Stinger Premium RWD vs Honda Accord 2.0T EX-L

[Rufus]

I agree with most statements regarding the Accord's looks, but you could do a lot worse. The new 2.5t Mazda6 should be on your shortlist as well. They're known for their sporty driving characteristics and the refreshed front end is a real looker that will age well, IMO.

We looked at both in addition to a Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, Cadillac ATS, and Audi A4. You can probably guess the main purpose for the car, which fits the idea of this thread. My take is this: it depends on what YOU prioritize.

The 2 trims you are naming meet up in a very interesting slice of an automotive Venn diagram with auto/driving enthusiasts on one end and reputation/value-savvy appliance purchasers on the other. From my point of view they overlap each other in the fun-to-drive, practical yet sporty, reasonably priced, reliable, "street-usable performance" areas. Where you land may well be influenced by which side of the diagram you are starting from. #$.02

 

[StingEm]

I'm sure this has been covered here, but is it ok to use regular fuel with the 2.0 Stinger engine? I understand there may be some power loss.

Also, what is "lane centering"? I have a CX-5 with lane keep assist (so, buzzes/flashes/gently nudges steering when I approach a lane line), but is that technically "lane centering?" Does the Stinger basically drive itself in traffic with this + radar cruise control?

The Kia website says “Fuel Requirement: Premium Recommended” in the specs section and the updated manuals recommend 91 octane fuel (USA 91 octane AKI) for optimal engine performance. The manual says that using lower than that can result in loss of engine power and increased fuel consumption. The maintenance section also says that you should use their fuel system cleaner every 6k miles if you don’t use top-tier fuel. I personally think that a 260hp 2.0L turbocharged car should probably be running on Premium, but I doubt anyone is going to be doing extensive dyno testing in order to find out the facts.

Your CX-5 behavior is the standard “Lane Keep Assist” you will find on most cars today with that feature. The Kia/Hyundai version has an “Active” setting in the options menu that actively keeps the car in the center of the lane without all the buzzing/flashing/ping ponging off of the lane edges. The lane centering works on straight to moderately curved well-marked roads when you are traveling above ~38 mph. It also wants to see you give an input into the steering wheel about every 20 seconds. This is somewhat annoying because it does such a good job that if you keep a loose grasp on the wheel there is really no need to give any input most of the time. It is looking for a firm grasp that gives resistance to its movements of the wheel. I personally instead just give a tiny (almost imperceptible) nudge into the wheel every 15-20 seconds in order to make the system happy.

Yes, in many instances this results in the car driving itself. You need to still stay aware and ready to take over at all times, but the car will follow traffic in front of you down to a stop and will begin moving again if the stop lasts less than 3 seconds. After 3 seconds you will need to tap the accelerator or push the cruise resume button on the wheel once the car in front begins moving again. You will also need to give some steering input since speeds in those scenarios are likely less than 38mph, but there’s usually not much steering going on in stop and go traffic anyway.

I find the system quite enjoyable and it has a nice range of following distances that are quickly selectable directly on the steering wheel. I generally switch between distance 2 & 3 depending on traffic conditions. Distance 2 brakes a little late in some fast moving to quickly stopped scenarios and I prefer to give the human drivers in the cars behind me more notice than that. It is a nice following distance in normal, constantly moving traffic though. Distance 3 does much better on early braking but will leave larger gaps in fast traffic if you care about that.

 

[StingEm]

Here is the link to the Accord forum thread: Should I get the Accord or the Stinger? - Drive Accord Honda Forums

 

[StingEm]

Also, I will say this. Anyone who says “I don’t like Kia interiors and prefer Honda interiors” has probably never sat in a Stinger. The interior quality difference between a $30k MSRP 2018 Tucson Limited and a $40k MSRP 2018 Stinger Premium is literally night and day.

I’m not saying that the Accord isn’t nice, but I am saying that blanket statements about interior quality cannot be applied to the Stinger. Both would have to be compared side by side.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the market for my new car and I'm stinger premium RWD (with driver assist) and Honda Accord 2.0T Ex-L in my shortlist. I test drove both the cars and below are my observations.

Stinger 2L Premium RWD
1. Acceleration is good though there is an evident initial turbo lag.
2. Handling is absolutely superb and I tackled the corners without any hesitation.
3. Interior is superb. Fit and finish of the material is top notch.
4. Seating is bit low and I felt getting in and out of the car to be bit difficult.
5. Comes with Full LED headlights and Harmon Kadron Speakers.

