Consumer Reports Stinger Reliability Rating

[1RADKIA]

Driveanicecar: my sister in-law bought a Tesla Model 3 and I have the Stinger GT2AWD. I have now driven and ridden in both... and will throw out my opinion. Want to go FAST - buy the Model 3! If you get the extended range all wheels driven model, it is one of the fastest cars I’ve experienced! However, in every other way, the Stinger GT is a far superior car. Interior - exterior - build quality - and awe factor. Don’t get me wrong, the Tesla Model 3 has it’s cool points. It’s a techno’s dream, and the “autopilot” is the best around. Driving it is fun... and weird. And time will tell if Tesla has build reliability.
My Stinger GT has been awesome! An absolute fun car to drive and a true GT vehicle. It DOES draw a lot of attention and I find myself getting to talk to curious on lookers every time I take it out for a spin. There are 2 negatives I have for the Stinger thus far... 1) the paint. It is beautiful to look at for sure, but just like my previously owned Korean car, paint chips occur way to easily! Even ceramic nano coating doesn’t keep it safe. Maybe a clear bra or paint protection would help. 2). The software updates are NOT free!!! Kia has embedded those with navigation updates, so it costs every time you want to update.
All that being said; my money goes to the Stinger over anything else. No regrets - no issues. I hope this helps. db

 

[driveanicecar]

take the model 3 and keep us posted !

Any reasons why the model 3 over the Stinger?

 

[westcoastGT]

Any reasons why the model 3 over the Stinger?

joking , they have a terrible QC rep already buy a MY 19 Stinger and you'll love it !

 

[driveanicecar]

joking , they have a terrible QC rep already buy a MY 19 Stinger and you'll love it !

That's what I thought.

In terms of reliability, it looks like most people are fine with their Stingers though the average rating from CR does not help much a prospective buyer.

 

[westcoastGT]

That's what I thought.

In terms of reliability, it looks like most people are fine with their Stingers though the average rating from CR does not help much a prospective buyer.

CR needs a few years of data to give strong positives , I've subscribed for years and know their program . The Stinger is solid , just get a new MY 19 . They had a few glitches in the MY 18s

 

[MerlintheMad]

So, for someone still on the fence about getting a 2019 Stinger GT2 AWD vs a Model 3 vs A5/S5 Sportback, what should I do?

I don't know anything about that other car: can't even picture it. I do know that the Stinger was arresting enough to my attention just reading about how it got here to finally make me buy one last March. The car called to me: "You'll love driving me; you know you love how I look; just do it and don't look back; you won't regret a thing; AND, you will have FUN." Everything "She" said has happened. If you listen to the few failures, disappointments, imperfection stories, etc., and you do this for any car, and base your decision on those, you will never buy a new car again. Imho, the Stinger is a fantastic car. Mine sure is. I learn new things about it all the time. You will be happy with your decision if you count the odds on your side as you pull the trigger: and that goes for any car that "calls" to you. Don't expect perfection, not in this world.

 

[ScottM]

61% of the people who took the poll said they have issues with their paint. You turn that into your own data. I can't go any further, because when faced with facts, you change the subject. Others in the forum have called you out. You answer questions with questions. I'm not going to waste my time responding to you because you clearly don't know what you're talking about.

I was just reading through this whole thing and man oh man does @GronkSoyFiesta sound like a jerk. Just my opinion, I didn't make a poll.

@MerlintheMad is basically saying what I would say and he is right, @GronkSoyFiesta is wrong in my non polled opinion. I just think soy wants to be Mr. smart poll guy because that's what he does and he thinks everything needs to be lawyer tested (so to speak). In general most people who respond to polls of this sort are doing them for a reason, usually to complain. I'll dumb it down for Mr smart poll guy, the vast majority of people who have a problem will comment on a poll and those who do not have a problem will just move on. Fact. Yes I said fact. And I won't site my sources, google it... if you need to. So with Merlin using this whole site is closer to reality then soy saying "well, we only had X amount respond...so we'll use that as the total denominator". As a side note I personally never trust someone who says they're a "poll guy/girl", that just means they're a "spin doctor".

