What are your likes and dislikes with your Stinger?

[ballistic]

What are your favorite things about your Stinger and in what ways do you feel it falls short of what you wanted when buying it?

 

[Snicklefritz]

It hasn't "fallen short" in any way, because I wasn't expecting too much. It's a car and a KIA, after all. Up to this point it's been a great ride, or two rides actually. I have to admit that so many electronic gizmos on a KIA made me skeptical going in. But nothing has crapped out so far, and the couple of issues - TPMS flatlining, car failing to start - we have experienced have not returned to plague us. *knock on wood*

My favorite things remain what drew me to the Stinger to begin with. Concept of a "reinvented grand touring car", which includes practicality - that cave of a hatch - leg/head room, comfort, even luxury, performance and a very fine sound system.

I enjoy all the creature comforts like heated steering wheel and seats, and the conveniences like auto hold, memory seats - and smart cruise on the Premium. But none of those are deal breakers - I'd be happy if the Stinger had never had any of them, and would have got one anyway, for the above reasons that I like the car.

It is fun not seeing a lot of Stingers. And so far, every one I have seen is well cared for, even clean usually.

 

[LordKOTL]

It hasn't "fallen short" in any way, because I wasn't expecting too much. It's a car and a KIA, after all. Up to this point it's been a great ride, or two rides actually. I have to admit that so many electronic gizmos on a KIA made me skeptical going in. But nothing has crapped out so far, and the couple of issues - TPMS flatlining, car failing to start - we have experienced have not returned to plague us. *knock on wood*

My favorite things remain what drew me to the Stinger to begin with. Concept of a "reinvented grand touring car", which includes practicality - that cave of a hatch - leg/head room, comfort, even luxury, performance and a very fine sound system.

I enjoy all the creature comforts like heated steering wheel and seats, and the conveniences like auto hold, memory seats - and smart cruise on the Premium. But none of those are deal breakers - I'd be happy if the Stinger had never had any of them, and would have got one anyway, for the above reasons that I like the car.

It is fun not seeing a lot of Stingers. And so far, every one I have seen is well cared for, even clean usually.

^^^What they said, but I only got the 1 stinger.

The only thing that has "Fallen short" is the bloody brake pad shudder, but it's easily mitigated.

 

[Snicklefritz]

^^^What they said, but I only got the 1 stinger.

The only thing that has "Fallen short" is the bloody brake pad shudder, but it's easily mitigated.

See, I have never in well over 70,000 miles ever experienced this.

 

[jays2000]

Favorite things: the quick steering, smooth ride, and beautifully sculpted exterior. On the inside, the red leather seats, sound system, and a classic/timeless interior design make it as nice as a much more expensive vehicle.

Minor quibbles:

• The seatbelt alert goes off within 25 feet of moving (even if going slowly) and doesn't stop even when the car is in Park!
• Noisy hatch that still shudders even after applying the kit/fix

 

[SnoopyTheFlyBoy]

My main two gripes are the missing sunglasses compartment with the newer model and the fact that wireless CarPlay isn’t supported because Kia wants to sell subscriptions to their own services, along with lack of support for HUD projections from anything other than - again - Kia’s own subscriptions. Random limp mode with nothing but a catback installed is annoying but not sure that really counts for this.

Minor things aside, this car is the perfect underdog. Beautiful design, puts a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel… the Stinger is unique and rare enough for everyone to be confused about what it is, making people laugh when they’re told it’s a Kia, then leaving them baffled because they just got smocked by one.

 

[Thomby]

I wanted an AWD, forced-induction, non-4-banger sport sedan. The huge hatch and Kia-level pricing for 90% of an Audi RS4/5 sealed the deal, and it's always funny to have people compliment it and be able to respond "Thanks, it's a Kia!"

As far as dislikes, I guess a V6 will never sound and feel like a V8, so a 4.0TT would've been amazing. More realistically, the bottleneck manifold-housings that prevent easy turbo upgrades are disappointing. And a manual would've been a lot of fun.

Oh and the apparent inability to lock the car with it running. I refuse to believe it's impossible but still haven't found a way...

 

[Ah GetFd]

It hasn't "fallen short" in any way, because I wasn't expecting too much. It's a car and a KIA, after all. Up to this point it's been a great ride, or two rides actually. I have to admit that so many electronic gizmos on a KIA made me skeptical going in. But nothing has crapped out so far, and the couple of issues - TPMS flatlining, car failing to start - we have experienced have not returned to plague us. *knock on wood*

My favorite things remain what drew me to the Stinger to begin with. Concept of a "reinvented grand touring car", which includes practicality - that cave of a hatch - leg/head room, comfort, even luxury, performance and a very fine sound system.

I enjoy all the creature comforts like heated steering wheel and seats, and the conveniences like auto hold, memory seats - and smart cruise on the Premium. But none of those are deal breakers - I'd be happy if the Stinger had never had any of them, and would have got one anyway, for the above reasons that I like the car.

It is fun not seeing a lot of Stingers. And so far, every one I have seen is well cared for, even clean usually.

""I wasn't expecting too much. It's a car and a KIA, after all.""

Adding "a Kia after all" suggests that it's less than simply another "car"

 

[Buzzman12]

^^^What they said, but I only got the 1 stinger.

The only thing that has "Fallen short" is the bloody brake pad shudder, but it's easily mitigated.

