Suspension Performance and How to Improve it!

[westcoastGT]

Check out the recent reviews in the media section here , lots of really good feedback

 

[Chris]

I currently own a Mazda 6 (2014 Touring). The base Stinger looks like it will be about 2 seconds faster 0-60 than my Mazda. NO COMPLAINTS WITH THAT! But the Mazda 6 has a nimble, much smaller car feel, giving me a lot of confidence behind the wheel.

I previously owned a horrible 2006 Nissan Maxima thinking it would be "sporty." Nissan had lost their way as it was a heavy, big, lumbersome beast that felt sluggish and handled like an old Buick...

Any thoughts on how the Stinger would feel behind the wheel? I'm talking 2.0l engine here, NOT the V-6 (out of my price range).

Would it feel better in terms of being sporty, nimble handling, fun, quick, like my Mazda 6 or will it feel like a boat, heavy, with not much feel/connection to the road?

Somewhere in between probably. The stinger does weigh quite a bit more than your Mazda 6. Only way to know for sure is to go for a test drive..

 

[MarkyMark]

Somewhere in between probably. The stinger does weigh quite a bit more than your Mazda 6. Only way to know for sure is to go for a test drive..

The dreaded dealer! Ugh... But yah, when I take it for a spin I'll report back. Stinger base seems a car designed to pull a lot of average mid-size sedan buyers north, and at the right time, when the family 4-door is trying to get sporty (but really isn't). Stinger seems a real deal proposition, thus my great interest.

 

[Steve Ostrowski]

It's a big car. You'll see from this thread I'm not happy with the suspension. But my guess is the 4 cyl has the fixed dampers and they are probably a lot firmer because they have to be (no adaptability). Also, the 4 cyl car is about 400 lbs lighter than the GT AWD. I wanted to order a GT 2wd but Canada only got AWD. I think you'll love it. But yes it is big, and bigger than a Mazda 6. If you want something smaller and more tossable, like a... like a... Gee, I can't think of anything. So I bought the Stinger!

 

[MarkyMark]

It's a big car. You'll see from this thread I'm not happy with the suspension. But my guess is the 4 cyl has the fixed dampers and they are probably a lot firmer because they have to be (no adaptability). Also, the 4 cyl car is about 400 lbs lighter than the GT AWD. I wanted to order a GT 2wd but Canada only got AWD. I think you'll love it. But yes it is big, and bigger than a Mazda 6. If you want something smaller and more tossable, like a... like a... Gee, I can't think of anything. So I bought the Stinger!

Dimensionally, the Stinger is actually a bit over 1" shorter than the Mazda 6, but wheel base is 3" (approx) longer! Should drive like a stable car. I can't stand dealers, but if I want a test drive... Thx Steve.

 

[Kia Stinger]

It's a big car. You'll see from this thread I'm not happy with the suspension. But my guess is the 4 cyl has the fixed dampers and they are probably a lot firmer because they have to be (no adaptability). Also, the 4 cyl car is about 400 lbs lighter than the GT AWD. I wanted to order a GT 2wd but Canada only got AWD. I think you'll love it. But yes it is big, and bigger than a Mazda 6. If you want something smaller and more tossable, like a... like a... Gee, I can't think of anything. So I bought the Stinger!

Aren't several people here in this discussion thinking you may have a defective suspension? Them hearing your issue - compared to their own Stinger's handling performance - seems to differ quite a bit...

Dimensionally, the Stinger is actually a bit over 1" shorter than the Mazda 6, but wheel base is 3" (approx) longer! Should drive like a stable car. I can't stand dealers, but if I want a test drive... Thx Steve.

I haven't driven a Stinger yet but from what I hear/read - the Stinger handles well, has a lot of "fun to drive" factor - but also dampens bumps, pot holes, etcetera - really well... It's not going to be sloppy like the old Nissan Maxima and not as firm as the Mazda6. The Stinger has a true German-engineered suspension...

 

[MarkyMark]

Aren't several people here in this discussion thinking you may have a defective suspension? Them hearing your issue - compared to their own Stinger's handling performance - seems to differ quite a bit...



