MY22 Canada Stinger

[Marc Collins]

Yes, i believe permanently on in Sport but I don't know how/if you can turn it on in Custom. I would hope so!

Very tame though. Check out some of the many Youtube reviews from our American neighbours. They've had these on dealer lots now for a couple weeks.

I was really hoping for some Veloster N noises but sadly, it's more like how my car sounded when i had stock exhaust with aftermarket midpipes.

I could not find a single YT review that actually demo'd the bi-modal exhaust. I hope even the lamest KIA system will be more impressive in motion than just switching it to Sport mode while the car is parked idling with a mic underneath... Or reviewers leaving the fake sounds on full while trying to assess the new physical exhaust...

 

[SKStinger]

OK, the new one is officially off my list, then. I can add an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) and a better exhaust to my existing car and not take the massive depreciation hit. I also prefer the old wheel design and exhaust tips. Could care less about the rear tail lights, so no reason to even think about upgrading. Let's see what new G70 brings and so many other options out there.

I'm with you there. The new G70 is much more appealing to me, especially with the new price point of the Stinger Elite.

The only features i'm really happy about on the new Stinger are:
- 10.25" display but was really expecting wireless carplay/AA
- Frameless rear view mirror, I'll buy the new one when it's available
- Ambient lighting, adding my own aftermarket strip to mirror this
- New door cards are nice, might order a set in suede when they're available
- Red seat belts, might swap those in too

The exterior stuff is bad. All of it.

 

[Marc Collins]

I'm with you there. The new G70 is much more appealing to me, especially with the new price point of the Stinger Elite.

The only features i'm really happy about on the new Stinger are:
- 10.25" display but was really expecting wireless carplay/AA
- Frameless rear view mirror
- Ambient lighting
- New door cards are nice, might order a set in suede when they're available

The exterior stuff is bad. All of it.

The lack of wireless Carplay/AA is truly astonishing and renders the wireless charging to be a joke beyond the over-heating issue. That was bad enough in 2018.

The new screen is nice, of course, but largely useless for anything important like nav, since we need more height not width to make that more useful.

 

[Jayphil]

The other thing that is so obviously new and important, but no review I have seen so far elaborates, is how is the bi-modal exhaust is controlled or triggered. If KIA was competent, they would make sure the owner has the ability to decide whether the activation is based on throttle position, rpm or drive mode. And, that this setting is available in the Custom drive mode options.

I expect it will be not controllable and probably based on the dumbest trigger option, and restricted to Sport mode. Prove me wrong, people!!

I know it is open all the time in sport but it is dumb if it does not open in comfort when you reach a certain throttle. That would mean you would loose HP in comfort...

Does the new amazing improved UVO take less than 2 minutes of fumbling to remote start the car and can it control the seat coolers as it always should have been able to?

I can't comment on the speed of UVO next gen but the keyfob now have a remote start button. Also I have seen a video saying that seats temperature is supposed to be controllable by UVO next gen but no official confirmation (it is on the K5 with UVO next gen)

Does the new wireless charging pad still overheat when the rear independent heater is on...rendering it useless for about 9 months of the year in Canada?

The wireless charging pad was upgraded on now future holes for cooling. Look closer on interior photos.

 

[Marc Collins]

I know it is open all the time in sport but it is dumb if it does not open in comfort when you reach a certain throttle. That would mean you would loose HP in comfort...

I can't comment on the speed of UVO next gen but the keyfob now have a remote start button. Also I have seen a video saying that seats temperature is supposed to be controllable by UVO next gen but no official confirmation (it is on the K5 with UVO next gen)

The wireless charging pad was upgraded on now future holes for cooling. Look closer on interior photos.

I had noticed the wireless pad change, but unless the heater right beside/below the pad has been better insulated, jury is out whether it will make a difference. This is unique to Stinger as I am not sure any other model (in North America) has the independent rear seat heating unit. Look forward to the first tests of it. Only takes about 15 minutes of use to overheat the typical phone in the current version if the rear heater is set to heat (which it is all heating season if you have even occasional passengers in the rear and cannot be seen or adjusted from the driver's seat).

