Car and Driver long term update

[itguy61]

Kia needs to resolve this brake issue.

How Reliable Is the 2018 Kia Stinger?

 

[Paihan Lee]

I started noticing the pulsating brake pedal on my GT this past weekend. I am only at 15K miles and I feel it pulsate/vibrate every time I brake now. It's pretty damn annoying and it looks like I'll have to take my car into the dealership to have them fix it.

 

[itguy61]

At this point they do not have a permanent fix. There are reports all over the place about this returning, some folks have it multiple times. Only permanent fix is a different aftermarket pad.

 

[MerlintheMad]

"Despite an engine capable of producing shocking acceleration, the $48,400 sedan rarely managed to transform the time between work and home into anything more than a gray area for thought."

What the hell is that supposed to mean? I can't believe that the single stupidest verbiage from that earlier article is being emphasized in the first paragraph.

Brakes: some have problems. Most do not. "Warped rotors" are actually pad deposits. Some of the pads might be faulty. But clearly the great majority of Stingers' brakes are functioning without issues.

 

[turboAWD]

The first mod (assuming I get one) will be to put in euro-spec Brembo pads..

 

[Ty Davis]

"Despite an engine capable of producing shocking acceleration, the $48,400 sedan rarely managed to transform the time between work and home into anything more than a gray area for thought."

What the hell is that supposed to mean? I can't believe that the single stupidest verbiage from that earlier article is being emphasized in the first paragraph.

They are saying that the driving experience of the Stinger failed to add a notable amount of vigor and excitement to those trips from point A to point B (ie. work to home).

Of course, there will be those who agree and those who do not.

 

[NS_Stinger]

I read through a bunch of their logbook and they hated the car haha. Maybe theyre just spoiled or something because I cant say I agree with much of what theyre saying, but I also dont get to drive brand new expensive sports cars all the time so maybe it pales in comparison to what else they have in the stable.

 

[YOWStinger]

Still surprising that for a car with Brembo brakes that there would be any warping or deposits at all, I would think that Brembo wouldn't want that on their resume.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Its the pads though, this isnt the first brembo equipped car to have these issues. Nissan/Infiniti had the same kind of issues.

 

[YOWStinger]

Ahhh, well then I've never had Brembo on a car, either garbage OEM rotors/calipers/pads, or my AP Racing big brake kit on my Z, which I'm reasonably sure could stop the earth from rotating.

 

[Ty Davis]

I read through a bunch of their logbook and they hated the car haha. Maybe theyre just spoiled or something because I cant say I agree with much of what theyre saying, but I also dont get to drive brand new expensive sports cars all the time so maybe it pales in comparison to what else they have in the stable.

The Stinger in itself is fine. But the magazines are right, when compared against other vehicles (some more expensive, some less), you’ll find that it does come up a bit short in refinement.
Additionally, the Stinger has Exceptional styling, A Fantastic engine, and a capable transmission, that somewhat overpromise on what the ride and handling actually delivers.

Still, the Stinger is a good effort. So good, in fact, that it will take Kia very little effort to bring it up to par with the best in the midsize, large, and premium segments (if they are so inclined).

P.s. I was hoping to see meaningful changes to the 2020 model. I wonder when the all new, next gen Stinger will arrive. I’m anxious to see what’s in store.

 

[itguy61]

I wanna know about all these cars that are so much better, so much more refined, just as roomy and practical, more entertaining to drive and offer the value of this car. Car and Driver is being obtuse here imho.

 

[Ironist]

Agreed. Not sure what alternatives there are to this car... Even if I went used I couldn't find something that really compared without going substantially up in price range or severely compromising. Pobodys nerfect.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[YOWStinger]

The only thing that was directly comparable was a 2017+ Audi S5 Sportback, new costing $15k-$20k more than the Stinger. And I'd still end up putting Eibachs on it and chipping it anyway..

 

[itguy61]

I drove a couple of used 2018 A5 Sportback models and yes they were more luxurious and less sporty. To get the equipment comparable to a GT2 ou have to buy a prestige package. About 6-7k more than same year model Stinger. Four Cylinder power and not nearly as quick.

 

[Ty Davis]

I wanna know about all these cars that are so much better, so much more refined, just as roomy and practical, more entertaining to drive and offer the value of this car. Car and Driver is being obtuse here imho.

I’ve driven a lot of cars and do see where Car and Driver are coming from.
I don’t think they are trashing the Stinger, but more just stating their experience and opinions.

But since you asked...
Camry, Accord, Malibu, 3-series, 5-Series, XE, XF, CTS, Altima, Fusion, C-Class, Panamera, IS, GS, Civic, Q50, Q60, Q70, A6, A7, M240i and a whole slew of other cars have a more refined ride quality than the Stinger.
In the spectrum of cars out there on the market today, the Stinger is certainly not amongst the most refined in a couple different areas.
But how many of those cars look as nice as the Stinger? How many have RWD? How many can hit 60 in mid 4 seconds?

The Stinger has lots of good attributes. Features and equipment... Value... Styling... Warranty... Power... Versatility... The Stinger can’t be beat.
But I do agree with the magazines, two (or three) extra scoops of refinement in handling/NVH/ride quality would really propel this car to new heights.

I recently took my Stinger in for its first oil change at 2500miles.
The dealership gave me a midspec Optima for a loaner car. I hadn’t made it out of the dealership parking lot before noticing “wow, this thing has a level of rolling refinement that would be nice in the Stingers...” an impression that was repeatedly reinforced throughout the loaner period.

In the name of full disclosure, I will add that the Optima had 18’s whilst the Stinger has 19 inch wheels. But the difference I was feeling was not wheel size, it was chassis tuning and execution.

 

[Peeso33]

Don't think this is the first, or only media long term review that mentioned about those brake vibration, and rattles(s). I'm patiently waiting for a mid-cycle refresh, and hoping for enough changes/refinement to either trade it in for a upgrade, or actually getting a 2nd one.

 

[turboAWD]

Here's hoping 2020 gets D-AWD standard.. That's the main upgrade I want..

 

[itguy61]

NVH is not a problem with the powertrain. This is a smooth and quiet engine. The car is pretty quiet too. It has a firmer ride than many of the cars listed above so its depends on what you mean by refinement. Do we want this car to be more luxurious "refined" or do we want better performance. You can't always have both.

 

[MerlintheMad]

"Refinement" equals softer, floatier, bouncier ride. Stinger is a performance car, mated to quiet luxurious comfort. These are opposite traits, equally desirable (at different times): the quest for the perfect car goes on. And then Kia hits the badged brands over the head with a model equal to or better than their offerings, for thousands less.