I haven't driven a Stinger yet but from what I hear/read - the Stinger handles well, has a lot of "fun to drive" factor - but also dampens bumps, pot holes, etcetera - really well... It's not going to be sloppy like the old Nissan Maxima and not as firm as the Mazda6. The Stinger has a true German-engineered suspension...

Love my Mazda 6 feel, although it certainly has a lot of sway and yaw to it. Probably test driving today before the rains come back to Portland (OR) for a while. Drive while it's sunny and dry!

 

[Kia Stinger]

Love my Mazda 6 feel, although it certainly has a lot of sway and yaw to it. Probably test driving today before the rains come back to Portland (OR) for a while. Drive while it's sunny and dry!

Awaiting to hear your review and comparison to the Mazda6!

 

[MarkyMark]

Awaiting to hear your review and comparison to the Mazda6!

Okay, I just returned from Driving a KIA Stinger, 2.0L Premium.
NOTE: I am comparing it to what I have today, which is a 2014 Mazda 6 Touring edition.

The Mazda 6 is 3,232lbs, while the Stinger is 3,611lbs. That's a substantial difference, so would the Stinger feel heavy and sluggish compared to my Mazda? That was my big fear. Short answer: No. That was a BIG DEAL to me.

I drove the Stinger for about 20 - 25 minutes. As many reviewers have attested to, it is indeed an easy car to drive and feel completely comfortable right off the lot. Hyundai's I've driven have felt completely num and disconnected from the road – the Stinger does not portend to be some souped up version of that legacy. This is a Gran Turismo focused car indeed!

Taking corners pretty hard, I didn't even break away the tires - not even a squeal! My Mazda 6 would not only be squealing, it would be experience heavy yaw rotation over the front axel, dipping greatly. This is due to great tuning, but it was probably made fairly easy due to the fact the nose has hardly anything in it. Open the hood and there is a foot or more between the cooling fan and the engine. The 2.0L is tucked way, back, leaving very little weight over the front axel. The result is great handling. My Mazda lets me know when I'm pushing it. The Stinger does also, but doesn't throw worry back at me. Rather, it has fun and says "Seriously, do something to take me out of my comfort zone."

Did it feel like an M-series BMW around the corners and curves? No. It wasn't driving as if it was on rails, but it was pretty close. It was close enough for me, certainly so.

NOTE: The Premium rides on 19" rims, with a much shorter side-wall in the tires. There is naturally going to be less roll with the Premium vs the 18" base Stinger package. How much? I guess I'll just need to go find a truly base model and take it out for a spin to find out!

In Sport mode it felt very much like my Mazda 6 over man-holes, and small nuances within the pavement. How to describe city driving is difficult, but I would suggest to you that the car just feels sturdy (not to be confused with heavy, because it does not feel heavy), and does not compromise communication with the driver as a result. In Comfort mode the little hits and jabs of the road were still there, but not a aggravatingly so. The steering seemed less response and leaned more towards a Buick-esque direction when in Comfort.

Quiet? It's quiet. It's not "library quiet" but it is certainly more muted than my Mazda 6. At higher speeds, nose was certainly coming into the cabin from the back-end, more so than the engine or the windows, wheel wells, etc... I would like KIA to address that rear-end road noise, as it wouldn't hurt the experience whatsoever, rather, it would enhance highway driving.

It is indeed, much quieter than my Mazda 6 Touring, noticeably so and that's my measuring stick (which is pretty easy to top).

In terms of raw power, it's not a rocket ship, as it only sports 255hp and 260ft of torque, but compared to my Mazda it sure felt like one, and it felt like a very confident car I could push and act as a more aggressive - yet safe - driver.

Next Up: Buick Regal Sportback. But honestly?... KIA is in my pole position, and I don't see that changing any time soon.

Questions? I'm all ears.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Okay, I just returned from Driving a KIA Stinger, 2.0L Premium.
NOTE: I am comparing it to what I have today, which is a 2014 Mazda 6 Touring edition.

The Mazda 6 is 3,232lbs, while the Stinger is 3,611lbs. That's a substantial difference, so would the Stinger feel heavy and sluggish compared to my Mazda? That was my big fear. Short answer: No. That was a BIG DEAL to me.

I drove the Stinger for about 20 - 25 minutes. As many reviewers have attested to, it is indeed an easy car to drive and feel completely comfortable right off the lot. Hyundai's I've driven have felt completely num and disconnected from the road – the Stinger does not portend to be some souped up version of that legacy. This is a Gran Turismo focused car indeed!

