$34,115 for the 4-banger Stinger and $42,395 for the C-class. I understand that they wanted to compare it with the same type of engine, but in my opinion, if you pit the C-class against a GT1 ($42,000~) it definitely beats the Mercedes in the performance department and probably matches it in comfort and convenience. So I feel like this comparison is bullshit.
"It comes at a very competitive starting price but moves quickly into Audi and BMW territory once you start to add options, including the more powerful V6."
Well, why don't you (KBB) add the v6 option to the Stinger and see which is the better car? Or are you just trying to make the C-class look good?
"Mercedes Advantages: Sedan, coupe and cabriolet body styles; badge cachet; better fuel economy (+5 mpg highway); Mercedes refinement."
All of that is complete bullshit. Different body styles but the same engine? Shouldn't you pick a body style that's similar to the Stinger for a comparison? "
Badge cachet" so KBB is still reviewing cars based on the
badge a car wears rather than the actual value it brings to the consumer. And the better fuel economy probably comes from the 9-speed, so it has one more overdrive gear, which makes it better for highway cruising but combined MPG is only 2 higher.
Stinger cargo volume - 40.9 cu. ft. Mercedes C-class cargo volume - 12.6 cu. ft
Good luck trying to pack anything in the C-class. I can fit 4 wheels and tires, along with extras in my Stinger.
TL;DR - this review is bullshit and completely leveraged against the KIA
badge and based on engine option rather than price comparison.