And as far as CR...what a joke! They are garbage and useless. Yes, I said useless. Well, unless you're someone who believes everything you read...then you'll find CR to be your bible!

Oh and the bible, that's for another discussion.

 

[GronkSoyFiesta]

I was just reading through this whole thing and man oh man does @GronkSoyFiesta sound like a jerk. Just my opinion, I didn't make a poll.

@MerlintheMad is basically saying what I would say and he is right, @GronkSoyFiesta is wrong in my non polled opinion. I just think soy wants to be Mr. smart poll guy because that's what he does and he thinks everything needs to be lawyer tested (so to speak). In general most people who respond to polls of this sort are doing them for a reason, usually to complain. I'll dumb it down for Mr smart poll guy, the vast majority of people who have a problem will comment on a poll and those who do not have a problem will just move on. Fact. Yes I said fact. And I won't site my sources, google it... if you need to. So with Merlin using this whole site is closer to reality then soy saying "well, we only had X amount respond...so we'll use that as the total denominator". As a side note I personally never trust someone who says they're a "poll guy/girl", that just means they're a "spin doctor".

And as far as CR...what a joke! They are garbage and useless. Yes, I said useless. Well, unless you're someone who believes everything you read...then you'll find CR to be your bible!

Oh and the bible, that's for another discussion.

Wow, where to begin with this one. Let's start with where we agree. Yes, I'm a jerk. I polled all my exes and they all concur (well, except one, but that's a longer story, let's just round up and say 100% agreement). However, we should agree that name calling is generally considered impolite, but I like your hedge of "sounds like" as if you actually aren't calling me a jerk and instead hoped someone else stepped up to the insult plate and did it for you. Let's call this one a draw. Gronk 0, Scott from Vegas 0.

Now if we're saying that only people who have problems respond to polls, how do we explain the poor 98 folks who said they didn't have a problem with the paint? Don't they count? I'm going to say Gronk 1 and Scott from Vegas 0.

Now, as for someone from Vegas arguing they understand more about reality. Well, I've been to Vegas many times, but I don't remember anything, so I'm not sure how to argue that point. I'm not sure who this Merlin person is you mention. I used that blissful "ignore" button and it made this much more fun. Feel free to do the same with me.

Your friend, Mr. Smart Poll Guy Spin Doctor

 

[GronkSoyFiesta]

Oh and FWIW, I don't care about being popular or being "right". What I care about is the people who have spent a lot of freaking cash on a car, including myself, who will stand a far better chance of being taken care of if we actually admit there are issues and speak as a collective, rather than saying "oh, everything is fine." If I were at Kia corporate, I would be laughing my ass off at this thread. Feel free to accept defects, shitty paint, crappy dealers and all that good stuff. Say that it happens to all cars. That's your right. I'm going to do it differently. You don't have to like it, but I'm actually helping you. You're welcome.

 

[ScottM]

Wow, where to begin with this one. Let's start with where we agree. Yes, I'm a jerk. I polled all my exes and they all concur (well, except one, but that's a longer story, let's just round up and say 100% agreement). However, we should agree that name calling is generally considered impolite, but I like your hedge of "sounds like" as if you actually aren't calling me a jerk and instead hoped someone else stepped up to the insult plate and did it for you. Let's call this one a draw. Gronk 0, Scott from Vegas 0.

Now if we're saying that only people who have problems respond to polls, how do we explain the poor 98 folks who said they didn't have a problem with the paint? Don't they count? I'm going to say Gronk 1 and Scott from Vegas 0.

Now, as for someone from Vegas arguing they understand more about reality. Well, I've been to Vegas many times, but I don't remember anything, so I'm not sure how to argue that point. I'm not sure who this Merlin person is you mention. I used that blissful "ignore" button and it made this much more fun. Feel free to do the same with me.

