Poll - Cars You Considered Before Deciding on the Stinger

[Merkur720]

I was also interested in the Volvo s90 T6 inscription....until I drove the supercharged and turbocharged 4cyl and it didn’t sound like a luxury car at all. Plus owners seem frustrated with the laggy interface and lousy gas mileage. But it does have a beautiful interior.

 

[LohungoDave]

I was fully about the Stinger (V6 required, willing to see if flexible on trims between GT / GT1 / GT2) until this past Saturday. Seeing as I don't fit when they have a sunroof I'm now stuck with GT as the only option, and the gauge cluster with its mini monochrome screen really looked grim - worse than my base model Golf. That plus the lower-tier stereo/infotainment, which is a big deal for me with sound quality on long drives and lack of the HUD, which I really wanted so I wouldn't have to move the wheel from my preferred position which blocks the speedo might have me out entirely. I really wish packages on cars were still bundles of options instead of locked in groupings but I understand why. I just hate compromising on more than one thing when I'm spending $40k+.

Going to go try out a used Lexus GS F this weekend, if I don't fit in that, who knows.

 

[mldavis2]

I feel your pain. Fortunately I do fit in a GT1 - just barely - comfortably enough for long distance driving. My problem is both the headroom, but also the side-knee room that is increasingly being taken up by growing electronics, wider center dash and consoles. I think some of these cars were designed by either 5' tall engineers, or cast-off airline seat designers.

 

[Charly]

I was fully about the Stinger (V6 required, willing to see if flexible on trims between GT / GT1 / GT2) until this past Saturday. Seeing as I don't fit when they have a sunroof I'm now stuck with GT as the only option, and the gauge cluster with its mini monochrome screen really looked grim - worse than my base model Golf. That plus the lower-tier stereo/infotainment, which is a big deal for me with sound quality on long drives and lack of the HUD, which I really wanted so I wouldn't have to move the wheel from my preferred position which blocks the speedo might have me out entirely. I really wish packages on cars were still bundles of options instead of locked in groupings but I understand why. I just hate compromising on more than one thing when I'm spending $40k+.

Going to go try out a used Lexus GS F this weekend, if I don't fit in that, who knows.

Bummer. I have no need for the sunroof either but at least I fit. I'm still trying to wait to drive the '18 Buick Regal GS which they say can be had without the sunroof. The only problem is sometimes it's pretty near impossible to find a car without an "optional" feature. My wife's Honda Accord coupe had a sunroof just because we couldn't find one without.

I think some of these cars were designed by either 5' tall engineers, or cast-off airline seat designers.

Airline seat designers are the most sadistic bastards since the Spanish Inquisition!

 

[mldavis2]

Bummer. I have no need for the sunroof either but at least I fit. I'm still trying to wait to drive the '18 Buick Regal GS which they say can be had without the sunroof. The only problem is sometimes it's pretty near impossible to find a car without an "optional" feature. My wife's Honda Accord coupe had a sunroof just because we couldn't find one without.

I have a sunroof in my G8 GT. I think it has been used maybe three times in 10 years.

 

[EchoesMyron]

Considered an Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400...never drove one.

The Stinger was better looking and had more bang for the buck. Since I also had an Optima, I was already sold on Kia's value and driving dynamics.

I never seriously considered anything German. They're over-engineered time bombs. I also think German styling is generally rather bland.

My wife has a '15 Volvo V60 wagon that I really like so I considered something like an S60 R design or Polestar but there weren't any readily available in my area and I still liked the Stinger styling better.

I like Lexus and Acura but they didn't have the performance I was looking for. There was a used Lexus RCF locally but I need 4 doors which is also why I didn't consider a muscle car.

The only other thing I considered was keeping my Optima and getting a newer (C6 or C7) Corvette but I was tired of insuring and maintaining 2 cars.

The Stinger was really love at first sight and even more so at first drive. Honestly, besides the looks and performance, one of the biggest selling points was the liftback.

I'll probably still get that C7 someday, though.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Considered an Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400...never drove one.

The Stinger was better looking and had more bang for the buck. Since I also had an Optima, I was already sold on Kia's value and driving dynamics.

I never seriously considered anything German. They're over-engineered time bombs. I also think German styling is generally rather bland.

My wife has a '15 Volvo V60 wagon that I really like so I considered something like an S60 R design or Polestar but there weren't any readily available in my area and I still liked the Stinger styling better.