Accord 2.0T EX-L
1. The car is spacious and there is nothing to complain about the interior.
2. The acceleration was good but I didn't actual feel that the car has 273lb-ft of torque. May be I didn't drive it hard.
3. The driver assistance or latest safety features is standard.
4. The perceived high resale value.

I live in Raleigh,NC and the Kia dealer here is quoting a total price of $33,540 (out of door price) for the premium RWD with drive assist and the honda dealer is quoting $30500 (out of door) for 2.0T EX-L.
I don't want to sacrifice the features (sunroof, premium audio, and memory seats) and mpgs hence I didn't prefer the base GT model.
I'm confused between the above two cars. Did anyone else face the same situation ? what made you to buy the stinger over the accord (or any other car in your shortlist) ?.

Thanks in advance.

A couple of things about the Accord that may have you wishing you bought a Stinger instead. The Accord has a firm ride without any handling benefit. And the Accord is LOUD on the highway. You really need to raise your voice to have a conversation at highway speed If it's raining, you need to turn the radio up to hear it. It's like a tin can. Otherwise, it's a great car.

 

[Kamauxx]

It's like a tin can. Otherwise, it's a great car.

Well that's a glowing review.

 

[mldavis2]

Quick comment. Not sure if the 2.0T in the Stinger has the drive mode dial. If it does, the turbo lag can be overcome by using Sport mode which effectively bumps gear range up a notch and pushes the car into the flat torque range. But I've never driven the little 2.0T so maybe that isn't an option. In general, the smaller the turbocharger the quicker it responds but you get less boost with a smaller turbo, so it depends on how you plan to drive it.

Warranty is better on the Stinger power train 10 year / 100,000 miles which includes the turbo.

 

[CyaINaKia]

This thread is fantastic and touches on many topics I've researched as I'm in the market for a similar vehicle. However, Accord vs Optima is a closer comparison overall.

The top end Optima has a 360 camera, which the Stinger premium does not offer.

The Optima has a heated steering wheel, but the accord does not.

Kia's have a better warranty.

If value is your priority, a 2017 loaded CPO Optima has sticker prices of around 25k on autotrader.

If practicality is a priority, the Stingers hatchback can't be beat. Also stinger is the only option for RWD or AWD.

Personally, I'm leaning towards the 2017 CPO Optima route, paying cash. Seems to be the best value, and I can always trade it in after a few years for a CPO 2019 GT2, which is my current "dream car".

 

[Paul32]

This thread is fantastic and touches on many topics I've researched as I'm in the market for a similar vehicle. However, Accord vs Optima is a closer comparison overall.

The top end Optima has a 360 camera, which the Stinger premium does not offer.

The Optima has a heated steering wheel, but the accord does not.

Kia's have a better warranty.

If value is your priority, a 2017 loaded CPO Optima has sticker prices of around 25k on autotrader.

If practicality is a priority, the Stingers hatchback can't be beat. Also stinger is the only option for RWD or AWD.

Personally, I'm leaning towards the 2017 CPO Optima route, paying caah. Seems to be the best value, and I can alway trade it in after a few years for a CPO 2019 GT2, which is my current "dream car".

I had the 2013 SXL Optima, I agree it compares closer to the Accord and would be my choice. It has the 2.0 Turbo and everything else, including looks. So I agree with your comments.

 

[zaldwaik]

I live in Raleigh,NC and the Kia dealer here is quoting a total price of $33,540 (out of door price) for the premium RWD with drive assist

Which dealer? Does the price have any incentives?

 

[Soca Boy]

That new Accord is a sweet ride, for me it that was on my list of cars I would be taking a look at the Mazda6/KIA Optima/Toyota Camry. Now if you want to be ahead of the pack/stand out/have great tech with German engineering and good value for your money then the Stinger is for you.

 

[MisterMac]

Buy the Accord. That way you can always have something to look forward too, both on the road and in your dreams. Lol

 

[Mike_TX]

The Accord Touring 2.0T will do 0-60 in 5.6 sec. Stinger 2.0T takes a full second longer to get there.

Other than that, the Stinger certainly has more sex appeal. Sadly, it also has less available equipment.

 

[Waynerm002]

I would still take the Stinger over the Accord, but an apples to apples comparison is with the Optima and as we already own Optima’s we Know which won in that department.