Taking corners pretty hard, I didn't even break away the tires - not even a squeal! My Mazda 6 would not only be squealing, it would be experience heavy yaw rotation over the front axel, dipping greatly. This is due to great tuning, but it was probably made fairly easy due to the fact the nose has hardly anything in it. Open the hood and there is a foot or more between the cooling fan and the engine. The 2.0L is tucked way, back, leaving very little weight over the front axel. The result is great handling. My Mazda lets me know when I'm pushing it. The Stinger does also, but doesn't throw worry back at me. Rather, it has fun and says "Seriously, do something to take me out of my comfort zone."

Did it feel like an M-series BMW around the corners and curves? No. It wasn't driving as if it was on rails, but it was pretty close. It was close enough for me, certainly so.

NOTE: The Premium rides on 19" rims, with a much shorter side-wall in the tires. There is naturally going to be less roll with the Premium vs the 18" base Stinger package. How much? I guess I'll just need to go find a truly base model and take it out for a spin to find out!

In Sport mode it felt very much like my Mazda 6 over man-holes, and small nuances within the pavement. How to describe city driving is difficult, but I would suggest to you that the car just feels sturdy (not to be confused with heavy, because it does not feel heavy), and does not compromise communication with the driver as a result. In Comfort mode the little hits and jabs of the road were still there, but not a aggravatingly so. The steering seemed less response and leaned more towards a Buick-esque direction when in Comfort.

Quiet? It's quiet. It's not "library quiet" but it is certainly more muted than my Mazda 6. At higher speeds, nose was certainly coming into the cabin from the back-end, more so than the engine or the windows, wheel wells, etc... I would like KIA to address that rear-end road noise, as it wouldn't hurt the experience whatsoever, rather, it would enhance highway driving.

It is indeed, much quieter than my Mazda 6 Touring, noticeably so and that's my measuring stick (which is pretty easy to top).

In terms of raw power, it's not a rocket ship, as it only sports 255hp and 260ft of torque, but compared to my Mazda it sure felt like one, and it felt like a very confident car I could push and act as a more aggressive - yet safe - driver.

Next Up: Buick Regal Sportback. But honestly?... KIA is in my pole position, and I don't see that changing any time soon.

Questions? I'm all ears.

Great review and comparison! Thank you very much! I knew you'd like how the Stinger drove. Some would say the Mazda is the "perfect" Camry or Accord. It might be. But it's no Stinger. The Stinger is not a cookie cut from the Optima or Sonata. It's an entirely different beast. This is why cars like the Genesis G80 and G90 - and the Hyundai Genesis - get compared to premium luxury cars. If they were actually anything like the Sonata under their skin - that would never have happened...

 

[MarkyMark]

Great review and comparison! Thank you very much! I knew you'd like how the Stinger drove. Some would say the Mazda is the "perfect" Camry or Accord. It might be. But it's no Stinger. The Stinger is not a cookie cut from the Optima or Sonata. It's an entirely different beast. This is why cars like the Genesis G80 and G90 - and the Hyundai Genesis - get compared to premium luxury cars. If they were actually anything like the Sonata under their skin - that would never have happened...

I think what you point out, that this is an all-new G70 platform for KIA/Hyundai, is part of the appeal. You are right on that this is NOT a warmed over Optima or Sonata with some beefed up suspension, some new curves, a bit more horsepower and call it a "sports car" on par with long-time German luxury makers. That simply isn't what KIA and Hyundai were aiming for. They want to play for real. I applaud them for that!

The other vehicle I'll be test driving soon is a Buick Regal Sportback, but I'm skeptical. After all, this is on the Epsilon II platform (if I'm not mistaken), which is giving me a variant of the Chevy Malibu. True enough, Buick gives you a wee bit more in amenities for the same price point (KIA Stinger $32,800-ish), but it is really, really close... near toss up in what you get at the same price point. Yet, KIA crushes it with the 10yr/100k powertrain warranty and a 5yr/60k bumper to bumper can't be beat. Oh, and the car itself – well, I can't be 100% until I drive the Buick next week, but I assume it won't sway my opinion, we'll see...

