Having a Yugo would stand out even more . . . A Hyundai Excel might do the same if you can't find the Yugo. You are correct in saying that's the best part of having the Stinger.
Haha, I didn't pick up on it initially. Joke aside, the fuel economy in the Stinger is horrible. Spirited city driving with a good amount of traffic, light to light and stop sign to stop sign stop-and-go driving, and you can barely get over 10mpg.
@@flybriur I don't think you buy a car like this for fuel economy.. I'd compare it to a Mustang GT or something like that. It's going to be gas guzzler, unless you're Driving Miss Daisy.
@@tlevans62 Oh, I definitely agree, but it was still quite a shock at how bad it can be. If I'm in Sport mode driving somewhat spiritedly and city driving where there is a good amount of traffic and/or hitting a lot of block-to-block stop lights/signs, I'm barely getting over 10mpg.
I got brand new 2020 stinger GT AWD a year and a half ago. Best car I’ve ever owned by far. The 3.3tt is truly a gem of a motor. It’s so smooth and powerful feels almost naturally aspirated but with the thrust of the turbos. I do 12.5 in the 1/4 bone stock. The AWD system is a proper rwd awd system I can get the ass to step out on command. I get compliments daily people love it. Porsche bmw maserati Jaguar etc. owners come up to me all the time. Saying “they’ve been waiting to see one on the streets”. It is the best bang for your buck all around performance sedan you can get today period. Not to mention the usability/practicality of the stinger.
LOL! Maserati/Chrysler300 owners and Jaguar/Ford owners are obviously too clueless to ever think about buying a Kia, or they would have bought the Chrysler or Ford cars sharing their platforms for far less than their existing cars. Porsche and BMW owners, depend on how old their cars are. A brand new Stinger is not price competitive to a 3yr old BMW 3GT or 4GC. A 3yr old Stinger might be price competitive to a 6yr old 3GT/4GC or an 8yr old Panamera.
I was one of the BMW/Audi folks who "lowered" themselves to a Stinger LOL. The Stinger is a hoot to drive and it looks outta this world. I've actually owned two-the twin turbo V6 and the GT-Line model with the single turbo, which is my current car. The best part also is that they have been so reliable and trouble free-my last BMW, I felt like I knew my service advisor way too well......speaking of him, I hope his kid got into UT like he wanted LOL. I know nothing about my Kia service advisor and I love that.
Thank you for reviewing this car again, Alex. I've had my 2019 GT2 (ceramic silver w/ red interior) for about 2 1/2 years now. Still love it. Previous car was an Infiniti G37xS, and the Stinger was a perfect replacement. Still a head turner and yet a practical everyday driver to haul my family of 4. There are a couple things that remind you it's a Kia, but when you put your foot into it I'm always reminded of the two Germans (Albert Biermann and Peter Schreyer) from BMW and Audi who came over to Kia and designed and engineered this halo car. Also, it's kind of nice to drive a car that you don't see elsewhere everyday on the road. Hope they don't kill it off.
I had a G37 convertible before buying my 2020 GT2 with the same color scheme. I adore this car that I've had for about 18 months. It's a true GT car. You can just eat up the highway miles by the hundreds and go for hours and hours without boredom or discomfort. When you hit a good stretch of road, it's as fun as some cars twice its price.
I own the same year and color combination GT2. My entire engine was replaced by KIA, because the engine design was faulty. I only had 2k miles on it when the oil leak occurred. It took four months to get the car back and the loaner was a Soul. As for the rattles, KIA won't even attempt to fix them, though I did locate a guy who was able to track down and fix the rattles, though he didn't work for the dealer. Wish they would've kept the Stinger and turned it into an electric version. I switched out the logos to the Korean E and it's literally a head turner. Some people don't notice I'm in the car because the added tint I'd purchased separately doesn't allow them to see me. They walk around and stare. Other people walk up and ask me what it is at gas stations and elsewhere. Only car enthusiasts have ever heard of the car.
@@flybriur one inside the front passenger door that was really bugging me. Several were in the front dashboard up and under. The wiring harnesses were loose and tapping plastic panels. When I'd taken it to KIA the guy said calmly, "yes, everyone has those rattles and we won't track them down. Some people have loose sunroofs that rattle too. Others have trunk hoods that move and rattle, so you're lucky." I was lucky! That was last May and literally just been told I needed my entire engine replaced and not in the mood to hear that bs. They couldn't get the engine in the car from May-September 2020.
@@stevewise1656 Thanks for that. I have a 2019 GT2 and had rattles and noises from when I purchased it new about a year and a half ago. Sunroof rattle, popping noise from the headliner, and a noise that I occasionally hear (it's not super loud though) when going over bumps that sounded like it was inside the dash behind the glovebox area (which I assumed was a loose wiring harness like you mentioned). Sunroof rattle was only fixed temporarily twice, and the popping noise on the headliner was fixed once but also came back. Ultimately though I was able to get a Kia technician to come out to look at the car, he confirmed the issues, and ordered a new sunroof assembly and new headliner to be installed. Car was in the shop for three weeks. Got it back a month ago, and all seems well now (fingers crossed).
Traded in my 17 Mustang GT for a 2019 GTS AWD in Federation Orange. I'm a muscle car guy at heart, but love the versatility of the Stinger. It's a "do-everything" sedan. Great family car, sporty as hell and looks nice.
The Stinger is just in the perfect situation for buyers like myself who knows what it's worth. Prices have risen now. In 2019, it was perfect. I got my car $8k below MSRP.
I was not in line for a new car but admired the Stinger from afar. That was until I drove one. I was immediately sold and purchased a snow white pearl with black interior. That was one year ago and have obsolutely no regrets. Amazing car.
It's weird how people are claiming this "isn't selling" when it's already sold 14K units in the U.S. for 2021, far more than its premium Genesis G70 sibling, and around 3 times the amount of VW Arteons sold. The Audi A5, its most direct competitor, sold 17K units last year- hardly a decisive difference, not to mention that the A5 sales numbers also include two-door models. The only context in which the Stinger "isn't selling" is in the Korean market, where most people opt for a G70 or G80 because these kind of cars are sold to business professionals. Hyundai and Kia's primary target has always been the Korean market, so if something doesn't sell there like the Stinger, they are more likely to axe it no matter how well it sells in other markets. That's why the Kia K9 was sold in the U.S. for as long as it was despite selling only a few hundred units a year. That's also why Genesis sold sedans before CUV's- to establish themselves in their home market in South Korea before going abroad.
That's not always true! Hyundai/Kia sell small cars, like i20, i10, or Rio, only in Europe because most Koreans drive compact/midsize/full size sedans or SUVs. Also, Hyundai sells SantaCruz only in the US. I agree Koreans usually choose G70 or G80 over Stinger, but I don't think that's the only reason why Stinger is gonna be discontinued. Ev6 is kinda replacing Stinger's position, and I heard Kia is going to revive Stinger as an hydrogen GT or halo Electric brand, just like what Ford did with Mustang🤔
@@JamesCovalentBond Those cars were designed exclusively for other markets and as such aren't sold in South Korea. The Stinger was designed first and foremost for the South Korean market, where sedans are still wildly popular. The only reason it even received the 2.5T in its refresh while the G70 didn't was because sales of the Stinger were so poor in South Korea that they had to give a new engine just to make it more appealing.
I blame marketing and dealers. I remember pre Covid seeing them buried behind all their SUVs, and there is almost zero advertising, at least in my area.