I like Lexus and Acura but they didn't have the performance I was looking for. There was a used Lexus RCF locally but I need 4 doors which is also why I didn't consider a muscle car.

The only other thing I considered was keeping my Optima and getting a newer (C6 or C7) Corvette but I was tired of insuring and maintaining 2 cars.

The Stinger was really love at first sight and even more so at first drive. Honestly, besides the looks and performance, one of the biggest selling points was the liftback.

I'll probably still get that C7 someday, though.

The Infiniti Q50 RedSport 400 is a heck of a car. I really do like the design. Nice car but you just get more from the Stinger. Plus excellent reliability and great versatility with the hatch. I see the Stinger as a natural progression from the Optima - which is also a very nice car. The C7 Corvette is practically an exotic. With the C8 right around the corner, maybe you'll find yourself in one of those some day...

 

[SEA Stinger]

There are several nice cars one can purchase instead of the Stinger.

Did you consider any of the key competitors Kia has taken aim at?

Why did you end up with the Stinger?

2019 Genesis G70 - Looks like a winner, but I prefer the larger size of the Stinger.
2018 Genesis G80 - Cushy and fast freeway cruiser, but at the end of its model cycle; the Stinger is also a more fun driver's car.

2018 Audi A4/A5 - Great cars, but the Stinger is a better value.
2018 BMW 430i xDrive Gran Coupe - Good vehicle, but expensive, smaller than the Stinger and not as reliable long-term.
2018 BMW X3 xDrive 30i - Good vehicle, but expensive, not as much fun to drive and not as reliable long-term.​

2018 Mazda 6 - Appealing and a good value, but a couple of notches below the Stinger.
2018 Honda Accord Sport 2.0 - Good God, what was I thinking?

 

[LohungoDave]

To add to my post and cross-post here where it's more visible and probably more helpful, I'm 6'3" with a barely 30" inseam, so gorilla shaped. Didn't fit in Stingers with sunroofs, fit fine in one without one (and added bonus of being able to see out/stoplights pretty well thanks to the higher windshield-roof line).

My head touched the roof of nearly every car I've looked at with a sunroof (vans, trucks and boxy SUVs aside).

 

[corradoMR2]

To add to my post and cross-post here where it's more visible and probably more helpful, I'm 6'3" with a barely 30" inseam, so gorilla shaped. Didn't fit in Stingers with sunroofs, fit fine in one without one (and added bonus of being able to see out/stoplights pretty well thanks to the higher windshield-roof line).

My head touched the roof of nearly every car I've looked at with a sunroof (vans, trucks and boxy SUVs aside).

I was fully about the Stinger (V6 required, willing to see if flexible on trims between GT / GT1 / GT2) until this past Saturday. Seeing as I don't fit when they have a sunroof I'm now stuck with GT as the only option, and the gauge cluster with its mini monochrome screen really looked grim - worse than my base model Golf. That plus the lower-tier stereo/infotainment, which is a big deal for me with sound quality on long drives and lack of the HUD, which I really wanted so I wouldn't have to move the wheel from my preferred position which blocks the speedo might have me out entirely. I really wish packages on cars were still bundles of options instead of locked in groupings but I understand why. I just hate compromising on more than one thing when I'm spending $40k+.

Going to go try out a used Lexus GS F this weekend, if I don't fit in that, who knows.

Had the RC F. Intoxicating engine/exhaust note but you'll need to rev that V8 above 3800rpm to really enjoy the power. Post your impressions on the GS F, curious to know! I do miss that V8!

 

[westcoastGT]

I test drove the list below before getting my Stinger GT1. Never made it to the Ford and Nissan dealers.

The worst handling was the Charger, the best handling was the Giulia. I just didn't like the severe first year issues it was having, let alone the lack of dealership service knowledge as most were Fiat dealers. Plus non touch screen and common knowledge Alfa has a horrible record of reliability in general. The Infiniti Q50 was close to the Stinger as far as comfort and sportiness except for the steering yet has like the worst infortainment system of all automakers. They are heavily discounting them on leases and was hard to turn down, until I got an outrageous quote on auto insurance.

