What do you love most about your Stinger and maybe not so much?

[Chucky]

I know we all love our Stingers for many well deserved reasons but if you had to list the top things you love what would they be... For me today at least it's

1. Performance
2. Styling/Appearance/uniqueness/RARITY
3. Sound with Borla exhaust and Injen intakes

But I also love: Practicality of hatchback, it's an attention magnet, surround view camera, Brembo brakes, heads up display, can turn traction control completely off, the driver's seat, Apple carplay, driver assist features, the steering wheel, launch control, satellite radio station rewind, dynamic headlights, heated/ventilated seats, wheels, aftermarket upgrades and accessories, customize-able drive mode, panoramic mooroof, subwoofers under the front seats, wireless phone charging!

A few things I I don't like so much about my Stinger
1. Quality of paint
2. Auto engine stop feature
3. Stock exhaust
4. Size of gas tank
5. Everybody wants to race (gets old after awhile)

 

[YOWStinger]

My car is still basically brand-spakin'-new, but here's what I'll take a shot at:

Love:

• The value, test drove an S5 Sportback and Stinger back to back. Yes, the S5 has some better fit and finish, but offers no features (except virtual cockpit) that the Stinger doesn't have, and I generally preferred the Stinger
• The exhaust note. I know some people think it's too quiet, but I'm a huge fan of subtlety, it's got a tight, deep smooth exhaust note, I could go with a few more decibels, but am of the opinion that less is more
• It's general performance, pulls strong, the AWD traction... the handling, well .... below
• It's overall design, the big hips, the sport back, the size (I was looking specifically for a GT car), the headlights and fascia design, the ass end, room for big 20" staggered wheels

Not so much:

• The ass end of the car is super floaty and all over the place, Eibach Pro Kit Plus should come as a factory option, the more I drive it, the more I think this is a necessary change.
• I'm not slagging Kia, but still hoping that this car is going to stand the test of time, but I think I have high hopes.
• The 360 cameras, they're way too wide angle, the reverse "overlay" is the size of an entire parking space, rather than the width of a car making it hard to judge exactly where you'll end up, there's no center line indicator.

 

[Chucky]

My car is still basically brand-spakin'-new, but here's what I'll take a shot at:

Love:

• The value, test drove an S5 Sportback and Stinger back to back. Yes, the S5 has some better fit and finish, but offers no features (except virtual cockpit) that the Stinger doesn't have, and I generally preferred the Stinger
• The exhaust note. I know some people think it's too quiet, but I'm a huge fan of subtlety, it's got a tight, deep smooth exhaust note, I could go with a few more decibels, but am of the opinion that less is more
• It's general performance, pulls strong, the AWD traction... the handling, well .... below
• It's overall design, the big hips, the sport back, the size (I was looking specifically for a GT car), the headlights and fascia design, the ass end, room for big 20" staggered wheels

Not so much:

• The ass end of the car is super floaty and all over the place, Eibach Pro Kit Plus should come as a factory option, the more I drive it, the more I think this is a necessary change.
• I'm not slagging Kia, but still hoping that this car is going to stand the test of time, but I think I have high hopes.
• The 360 cameras, they're way too wide angle, the reverse "overlay" is the size of an entire parking space, rather than the width of a car making it hard to judge exactly where you'll end up, there's no center line indicator.

No way, I was looking at the Audi Sportback as well but the RS 5, test drove it and loved it then started looking for an RS 7. Two odd cars to be considering at the same time but my company provides me with a car as part of my compensation, we are looking at going to an allowance rather than buying cars; if I ended up with the allowance I was going to do the Audi, company car would be the Stinger, well they were taking too long to define the new program so jumped for the Stinger and I'm very happy with it. Towards the end I was looking at 2017 Audi RS 7 because my road bike doesn't fit in the RS 5 Sportback without taking off both wheels; it does fit in the Stinger. Audi is a superior car at but it is not worth $35 - $40k more than the Stinger GT2 but I was still going to do it.

Agree with all of your comments but the Audi does also have valve controlled Sport Exhaust on the RS's which is very very cool too. The Stinger should have come with a louder exhaust and a beefier rear roll bar. Keep an eye out for paint chips Stinger's are notorious for this, I got a full front vinyl protective cover. Also people are reporting brake rotor warping, KIA is replacing warped rotors within 1 yr or 12k miles. I have 5k miles on mine and am noticing vibration on braking.

 

[YOWStinger]

The S5 Sportback and Stinger GT2 AWD (or GT Limited in Canada) is pretty much identical in specs (acceleration, technical specs, features, body shape, sportback/trunk lid). If you're talking RS, I think that's apples and oranges. In Canada, an S5 is $17,000 more expensive for a similarly optioned S5 Sportback, an RS5 is a whopping $42,000 more, I'm not sure if it's even worth comparing if that's where your budget is. A used S5 Sportback can be had for $55,000-$62,000 ($5k-$12k difference) with less than 30,000km. I put about 10,000km on per year, which makes that losing about 3 years of warranty if I decided to buy used. There are also similarly priced A7's used, which was also where I was looking.