 

[Kia Stinger]

I think what you point out, that this is an all-new G70 platform for KIA/Hyundai, is part of the appeal. You are right on that this is NOT a warmed over Optima or Sonata with some beefed up suspension, some new curves, a bit more horsepower and call it a "sports car" on par with long-time German luxury makers. That simply isn't what KIA and Hyundai were aiming for. They want to play for real. I applaud them for that!

The other vehicle I'll be test driving soon is a Buick Regal Sportback, but I'm skeptical. After all, this is on the Epsilon II platform (if I'm not mistaken), which is giving me a variant of the Chevy Malibu. True enough, Buick gives you a wee bit more in amenities for the same price point (KIA Stinger $32,800-ish), but it is really, really close... near toss up in what you get at the same price point. Yet, KIA crushes it with the 10yr/100k powertrain warranty and a 5yr/60k bumper to bumper can't be beat. Oh, and the car itself – well, I can't be 100% until I drive the Buick next week, but I assume it won't sway my opinion, we'll see...

You're 100% correct that Genesis Motors isn't playing around. If you ever find yourself in a Hyundai or Genesis showroom, you should sit in the G90. It's amazing. The Koreans are playing hard ball. The Stinger is good enough to be compared to similar Audis and BMWs. It took Cadillac decades of hard work trying to establish themselves as a legitimate competitor to these brands. Eventually they got it right with the CTS but it happened WAY too late. Hardly anyone wants to give the CTS a try - and it's a REALLY good car...

I think you'll like the way the new Regal drives. It's going to be a great car but it's more for the driver who prefers a soft, quiet environment and not a lot of attention on the road. The Stinger has the 3.3TT option if you want true performance - which the Regal GS isn't really going to give you. It's just not fast enough. The Stinger will also turn a lot more heads. Not that the Regal GS is a bad looking car. It looks good and performs well - but they're two different cars appealing to two different audiences... I'm pretty confident a test drive of the Regal will still have you coming back for the Stinger.

 

[Steve Ostrowski]

Hi All. I finally made my decision and it was a good one. I'm so happy my eyes are watering. My Polar White Stinger has a set of Eibach's on it and the ride and handling are near perfect! Because I'm familiar with the law of diminishing returns, I'm happy and I don't see a need to go with shocks later. Pictures attached. The car rides much nicer over the tar strips and is much stiffer over the g bumps, with 90% of the excess motion in the rear being eliminated. I can live with that because I'm 56. But if I was 29 I'd probably still mod the shocks 'cause I'd be pushing the limits. Now I just drive fast, with some common sense dialled in. So ALL GOOD. Check out the pics!


FYI, the springs are dual rate. The first ~1" of travel is a lower rate than stock (softer) and the rest of the travel is a higher rate than stock (stiffer). Thank you Eibach!

 

[MarkyMark]

Hi All. I finally made my decision and it was a good one. I'm so happy my eyes are watering. My Polar White Stinger has a set of Eibach's on it and the ride and handling are near perfect! Because I'm familiar with the law of diminishing returns, I'm happy and I don't see a need to go with shocks later. Pictures attached. The car rides much nicer over the tar strips and is much stiffer over the g bumps, with 90% of the excess motion in the rear being eliminated. I can live with that because I'm 56. But if I was 29 I'd probably still mod the shocks 'cause I'd be pushing the limits. Now I just drive fast, with some common sense dialled in. So ALL GOOD. Check out the pics!


FYI, the springs are dual rate. The first ~1" of travel is a lower rate than stock (softer) and the rest of the travel is a higher rate than stock (stiffer). Thank you Eibach!

Thanks Steve, that's fantastic to hear. As I recall you where complaining about the back end not having good manners. Sounds like that's solved! Awesome! What does a package like this run?

 

[AndyGT]

Congratulations - that‘s how it should look like and that‘s exactly how I want my snow white Stinger look like too. Here in Germany you cannot buy the Eibach kit yet but it will be available in time when I will get my Stinger in March. I will go for that lowering springs too. I will also buy some aftermarket rims - maybe BBS or the TSW everyone knows from the orange SEMA car. Could you eventually take a closeup photo from the rear wheel? I would love to see how much space there is still left with the Eibach kit. Thank you very much!