@@hojushigolsaneunsaram Exactly! I make this point repeatedly. China, especially, drives many decisions by automakers. Since many of their mid-sized and larger cars are chsuffeur-driven, extended back seats are very popular. The US usually gets those same stretched versions because we value larger cars. If the Stinger had a stretched version it might sell better, but when it was designed they still had the Cadenza and K900 in the lineup and didn't want to compete with them directly. US Stinger sales are just an extra for Kia. If they can make a few sales without having to spend all the profits on advertising, they'll happily sell them. How it fares worldwide is what matters, and that has been a problem. Chinese buyers are very brand-conscious because owning an expensive car grants status, and Kia just can't compete on status with the premium/luxury brands. The Arteon has been a sales disappointment for the same reason. VW is seen in the US as semi-premium by virtue of being German, but not premium enough to sell that particular car. Worldwide it has even less status.
I bought the 2019 Stinger AWD because of this channel! So far, Stinger has been treating me good! No major complains aside from interior rattles. 24k miles and still going strong! If you're looking for a mid-size sedan this is the best bang for your buck among the competition. Added bonus: most people does not know the Stinger, so they compliment me that I'm driving a Porsche, BMW, Maserati, etc. LOL!
Yeah, people guess all sorts of cars for me too. I put the Korean E badges on my Stinger and I got a parking ticket with the make as Maserati. I left the parking spot and some hung over guy said nice Tesla. Lmao
@@hotdawg85 The Kia logo design itself does look ugly though. I guess the new logo is more of a logo, but it's like Ford having the actual word "FORD" as their logo; it's just not pretty lol.
@@BN99239 Given that their old logo really was just "Kia" in an oval, the new one didn't have to be awesome to be an improvement. I think it looks fine, but it's too big for the Stinger front end. Reduce it by 25% and it would barely attract notice.
I had a 2019 Stinger as well. Hated all the rattling in mine as well. Just "upgraded" to a 2022 G70 hoping I'd have a better experience but nope, still knocking sunroof and other rattly bits inside. I love the overall package these cars offer but can't stand the seeming shoddy build quality. This coming from previous vehicles being a Golf GTI and a Mazda3, both of which were built like tanks compared to the two Koreans. It is nice that the G70 doesn't get as much attention though. But my next car will probably be Japanese or German. And possibly sooner rather than later...
I've had my 2020 GT2 for about 8 months now and really love the car. A few interior rattles, but it's a beautifully styled car with a nice interior, handing and power. I've upgraded to exhaust to match the sound to the power and performance of the car. Wish the backseat had a bit more leg room, but at 6'3", I'm the problem more so than the car. Would recommend this car to fellow enthusiasts who aren't worried about badge prestige.
Like Spyderco, Benchmade, Microtech, Chris Reeves and Zero Tolerance knives, brand loyalty and prestige carries alot of weight when deciding what to buy.
I've heard from other people about the interior rattles in the Stinger. It strikes me as odd, this is a rather expensive car for it to have interior rattles, especially so soon from new. Hope they are sorted for the 2021/2022 model year.
@@dimekoza every car doesn’t matter how expensive or cheap has problems. My buddy has a brand new S5 that has run roof rattles and the dashboard creaks. The TLX type s has numerous electrical problems the steering wheel whines when u turn it etc…..no car is perfect. I have a stinger and have had no problems after 15 min with 2 5/16 washers installed on hatch bump stops. I can hear a mouse piss.
Dealers (in the US) made sure no one would buy this car by treating it like it was the KIA version of the Lexis LFA. It’s a mass produced car but they treated it like unobtainium. Dealers killed the Stinger.
Sounds like you didn't wait when looking. Not even a year in and the discounts came fast and furious. Many of us got 8 grand off fully loaded GT2s. I was one of them.
@@JDubbs07 I got $10,500 off of my GT2 in June of 2020. It took about 6 weeks of working every Atlanta metro dealer via email at a time when no one had any idea where the covid pandemic would go. I also drove it for a week as a "loaner" because the day I came in to sign all the paper work, they were closing down to sanitize the place. A customer from earlier in the day had tested positive.
@@slappymcphee they seem to have a pretty strong dealer network in texas. What exactly are people wanting in a dealer experience these days anyway? Yall gonna live there and spend holidays together??
@@ThinkBeFree99 no, but your experience at the dealership will want you to go back or not. Where i bought my Camry from, the service department experience was very poor and they so rude, when you look at the reviews on their page , everyone talking about their service department.
The Stinger is a true underdog and an excellent value proposition, that impresses anyone every time some one asks me about it. Having owned my for almost 4 years (2018 GT2) I can say this car still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it, and have not had any major issues with it (52k miles on the clock). The Stinger is not going away, those are unsupported rumors, it will be coming back. This is a halo car for KIA and it will be dumb for them to discontinue it after all the praise its gotten. If you are on the fence about it, just go test drive it and you will soon see what a great package the Stinger offers.
i worry that the KIA EV6 GT would now be the new Halo Car. However, the dream is if they give this the DCT, 3.5L V6TT and the Veloster N exhaust and lighten it up a bit. This would be a BEAST!!!
While I don't have a Stinger, I do have a Genesis G70, its twin. I gotta say the motor is awesome, lots of power from the 3.3T and surprisingly reliable too (I drive it pretty hard). I was thinking of replacing it eventually with the Stinger since the Geni is a lease, and I'd like to purchase my next car. A used Stinger sounds perfect since it has the same engine (so I'm confident in the power and reliability) and it's more spacious than the Geni.
I had a 2021 GT1 AWD and what a great car. A back injury had me trade it in for a Genesis GV70 but Alex is right. I would take this over any of the cars he mentioned. I don't care what it says on the hood. And yes it's better than the new TLX S type by far
I just sold my Stinger simply because it went up in price.I ended up getting a CX-30 Premium Plus Turbo and just put an extra 10k in the bank.I had no issues with it for a year and a half--I even took it to public drag night.And holding value (I made 9k over what i paid for a year later)--I sold it within 48 hours of putting it up.Only reason i did not get another one is because I started ebiking and I need something with more clearance and that can go on light trails up in the mountains.I wanted a GLA 45 AMG--but the only one was 100 miles away--marked up 5k and was not the top model--no wing--no variable exhaust and it had awful looking rims.When the put AWD on a KONA N--then maybe I will trade--but I would buy a KIA/hyundai product again.The auto transmission in my AWD stinger was also fantastic(in ALL conditions)
@@rahimi4762 How much is the top level trim of The Acura and what does it not match for the price? Acura has lost the plot for a decade. This from a former Type S owner and a Tl Advanced Pack owner. I had no choice: Stinger Gt2.
@@Ih8chew if y’all KIA FANBOYS had spent more time at the Kia dealership buying stinger’s than down talking other brands then maybe Kia would have sold a few more stingers. 💀💀💀💀
I purchased a 19 GT1, that just came off a 2 yr lease, with 9,210 miles on the odometer & a 100k mile bumper to bumper extended warranty & 5 years standard maintenance for around $40k all in. Considering the excellent performance the car provides & the superior build quality to the Dodge products I was cross-shopping, I am more than pleased. I’ve had the Stinger since June 3rd of last year and it has been bulletproof reliable; my only complaint being the shoddy tread life of the summer Michelin Pilot Sport 4’s which I recently was able to warranty out (Russel my Service Advisor has been amazing, erasing all fears of working with a KIA dealer) for a set of Pilot Sport All Season 4’s that have a considerably longer shelf life. The interior fit & finish is flawless, there are no squeaks or rattles and the ergonomics are perfect for my just under 6’ frame. Love how the side bolsters in the pilot’s seat wrap around you in Sport Mode; which is the setting where I recommend you leave your Stinger if you want the best throttle response and fun driving experience Each time I get behind the wheel, I am still excited to take it for a drive. The way the flat bottomed wheel telescopes out upon startup and seat moves forward, essentially snugging you in for the tight turns and acceleration forces; and those brakes. My goodness can this car slow down quick. I have no issues driving a KIA and I won’t be one of those owners that takes their badges off and replaces them with Korean Domestic Market ones. I actually feel good when I pull up next to a Audi S5 or expensive BMW, knowing I have everything their car has, only mine looks better. I highly recommend this car. It was designed by the guy who did the M3 back when it was a beautiful, over engineered car.
