Kia Stinger GTS Rant+Generic Rant

[Ty Davis]

I did the downgrade from GT2 to get the GTS. Like I said on a previous post, it might be in my head but the car just feels better when driving. Like it's more in tune with my inputs. It feels better in turns, it seems stronger, I dont know how to explain it. Yes, there are some features I.miss from the GT2 and I did love my GT2, but so far I am happy with my switch. The GT2 was the fanciest car I ever drove, the GTS is the 2nd fanciest. I imagine if I had the GT2 for more time, I wouldn't have been able to give up the stuff I lost, but it's been pretty easy.

Was your GT2 AWD or RWD?

Do you notice a difference between your GT2 and GTS with regards to the bounciness of the suspensions front and rear?

 

[Jimmer]

Was your GT2 AWD or RWD?

Do you notice a difference between your GT2 and GTS with regards to the bounciness of the suspensions front and rear?

AWD and less bouncy and less body roll in turns. Though I never felt too much body roll in turns anyway.

 

[Ty Davis]

AWD and less bouncy and less body roll in turns. Though I never felt too much body roll in turns anyway.

Great that it is less bouncy...
Do you have any other vehicles in your household (or recent memory)?
If so, what cars? And how does your new GTS compare to them in terms of bounciness?

 

[Reven]

Maybe I'm misinterpreting but I don't think him wishing for an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) is for being able to enjoy driving through "twisties" or just for enjoying driving in general. I agree with you guys on that my AWD without the LSD (Limited Slip Differential) does not leave me wanting when going on back roads through the forrest. But at 2 am when I'm at a big open intersection with no one around I think, man I wish I could "drift" this turn or smoke the tires through the turn, that's where I would want the LSD (Limited Slip Differential) and "drift" mode. And I'm guessing those are the kind of situations that Raven is talking about. But maybe that's my mentality. I know some people wouldn't dream about doing this outside of a track so then goes back to what you guys are saying useless without being at the track consistently.

This is exactly what I meant. a bit of dumb fun late at night, parking lots, party tricks, intersections etc. and when i mash my foot down a small pair of 11s wouldnt be the worst thing in the world. That being said I also feel like an open diff is a downgrade from what i have now. My current car is slow, painfully so, but I have a rear LSD and a ELSD center, so i can get my transverse engine 4300lbs car sideways if I try, I think it would be a shame if I bought a replacement daily that had any drawbacks over my current nearly 10 year old one. With Haldex 4 my car can only send up to 40% of torque to the rear wheels and if they couldn't lock there would be nearly no chance of having a fun powerslide ever now and again.

 

[P22Tyler]

With what little difference you actually get on the GTS, you’d think Kia would mention every change to differentiate the GTS from other Stingers. Since they didn’t say anything, they probably haven’t done anything there.

That was kind of my thought as well, but admittedly I haven't done a ton of research on the GTS outside of the release video of the car and some light reading. But I hadn't seen anything mentioned about really tweaking the suspension.

 

[Ty Davis]

That was kind of my thought as well, but admittedly I haven't done a ton of research on the GTS outside of the release video of the car and some light reading. But I hadn't seen anything mentioned about really tweaking the suspension.

As a ray of hope...
Jammer says h does feel a difference vs his old GT2... Maybe there are some tweaks. The 2020 Kia parts catalog isn’t out yet, so I can’t see what parts actually have changes (electronic or physical). The 2019 Kia parts catalog has not been updated with the GTS model either.

I’d call my local Kia parts department for a cross reference of some part #’s, but dealerships generally hate giving out Part numbers.

I’ll end up stopping by for a test drive to see if the GTS really dives any different or what.

 

[Bonsai]

I was hoping to see the GTS and a possible test drive to just get it out of my system at my local dealer but the GTS was no where on the lot. Maybe it sold in 3 days?? Maybe it didn’t have a markup I don’t know.

 

[P22Tyler]

As a ray of hope...
Jammer says h does feel a difference vs his old GT2... Maybe there are some tweaks. The 2020 Kia parts catalog isn’t out yet, so I can’t see what parts actually have changes (electronic or physical). The 2019 Kia parts catalog has not been updated with the GTS model either.