 

[Dia1Up]

Does the new wireless charging pad still overheat when the rear independent heater is on...rendering it useless for about 9 months of the year in Canada?

I think they added a vent? I can't remember

 

[Marc Collins]

Just drove the '22 Elite today as the dealer wanted to do a deal if I traded in my '18 GT Limited with very low mileage.

One line conclusion: total fail.

Details - Good:

• The car is equipped with the mechanical LSD that it should have had from the outset in 2018 (since the sister car Genesis G70 had it with the mandatory AWD in Canada), but that was already added previously for the top-line car
• The new larger touch screen is attractive and more contemporary looking, though functionally adds zero versus the smaller screen
  • All the menu items and controls are exactly the same
  • KIA still can't figure-out how to get media titles to scroll properly or align so you can read a name longer than a dozen characters no matter how wide the screen gets
  • The nav screen would only benefit from extra vertical inches--seeing more area off to the side where you aren't going to drive is of no value
• The new seat stitching pattern is nice (nicer than the old one in my opinion)
• The new turn-signal camera feature in the instrument cluster is nice

Details: - Bad

• There is no mention of bi-modal exhaust anywhere in the Canadian literature and the car is not equipped with one
  • There is no perceptible exhaust note difference in any mode or driving style, other than perhaps the exhaust is slightly quieter at idle/low engine speeds
  • Interesting since cars in other jurisdictions have it and it's another item the original 2018 car should have had (even the 2017 Aussie car had one)
  • Note that I had the ridiculously stupid fake exhaust sounds that play through the audio system turned off so as not to confuse myself like the so-called professional YouTube reviewers that apparently don't understand how these things work
  • Price increase of Canadian car could only be justified by the addition of the LSD and exhaust, and it is missing one of them
• New wheels look worse (and less sporty) than the prior ones, but that's personal opinion
• New exhaust tips look ridiculous in person because the actual, smaller, exhaust pipes are so clearly visible inside the new larger cosmetic ones
• Canadian KIA marketing mavens decided not to put the "Stinger" script-style badge on the back of the car like the one in the USA and everywhere else, and instead use the standard/new KIA logo and similar badging to the older cars
• There is no Sport Plus mode, which could have been easily added
• Frameless rear-view mirror--did it lose the compass display?
• In my old 2018, the seat side bolsters activate as soon as you start the car. In the new model, it is associated with the Sport driving mode
  • It makes sense to have the bolsters activate in Sport mode, but it does not make sense to leave out of the Custom drive mode an option to activate them, nor does it make sense to not allow them to activate at all the time in all modes if that's what the driver prefers
• The suspension (dampers) has been tweaked and is noticeably firmer in Comfort mode
  • The complaint from day one of the Stinger's release was that there was not enough difference between Sport and Comfort
  • How KIA could manage to make this worse on the '22 is almost beyond belief, but they have--the Sport mode is the same/imperceptibly different from the old model, so now the difference between the two is even less than before
  • Either leave it alone, or make Sport firmer and leave Comfort where it was--they did the opposite of what any feedback I am aware of suggested
  • The car still noticeably unsettles/kicks out a bit at the rear when cornering over an uneven surface, so the one and only handling "flaw" mentioned by 95% of reviewers and owners is unchanged...or maybe even worse with the stiffer damping in Comfort mode

So, everything that matters to enthusiasts has been bungled. And KIA is wondering why the sales of this car remain in the dumpster. The car could have been equipped properly in 2018, but they chose not to do so. I presumed, perhaps after 3+ years of experience, they might finally get a clue. Nope. No sale. I wouldn't trade the 2018 even if they paid me. I can put an LSD on myself and almost every change is a step backwards.