I remember that Alex was so impressed when it came out he was going to order one, but never did I guess. I still miss my Stinger such a special car that deserve more attention.
Always enjoy your encyclopedic, professional approach to car reviews - low flash but plenty of substance. I own a 2020 GT2 for almost 2 years now and 2 proper Canadian winters. With a set of proper snow tires, this car has always found traction in even snow that humbled the pickups next to me at the light. Your review is spot on with my ownership experience (in ECO and Smart, can get about 9L/100km with 70% hwy, 30% city). I have had no rattling sound nor any problems with the brakes (which are the common complaints). If you drive the car smartly, it is a very forgiving and fun car to drive. Love it.
Excellent review. I have the top of the range GT here in Australia and absolutely love my car. In my humble opinion, when all things are considered, power, performance, standard equipment, driving experience, warranty and price, there is nothing that comes close to it.
Had my 3.3 GTS (GT2 equivalent )for around 15 months here in the UK. Compared to an S5 or 440i with the same tech levels fitted the Stinger is a good £15k ($20k) cheaper so is a bargain. Gets looks everywhere you go, endless people asking about it and it drives amazing. All the tech and power you need and super comfortable. Such a rare sight on the roads here but that is what also makes it feel so special. Absolutely love mine and want to keep it for many many years to come. Only things I can fault are the exhaust is a touch too quiet for my taste and the brakes are average at best. Both can easily be sorted aftermarket. Fitted the K&N cold air intakes to mind and really makes it sound good now.
I wanted a Stinger GT but I was turned away because of the dealers. They didn't know anything about their products. The sites weren't clean either. I checked out the cousin, G70 instead. The treatment is just a different level esp. the concierge service. I'm happy with my G70 and yes it does feel more premium than the Stinger although it loses big time in space. The Stinger is far more preactical.
I know 2 Stinger owners that traded their BMWs for their Stingers and are amazed at the performance they get with the lower maintenance costs compared to the BMW. We find that the Stinger is more fun and faster than our Dodge Charger R/T tuned to 450hp. My son at 6'2" 260lbs fits nicely in the back seat.
Have a 2020 GT2 AWD and love it! Have owned several performance MBs and BMWs and find the Stinger a much better car for the money. Great performance and practicality. Can't get over the number of people who come up to ask about the car, and as you've probably heard from others, they can't believe it's a KIA.
💯 I have 2019 GT AWD, and I absolutely love my car. It's functional, fun, and has a striking appearance in person (i was not impressed by the aesthetic of in the Stinger until i saw it in person-- cameras never do it justice. It's subtle beauty-- the right blend of curves and aggressive styling). People don't believe me when tell them it handles well in the snow-- until they're in the car with me or drive it themselves. The number of people who come up asking my car never ceases to amaze me. And I'm equally amazed that nearly the same number of strangers come up and compliment me for having the "courage" for making the decision they couldn't, and expressing regret over not getting a Stinger. I reckon if even half those people I talked to who wanted on and actually got one, maybe it wouldn't be getting discontinued. :/
The good news: The Stinger is likely one of the few new cars sold that you can actually get a deal on these days. They have an unusually long avg days on dealers lots. I would get this over the TLX Type-S.
@@rahimi4762 Acura engineering hyped up the type s to be the biggest flop/disappointment of the decade literally lol. It’s slower then a 275hp DCT veloster N.
The TLX is very cramped, nose-heavy, slower, behind in tech over this 5 year old car(no touchscreen/1:1 interface is behind thr times), and even thirstier, despite having a smaller, single turbo powertrain. It also weighs 4100-4300 pounds(my '20 Hellcat Redeye is 4450 and wayyy larger with a V8) Sure it has SH-AWD, but that does not account for FWD architecture and dynamics. The Acura is not a bad car, but for the money, there are other options.
Alex is always the best!! Moved up from our 2017 Optima SXL to 2020 GT-line 2.0 RWD Sun and sound equipped Panthere gray RWD. Snow tires here in Reno and all is well. Still love driving my husband's Optima since it feels plush!
Very nice job on the review. It is a beautiful car in my opinion, I’ve driven several keys but not the stinger yet but it is on my list. You also should point out cost of ownership is going to be way lower on the Kia than any of the German competitors. That should be a huge buying point to the average public.
It’s 100% all about the brand. Ive driven this car so many times and it’s one of my favorite cars of the last 3 years. However I’ve seen people firsthand, outright double down on never buying anything Korean (but their reasons usually are specious and unconvincing). The majority of car shoppers hang onto generational perception, image, and familiarity. When you not only have a brand that a lot of US shoppers seem to not have any favor towards AND in the case of the Stinger, being priced within a $40k-$50k segment that overlaps with the premium shoppers that DO value image and brand familiarity, it’s a perfect storm of uninterested shoppers. It doesn’t even matter how good the car is or how much value it brings when people don’t know what it is and the perception of the brand still is stuck in the 80s from the casual shopping mind.
Outstanding job on this Alex. Really nailed the reasons why the Stinger is so impressive and unique. Definitely would take this over a Acura TLX or Toyota Avalon. Interior is beautiful and the the driving dynamics are great. Love that its a proper RWD four door. I wish Genesis would have followed Kia's move in offering the 2.5T engine as a base engine. You can't go wrong with either engine on the Stinger
I have a AWD GT-line and I absolutely love it. Apple CarPlay, best warranty in the auto business, and average 30 mpg on the highway. I live in North Dakota, we got 3 feet of snow this year and I never have gotten stuck nor have I even been worried about getting stuck. Overall great vehicle. Only complaint is creeks and rattles in the cabin at speed (40mph+) and the turn radius is not great but still not bad for being such a big vehicle. 10/10 would totally recommend.
I have this car and I can vouch for how excellent it is. Beautiful. Powerful. Practical. And so unique I always get a ton of people asking me about it. It's a joy to drive even if you aren't flooring it.
Your analysis is spot on Alex. Good cars don't sell. Cheap gas efficient fwd cars sell. Or cheap cookie cutter crossovers sell. Not to say there is anything wrong with those cars. If you're using it for transportation only which is what most people do. But car people like us, we know better...
My wife's daily driver is a '21 Stinger GT which we purchased new for 35k. Fit and finish is ok and rear visibility isn't great, but the driving experience is excellent and the fun-to-drive factor is very good for the price.
The Stinger is awesome. I had a 2019 Gt1 AWD. Did some aftermarket work to get it up to a reliable 450hp. She flew and covered miles with ease. Tempted to get back into a 2.5 AWD, as they are no longer offering $10k off sticker as they were when I got mine. Truly worth a look for anyone wanting a 4 door non SUV.
@@McFanick mods included…racing intercooler, cold air intakes, racing plugs, high flow down pipes, mid pipe (resonator turned into a proper X), catch cans, custom weld on the rear part of the exhaust to remove the crimp that’s stock ahead of the muffler, BOV, and a custom tune from Torq Motorsports to tie it all together…it was a mild tune up to 14psi. All in close to $3,500 and it made a noticeable improvement without sacrificing relaxed and quiet interstate cruising. You can get well over 500hp, but 450 proved enough for me.
Getting the 2.5t wouldn't be a bad buy. Kia advertised the 2.5t being 5 tenths slower to 60. When comparing the base engine to the premium engine isn't bad performance-wise. Sure it doesn't sound as good, but either way not a bad buy.
The stinger is basically a modern Pontiac G8/Chevy SS alternative. I really have a soft spot for this very small mainstream premium RWD based segment. Kia’s performance models remind me a lot of the performance models Pontiac used to produce. They have a lot of great performance options and I hope the stinger has a future. One is definitely on my wish list coming from a 2016 Malibu 2.0t.