In all of those comparisons, I'd still take the Stinger, especially when you're looking at buying something a couple of years old. I've always loved these cars that seem to come out of left field, not on the radar, undercut the competition, and end up with a cult following, I think the Stinger is in that category.

 

[GenesisG70]

Like:
1. Its a Kia
2. Exterior aggressive design
3. Extensive amount of tech
4. Its price 44,000 USD (GT2 after discounts) for a car with this amount of power, comfort, technology and looks you will never find in a over priced German. Don't care how much status Audi, Benz and BMW gives you I will not pay $15,000 for a plastic in the shape of four rings over the Stinger
5. The rarity of the car, I see Audis, 3 series c classes parked in every corner, almost like cars for the masses, rare see a Stinger. Its almost like nowadays every one drives an audi every soccer mom has a Q5 or Q8, and every salaried men has a 3 series.
6. The brutal power of the engine, is a true Korean muscle car, I have eaten many Mustangs and Camaros who want to race me
7. If anything goes wrong it won't cost you an arm and a leg to get parts replaced like the overpriced Germans
8. It keeps your ass cold or hot when you want, not kidding my other cars cost x 4 the Stinger and I have to drive with my ass cold during winter and sweaty during summers.
9. MPG... yes MPG for a monsta engine like this I am getting constant 28 MPG per day on my daily commute
10. HK sound system, no kidding is comparable or even better sounding than my Bang and Olufsen system.

Don't like:
The E badge.

 

[YOWStinger]

Don't like:
The E badge.

I like that E badge!

 

[Angel]

Love:
AWD
Engine
The color Ceramic Silver
The Looks of the car especially that ASS
4 door + hatchback
Brembo Brakes
People want to race
The unique factor

Not so Much:
The transmission
The suspension
Launch control
The ecu tune
It's A fuc#ing BOAT! The weight
Exhaust Sound

 

[Yujiza]

Besides cool features like 360 cameras, smart cruise, and so on; I'll bring up what stood out to me personally about this car which I...

Love:

• The overall look of the chassis, it's brilliant. Has a mix of a lot of things great, and stands out without looking like it's "trying too hard".
• The stock rims actually look pretty decent for once. Probably the first time I wanted to keep them (even though I powder coated).
• Those day lights, man I love those. Gives it a really mean premium look.
• Fits a tall 6 foot 4 inch person comfortably and even with a sun roof I still have head room.
• The dash's UI is very clean, and snappy. It ruins the whole feeling of a modern car when your menu stutters or lags for example.
• How great it is around turns and very quick on acceleration. Person in the turn only lane wants to overtake me to go straight? In your dreams, buddy.
• AWD on a sedan that isn't super expensive or a SUV. I never owned a sedan AWD, it's wonders in the snow. How did I live without.
• As narcissistic as this sounds, when I catch people looking at my vehicle or doing that quick stop double step look when they see the "E" badge.
• Unpopular opinion but the stop-n-go feature. Once I got used to keeping a lighter pressure on the break when I'm expecting to move again immediately after like at a stop sign, I almost don't notice I try. When I'm stuck at the light, I'll rest my foot harder and idle the engine.

Hate (Nitpicks really):

• Even at the lowest seating position, I can't see my blinkers unless I raise my steering wheel higher or bend my neck down.
• The home screen up/down for the Sirius channel is reversed, otherwise normal on the "RADIO" screen.
• The auto wipers can't quite cut it when you're moving slowly in stop and go traffic, forcing me to increase/decrease sens. If I'm driving at a constant high-ish speed, works perfectly.
• The horn. That damn horn. I need to replace that badly. It sounds like a soccer mom SUV to me.
• I was used to cheap sedans that was only FWD and super great on gas, this car has a personality of it's own in that sense. Expensive gas trips can be bothersome.
• Although I do like the sound quality, some songs really don't work well with the "surround" type sound mode.
• I'm lucky I can use the UVO app to start the car in Canada, but I wish I could also preset heated/cooled seats.
• The hands free ringtone is god awful. It makes the car super proper like I'm a butler. Wish I could change it.
• The KIA logo on this takes away from the car (I've already fixed that). You don't put a Ford logo on a Mustang—common Kia.

 

[YOWStinger]

You don't put a Ford logo on a Mustang—common Kia.

There isn’t even a Ford logo on my Flex....

 

[GenesisG70]

This is a statement car, meaning Kia wants to show proudly to the world this is a muscle car, powerful granturismo made by KIA, so yes Kia is going to put a KIA badge on the car. I think it looks awesome simple, clean and shows the brand that made the car, not a weird E or K that has nothing to do with the heritage of Kia brand, but that's only my opinion, people can put a Bentley badge and make themselves feel good.

