GetYourWheels]

I don't think that is quite correct, or at least I find it confusing. AWD with 19" get staggered tires, right?

I never stated that AWD gets staggered

However, You could still run staggered on an AWD if your front and rear tires have an overall rolling diameter close to each other. We do a lot of these for the new Infiniti Q50/Q60 AWD, some of the BMW Xdrive vehicles, some Mercedes-Benz S and C Class and even some Audi quattro vehicles.

 

[Grayt 8]

I never stated that AWD gets staggered

However, You could still run staggered on an AWD if your front and rear tires have an overall rolling diameter close to each other. We do a lot of these for the new Infiniti Q50/Q60 AWD, some of the BMW Xdrive vehicles, some Mercedes-Benz S and C Class and even some Audi quattro vehicles.

I think your summary is not right, or confusing at best. AWD with 19" do get staggered tires.

 

[GetYourWheels]

I think your summary is not right, or confusing at best. AWD with 19" do get staggered tires.

If they do come staggered, that's awesome! Glad to see Kia doing a factory staggered setup on AWD vehicles.

As for fitting 18" on a GT, that's a tight fit seeing how that 19" already sits over the brakes.

 

[Grayt 8]

If they do come staggered, that's awesome! Glad to see Kia doing a factory staggered setup on AWD vehicles.

As for fitting 18" on a GT, that's a tight fit seeing how that 19" already sits over the brakes.

That is awesome on the staggered setup. Trust me, the GT can come with 18". You can build them that way on the Kia website, and I've got a GT in the garage with 18".

 

[GetYourWheels]

Trust me, the GT can come with 18". You can build them that way on the Kia website, and I've got a GT in the garage with 18".

That's awesome! Share a photo of that! I'd love to see! Hopefully we can have a member in Southern California come by and we can get some precise brake caliper measurements to find many other 18" wheels for the GT guys.

 

[Grayt 8]

That's awesome! Share a photo of that! I'd love to see! Hopefully we can have a member in Southern California come by and we can get some precise brake caliper measurements to find many other 18" wheels for the GT guys.

Here's a link to another thread with a pic.
Kia Shipping GT’s w/18” Rims