@@pontiacGXPfan the 3.3tt v6 is a beast of a motor lol…….it’s rated a 365 but dynos around 330 to the wheels. Just a piggyback jb4 some intakes and plugs can get 450whp, Real ECU tuning has just come out and people are getting 500whp with bolt ons and some ethanol.
I came from a 2017 malibu premier 2.0t……..got a brand new 2020 GT AWD. The stinger is in a whole other league. Shit the 2.5t is in a whole other league let alone the 3.3t
@@pontiacGXPfan so what does impress you? Basically every motor now a days has some form of forced induction. Except the American muscle cars which use huge displacement motors to get power not impressive at all imo. What really defines a good motor to me is how much power it can handle on stock turbos stock block etc. which the 3.3tt does very well.
I do prefer frameless windows. It just looks so much more neat when the window is down. Also, you can come out of the car more easily with no frame in the way. I wish all cars have frameless windows. I remember my dad's old 1989 Subaru Leone had them in a sedan, it is one of those cool things that you remember when growing up as a kid.
Previous year model GT1 and 2 had much meaner looking tail light and the wheels.Suited the car much better in my opinion. I hope KIA will reconsider discontinuing stinger for few more years! It's a beautifully designed car.
yeah, i personally like the old circle tail lights better than the light bar look. it's just too generic for me now, but owners have commented they like how it makes the stinger text badge look at night and some even like more than the old
They have none to blame but their dealers. I was cross shopping this over a bmw 440i grand coupe. I went to 2 kia dealerships in my area. One wanted to run my credit before they would let me testdrive the vehicle. So i walked away. The other dealer wanted around 150$ more a month for a lease compared to the bmw i was cross shopping. This after showing them the bmw offer i was looking at. The price was online. They though too much of their own car. Btw that same dealership wanted to charge 10k over asking for the brand new telluride. This was pre covid time so no excuse about supply issues etc.
Both Kia and VW dealers consider the Stinger and Arteon respectively as halo cars. Showroom candy. In my region neither dealer ever had more than one, maybe two to choose from on hand even in the best of times. Never in the color and configuration I was shopping for. Otherwise I'd have bought one of them by now.
That's a bummer. It really is a do-it-all car that is a ton of fun to to drive. A dealer about 35 miles from me happen to have the exact model and color combo I was looking for back in July 2020, and because it was a 2019 model, they offered well under MSRP, so it was a no-brainer decision.
Alex, there are many reviewers that I love to watch. However, you are the only one that leaves me with no questions unanswered. Thank you for your attention to detail!
Most Americans still perceive Kia/Hyundai's as "inferior" and certainly less "luxurious" as to what they're trying to compete against, the BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. I for example, couldn't fathom paying the same amount for a Kia as I could an Audi or other similar sized German engineered vehicle. This feeling is exacerbated when driving around town on the weekends and taking your date or someone out to dinner. It feels nice to roll up in a nice German luxury car, especially if needing to valet. It's all about the sense of feeling luxurious while out driving. Perception and image is key in the US for most, and this car seems in the wrong price point.
Owned a 2018 GT2 for 3 years .. loved the car. A actually got a lot of compliments on almost every where I went. Dynamic wise it never disappointed and from a storage stand point .. it was borderline magic. I was always amazing how much stuff the car could hold. The only reason why I sold it was Carvana gave me a stupid amount of money for it (which gave me the opportunity to buy a 718 Cayman S) I still say this is the best overall car you can buy (luxury, tech, performance, practicality) for 45k-50k .. even when I tell this to “car people” some scoff then I tell them to name a better new car for the money .. and they can’t lol
@@towelies4884 yea it was called Sunshine Kia in Miami, FL. The sales guy also said I had to pay tax on the full amount of the car and just not the lease monthly payment. LOL, no wonder that placed is out of business now!!
That seems to be a reoccurring trend among Kia dealerships it seems. Had a similar case for me; Kinda leaves a bad taste in your mouth about the car even though this is a dealer thing
In Canada, a fully loaded GT(2) Limited Stinger is $52k CDN ($41k USD). I bought my Stinger almost 2 years ago and have put on over 95,000km. The car offers excellent bang for buck and turns heads everywhere I go. It attracts even more attention now since I have a turbo back exhaust and intakes. Lol
@@robertduklus6555 for me personally, I have no rattles, creaking or popping noises in my interior unless the car is very cold or very hot. When it’s either of those, I have a bit of headliner crackling.
Great car with a lot of options! One thing that is keeping many people from buying it is quality of material, the car is well built with cheap material. Almost every person I know that bought it complain about plastics squeaking, leather seats wrinkled after a year or two…things like that. Yet I’m still considering this car as my next one. Great review as usual 👍
I went in to buy a stinger back in 2018. They gave me a lecture how this is an m3 killer etc, I asked for $800 discount so I can be in my budget and they shut me down instantly. I ended up with a q50 red sport, and I got 5k off. Kia is shooting themselves in the foot
I looked at the Q50 before buying the Stinger because they had special offers. The base model was missing something I thought was basic. Can't recall what it was but I think it was heated seats. I told them about the Stinger and they said "yeah but the Infiniti is faster". Needless to say I was very disappointed with Infiniti. Also, on the test drive I noticed really strange and bad on-center feel with the steering on the Q50. A couple of reviews I saw later mentioned the same thing.
2015-2016 hyundai genesis sedan. 310 HP v6 awd with snow mode! 22K-25K depending on features. Find an V6 AWD ultimate like I have and you will be extremely happy with your purchase! Plus the average buyer age of this vehicle new was 56! Meaning they were most likely gentle miles lol
I had a GT1 for a while. It's a cool car that IMO, is a good alternative to a CUV. It delivers speed, looks, and storage but not much fizz in the bends. The big motor gets absolutely atrocious fuel economy and reaching the touchscreen was a serious pain if you're tall. I sold it to get into a high spec Giulia 2.0 that feels WAY more special and actually gets much better fuel economy.
I am very much considering following suit. A Certified Preowned Guila TI Sport can be barely more than than the new Stinger GT-Line and it's been the best steering car I've yet driven. Also I'm tall and the sport seats in the Giulia TI Sport seem to be very supportive in the right ways.
I actually did cross shop the Stinger when I was shopping for a C43/S4/M340i but the Stinger, although its straight line speed felt pretty good, did not have the "overall package". Driving dynamics felt numb, engine and exhaust sounded like an economy car, steering didn't feel like anything, luxury in terms of design and materials is mediocre. Realistically, this car is only $5k or so cheaper than its German competitors and when people are spending $50k+ another $5k or so for better driving dynamics, sound and luxury is well worth it. Of course, there's also brand image for whoever cares about this. We can talk crap about brand image all day, but the majority of people who can afford more expensive brands DO care about brand image end of the day, and Kia does not offer that. Overall, it makes sense that the Kia did not sell. If this car was priced at $45k then yes, I think it has a bigger chance of success.
A fully loaded German is damn near 70k lol you can get literally a bare bones m340i c43 or s4 for 55-58k. The stinger/g70 are fully loaded at 53k. Not even close.
@@Tsand4 Of course you won't understand if you're just looking at the MSRP on paper. German cars lease extremely well. My optioned out C43 is $570/mo. A lease for the loaded Stinger GT2 I was looking at was a stupid $700/mo. Kia won't even negotiate because this is their top end sports car whereas a C43/M340i/S4 are still below their top end full AMG/M/RS so you can negotiate for a much better deal as well. Either a $55k Kia Stinger or a $57k Mercedes C43 AMG. The choice was pretty obvious lol.