 

[westcoastGT]

This is a statement car, meaning Kia wants to show proudly to the world this is a muscle car, powerful granturismo made by KIA, so yes Kia is going to put a KIA badge on the car. I think it looks awesome simple, clean and shows the brand that made the car, not a weird E or K that has nothing to do with the heritage of Kia brand, but that's only my opinion, people can put a Bentley badge and make themselves feel good.

Anti Snob ! the best part is the plate frame ,hmmm a Hyundai dealer in Belair , Bawwaaaaaa , this guy is great !! .....................................

 

[eflyguy]

The only things that bug me:

Freaking entertainment system always trying to play music. Half the time when you start the vehicle. Connecting mobile device. Disconnecting mobile device. Random connectivity glitches. I don't listen to music! STOP IT!
The seat doesn't retract if you exit while the engine is running. I don't have a problem getting in and out, but would prefer it went back any time the door was open to prevent battling the side bolsters.

Everything I love applies to aggressive driving in the hills - the snappy transmission - better than some DCTs I've driven. The wide torque range. The brakes. The balance and predictability despite its size/weight, especially with ECS enabled.

I guess another thing I love is how quiet the cabin is. Probably the best I've owned.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Quiet, comfortable, roomy, FAST, handling, soundroom. Gorgeous lines, striking stance, practical carrying capacity, reliable, economical, sturdy. FUN!

There isn't anything I dislike about this car. It has stuff in it that I'd never even heard about, much less had before, for comparison. I'm now spoiled.

 

[TimS]

Likes:

1) Looks. Sexiest car on the road right now, in my opinion. Even with the Kia badges (the alternate E and K badges just look silly to me). The light-gray/tan/ivory/black interior with the blue exterior is insanely gorgeous to me (the Ceramic silver/red-black interior a close second!).
2) Power. For a GT-Sedan, I love the power it puts down.
3) Comfort. I think the seats are awesome, a vast improvement from other Kias I've owned or ridden in.
4) Features. So many, especially in the center console, doubt I'll ever even get to use them all.
5) Vented/Heated seats. Fell in love with them in my Optima, now I can't live without!
6) Stock wheels. Absolutely love them. Have yet to see an after-market that I like better.
7) Sound. Is perfect to me. It has a hint of throaty-goodness without trying to pretend it's a muscle/super car.
8) The price. I got my '18 GT2 for right around $44k before incentives and trade, and since my dealer had to get it from another local dealer, it came with three extras without changing the price. For what you get at the price, I think the car is a steal.
9) Sound system is great for a stock system, more than enough juice to raise the hair on the back of my neck.

Dislikes:

1) The 'infotainment' system is confusing to use. No matter what I try, my collection on the thumbdrive is randomized/mixed out of order, no matter how I sort it. My Optima does not have this same issue.
2) In recent weeks I've begun to notice a slight momentary 'shudder' when the transmission shifts from 2nd to 3rd (or maybe 3rd to 4th). Of course once I noticed it, now I notice it even 'more'. Have scheduled a dealer visit for this.
3) Auto-wipers. The rain-sensor is kinda wonky. Sometimes the wipers turn on when here's one or two sprinkles - but at other times it is pouring and the sensor doesn't seem to register it. Easily solved by just turning it on manual, but still kinda annoying.

If I was concerned about MPG, I might add that on the Dislikes list, since I average around 15mpg, but so far this car is strictly city-driving for me. However, if I was really concerned about MPG, I wouldn't have considered a TT 3.3 V6 in the first place.

-Tim

 

[TwistedOrca]

Like : Rare, Ceramic Grey color, and Performance.

Dislikes:. Rattles, gas pedal response, and the damn thing is too heavy, imo.

 

[cncBilly]

Quiet, comfortable, roomy, FAST, handling, soundroom. Gorgeous lines, striking stance, practical carrying capacity, reliable, economical, sturdy. FUN!

There isn't anything I dislike about this car. It has stuff in it that I'd never even heard about, much less had before, for comparison. I'm now spoiled.

Merlin, I agree 100%. However you are one word short of the perfect description and I think you painfully held it back. So I will boldly say it for you "SPORTY".

 

[MerlintheMad]

"SPORTY".

Yes, lol. It certainly is that!

 

[surfingfoodie]

I love everything about it. It is very stylish, it has a superior performance on the road and it is technologically advanced.

 

[Legendsk]

Everything else is so great, I can live with the little gas tank. For a GT car, I think the tank should be about twice the size. But I understand that the idea of a big gas tank in the rear with a battery sitting in the center of it might be a bit scary.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Everything....it’s a great all round car in my opinion.....not so much was the handling, so I upgraded the swaybars & end links so now what’s not to like.