 

[SKStinger]

Just drove the '22 Elite today as the dealer wanted to do a deal if I traded in my '18 GT Limited with very low mileage.

One line conclusion: total fail.

Details - Good:

• The car is equipped with the mechanical LSD (Limited Slip Differential) that it should have had from the outset in 2018 (since the sister car Genesis G70 had it with the mandatory AWD in Canada), but that was already added previously for the top-line car
• The new larger touch screen is attractive and more contemporary looking, though functionally adds zero versus the smaller screen
  • All the menu items and controls are exactly the same
  • KIA still can't figure-out how to get media titles to scroll properly or align so you can read a name longer than a dozen characters no matter how wide the screen gets
  • The nav screen would only benefit from extra vertical inches--seeing more area off to the side where you aren't going to drive is of no value
• The new seat stitching pattern is nice (nicer than the old one in my opinion)
• The new turn-signal camera feature in the instrument cluster is nice

Details: - Bad

• There is no mention of bi-modal exhaust anywhere in the Canadian literature and the car is not equipped with one
  • There is no perceptible exhaust note difference in any mode or driving style, other than perhaps the exhaust is slightly quieter at idle/low engine speeds
  • Interesting since cars in other jurisdictions have it and it's another item the original 2018 car should have had (even the 2017 Aussie car had one)
  • Note that I had the ridiculously stupid fake exhaust sounds that play through the audio system turned off so as not to confuse myself like the so-called professional YouTube reviewers that apparently don't understand how these things work
  • Price increase of Canadian car could only be justified by the addition of the LSD (Limited Slip Differential) and exhaust, and it is missing one of them
• New wheels look worse (and less sporty) than the prior ones, but that's personal opinion
• New exhaust tips look ridiculous in person because the actual, smaller, exhaust pipes are so clearly visible inside the new larger cosmetic ones
• Canadian KIA marketing mavens decided not to put the "Stinger" script-style badge on the back of the car like the one in the USA and everywhere else, and instead use the standard/new KIA logo and similar badging to the older cars
• There is no Sport Plus mode, which could have been easily added
• Frameless rear-view mirror--did it lose the compass display?
• In my old 2018, the seat side bolsters activate as soon as you start the car. In the new model, it is associated with the Sport driving mode
  • It makes sense to have the bolsters activate in Sport mode, but it does not make sense to leave out of the Custom drive mode an option to activate them, nor does it make sense to not allow them to activate at all the time in all modes if that's what the driver prefers
• The suspension (dampers) has been tweaked and is noticeably firmer in Comfort mode
  • The complaint from day one of the Stinger's release was that there was not enough difference between Sport and Comfort
  • How KIA could manage to make this worse on the '22 is almost beyond belief, but they have--the Sport mode is the same/imperceptibly different from the old model, so now the difference between the two is even less than before
  • Either leave it alone, or make Sport firmer and leave Comfort where it was--they did the opposite of what any feedback I am aware of suggested
  • The car still noticeably unsettles/kicks out a bit at the rear when cornering over an uneven surface, so the one and only handling "flaw" mentioned by 95% of reviewers and owners is unchanged...or maybe even worse with the stiffer damping in Comfort mode

So, everything that matters to enthusiasts has been bungled. And KIA is wondering why the sales of this car remain in the dumpster. The car could have been equipped properly in 2018, but they chose not to do so. I presumed, perhaps after 3+ years of experience, they might finally get a clue. Nope. No sale. I wouldn't trade the 2018 even if they paid me. I can put an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) on myself and almost every change is a step backwards.

Good review. I’ve yet to drive one but having seen one in person, the looks and new features don’t justify the price hike for me.

You mentioned you liked the seat design, did they feel more comfortable? One reviewer thought so.

Oh and in the bad section, you forgot the sun glasses holder delete.

 

[0zman99]

Just drove the '22 Elite today as the dealer wanted to do a deal if I traded in my '18 GT Limited with very low mileage.