@japanwatchconnection a m340i is much more expensive I hope it should lol you can’t get a brand new m340i for anything under around 58k bare bones. I got my stinger 3.3tt v6 awd 2020 brand new for 37k……….and does the 1/4 mile 12.5 stock 🤷🏻♂️
Only twice in 57 years have I owned a vehicle that I never fail to look back at after parking it. Bought a 2019 Kia StingerGT-2 3.3L AWD Limited last April - and LOVE it! I constantly get compliments and questions about it nearly everytime I take it out. There's very few of them around in our local area so they stand out. The performance is great...they handle awesome...and the features are nice. One aspect that doesn't really get mentioned in most reviews is the terrific-sounding 750W 15-speaker Harmon-Kardon audio system (with sub-woofer). I had the Bose system in my old 2011 Kia Optima that sounded sweet - but the H/K system really ups the game. Our local Kia dealership recently replaced all 4 rotors under warranty due to a known factory warp - so that was good.
I test drove the Kia Stinger Gt 2 several times, while I was waiting for the Genesis G70 to be released in the US. I also test drove BMW and Mercedes, neither of those vehicles did anything for me. They were new vehicles, yet they felt old (2019 model year). I chose the Genesis G70 3.3.T. It had more to do with need. I already had a large sedan (2012 Hyundai Azera), and an a SUV (2006 Hyundai Tucson). I didn't need rear passenger space nor did I need a large cargo space I wanted a smaller personal vehicle. I will admit that the Kia Stinger is a better looking car than my Genesis G70.
I considered buying the Stinger back in 2018. I instead opted for the Buick Regal which also is a liftback with AWD optional. Ofcourse, just when GM finally brings a nice sedan to the market, they quickly drop it. At least the Stinger might be be around for another year or 2.
That was a shame, but the problem was the Regal really didn't match the rest of the Buick lineup or their traditional older buyers. Alas, GM no longer had a more suitable brand. Saturn was a hodgepodge of unrelated models by the end, but I could have seen the Regal as a Pontiac if they could have kept the price reasonable.
@@markmiller3279 Actually, the problem was that the Regal was an Opel Insignia, designed and made in Germany. GM sold the Opel company and its lineup, so once that model finished, GM had no Regal to sell.
@@afcgeo882 The Regal and the Malibu are platform siblings. The Malibu is still selling, yes the Regal was assembled by Opel. But that could have changed, brought to the Fairfax plant. If they didn't want to market it as a Buick. Then change it to the Chevy Malibu. A Malibu sportback, wagon, and a performance model. Would have sold better under the Malibu nameplate. Adding AWD to all the models would have helped as well. Especially now that Nissan and Toyota are adding AWD. The only other midsized sedan from a US automaker was the Ford Fusion which was discontinued.
I own a Kia Optima SXL and would be looking at the Stinger as my next vehicle if it weren’t for the terrible fuel economy. There’s no excuse for a 45k modern sedan having a sub-25mpg highway rating unless it has a boosted V8 and 600+ HP, which the Stinger does not.
This exactly. I have a '19 SX and at one time considered the GT2 after the lease ends. But i just can't give up 34+ highway mpg. This 2.0 consistently overperforms on the highway and I've grown to love it lol
The hyundai/Kia’s are still perceived as subpar vehicles. When I have traded my Genesis G80 vehicles in for a luxury vehicle, the trade in values have been abysmal. Until that subpar stigma is removed these vehicles will not do well.
After taking a recent test drive of the ‘22 Stinger GT I was blown away on how it drives, the incredible power and how it feels on the road. However over here in Australia there is about a six to 8 months wait to get one and because of some uncertainty by the dealers of the cars future after the second quarter of this year they are not that keen to take orders. The only downside I have read about on other Stinger reviews is a problem sunroof and hatch rattles noticeable on some vehicles from new. COMMENT UPDATE! Two weeks ago I bought a brand new 2022 Stinger GT and I’m so glad I did this car is phenomenal and just blows me away on each drive , yes the fuel economy is of course a little on the high side but if you want a car with this much power it is just part of the ownership. All I can say is that I’m very happy with it and even if this car does fadeinto the sunset (as rumours would have you believe) at the end of the year and it is discontinued I’ll still have mine!
Their new KIA logo is just OUTSTANDING, super modern and clean. One of the best new logo’s that I’ve ever seen. Well done. And the Stinger is sexy as Hell, quite frankly. The fuel economy is rather disappointing, but it’s not really relevant to most sports car buyers (I’m an exception, unfortunately). Nice ride, no doubt.
I sell Hondas and we had a used one of these on our lot for a while. It was the 4 cylinder AWD. Not as roomy as the Accord, but I could not find anything to complain about. Great driving car and very nice interior.
I always forget about the Stinger when comparing midsize family sedans. It’s such a great car. I wish it had a plug-in or EV option because fuel economy isn’t Kia’s Forte. The Kia EV6 might be the alternative.
I have spent one week with my new Stinger GT-Line AWD and it is wonderful. 300hp will get you where you need to go in a hurry. It looks great inside and out. I got myself some red floor mats and now the interior really pops. Get yourself one of these babies before they are all gone.
I prefer the style of the Stinger over most of the other 'popular' cars. Bought a 2022 GT Line AWD version a few days ago. This car is so comfortable. I was looking for something similar but sportier than my old 2015 Ford Taurus. The Stinger happened to get traded in recently at a dealer near me and I made arrangements to see it. Bought it that day.
Sorry Alex, have to disagree. I rather have the performance versatility of torque vectoring in a TLX than the rear wheel drive Stinger. As a fun weekend vehicle it might be better but if you need a daily driver with good performance and a supremely comfortable ride, I'd go with the TLX.
Its an awesome car, but when you are paying 50+ grand for a sports sedan, it becomes hard to sell when it has a Kia logo on it, while brand snobbery isn't right, it deeply affects a lot of people buying decisions it is easier to sell the same car under the Genesis brand because Genesis isn't acquainted with cheap economy sedans, while they still don't have the prestige of brands like BMW, Lexus or Mercedes, it isn't a Kia, which is a shame because the Stinger is one awesome car, but most people will choose a TLX- Type S, even tho it might be slightly slower or not RWD simply because it is an Acura. There is also the dealership thing, most dealerships seem to think that their Stinger is a BMW M3 fighter or something and then mark up the car which then discourages them from buying it. But this car would make one hell of a used deal in the next coming years.
I have a 2019 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD, (ceramic silver w/ red interior). I have owned quite a few vehicles, and I have never received so many compliments on a vehicle as I have with my Stinger. I love this car! You will not find a better, more well equipped for the money. Quick and fun to drive..
I test drove both Kia stinger and the Arteon and for my taste I ended buy a 2021 Arteon and don’t regret my decision. I had a 2017 optima and it was just ok
I think you have to remember that branding plays a huge part in peoples decision making. If I have a choice between buying an Acura or a stinger, I would pay the badge tax and get the Acura. If I am an enthusiast, I would get the Stinger in a heart beat. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of enthusiasts and the poor sales of this car is a good indicator.
True, for those who care (not me), but the bigger problem is that sedan sales (except true luxury models) are tanking. Throw in an oddball liftback design (which I love), poor gas mileage, and a brand associated with hamsters, and this was always going to sell in low numbers.
@@markmiller3279 I have always been a big sedan guy but with how efficient the hybrid crossovers have become, it's stupid if I bought an expensive sedan when I could get an SUV for a very similar price. I am a home owner and i do a lot of shopping and sometimes for home improvement. Sedans will continue to be on decline unfortunately.
Precovid, my local dealer was open on Saturdays noon to 6, closed on Sundays. They never advertised. I looked at a Stinger and it was about the worst salesperson I've encountered ( I sold cars for a year) and honestly the entire dealership behaved as though they were bored. It was sad.
