Car & Driver long term Stinger review

[Kiksbut]

Review on the 2018 GT.
Of course warped rotors mentioned.
Also squeaky hatch.
How Reliable Is the 2018 Kia Stinger?

 

[Kiksbut]

I never wrote, " How reliable is the 2018 Stinger"??

 

[Kiksbut]

I guess that's part of the link.

 

[Kiksbut]

Korean cruise missile, a working man's Porsche Panamera.
Love it!

 

[Dan1028]

"During the Kia's stay, we became increasingly aware of its sensitive stability control, which can't be fully disabled."

I hope this finally puts that argument on this site to rest.

 

[me&stinger]

I love this car. —Joey Capparella

That sums up the article for me.

 

[eflyguy]

"During the Kia's stay, we became increasingly aware of its sensitive stability control, which can't be fully disabled."

I hope this finally puts that argument on this site to rest.

You mean the same folks that say the rotors were "warped"? Don't think I'd take anything they say as gospel.

 

[Ty Davis]

"During the Kia's stay, we became increasingly aware of its sensitive stability control, which can't be fully disabled."

I hope this finally puts that argument on this site to rest.

I've found that the AWD and RWD Stingers have very different stability control programming.
For sure, neither are ever fully off. However, the RWD model allows plenty of wheelspin (with nary a flicker of the Traction Control Light).
Presumably, this is to allow the LSD opportunity to shine.

In both systems, stability control is a bit more lenient when no steering angle or opposite lock is applied. Though again, this tuning is much more pronounced in the RWD model.

In short, the RWD GT w/LSD has its stability control relaxed quite a bit and rarely gets in the way. In fact, it's quite easy to spin the car at low speeds.
The AWD calibration seems more intent on keeping the vehicle stable, even if it sometimes goes about it in a rather heavy handed way.

Kia should relay this info to potential owners somehow (brochure, web, owners manual, etc.), so they can choose the system that best fits them.

 

[Dan1028]

You mean the same folks that say the rotors were "warped"? Don't think I'd take anything they say as gospel.

To be sure, "warped" has become a fairly common descriptor, albeit incorrect in most if not all applications today, for brake pedal pulsation due to any number of factors.

Their recounting of power drop-off following a hint of wheel slip is precisely the same process that I experience in my '18 GT2/AWD. Unless you're overcooking a corner, there is very little means at a reasonable speed or from a standstill to get the rear end to slide. Any type of yaw that induces wheel slip seems to result in the throttle being cut all at once - at least in my experience. As @Ty Davis said, it would have been nice to have that information up front. The video from SEMA two years ago indicated that the cars they had drifting were AWD -- either that was a lie, misspeak, or the cars were modified from those intended for sale. Either way, I bought my car with the understanding that the AWD system and associated stability control would relax to allow for tail-happy fun. In the case of my car, however, that was an incorrect understanding.

 

[MerlintheMad]

You mean the same folks that say the rotors were "warped"? Don't think I'd take anything they say as gospel.

Automobile Magazine's year-end review used the same terminology. So, I think they're just going with common usage; not being literal with "warped rotors".

 

[Devin]

Not a glowing review, and some opportunities for improvement for a refresh/redesign, but they appear to be impressed and are leaving the ball in Kia's court to address these issues for the future. I'm curious to see what happens in 2022 or 2023, closer to when I'll be in the market.

 

[Revvdmedia]

That review literally echoes my ownership overview. "It's the little things that irk you." I could not say that my Stinger was unreliable, it started and drove all the time. It drove quite well, very stable, good power, reasonable handling, many creature comforts. The noises, the tech that didn't always work as intended, they really worked to tarnish the good of the car.

My overall thought on the Stinger was that I felt there was a reason you paid so much less compared to its competitors, and that was in the overall quality/finish aspects. I would be left wondering if what I thought would be better quality was worth 20-25K more for the cost of this package, and I had a hard time swallowing that pill. Better quality at the same price came at a horsepower or fewer features penalty. Fast or faster at the same price usually had much fewer features. Kia really hit a mark with the price, it was just the finishing that left me wanting more. Would I buy one again, at say a 5K price increase for a guaranteed better finish and better dealer service experience? Absolutely. Would I buy one again knowing what negatives I could experience again, no.

 

[MerlintheMad]

As to the review itself:

"It hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds,..." This is an AWD. That's impressive.


Don't people SEE curb rash!?

"Speaking of tires, at 38,203 miles (23,689 of which were on winter or all-season rubber), the Stinger's rears were down to their wear bars. We'll do the math for you. It tore through its rear summer tires in only 14,500 miles. Replacing those set us back $600, and the fronts still had about 15,500 miles of life left in them." Now I wonder if my front alignment is not as it should be. Because, my LF outer edge OE Michelin was gone at c. 22K miles. I still had c. 5mm of depth in the center. I'll have to watch what happens on the replacement tires this coming summer.

"But the worn front and new rear tires altered the handling balance enough to improve lateral acceleration to 0.94 g." Wow! I've never dared push my G meter higher than quick stabs at .9; I've sustained .8 alright.

 

[Dan1028]

Wow! I've never dared push my G meter higher than quick stabs at .9; I've sustained .8 alright.

"Professional driver on a closed course."

That g-meter doesn't have enough resolution for me to rely upon it for anything. Also, how can you look at it and still see where you're going at higher cornering g above 0.8? I think Kia really should have included that information on the HUD like GM does.

 

[SafetyPilotCal]

Their recounting of power drop-off following a hint of wheel slip is precisely the same process that I experience in my '18 GT2/AWD. Unless you're overcooking a corner, there is very little means at a reasonable speed or from a standstill to get the rear end to slide. Any type of yaw that induces wheel slip seems to result in the throttle being cut all at once - at least in my experience. As @Ty Davis said, it would have been nice to have that information up front. The video from SEMA two years ago indicated that the cars they had drifting were AWD -- either that was a lie, misspeak, or the cars were modified from those intended for sale. Either way, I bought my car with the understanding that the AWD system and associated stability control would relax to allow for tail-happy fun. In the case of my car, however, that was an incorrect understanding.

It's a shame the AWD Stingers are that way. I can tell you definitively my '19 RWD GT has no problem letting the tail go sideways even with every nanny on. In fact, compared to the Active Handling in my Vette, the Stinger is downright lackadaisical when it comes to finally taking control. The Corvette is eager to jump in to keep you from doing something dumb. The Kia is like "eh, whatever, you'll figure it out eventually."