One line conclusion: total fail.

Details - Good:

• The car is equipped with the mechanical LSD (Limited Slip Differential) that it should have had from the outset in 2018 (since the sister car Genesis G70 had it with the mandatory AWD in Canada), but that was already added previously for the top-line car
• The new larger touch screen is attractive and more contemporary looking, though functionally adds zero versus the smaller screen
  • All the menu items and controls are exactly the same
  • KIA still can't figure-out how to get media titles to scroll properly or align so you can read a name longer than a dozen characters no matter how wide the screen gets
  • The nav screen would only benefit from extra vertical inches--seeing more area off to the side where you aren't going to drive is of no value
• The new seat stitching pattern is nice (nicer than the old one in my opinion)
• The new turn-signal camera feature in the instrument cluster is nice

Details: - Bad

• There is no mention of bi-modal exhaust anywhere in the Canadian literature and the car is not equipped with one
  • There is no perceptible exhaust note difference in any mode or driving style, other than perhaps the exhaust is slightly quieter at idle/low engine speeds
  • Interesting since cars in other jurisdictions have it and it's another item the original 2018 car should have had (even the 2017 Aussie car had one)
  • Note that I had the ridiculously stupid fake exhaust sounds that play through the audio system turned off so as not to confuse myself like the so-called professional YouTube reviewers that apparently don't understand how these things work
  • Price increase of Canadian car could only be justified by the addition of the LSD (Limited Slip Differential) and exhaust, and it is missing one of them
• New wheels look worse (and less sporty) than the prior ones, but that's personal opinion
• New exhaust tips look ridiculous in person because the actual, smaller, exhaust pipes are so clearly visible inside the new larger cosmetic ones
• Canadian KIA marketing mavens decided not to put the "Stinger" script-style badge on the back of the car like the one in the USA and everywhere else, and instead use the standard/new KIA logo and similar badging to the older cars
• There is no Sport Plus mode, which could have been easily added
• Frameless rear-view mirror--did it lose the compass display?
• In my old 2018, the seat side bolsters activate as soon as you start the car. In the new model, it is associated with the Sport driving mode
  • It makes sense to have the bolsters activate in Sport mode, but it does not make sense to leave out of the Custom drive mode an option to activate them, nor does it make sense to not allow them to activate at all the time in all modes if that's what the driver prefers
• The suspension (dampers) has been tweaked and is noticeably firmer in Comfort mode
  • The complaint from day one of the Stinger's release was that there was not enough difference between Sport and Comfort
  • How KIA could manage to make this worse on the '22 is almost beyond belief, but they have--the Sport mode is the same/imperceptibly different from the old model, so now the difference between the two is even less than before
  • Either leave it alone, or make Sport firmer and leave Comfort where it was--they did the opposite of what any feedback I am aware of suggested
  • The car still noticeably unsettles/kicks out a bit at the rear when cornering over an uneven surface, so the one and only handling "flaw" mentioned by 95% of reviewers and owners is unchanged...or maybe even worse with the stiffer damping in Comfort mode

So, everything that matters to enthusiasts has been bungled. And KIA is wondering why the sales of this car remain in the dumpster. The car could have been equipped properly in 2018, but they chose not to do so. I presumed, perhaps after 3+ years of experience, they might finally get a clue. Nope. No sale. I wouldn't trade the 2018 even if they paid me. I can put an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) on myself and almost every change is a step backwards.

Hey Marc,

Great detailed write up.

I just wanted to mention something. Although we don't have the bi-modal exhaust. I can confirm the exhaust does have valves in the back that open and close depending on the drive mode. Next time I drop by the dealership I'll try to snap a photo.

By the sounds of your test drive, it doesn't make the exhaust much louder compared to the 2018 though.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Just drove the '22 Elite today as the dealer wanted to do a deal if I traded in my '18 GT Limited with very low mileage.

One line conclusion: total fail.