Your friend, Mr. Smart Poll Guy Spin Doctor

1. I never called you a name, I said you "sound like" as you stated later... so maybe you should get your facts correct before you type and then "hedge" yourself.
2. Actually, I said "most people" and "vast majority" regarding those who fill out polls. I get it, you only read what you want to read to make your point.
3. I've lived in Vegas for 40+ years and... I'm pretty decent with numbers. I mean, probably not "Mr. Spin Doctor" good... but decent.
4. No one is saying to not complain when there is a problem, but you try to state that 60% give or take have paint problems. Oh wait, then you say something to the affect that it's probably not that high.

In any event, all I care about is someone trying to use a number/percentage to make a point and then stating where he or she go their numbers from. This allows me to then understand how relevant the stat they have is to me. This whole deal is about someone, the guy you "blocked" saying 3%-5% and then he states exactly how he is calculating it. That's all. That's it. You try to state "that's a lie", "that's misinformation". Actually, you're wrong. What he says is truth. You may not like how he's calculating what he's calculating, but he's right in his number usage.

Lastly, no one is saying to accept something that is crappy. We should say something if we have problems. BUT, to look at a poll and say "well, there it is...the car has paint problem period" is not accurate and you know this my friend.

And thank you for the help, helps to remind me why funny guys like you are why funny guys like me need to do our own research and not depend on a poll, a magazine, a welp site, etc.

Thanks buddy!!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Let's start with where we agree. Yes, I'm a jerk. I polled all my exes and they all concur (well, except one, but that's a longer story, let's just round up and say 100% agreement).

And instantly, I like you, even if I didn't before. What a wag. Anyone who can dis on himself is demonstrating positive vibes. However, you won't see any of this. Too bad for you.

 

[MerlintheMad]

What Gronk seems to insist on ignoring are the massive majority who walk on by and never care about the poll to begin with. They don't have paint failing and so they effectively don't even hear the complaints of people they don't care about. I, on the other hand, love my new car; and it pains me to learn every little thing that goes wrong with someone else's car. Gronk doesn't get it: people who don't care don't vote, period. They can't be bothered. Now the c. (currently) 38% on the poll who did vote "no paint issues" do care, at least enough to participate. There is no way on this planet or in the universe at large that the "no" votes on the poll are proportional to the percentage of total Stinger owners not having paint issues. Most, MOST people, do not care. Probably close to 95% of the general population are waging war with their own concerns and simply don't notice what does not concern them.

 

[GronkSoyFiesta]

1. I never called you a name, I said you "sound like" as you stated later... so maybe you should get your facts correct before you type and then "hedge" yourself.
2. Actually, I said "most people" and "vast majority" regarding those who fill out polls. I get it, you only read what you want to read to make your point.
3. I've lived in Vegas for 40+ years and... I'm pretty decent with numbers. I mean, probably not "Mr. Spin Doctor" good... but decent.
4. No one is saying to not complain when there is a problem, but you try to state that 60% give or take have paint problems. Oh wait, then you say something to the affect that it's probably not that high.

In any event, all I care about is someone trying to use a number/percentage to make a point and then stating where he or she go their numbers from. This allows me to then understand how relevant the stat they have is to me. This whole deal is about someone, the guy you "blocked" saying 3%-5% and then he states exactly how he is calculating it. That's all. That's it. You try to state "that's a lie", "that's misinformation". Actually, you're wrong. What he says is truth. You may not like how he's calculating what he's calculating, but he's right in his number usage.

Lastly, no one is saying to accept something that is crappy. We should say something if we have problems. BUT, to look at a poll and say "well, there it is...the car has paint problem period" is not accurate and you know this my friend.

And thank you for the help, helps to remind me why funny guys like you are why funny guys like me need to do our own research and not depend on a poll, a magazine, a welp site, etc.