Greetings
Andy

 

[corradoMR2]

Hi All. I finally made my decision and it was a good one. I'm so happy my eyes are watering. My Polar White Stinger has a set of Eibach's on it and the ride and handling are near perfect! Because I'm familiar with the law of diminishing returns, I'm happy and I don't see a need to go with shocks later. Pictures attached. The car rides much nicer over the tar strips and is much stiffer over the g bumps, with 90% of the excess motion in the rear being eliminated. I can live with that because I'm 56. But if I was 29 I'd probably still mod the shocks 'cause I'd be pushing the limits. Now I just drive fast, with some common sense dialled in. So ALL GOOD. Check out the pics!


FYI, the springs are dual rate. The first ~1" of travel is a lower rate than stock (softer) and the rest of the travel is a higher rate than stock (stiffer). Thank you Eibach!

I was looking at lowering springs for our car and I believe the Eibachs are the only ones at this time. Thanks for sharing your evaluation and pics. Car looks as it should now!

What's a g bump that you say is stiffer on?

 

[Steve Ostrowski]

Thanks Steve, that's fantastic to hear. As I recall you where complaining about the back end not having good manners. Sounds like that's solved! Awesome! What does a package like this run?

It was $324 CDN plus 3.5 hrs labour. Total $750 CDN. In the US the kit is $275 or so. The 3.5 hrs labour will still apply. NO BRAINER!

 

[Steve Ostrowski]

I was looking at lowering springs for our car and I believe the Eibachs are the only ones at this time. Thanks for sharing your evaluation and pics. Car looks as it should now!

What's a g bump that you say is stiffer on?

There is also a kit available from HR

I currently own a Mazda 6 (2014 Touring). The base Stinger looks like it will be about 2 seconds faster 0-60 than my Mazda. NO COMPLAINTS WITH THAT! But the Mazda 6 has a nimble, much smaller car feel, giving me a lot of confidence behind the wheel.

I previously owned a horrible 2006 Nissan Maxima thinking it would be "sporty." Nissan had lost their way as it was a heavy, big, lumbersome beast that felt sluggish and handled like an old Buick...

Any thoughts on how the Stinger would feel behind the wheel? I'm talking 2.0l engine here, NOT the V-6 (out of my price range).

Would it feel better in terms of being sporty, nimble handling, fun, quick, like my Mazda 6 or will it feel like a boat, heavy, with not much feel/connection to the road?

 

[Steve Ostrowski]

The Stinger is too big and heavy to be nimble. But that doesn't mean it isn't fun. I have a GT. So the extra ponies have a hand in that. It handles great, is very responsive, doesn't dive or pitch and brakes effortlessly (but with too sensitive a pedal step in). The Eibach springs are necessary. I immediately hated the suspension in the rear end. This could be completely different with the 2.0. RE THE GT: Within my first mile I knew it was way too soft for me. Buick soft. I tried to adapt to the adaptive suspension but it's not adaptive enough. If you're asking my advice, now that I have experienced stock and Eibach, and you get a GT, RUN to the Eibach store. The car becomes 'set' and solid while riding better over the small bumps (I call them pencil bumps) which stock is too firm over. Then the g bumps (bumps at speed that tend to compress all four corners, or raise all four corners) have way too much motion with stock. On negative g's (rises) it's like... WHOOOAAAAH. The Eibach deals with that to 95% of what I want. And 95% is good enough for me as that last 5% will cost another $1500 to get compression and recoil adjustable shocks. As for your alternatives, there is one. But you have to be willing to go another 10K for the same power as the Stinger 2.0. The Alpha Romeo Giulia. As a past Alpha 164S owner, I suggest you check it out. I would have got that if the Stinger did not come along. And I'm very happy I got the Stinger!!

 

[Steve Ostrowski]

H&R also are available. See: News - H&R Spezialfedern
I went with Eibach because my last 5 cars in a row have had them: 97VWGTIVR6, 99 Ford Contour SVT, 2002 Saab Viggen, 2005 Saab 9-5 AERO, 2009 Saab 9-5 Aero. And now 2018 Kia Stinger GT! All were just right. So Eibach has my number. Slight compromise to ride in the 1" of travel, then high rate to keep things taut (not stiff) beyond 1" of travel.