Details - Good:

• The car is equipped with the mechanical LSD (Limited Slip Differential) that it should have had from the outset in 2018 (since the sister car Genesis G70 had it with the mandatory AWD in Canada), but that was already added previously for the top-line car
• The new larger touch screen is attractive and more contemporary looking, though functionally adds zero versus the smaller screen
  • All the menu items and controls are exactly the same
  • KIA still can't figure-out how to get media titles to scroll properly or align so you can read a name longer than a dozen characters no matter how wide the screen gets
  • The nav screen would only benefit from extra vertical inches--seeing more area off to the side where you aren't going to drive is of no value
• The new seat stitching pattern is nice (nicer than the old one in my opinion)
• The new turn-signal camera feature in the instrument cluster is nice

Details: - Bad

• There is no mention of bi-modal exhaust anywhere in the Canadian literature and the car is not equipped with one
  • There is no perceptible exhaust note difference in any mode or driving style, other than perhaps the exhaust is slightly quieter at idle/low engine speeds
  • Interesting since cars in other jurisdictions have it and it's another item the original 2018 car should have had (even the 2017 Aussie car had one)
  • Note that I had the ridiculously stupid fake exhaust sounds that play through the audio system turned off so as not to confuse myself like the so-called professional YouTube reviewers that apparently don't understand how these things work
  • Price increase of Canadian car could only be justified by the addition of the LSD (Limited Slip Differential) and exhaust, and it is missing one of them
• New wheels look worse (and less sporty) than the prior ones, but that's personal opinion
• New exhaust tips look ridiculous in person because the actual, smaller, exhaust pipes are so clearly visible inside the new larger cosmetic ones
• Canadian KIA marketing mavens decided not to put the "Stinger" script-style badge on the back of the car like the one in the USA and everywhere else, and instead use the standard/new KIA logo and similar badging to the older cars
• There is no Sport Plus mode, which could have been easily added
• Frameless rear-view mirror--did it lose the compass display?
• In my old 2018, the seat side bolsters activate as soon as you start the car. In the new model, it is associated with the Sport driving mode
  • It makes sense to have the bolsters activate in Sport mode, but it does not make sense to leave out of the Custom drive mode an option to activate them, nor does it make sense to not allow them to activate at all the time in all modes if that's what the driver prefers
• The suspension (dampers) has been tweaked and is noticeably firmer in Comfort mode
  • The complaint from day one of the Stinger's release was that there was not enough difference between Sport and Comfort
  • How KIA could manage to make this worse on the '22 is almost beyond belief, but they have--the Sport mode is the same/imperceptibly different from the old model, so now the difference between the two is even less than before
  • Either leave it alone, or make Sport firmer and leave Comfort where it was--they did the opposite of what any feedback I am aware of suggested
  • The car still noticeably unsettles/kicks out a bit at the rear when cornering over an uneven surface, so the one and only handling "flaw" mentioned by 95% of reviewers and owners is unchanged...or maybe even worse with the stiffer damping in Comfort mode

So, everything that matters to enthusiasts has been bungled. And KIA is wondering why the sales of this car remain in the dumpster. The car could have been equipped properly in 2018, but they chose not to do so. I presumed, perhaps after 3+ years of experience, they might finally get a clue. Nope. No sale. I wouldn't trade the 2018 even if they paid me. I can put an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) on myself and almost every change is a step backwards.

Oh wow, I was thinking I might end up with a newer model, but after reading that I'm not so sure it would be worth it.

 

[Jayphil]

Hey Marc,

Great detailed write up.

I just wanted to mention something. Although we don't have the bi-modal exhaust. I can confirm the exhaust does have valves in the back that open and close depending on the drive mode. Next time I drop by the dealership I'll try to snap a photo.

By the sounds of your test drive, it doesn't make the exhaust much louder compared to the 2018 though.

Valves in the back = Bi-modal... So we have a bi-modal but it does not make much sound difference (same in USA by the way).