Love my stinger, got it because you said you might get one for yourself in your first review, that was good enough of reason for me. My girlfriend at the time and now my wife ended bup buying one. Mine was lease and I returned mine but we kept hers. Both were GT2 AWD. Also installing thicker rear sway bar as per your recommendation in first video made it much better. I like it that it didn't sell well. Car felt rare but I have been seeing at least one stinger once a day now in Seattle WA area.
@@Truehoon yes, pretty good overall actually. I am noob, so it saves me from spinning out plus in sports mode it sends 80% to rear. From 0 it's faster than RWD but rolling RWD are little bit faster. I live in Bellevue, WA.
Alex, love your reviews. Your test methods really allow your viewers to compare the vehicles you are testing on level ground. Can you help me highlight the difference in highway driving between the Stinger GT2 and the TLX Type S? Which one feels more planted, less fatigue on long road trips and how do their seats compare?
@@rahimi4762 lol Stinger destroys the type s. Alex said himself it’s just a better car. Type s is embarrassingly slow for the price and being the newest powertrain in the segment.
@@suserman7775 I think they think that it will be covered by warranty but a lot of times manufacturer don't honor the warranty, claiming that it was wear and tear.
The engines that had issues were the 2.4 theta engines and the 3.3 N/A V6, they have been discontinued. The Telluride uses a 3.8 V6 that hasn't been proven yet.
@@damilolaakanni That engine HAS been proven - that’s why they’re using it in the Telluride/Palisade. That Hyundai/Kia 3.8L V6 has been around forever, at least since the early 2000s or so. It’s one of the most tried and true powertrains they offer. They even offered it on the original Genesis models and the G80 all the way up until it’s most recent redesign. Crazy reliable engine.
I love my 2018 Stinger GT1 and don't care about the KIA badge, but OMG the KIA service department where I live in NE Florida is as low rent as it gets - disrespectful (can't be bothered) attitude, 4-hour wait for a basic service visit, forgetting to put back on my tire stem caps more than once, lost my inside fuse box door and they had to order another. Had two new tires put on and they inflated the new tires to 42 psi while keeping the old tires at 34 psi. Extreme inattention to detail. They kept my car for 7 weeks waiting on a back-ordered Steelman ear chassis because corporate didn't want to cover the (under warranty) cost of a new steering rack when the groaning sound was clearly coming from the steering rack. Ear chassis came in and they replaced the steering rack. I don't recommend a Stinger because the price you pay for the car will probably not match the service.
I have a 2018 Stinger and I love the car, but the dealer/service shop experience has been horrendous. So bad, in fact, that I doubt I seriously consider another Kia until they revamp their US dealer experience. Fantastic vehicles failed by low effort staff.
Had a 2018 also and 100 percent agree with you about the dealership experience. I got rid of the stinger for that very reason and got a 21 bmw 4 series.
The best part about having the Stinger, you stand out since there isn’t that many on the roads.
And it looks good. I always find myself staring at it because compared to the average cars on the road, it's really sleek.
Having a Yugo would stand out even more . . . A Hyundai Excel might do the same if you can't find the Yugo. You are correct in saying that's the best part of having the Stinger.
@@jims8828 I saw a CLEAN early 90s Hyundai Accent... The boxy one. Was a beautiful sight.
can agree!
@@jims8828 not really the Yugo looks like every 80s hatchback from Honda to Volkswagen
I am sad for Kia that they didn't get the respect they deserve for this car. Super Happy to have a car that few people have. My GT1 is life!!!
“Fuel economy has never really been Kia’s forte…” I will never get tired of that joke.
SAME
I thought that was a brilliant quip. lol.
Haha, I didn't pick up on it initially. Joke aside, the fuel economy in the Stinger is horrible. Spirited city driving with a good amount of traffic, light to light and stop sign to stop sign stop-and-go driving, and you can barely get over 10mpg.
@@flybriur I don't think you buy a car like this for fuel economy.. I'd compare it to a Mustang GT or something like that. It's going to be gas guzzler, unless you're Driving Miss Daisy.
@@tlevans62 Oh, I definitely agree, but it was still quite a shock at how bad it can be. If I'm in Sport mode driving somewhat spiritedly and city driving where there is a good amount of traffic and/or hitting a lot of block-to-block stop lights/signs, I'm barely getting over 10mpg.
I got brand new 2020 stinger GT AWD a year and a half ago. Best car I’ve ever owned by far. The 3.3tt is truly a gem of a motor. It’s so smooth and powerful feels almost naturally aspirated but with the thrust of the turbos. I do 12.5 in the 1/4 bone stock. The AWD system is a proper rwd awd system I can get the ass to step out on command. I get compliments daily people love it. Porsche bmw maserati Jaguar etc. owners come up to me all the time. Saying “they’ve been waiting to see one on the streets”. It is the best bang for your buck all around performance sedan you can get today period. Not to mention the usability/practicality of the stinger.
Man U cappin
@@rahimi4762 please explain how I’m cappin? Everything I just said is fact 🤷🏻♂️
@@Tsand4 LOL I’m joking with u
LOL! Maserati/Chrysler300 owners and Jaguar/Ford owners are obviously too clueless to ever think about buying a Kia, or they would have bought the Chrysler or Ford cars sharing their platforms for far less than their existing cars. Porsche and BMW owners, depend on how old their cars are. A brand new Stinger is not price competitive to a 3yr old BMW 3GT or 4GC. A 3yr old Stinger might be price competitive to a 6yr old 3GT/4GC or an 8yr old Panamera.
@@jims8828 Car enthusiasts don’t care about price points weirdo. I could be in a GT3rs enjoying a built K20 EG Civic lmao.
I was one of the BMW/Audi folks who "lowered" themselves to a Stinger LOL. The Stinger is a hoot to drive and it looks outta this world. I've actually owned two-the twin turbo V6 and the GT-Line model with the single turbo, which is my current car. The best part also is that they have been so reliable and trouble free-my last BMW, I felt like I knew my service advisor way too well......speaking of him, I hope his kid got into UT like he wanted LOL. I know nothing about my Kia service advisor and I love that.
how do you like the 2.5 compared to the 3.3?
Thank you for reviewing this car again, Alex. I've had my 2019 GT2 (ceramic silver w/ red interior) for about 2 1/2 years now. Still love it. Previous car was an Infiniti G37xS, and the Stinger was a perfect replacement. Still a head turner and yet a practical everyday driver to haul my family of 4. There are a couple things that remind you it's a Kia, but when you put your foot into it I'm always reminded of the two Germans (Albert Biermann and Peter Schreyer) from BMW and Audi who came over to Kia and designed and engineered this halo car. Also, it's kind of nice to drive a car that you don't see elsewhere everyday on the road. Hope they don't kill it off.
I had a G37 convertible before buying my 2020 GT2 with the same color scheme. I adore this car that I've had for about 18 months. It's a true GT car. You can just eat up the highway miles by the hundreds and go for hours and hours without boredom or discomfort. When you hit a good stretch of road, it's as fun as some cars twice its price.
I own the same year and color combination GT2. My entire engine was replaced by KIA, because the engine design was faulty. I only had 2k miles on it when the oil leak occurred. It took four months to get the car back and the loaner was a Soul. As for the rattles, KIA won't even attempt to fix them, though I did locate a guy who was able to track down and fix the rattles, though he didn't work for the dealer. Wish they would've kept the Stinger and turned it into an electric version. I switched out the logos to the Korean E and it's literally a head turner. Some people don't notice I'm in the car because the added tint I'd purchased separately doesn't allow them to see me. They walk around and stare. Other people walk up and ask me what it is at gas stations and elsewhere. Only car enthusiasts have ever heard of the car.