Thanks buddy!!

All I see are emoji...

 

[RVance]

GronkSoyFiesta does have the best name.

 

[MerlintheMad]

 

[GronkSoyFiesta]

GronkSoyFiesta does have the best name.

Yes, but I fear the fiesta is becoming a siesta

 

[GronkSoyFiesta]

Good Saturday morning Stinger friends! OK, so we are just going to have to agree to disagree on polling. I'm pretty sure that the next person to change a stranger's mind using an internet forum will be the first, and as much as I was up for that challenge, I got stuff to do.

And lest you all think I am just a complete a**hole lacking in all EQ, I admit to having an over the top reaction about this issue. There are two reasons why:

1. I bought a new car because buying new should at least give one peace of mind out of the gate. I know people will say "all cars have issues" and that is not statistically correct for new, nor is it my expectation or consistent with my experience owning many new cars that had no issues whatsoever until deep into their lives.

2. Issues requiring re-paint will never look right. I have already been approved for a bumper repaint but I'm not gonna do it. If my rotors warp, I can get them fixed and never care. Redone Paint. Will. Never. Look. Right. Especially as it ages. Believe me I did my research and despite that, there was nothing that told me I should expect paint issues unless I got a yellow Stinger.

This thread has gotten conflated between paint issues and reliabilty and quality. I'm fine with that, but it can be confusing. So let's start with some truths:

1. Some (quantity is open to interpretation) Stinger owners are having paint issues that range from minor to severe.
2. The paint problem isn't limited to a certain color, build date or global market
3. These issues are happening with brand new cars. We have no idea how severe the problem will be in one year, as cars go through seasonal temperature change cycles, go through car washes and normal and abnormal use. There are people who say there's no issue, yet are buying freaking microscopes to examine the paint on their cars. How many of you lean in very closely when you wash your car? How many of you are worried it's going to happen? Be honest! When I noticed "mine's got it too" I felt like I received a terrible diagnosis from a doctor.
4. Kia's offer to repaint and pay $5k to yellow Stinger owners is remarkable, however
5. Kia and dealership reactions to this has been inconsistent. Some folks have to fight hard to get resolution. (This is why I believe minimizing or in any way downplaying the problem is not in anyone's interests whatsoever, there is power in the collective) EDIT: upon re-reading this statement I realize it makes me sound like a socialist, but I can assure you I'm not a Russian bot. I'm 100% American capitalist pig
6. Media coverage of the issue has been limited to the yellow stingers. Kia should be quite thankful for this. This could change.

FWIW, I too love my Stinger. It's fun. But I don't love it unconditionally.

 

[MisterMac]

So, for someone still on the fence about getting a 2019 Stinger GT2 AWD vs a Model 3 vs A5/S5 Sportback, what should I do?

Buy the Stinger. It won't be perfect, but neither will the others. However, you will have the industry best warranty to cover the few things that may go wrong.

 

[GronkSoyFiesta]

That’s a tough decision. Of course, you’re going to get a lot of biased opinion here – including me! I was looking at the A5/S5 too, and I had all-but made up my mind to buy an A5 Sportback. I REALLY wanted the S5 s/b, but I just didn’t want to drop that kind of coin. IMO, they’re both great cars. Then, I started researching the Stinger GT - first test-drive and I was sold! Similarly spec’ed, the A5 is more expensive, and the Stinger GT blows it away in power and fun. To get similar power, you have to go to the S5 which is about $18K more. The Stinger also has more room/functionality than either. Now, the Stinger is a ½-notch down from the Audi’s in interior quality. And, of course, there’s the whole ‘prestige’ factor. For me, I was looking for the right car – not a brand. And, considering the price-point and warranty piece-of-mind, the Stinger GT was the clear choice for me.

Completely agree. I cross shopped the same and came to the same conclusions. To the OP, do your homework about the paint.

 

[Luc]

Pretty sure this guy could have helped with both the paint and stress issues on here