GT or GT1?

[mjcavalo]

I'm wondering what the real world differences between the GT & GT1 are? I'm a mom driving around town-I want a comfortable suspension. I had a quick test drive of a GT1 and really liked it. How is the suspension on the GT? My 17 year old son is trying to convince me that I "need" the GT2, but I don't think I'm going to go there.

 

[Atheleus]

GT – Added features include a sport-tuned steering wheel, several GT-exclusive stylings and upgrades, and, of course, the V6 engine.

GT1 – Added features include auto-dimming side mirrors, a power sunroof, a multitude of high-tech gauge displays, and more.

I personally would agree with your son-the GT2 is the way to go, but you need to make the decision if the extra bells and whistles are work an extra 5K or so. For me, they totally are.

- Kia ADAS package, which has all the fun technology (and can be added to a GT1 for $2k)
- Heads Up Display (unique to the GT2)
- Smart Power Truck (unique to the GT2)
- Napa leather trim (unique to the GT2)
- Shift-by-wire (unique to the GT2)
- Dynamic Bending headlights (unique to the GT2)

 

[mldavis2]

@mjcavalo beware that some order combinations are very hard to find, especially if color is a big factor to you, and it may require an order rather than finding one on a dealer's lot. I had to cancel my GT1 order because they had none anywhere in the pipeline that fit my specs, and they do not take direct customer orders. Your dealer gets to pick what's built and not spoken for yet.

It also depends on if you want AWD or RWD which might depend on what your weather is like. You can get both in either GT or GT1 or GT2, but the GT1 with both AWD and the DriveWise stuff seems to be very hard to find.

And if you don't need the 365HP (I know your son does) and want better fuel economy, the 2.0L is 255HP and no slouch. Go drive one and see if you can save a few bucks if you don't need the power of the 3.3TT. There are no bad choices.

 

[mjcavalo]

@mjcavalo beware that some order combinations are very hard to find, especially if color is a big factor to you, and it may require an order rather than finding one on a dealer's lot. I had to cancel my GT1 order because they had none anywhere in the pipeline that fit my specs, and they do not take direct customer orders. Your dealer gets to pick what's built and not spoken for yet.

It also depends on if you want AWD or RWD which might depend on what your weather is like. You can get both in either GT or GT1 or GT2, but the GT1 with both AWD and the DriveWise stuff seems to be very hard to find.

And if you don't need the 365HP (I know your son does) and want better fuel economy, the 2.0L is 255HP and no slouch. Go drive one and see if you can save a few bucks if you don't need the power of the 3.3TT. There are no bad choices.

Thank you! I would go for the 2.0L, but I like the styling of the GT models better. Just debating on which one to get. And I know what you mean about the colors; I'm looking for white RWD and in my area, the white GT & GT1 isn't very plentiful. Although there is 1 dealer about an hour away that has 1 of each of those.

 

[KC2285]

@mjcavalo beware that some order combinations are very hard to find, especially if color is a big factor to you, and it may require an order rather than finding one on a dealer's lot. I had to cancel my GT1 order because they had none anywhere in the pipeline that fit my specs, and they do not take direct customer orders. Your dealer gets to pick what's built and not spoken for yet.

It also depends on if you want AWD or RWD which might depend on what your weather is like. You can get both in either GT or GT1 or GT2, but the GT1 with both AWD and the DriveWise stuff seems to be very hard to find.

And if you don't need the 365HP (I know your son does) and want better fuel economy, the 2.0L is 255HP and no slouch. Go drive one and see if you can save a few bucks if you don't need the power of the 3.3TT. There are no bad choices.

I am only seeing one GT1 with AWD and no Drive Wise in the entire country on the Kia inventory page while there are plenty with both. Where are you seeing so manny GT1 without Drive Wise?

 

[Never thought]

I highly recommend the drive wise package. It is worth the extra $10-$15 a month. I can relax and enjoy my coffee while my Stinger basically drives itself in rush hour traffic.

 

[Never thought]

I got a GT2 because I wanted the ventilated seats (but the HUD is amazing) otherwise I would’ve got the GT1 with drive wise.

 

[mldavis2]

I am only seeing one GT1 with AWD and no Drive Wise in the entire country on the Kia inventory page while there are plenty with both. Where are you seeing so manny GT1 without Drive Wise?

My problem was finding a GT1 with both AWD and DriveWise. One or the other but not both. And if you go back in these threads, I posted a long account of my GT1 order that simply disappeared, presumably because there were none in the pipeline and Kia (or the district rep or someone) simply dropped the order and didn't tell anyone. So I had to start over after waiting a month (!) and re-ordered a GT2 (which is due in today.)

I'm in the SW corner of Missouri so I checked from Kansas City to St. Louis to Wichita to Ft. Smith to Tulsa to Oklahoma City and everywhere in between.

 

[RUGGLES99]

Thank you! I would go for the 2.0L, but I like the styling of the GT models better. Just debating on which one to get. And I know what you mean about the colors; I'm looking for white RWD and in my area, the white GT & GT1 isn't very plentiful. Although there is 1 dealer about an hour away that has 1 of each of those.

the basic styling between the 2.0 and the gts is the same.

 

[davebo]

Yeah if I wasn't such a speed demon I definitely wouldn't put up with the combination of garbage fuel economy AND a tiny gas tank with the GT just for the slightly different front fascia and black chrome accents. But don't even consider the very base model, it's just so spartan. It's easy around me to get at least $1500 off a Premium though, and around 1k off GT's. One major difference between GT and GT1 that I didn't see mentioned was the upgraded stereo, if that's important to you or your son. I dunno, if he's trying to get you buy the twin turbo V6 because he wants to drive it himself I'd be pretty worried. These cars need some kind of cylinder deactivation parental controls. Sorry son, with your key fob it's just a N/A V4 now

 

[mjcavalo]

Yeah if I wasn't such a speed demon I definitely wouldn't put up with the combination of garbage fuel economy AND a tiny gas tank with the GT just for the slightly different front fascia and black chrome accents. But don't even consider the very base model, it's just so spartan. It's easy around me to get at least $1500 off a Premium though, and around 1k off GT's. One major difference between GT and GT1 that I didn't see mentioned was the upgraded stereo, if that's important to you or your son. I dunno, if he's trying to get you buy the twin turbo V6 because he wants to drive it himself I'd be pretty worried. These cars need some kind of cylinder deactivation parental controls. Sorry son, with your key fob it's just a N/A V4 now

It's those slight differences that make me like the GT so much more! That and the wheels/brakes. This son I'm not too worried about driving it...it's the 21 year old that used to race motorcycles that I won't let drive it!

 

[Helo58]

I think the GT1 is the sweet spot. The GT1 and the GT2 have the adaptive suspension, so you should be able to set it to your liking and comfort. As far as GT1 vs GT2, the GT2 really targets the luxury car buyer with features found on very upscale cars. The GT, in my opinion, targets the no frills performance enthusiast. For me, the GT1 is the sweet spot in between.