@@stevewise1656 Just curious where the sources of your rattles were located
@@flybriur one inside the front passenger door that was really bugging me. Several were in the front dashboard up and under. The wiring harnesses were loose and tapping plastic panels. When I'd taken it to KIA the guy said calmly, "yes, everyone has those rattles and we won't track them down. Some people have loose sunroofs that rattle too. Others have trunk hoods that move and rattle, so you're lucky." I was lucky! That was last May and literally just been told I needed my entire engine replaced and not in the mood to hear that bs. They couldn't get the engine in the car from May-September 2020.
@@stevewise1656 Thanks for that. I have a 2019 GT2 and had rattles and noises from when I purchased it new about a year and a half ago. Sunroof rattle, popping noise from the headliner, and a noise that I occasionally hear (it's not super loud though) when going over bumps that sounded like it was inside the dash behind the glovebox area (which I assumed was a loose wiring harness like you mentioned). Sunroof rattle was only fixed temporarily twice, and the popping noise on the headliner was fixed once but also came back. Ultimately though I was able to get a Kia technician to come out to look at the car, he confirmed the issues, and ordered a new sunroof assembly and new headliner to be installed. Car was in the shop for three weeks. Got it back a month ago, and all seems well now (fingers crossed).
OMG, bro... so much info in 30mins, all of it super useful. One of the best car reviews I've watched, hands down. 10/10
AGREED
Traded in my 17 Mustang GT for a 2019 GTS AWD in Federation Orange. I'm a muscle car guy at heart, but love the versatility of the Stinger. It's a "do-everything" sedan. Great family car, sporty as hell and looks nice.
So pissed Ford doesn’t sell the Ford falcon in USA, which is a mustang sedan. It in Australia
Great family car that dad will love and the kids won't be embarrassed when you pick them up
@@jonasbaine3538 lots of Mustang fans love the Stinger, Ford really should have a sedan GT here in the states.
@@exploreohio1735 yeah they should have. I have mustang 5.0. Looking at bmw 650xi gran coupes currently
I wanted the gts but in the last couple months they have been so expensive that I just decided to get a 2022 gt1
The Stinger is just in the perfect situation for buyers like myself who knows what it's worth. Prices have risen now. In 2019, it was perfect. I got my car $8k below MSRP.
I was not in line for a new car but admired the Stinger from afar. That was until I drove one.
I was immediately sold and purchased a snow white pearl with black interior. That was one year ago and have obsolutely no regrets. Amazing car.
It's weird how people are claiming this "isn't selling" when it's already sold 14K units in the U.S. for 2021, far more than its premium Genesis G70 sibling, and around 3 times the amount of VW Arteons sold. The Audi A5, its most direct competitor, sold 17K units last year- hardly a decisive difference, not to mention that the A5 sales numbers also include two-door models. The only context in which the Stinger "isn't selling" is in the Korean market, where most people opt for a G70 or G80 because these kind of cars are sold to business professionals. Hyundai and Kia's primary target has always been the Korean market, so if something doesn't sell there like the Stinger, they are more likely to axe it no matter how well it sells in other markets. That's why the Kia K9 was sold in the U.S. for as long as it was despite selling only a few hundred units a year. That's also why Genesis sold sedans before CUV's- to establish themselves in their home market in South Korea before going abroad.
That's not always true! Hyundai/Kia sell small cars, like i20, i10, or Rio, only in Europe because most Koreans drive compact/midsize/full size sedans or SUVs. Also, Hyundai sells SantaCruz only in the US. I agree Koreans usually choose G70 or G80 over Stinger, but I don't think that's the only reason why Stinger is gonna be discontinued. Ev6 is kinda replacing Stinger's position, and I heard Kia is going to revive Stinger as an hydrogen GT or halo Electric brand, just like what Ford did with Mustang🤔
@@JamesCovalentBond Those cars were designed exclusively for other markets and as such aren't sold in South Korea. The Stinger was designed first and foremost for the South Korean market, where sedans are still wildly popular. The only reason it even received the 2.5T in its refresh while the G70 didn't was because sales of the Stinger were so poor in South Korea that they had to give a new engine just to make it more appealing.
I blame marketing and dealers. I remember pre Covid seeing them buried behind all their SUVs, and there is almost zero advertising, at least in my area.
I would say the Arteon and TLX are the best competitive set for this car in terms of price and features. This KIA kills them both!
@@hojushigolsaneunsaram Exactly! I make this point repeatedly. China, especially, drives many decisions by automakers. Since many of their mid-sized and larger cars are chsuffeur-driven, extended back seats are very popular. The US usually gets those same stretched versions because we value larger cars. If the Stinger had a stretched version it might sell better, but when it was designed they still had the Cadenza and K900 in the lineup and didn't want to compete with them directly.
US Stinger sales are just an extra for Kia. If they can make a few sales without having to spend all the profits on advertising, they'll happily sell them. How it fares worldwide is what matters, and that has been a problem. Chinese buyers are very brand-conscious because owning an expensive car grants status, and Kia just can't compete on status with the premium/luxury brands. The Arteon has been a sales disappointment for the same reason. VW is seen in the US as semi-premium by virtue of being German, but not premium enough to sell that particular car. Worldwide it has even less status.
I bought the 2019 Stinger AWD because of this channel! So far, Stinger has been treating me good! No major complains aside from interior rattles. 24k miles and still going strong!
If you're looking for a mid-size sedan this is the best bang for your buck among the competition. Added bonus: most people does not know the Stinger, so they compliment me that I'm driving a Porsche, BMW, Maserati, etc. LOL!
Yeah, people guess all sorts of cars for me too. I put the Korean E badges on my Stinger and I got a parking ticket with the make as Maserati. I left the parking spot and some hung over guy said nice Tesla. Lmao
I wear that Kia badge loud and proud on my stinger. It’s time ppl know what Kia is capable of. No need to be ashamed
@@hotdawg85 The Kia logo design itself does look ugly though. I guess the new logo is more of a logo, but it's like Ford having the actual word "FORD" as their logo; it's just not pretty lol.
@@BN99239 Given that their old logo really was just "Kia" in an oval, the new one didn't have to be awesome to be an improvement. I think it looks fine, but it's too big for the Stinger front end. Reduce it by 25% and it would barely attract notice.
I had a 2019 Stinger as well. Hated all the rattling in mine as well. Just "upgraded" to a 2022 G70 hoping I'd have a better experience but nope, still knocking sunroof and other rattly bits inside. I love the overall package these cars offer but can't stand the seeming shoddy build quality. This coming from previous vehicles being a Golf GTI and a Mazda3, both of which were built like tanks compared to the two Koreans. It is nice that the G70 doesn't get as much attention though. But my next car will probably be Japanese or German. And possibly sooner rather than later...
I've had my 2020 GT2 for about 8 months now and really love the car. A few interior rattles, but it's a beautifully styled car with a nice interior, handing and power. I've upgraded to exhaust to match the sound to the power and performance of the car. Wish the backseat had a bit more leg room, but at 6'3", I'm the problem more so than the car. Would recommend this car to fellow enthusiasts who aren't worried about badge prestige.
Like Spyderco, Benchmade, Microtech, Chris Reeves and Zero Tolerance knives, brand loyalty and prestige carries alot of weight when deciding what to buy.
I've heard from other people about the interior rattles in the Stinger. It strikes me as odd, this is a rather expensive car for it to have interior rattles, especially so soon from new. Hope they are sorted for the 2021/2022 model year.
@@dimekoza My 2020 had a slight hatch rattle that was easy to fix on my own in 30 minutes. My 2022 however has no rattle at all.
@@dimekoza every car doesn’t matter how expensive or cheap has problems. My buddy has a brand new S5 that has run roof rattles and the dashboard creaks. The TLX type s has numerous electrical problems the steering wheel whines when u turn it etc…..no car is perfect. I have a stinger and have had no problems after 15 min with 2 5/16 washers installed on hatch bump stops. I can hear a mouse piss.