I tested the sound system on all of them. The worst was the Camry as far as the subwoofer in multiple cars had the same weird noise, like the suspension was bottoming out on non heavy bass along with bad rear deck rattling. In fact most of the cars had bad rear deck rattling with the exception of the GTI, Sonata, Regal, Malibu, BMW, and Mazdas. The best for loudest and clarity was the Volkswagen's Fender (Panasonic). Yet it sounded low and mostly from the doors (really left door biased), which ruined the music for me. The Infiniti Bose Premium and the Stinger 15 speaker Harmon Kardon sounded the best well rounded systems to me. (Even though I just realized the floor subs are not working for me, as others have mentioned, and the dealer submitted a trouble ticket to KIA about it. Dealer service guy's Stinger has same issue.)

In the end it was the power, uniqueness, hatchback practicality, CarPlay with touch screen, sound system (Hopefully fixed and improved soon with even more bass ), fun factor, comfortable ride yet sportiness of the Stinger that won me over. The only downside for me is the MPG and maybe not getting ventilated seats

2018 Kia Optima SX Turbo
2018 Kia Stinger Premium 2.0
2017 Volkswagen Autobahn GTI
2018 Infiniti Q50
2018 Audi A3
2018 Audi S3
2018 Toyota Camry XLE
2018 Toyota Camry XLE V6
2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6
2018 Honda Accord Touring 1.5
2018 Honda Accord Touring 2.0
2017 Alfa Romero Giulia Ti
2017 Chevy Malibu Premier (Don't judge )
2017 Dodge Charger SVT
2017 Buick Regal GS
2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0
2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport
2018 Hyundai Elantra Limited
2018 Cadillac ATS Premium Luxury
2017 BMW 340i
2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring
2017.5 Mazda 6 Grand Touring

Oh My !!! I'm sure you have been black listed by every new car sales person in your city !

 

[Clearly Canadian]

The Infiniti Q50 RedSport 400 is a heck of a car. I really do like the design. Nice car but you just get more from the Stinger. Plus excellent reliability and great versatility with the hatch. I see the Stinger as a natural progression from the Optima - which is also a very nice car. The C7 Corvette is practically an exotic. With the C8 right around the corner, maybe you'll find yourself in one of those some day...

I wouldn't mind hearing a detailed comparison between the Stinger GT and the Q50 Redsport.

 

[Stinger73]

Oh My !!! I'm sure you have been black listed by every new car sales person in your city !

LOL. There are a lot of car dealers in Phoenix, especially because its so spread out. Yet not to far from one another to check out cars from different dealers. To give an idea on Stingers at the time of purchase, there were almost 50 total in a 25 mile radius. Compared to other cities outside of Phoenix which had a third or less. I didn't compare to Cali as they have a lot dealers in most cities too.

 

[westcoastGT]

LOL. There are a lot of car dealers in Phoenix, especially because its so spread out. Yet not to far from one another to check out cars from different dealers. To give an idea on Stingers at the time of purchase, there were almost 50 total in a 25 mile radius. Compared to other cities outside of Phoenix which had a third or less. I didn't compare to Cali as they have a lot dealers in most cities too.

I always stay at the Fairmont when I'm in Phoenix , and love all the (exotic )car dealers at the end of the street there !

 

[EchoesMyron]

I wouldn't mind hearing a detailed comparison between the Stinger GT and the Q50 Redsport.

Alex on Autos did a comparison with a Stinger GT and a Q50 3.0t Sport but not a Red Sport 400 although I think he also just reviewed the Red Sport and may have an upcoming comparison with a GT2.

 

[KikoTheAkita]

Ford Focus RS, VW Golf R, and Subaru STI. Interesting that nobody else mentioned them. I wanted a sporty hatchback with AWD. I had only test driven the Focus RS. It was fun to drive but the ride was harsh. Dealers were tacking on $5K and all of the ones that were available were over-loaded with options that I didn't want. Not nearly as luxurious as the Stinger. Reliability was a concern, as well as the short warranty.

 

[STIinger]

Ford Focus RS, VW Golf R, and Subaru STI. Interesting that nobody else mentioned them. I wanted a sporty hatchback with AWD. I had only test driven the Focus RS. It was fun to drive but the ride was harsh. Dealers were tacking on $5K and all of the ones that were available were over-loaded with options that I didn't want. Not nearly as luxurious as the Stinger. Reliability was a concern, as well as the short warranty.

Not a Stinger owner yet, but I am also a hot-hatch fan so I am looking at Civic TR and Golf R as well. I currently own a 18 STi but I really need a hatchback so I am trying to decide if I should stay in the sport compact game or move on to something new.