Replaced my OEM pads with EBC red stuff. Did it at about 3,000 kms (about 1,800 miles from new).

 

[Buzzman12]

What are your favorite things about your Stinger and in what ways do you feel it falls short of what you wanted when buying it?

After 18 months of ownership (2023 bought new), about my only gripe is the shifter.
I much prefer a more traditional gear shifter that mechanically moves back and forth between PRNDL pattern. The design of the shifter and the Park button is stupid.
The other minor gripe is the narrow side bolsters on the seat. I have them set as wide as possible and it still feels like it's sticking in my ribs.
I have disabled the side bolsters activating in sports mode. That was painful.
On my wish list would be a commander knob on the centre console for the info system. I had that on my Mazda and it was great.
On the plus side is an endless list. Just the way it looks, drives, handles etc is a joy. It gets a lot of attention, plus there are not many on the road. I like the exclusivity.

 

[Snicklefritz]

""I wasn't expecting too much. It's a car and a KIA, after all.""

Adding "a Kia after all" suggests that it's less than simply another "car"

To my mind, at the time, a KIA was still "killed in action", a strange Asian manufacturer not considered as an option when there are so many others. The Stinger grabbed my attention and changed my mind. I didn't even know until I read up on the Stinger that KIA was part of the Hyundai group. KIA is not just equal to other manufacturers, it is superior to most. And now, assuming another new vehicle is in my future, it will most likely be another KIA and my expectations will be higher than ever.

 

[jdmvette]

To my mind, at the time, a KIA was still "killed in action", a strange Asian manufacturer not considered as an option when there are so many others.

Kia meaning:

To rise from Asia

While often suspected of being an acronym, the name Kia actually comes from two Sino-Korean characters. The first is “Ki” (起) which means “to arise” or “awake”. The second is “A” (亚) which refers to Asia. So Kia literally means “To rise from Asia”.

 

[Ah GetFd]

Oh and the apparent inability to lock the car with it running. I refuse to believe it's impossible but still haven't found a way...

"Oh and the apparent inability to lock the car with it running. I refuse to believe it's impossible but still haven't found a way..."

Turn off vehicle
Exit
Lock

Remote Start
Push Lock Button
Hold 2nd Button on Remote for at least six seconds or until vehicle starts
Vehicle remains locked with engine running............

 

[Thomby]

Vehicle remains locked with engine running

Yes, for the 5 or whatever minute timeout, and only if you're freshly starting it. I'm talking about leaving a car that's already been running (something I've been able to do in every other car I've driven), or for example let my dog nap in the AC on a 95 degree day while I grab a meal on a road trip, or check out a property I'm working on, etc.

Other cars with key fobs simply won't let you lock them inside the car but have the lock function enabled from outside, so this shouldn't be rocket surgery.

 

[JSolo]

It's a kia.

My insurance renewal recently came up and was shopping around. Other than geico and progressive, for the same coverage, a number of other companies are 1.5-2x as much. Traveler's quoted nearly $1400 for a 6 month policy. ~$630 w/geico or progressive. I've seen similar high rates with state farm, american family, etc.

I believe it's mostly a combination of car and zipcode. No love for kia/hyundai in the chicago market.

 

[GT Elite]

I have a 2022 GTElite (top model). My dislikes are:
- the inability to adjust caster and camber on the front suspension
- the “narrow” front tires (should be 245 mm wide)
- the lack of auxiliary driving lights (not fog lights)
- the rattlly back hatch ( I put the kit in and adjusted the the stops to eliminate the rattle, but discovered there is now a small leak when going through car washes)
- the red needles on a black background for the gauges. The needles or background should be white for better contrast

My likes are:
- the HUD
- the 360 deg camera display for parking
- the overall styling
- actually everything else about the car

 

[dasaint]

2022 GT-Line 2.5t / AWD

Pros:
2.5t engine
AWD
Hatchback
Looks/styling
Leather Seats
Infotainment
Steering response
Overall performance balanced with economy

Cons:
No way to open hatch from exterior
Oil Filter housing/placement
Brakes
8-speed transmission
Stinger vehicle overall weight too heavy
Paint too thin

 

[Thomby]

No way to open hatch from exterior

On the hatch lid, just above the license plate and roughly centered should be the backup camera bubble. Just to the right of that, under the N/G in the Stinger badge, do you not have a little recessed handle? The powered hatches have a soft button in that handle...I'd assume it's also on the non-powered ones to "pop" the hatch.

 

[Snicklefritz]

On the hatch lid, just above the license plate and roughly centered should be the backup camera bubble. Just to the right of that, under the N/G in the Stinger badge, do you not have a little recessed handle? The powered hatches have a soft button in that handle...I'd assume it's also on the non-powered ones to "pop" the hatch.

I think @dasaint had a dyslexic moment and meant "interior". It is almost inconceivable that anyone driving a Stinger for more than a day would not know about the hatch lid popping button above the license plate.

 

[dasaint]

I think @dasaint had a dyslexic moment and meant "interior". It is almost inconceivable that anyone driving a Stinger for more than a day would not know about the hatch lid popping button above the license plate.

@Snicklefritz no need to be a keyboard warrior. Being picky.... just wished our Stinger hatch had a hidden keyhole, just like the driver side, in case the battery (vehicle or key fob) is DOA. Otherwise, love the Stinger and is one of my favorite vehicles I've owned in the last 25years..... coming from someone who always had German cars. Peace and love, all!