Also Kia Canada specify the same HP as USA (368hp) which the additional HP is coming from the bi-modal.

 

[Marc Collins]

Valves in the back = Bi-modal... So we have a bi-modal but it does not make much sound difference (same in USA by the way).

Also Kia Canada specify the same HP as USA (368hp) which the additional HP is coming from the bi-modal.

I don't think the bi-modal operation is the cause of the extra power...just a freer-flow design overall most likely. I don not think it is possible to report the official power rating from a special drive mode, but in the end, who cares--it's 3 HP.

Again, a total fail if there is actually a bi-modal design, but it is imperceptible to the people in the car! I did report quieter exhaust at idle, so the bi-modal likely lowers the sound in normal use and allows approximately the same as the earlier models in the open position. Lots of sporty cars come with bi-modal exhaust from the factory. None work this way. They are there to allow temporary pleasant/exciting/louder operation without burdening the users with too-loud exhaust the other 95% of the time you are just puttering around. A brilliant engineering development for those who like sporty cars, but are not teenagers trying to get noticed at all times/at any cost.

Again, recall the reviews of the Stinger over the years. One of the most-often repeated complaints was dull, unexciting exhaust. So, just as KIA did the exact opposite of what was requested with the damper settings (and made the two modes even less distinct), they have made the exhaust less sporty overall in the 2022. Mind boggling, really.

Of course, no matter what the difference is between the two modes (dB and flavour), KIA failed anyway by not making the bi-modal exhaust controllable by the driver. Any bi-modal exhaust in a modern car with all the UI capabilities of a Stinger should have OPTIONS for activation:

1. Sport mode turns it on
2. Option for custom drive mode
3. Option for throttle position (i.e., past 2/3rds or some such opens the flaps) not related to drive mode
4. Option for engine speed threshold (e.g., above 3500 rpm) not related to drive mode

I wouldn't expect all four choices in every car, but at least two should be there. Given the imperceptibility of the Stinger system, no need to make it controllable by the driver

 

[Geebucks]

I don't think the bi-modal operation is the cause of the extra power...just a freer-flow design overall most likely. I don not think it is possible to report the official power rating from a special drive mode, but in the end, who cares--it's 3 HP.

Again, a total fail if there is actually a bi-modal design, but it is imperceptible to the people in the car! I did report quieter exhaust at idle, so the bi-modal likely lowers the sound in normal use and allows approximately the same as the earlier models in the open position. Lots of sporty cars come with bi-modal exhaust from the factory. None work this way. They are there to allow temporary pleasant/exciting/louder operation without burdening the users with too-loud exhaust the other 95% of the time you are just puttering around. A brilliant engineering development for those who like sporty cars, but are not teenagers trying to get noticed at all times/at any cost.

Again, recall the reviews of the Stinger over the years. One of the most-often repeated complaints was dull, unexciting exhaust. So, just as KIA did the exact opposite of what was requested with the damper settings (and made the two modes even less distinct), they have made the exhaust less sporty overall in the 2022. Mind boggling, really.

Of course, no matter what the difference is between the two modes (dB and flavour), KIA failed anyway by not making the bi-modal exhaust controllable by the driver. Any bi-modal exhaust in a modern car with all the UI capabilities of a Stinger should have OPTIONS for activation:

1. Sport mode turns it on
2. Option for custom drive mode
3. Option for throttle position (i.e., past 2/3rds or some such opens the flaps) not related to drive mode
4. Option for engine speed threshold (e.g., above 3500 rpm) not related to drive mode

I wouldn't expect all four choices in every car, but at least two should be there. Given the imperceptibility of the Stinger system, no need to make it controllable by the driver

It's definitely very quiet. If you need a video to prove that they open and close... it's not worth it. If an aftermarket exhaust could make use of the stock valves though, you could have some potential there.