 

[Grayt 8]

The Accord Touring 2.0T will do 0-60 in 5.6 sec. Stinger 2.0T takes a full second longer to get there.

Other than that, the Stinger certainly has more sex appeal. Sadly, it also has less available equipment.

I'm being a bit picky, but I see 0-60 in 6.0 for RWD and 6.1 for AWD from Car and Driver. Kia claims 5.9. I do believe I saw one Motortrend test around 6.6.
2018 Kia Stinger 2.0T RWD Test: The Korean Mustang? | News | Car and Driver
Final Scoring, Performance Data, and Complete Specs

 

[AngryVirginian]

I am in a similar situation currently comparing Accord 2.0t Touring vs Stinger GT2. I have test driven both. Apple to orange but my criteria is best brand-new bang for buck under $50K MSRP. The Accord 2.0t is an excellent car for its price (should be close to $32k with negotiation), spacious, full of tech, fun to drive in sports mode, but ugly. The Stinger is much more fun to drive, unique, smaller, will need winter tires (I prefer buying winter tires over AWD), and depreciation is painful. Currently, I am leaning towards the Accord.

 

[Ruturaj]

I am in a similar situation currently comparing Accord 2.0t Touring vs Stinger GT2. I have test driven both. Apple to orange but my criteria is best brand-new bang for buck under $50K MSRP. The Accord 2.0t is an excellent car for its price (should be close to $32k with negotiation), spacious, full of tech, fun to drive in sports mode, but ugly. The Stinger is much more fun to drive, unique, smaller, will need winter tires (I prefer buying winter tires over AWD), and depreciation is painful. Currently, I am leaning towards the Accord.

IMO You should also put 2.0 stinger premium in comparison, it will be better balanced.

Why not both, Winter tires and AWD? With lease rebate difference of 300 and AWD rebate of 1000, the $900 extra for AWD doesn't sound bad.

 

[AngryVirginian]

IMO You should also put 2.0 stinger premium in comparison, it will be better balanced.

Why not both, Winter tires and AWD? With lease rebate difference of 300 and AWD rebate of 1000, the $900 extra for AWD doesn't sound bad.

RWD is more fun.

 

[Ruturaj]

RWD is more fun.

While I do agree with that, I think 3.3 Stinger has a lot of torque and might overly tail happy. Since AWD in Stinger is still RWD biased, if pushed hard it's going to drive similar to RWD. If I was getting a 2.0 I wouldn't event consider AWD but with 3.3 I would not go RWD. That's personal choice of course though.

 

[mandasol]

I looked at both cars as well as the other usual and unusual suspects. I still prefer the looks of the Stinger over the Accord though I may be in the minority but I actually like the looks of the new Accord, especially with the Sport or Touring wheels I think the car looks nice.

The trunk is huge in the Accord, it's a very usable layout, and the opening when you lay the back seats down is the biggest of any non-hatch sedan. As opposed the Stinger where the stats say the trunk is bigger but it's narrow and very shallow. I wanted a car that I could fit my bike into without removing the wheels so I took my bike with me to test drives to see how they fit in the cars and it fits very easily in the Accord. In the Stinger I have to adjust the handles and wheels just right to be able to close the hatch.

The Accord felt quicker than the 2.0 Stinger. Well, it felt like it had less lag. The lag in the 2.0 Stinger is pretty bad, well was pretty bad, but I'm thinking it's more of a transmission issue than the turbos. The lag in the Stinger reminds me of the Audi DSG, they're great when you get going but off the line it just doesn't seem to know what it wants to do so it takes a half second to get going. I recently had my 6k service and they performed the transmission update and it's made a world of difference. There is much less lag now even off the line.

That being said there is no comparison with a FWD car and a RWD, the Stinger is so much more fun. Unless you live in really cold climates I don't think you should really consider an AWD 2.0 Stinger over the RWD.

I was very close to getting the Accord but as others pointed out it's just not as refined as the Stinger. It's noisy, doesn't ride as nice and the fit and finish is not on the same level. There were so many cars on the lots that had panels out of alignment, it's a major complaint on the honda forums.

Just the overall feeling of the Accord was that they take their base $25K car and just add options onto it for the higher trims but they all end up feeling like you're driving a $25K car. It's the opposite in the Stinger. It feels like they take all the important qualities of the driving experience of the upper trim models and extend them to the base models with some options removed so that you still feel like you're driving a much higher end car.