I’d call my local Kia parts department for a cross reference of some part #’s, but dealerships generally hate giving out Part numbers.

I’ll end up stopping by for a test drive to see if the GTS really dives any different or what.

Cool, let me know what you think.

 

[robz32]

I was hoping to see the GTS and a possible test drive to just get it out of my system at my local dealer but the GTS was no where on the lot. Maybe it sold in 3 days?? Maybe it didn’t have a markup I don’t know.

I know of a dealer that currently has one in town. Im going to look at it this weekend.

 

[Bonsai]

I know of a dealer that currently has one in town. Im going to look at it this weekend.

I want to say they may have pushed it to another dealer... If that's possible. It never even made it to their website listings lol. But let us know your thoughts on it as well.

 

[eflyguy]

Someone with a local dealer who didn't have one might have asked them to get it.

 

[CeramicGT001]

Does the GTS come with the electronically controlled suspension like the GT1 & GT2 or the base GT suspension? The window sticker I took a picture of does not list it as a feature but my 19 GT1 window sticker does mention it as a feature. That could explain the difference in driving feel.

My friend who works for Kia also told me he drove the new GTS (AWD) to fill up the gas tank and it felt more responsive/quicker than the other stingers he’s driven.

 

[Ty Davis]

Does the GTS come with the electronically controlled suspension like the GT1 & GT2 or the base GT suspension? The window sticker I took a picture of does not list it as a feature but my 19 GT1 window sticker does mention it as a feature. That could explain the difference in driving feel.

My friend who works for Kia also told me he drove the new GTS (AWD) to fill up the gas tank and it felt more responsive/quicker than the other stingers he’s driven.

Dang! I missed that... No ECS on the GTS Stingers.

I really wish Kia had made created a trim above (better than) the GT2.

 

[CeramicGT001]

Dang! I missed that... No ECS on the GTS Stingers.

I really wish Kia had made created a trim above (better than) the GT2.

And no Cooled seats!!! That right there is reason enough for me to keep my 19 GT1 Ceramic Silver over the GTS lol

 

[Ty Davis]

And no Cooled seats!!! That right there is reason enough for me to keep my 19 GT1 Ceramic Silver over the GTS lol

Yikes! The heartbreak continues.
It’s becoming clear to me that GTS is mostly a model to do a bit of Advertising for Kia and bring people to the showrooms. I don’t think its job is to be a super sales success, in itself. However it can bring sales to Stinger and Kia in general by drumming up interest in the brand. I’ve seen the GTS featured on many blogs, review sites, and in the automotive press. I guess it’s doing its job.

I’d like to see more substance though.

 

[Kamauxx]

Anyone know what the "S" stands for? Is it Sport?

 

[Reven]

It does stand for Grand Touring Sport, its a new trim plate to the states, however in the UK they don't split the GT into 3 separate trims, there is only one and its the GTS, but it lacks any of the fancy bits you get here in the states, its a more euro GT1 trim as far as i can tell.

 

[Silverfox]

It does stand for Grand Touring Sport, its a new trim plate to the states, however in the UK they don't split the GT into 3 separate trims, there is only one and its the GTS, but it lacks any of the fancy bits you get here in the states, its a more euro GT1 trim as far as i can tell.

What fancy bits are those then?

In the UK there are 3 models available. A 2 litre GT Line S and 3.3 litre GTS both come with 360 cameras, sunroof, heated front and rear seats, cooled front seats, lane keep assist, smart cruise, blind spot alert, cross traffic alert, powered tailgate. I can’t think of anything the US model has that the UK doesn’t.

The third model, 2 litre GT Line, comes with heated front seats, lane keep assist, smart cruise, reversing camera.

 

[Jimmer]

The Kia Stinger GTS: A limited edition designed for enthusiasts

 

[MerlintheMad]

Maybe the first time I've ever made a (somewhat) sensible decision when buying a car.

Look at your age, son. It's called "growing up". Happens to everybody.