 

[SKStinger]

Throttle House has posted a quick review of the 2022 Stinger. Thomas comments on the sunroof creaking later in the video. He is also surprised it didn't get the digital instrument cluster. I'm surprised as well given the new Carnival has the dual 12.3" display screens. He also mentions the ride feeling harsher which aligns to what @Marc Collins was saying above.

I do like the alcantara interior though.

 

[Stephen5242]

So, everything that matters to enthusiasts has been bungled. And KIA is wondering why the sales of this car remain in the dumpster. The car could have been equipped properly in 2018, but they chose not to do so. I presumed, perhaps after 3+ years of experience, they might finally get a clue. Nope. No sale. I wouldn't trade the 2018 even if they paid me. I can put an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) (Limited Slip Differential) on myself and almost every change is a step backwards.

You mean everything that matters to you, and rightly so, but please no one should speak on behalf of all enthusiasts.

 

[Stephen5242]

Note that I had the ridiculously stupid fake exhaust sounds that play through the audio system turned off so as not to confuse myself like the so-called professional YouTube reviewers that apparently don't understand how these things work

I'm curious if you listened to the sound from the outside as well and if a difference was noticed. It may just not be noticed from the inside?

 

[YEH]

 

[Marc Collins]

You mean everything that matters to you, and rightly so, but please no one should speak on behalf of all enthusiasts.

No, I meant exactly what I wrote, which was everything that matters to enthusiasts [from the list of items elucidated above]. If you cannot conclude from the context of the entire post what I was referring to, and needed it to be spelled out as I just did in the brackets, then better to not reply in a forum of people focusing on a known and particular topic. You are implying that I have some personalized master list of enthusiast features that defined what I wrote about or needs to be imposed on everyone reading...which is rather preposterous. KIA decided what to change in the 2022 car and what to leave alone, not me.

By the way, what is your list of Stinger features that appeal to enthusiasts?

 

[Stephen5242]

I meant exactly what I wrote, which was everything that matters to enthusiasts [from the list of items elucidated above]. If you cannot conclude from the context of the entire post what I was referring to, and needed it to be spelled out as I just did in the brackets, then better to not reply in a forum of people focusing on a known and particular topic.

By the way, what is your list of Stinger features that appeal to enthusiasts?

Well my point is I am also an enthusiast and I don't care about a lot of items on your list the same way you do.

I like: the new wheels, the exhaust, the new tail lights, don't care about the exhaust note, compass or sport plus mode. Never liked the black chrome. Just some of the items this enthusiast cares about and feels that they were not bungled for me.

So, I would never attempt to define what is important to enthusiasts due to the wide field of views held by them. To say "So, everything that matters to enthusiasts has been bungled." is just utter nonsense as you can not possibly have the buy in of all enthusiasts to make such a definitive statement on their behalf.

Also your statement above "better not to reply in a forum of people focusing on a known and particular topic." is nothing more than more utter nonsense! I will and shall post in any forum of choice while following the forum's rules of decorum.

 

[Geebucks]

No, I meant exactly what I wrote, which was everything that matters to enthusiasts [from the list of items elucidated above]. If you cannot conclude from the context of the entire post what I was referring to, and needed it to be spelled out as I just did in the brackets, then better to not reply in a forum of people focusing on a known and particular topic. You are implying that I have some personalized master list of enthusiast features that defined what I wrote about or needs to be imposed on everyone reading...which is rather preposterous. KIA decided what to change in the 2022 car and what to leave alone, not me.

By the way, what is your list of Stinger features that appeal to enthusiasts?

Congrats on the large vocabulary, but I agree with Stephen. Not everyone has the same list of requirements from the car. Just look at some of the most prolific posters on this forum. Their enthusiasm is equal but not their usage nor demands from the car.

There's no documentation about a change in the suspension modes with the refresh, so perhaps your butt dyno just needed recalibrated. As for the exhaust, yeah they could have made it louder. Oh well.

You're a bit hyperbolic with your distaste for the new model.