Just Over Two Weeks with the Stinger

[John Lumsden]

It has been two weeks this past Saturday since I purchase my 2019 Kia Stinger GT1 AWD. This car is an absolute dream, and to think it’s just stock for now. The best thing about this car is that I feel so confident on the road in that I can out run almost 90% of the cars on the road. Other things I like and dislike:

Positives:

-great daily driver (I travel for work, have put 2000 miles in already), truly a great grand touring car
-infotainment system is very simple to use and has all features needed plus more
-cooled seats are incredible to have in hot weather
-the car looks so good, have gotten several looks and “what is that?” Reactions
-almost too fun to drive
-although it’s a large car and you feel that it feels very safe
-spacious trunk
-leather interior everywhere

Negatives

-when connected to car play and on the phone with someone their connection is static
-center of steering wheel is a bit bulky
-auto start/stop feature that basically turns off car at stop light is very sensitive, you have to press the brake super hard and hold it in order for it to work but even then it still may not activate and sometimes turns back on before you release the brake
-no digital clock on dash where the gages are (or maybe there is just haven’t figured out how to put it there yet)
-glove box is unusably small
-head room is tight for anyone over 5,7

 

[MerlintheMad]

A thousand miles a week!? Holy crap!
Spacious "hatch", just to be accurate.
Faux leather everywhere; real leather on the main weight bearing parts of the seats.
I turn start/stop OFF, first thing after starting the car. A light braking foot to keep it from engaging is the other alternative.
My wife's space is the entire glovebox. She hasn't complained that it's too small. Hmm?
Head room is fine. I am 6'3". Just lower the seat. I have mine dropped to the floor.

 

[John Lumsden]

Well I travel for work, so I live in Hampton VA and have been to Charlotte twice and Philly once

 

[MrSmoofy]

-auto start/stop feature that basically turns off car at stop light is very sensitive, you have to press the brake super hard and hold it in order for it to work but even then it still may not activate and sometimes turns back on before you release the brake

As someone else said you can turn this off however it's not sensitive and you do not have to press the break hard and hold it for it to work. Light presses will keep it and the Auto Hold from engaging. You will notice an A with a circle on your dash display that when Amber it will not activate when it's enabled via center console button. There are times it won't engage for example normally right after cold start because the engine has not warmed. Also if your using heat or A/C it may not engage because it's either warming or cooling the cabin as this doesn't happen when the engine is off. Any normal press of the brake peddle at a light will engage it and the auto hold if they are enabled but you can use a light press and have both not engage.

-head room is tight for anyone over 5,7

As someone else said, plenty of headroom I'm 6'1" and don't have a problem with it.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Any normal press of the brake peddle at a light will engage it and the auto hold if they are enabled but you can use a light press and have both not engage.

An elucidation to using both ISG and auto hold: when the traffic light turns green and you Go, there is a delay as both disengage. It isn't a long delay, but it is noticeable and I dislike it. So other than at first, trying these features out, I have never used ISG at all; and even if I did, I'd not use it in tandem with auto hold.

 

[John Lumsden]

I have used the auto start/stop with the auto hold and it’s actualky quite helpful when driving in town on surface streets during rush hour. I have driven several cars with this feature and therefore didn’t think I would like it on the Stinger either because of slight delay but actually it’s less of a delay than most cars I’ve driven with it.

 

[Soca Boy]

Start>Auto Start/Stop off>Sport> Traction control Off>enjoy. My CarPlay is clear, maybe try a different cable.

 

[GenesisG70]

Definitely an amazing car

 

[GenesisG70]

And also you didn't mention the monsta engine.

 

[John Lumsden]

I did mention how fast it was. It’s going to be fun to have my father come and do a road trip with me next month to see what he thinks. He drives a Maserati Ghibli Base model. We all know Stinger is faster

 

[Waynerm002]

Coming from the Optima hybrid, I like sitting at a light with the engine off. I use Auto Hold and tap the accelerator to start the car just before the light changes so the engine is ready when it's go time.

 

[mldavis2]

The brake light switch / auto-hold switch is adjustable. Ask you dealer if it takes too much pedal pressure.