Badge prestige matters.. That's why I got the Genesis G70 instead. Same engine. More luxury, better design.. More prestige.
You are a very talented reviewer Alex. Your research and effort and comprehension are top tier. Thank you.
The vast majority of his stuff is just specs, though.
Dealers (in the US) made sure no one would buy this car by treating it like it was the KIA version of the Lexis LFA. It’s a mass produced car but they treated it like unobtainium. Dealers killed the Stinger.
I agree, there were crazy markups on the East Coast
Sounds like you didn't wait when looking. Not even a year in and the discounts came fast and furious. Many of us got 8 grand off fully loaded GT2s. I was one of them.
Exactly! Every Kia dealer around me was marking them up over msrp ever since they launched.
@@JDubbs07 I got $10,500 off of my GT2 in June of 2020. It took about 6 weeks of working every Atlanta metro dealer via email at a time when no one had any idea where the covid pandemic would go. I also drove it for a week as a "loaner" because the day I came in to sign all the paper work, they were closing down to sanitize the place. A customer from earlier in the day had tested positive.
@@FlowStateNewOrleans Nice! Way to make good out of a bad situation. Hopefully the trial week made your decision that much easier.
That's how it always go the good car's everyone cry about wanting at a reasonable price they don't go and buy 🤷
It's a Kia. That's reasonable to not but it. Their dealer network is garbage even if the vehicle is decent.
@@slappymcphee they seem to have a pretty strong dealer network in texas.
What exactly are people wanting in a dealer experience these days anyway? Yall gonna live there and spend holidays together??
@@ThinkBeFree99 no, but your experience at the dealership will want you to go back or not. Where i bought my Camry from, the service department experience was very poor and they so rude, when you look at the reviews on their page , everyone talking about their service department.
@@kromahj well that is one experience and could be said about the service at Toyota.
@@kromahj dealerships are all like the MB even. They just charge a lot more and look more tidy and make u wait in overpriced waiting rooms
The Stinger is a true underdog and an excellent value proposition, that impresses anyone every time some one asks me about it. Having owned my for almost 4 years (2018 GT2) I can say this car still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it, and have not had any major issues with it (52k miles on the clock). The Stinger is not going away, those are unsupported rumors, it will be coming back. This is a halo car for KIA and it will be dumb for them to discontinue it after all the praise its gotten. If you are on the fence about it, just go test drive it and you will soon see what a great package the Stinger offers.
i worry that the KIA EV6 GT would now be the new Halo Car. However, the dream is if they give this the DCT, 3.5L V6TT and the Veloster N exhaust and lighten it up a bit. This would be a BEAST!!!
@@leonsam84
both the EV6 and the Telluride are sort off becoming the flagship model for Kia
nek minnut, discontinued😭
While I don't have a Stinger, I do have a Genesis G70, its twin. I gotta say the motor is awesome, lots of power from the 3.3T and surprisingly reliable too (I drive it pretty hard). I was thinking of replacing it eventually with the Stinger since the Geni is a lease, and I'd like to purchase my next car. A used Stinger sounds perfect since it has the same engine (so I'm confident in the power and reliability) and it's more spacious than the Geni.
I had a 2021 GT1 AWD and what a great car. A back injury had me trade it in for a Genesis GV70 but Alex is right. I would take this over any of the cars he mentioned. I don't care what it says on the hood. And yes it's better than the new TLX S type by far
Nope, what u smoking???? Acura waay more luxurious and SHAWD.
Lol tell the truth about the Kia Stinger being an objectively better car than the Type S and watch the Acura fanboys come out the woodwork.
I just sold my Stinger simply because it went up in price.I ended up getting a CX-30 Premium Plus Turbo and just put an extra 10k in the bank.I had no issues with it for a year and a half--I even took it to public drag night.And holding value (I made 9k over what i paid for a year later)--I sold it within 48 hours of putting it up.Only reason i did not get another one is because I started ebiking and I need something with more clearance and that can go on light trails up in the mountains.I wanted a GLA 45 AMG--but the only one was 100 miles away--marked up 5k and was not the top model--no wing--no variable exhaust and it had awful looking rims.When the put AWD on a KONA N--then maybe I will trade--but I would buy a KIA/hyundai product again.The auto transmission in my AWD stinger was also fantastic(in ALL conditions)
@@rahimi4762 How much is the top level trim of The Acura and what does it not match for the price? Acura has lost the plot for a decade. This from a former Type S owner and a Tl Advanced Pack owner. I had no choice: Stinger Gt2.
@@Ih8chew if y’all KIA FANBOYS had spent more time at the Kia dealership buying stinger’s than down talking other brands then maybe Kia would have sold a few more stingers. 💀💀💀💀
I purchased a 19 GT1, that just came off a 2 yr lease, with 9,210 miles on the odometer & a 100k mile bumper to bumper extended warranty & 5 years standard maintenance for around $40k all in. Considering the excellent performance the car provides & the superior build quality to the Dodge products I was cross-shopping, I am more than pleased.
I’ve had the Stinger since June 3rd of last year and it has been bulletproof reliable; my only complaint being the shoddy tread life of the summer Michelin Pilot Sport 4’s which I recently was able to warranty out (Russel my Service Advisor has been amazing, erasing all fears of working with a KIA dealer) for a set of Pilot Sport All Season 4’s that have a considerably longer shelf life.
The interior fit & finish is flawless, there are no squeaks or rattles and the ergonomics are perfect for my just under 6’ frame. Love how the side bolsters in the pilot’s seat wrap around you in Sport Mode; which is the setting where I recommend you leave your Stinger if you want the best throttle response and fun driving experience
Each time I get behind the wheel, I am still excited to take it for a drive. The way the flat bottomed wheel telescopes out upon startup and seat moves forward, essentially snugging you in for the tight turns and acceleration forces; and those brakes. My goodness can this car slow down quick.
I have no issues driving a KIA and I won’t be one of those owners that takes their badges off and replaces them with Korean Domestic Market ones. I actually feel good when I pull up next to a Audi S5 or expensive BMW, knowing I have everything their car has, only mine looks better.
I highly recommend this car. It was designed by the guy who did the M3 back when it was a beautiful, over engineered car.
My Stinger GT2 is less than a week old, and I love it. Previous cars were an Audi A3 and BMW X3.
What do you notice about the attention that you’ve gotten in the stinger vs the germans?
I got people walking by and doing the what the hell is this and looking at the badge and when they see kia the dace becomes even more surprised
I remember that Alex was so impressed when it came out he was going to order one, but never did I guess. I still miss my Stinger such a special car that deserve more attention.
Always enjoy your encyclopedic, professional approach to car reviews - low flash but plenty of substance. I own a 2020 GT2 for almost 2 years now and 2 proper Canadian winters. With a set of proper snow tires, this car has always found traction in even snow that humbled the pickups next to me at the light. Your review is spot on with my ownership experience (in ECO and Smart, can get about 9L/100km with 70% hwy, 30% city). I have had no rattling sound nor any problems with the brakes (which are the common complaints). If you drive the car smartly, it is a very forgiving and fun car to drive. Love it.
Excellent review.
I have the top of the range GT here in Australia and absolutely love my car. In my humble opinion, when all things are considered, power, performance, standard equipment, driving experience, warranty and price, there is nothing that comes close to it.
Had my 3.3 GTS (GT2 equivalent )for around 15 months here in the UK. Compared to an S5 or 440i with the same tech levels fitted the Stinger is a good £15k ($20k) cheaper so is a bargain. Gets looks everywhere you go, endless people asking about it and it drives amazing. All the tech and power you need and super comfortable. Such a rare sight on the roads here but that is what also makes it feel so special. Absolutely love mine and want to keep it for many many years to come. Only things I can fault are the exhaust is a touch too quiet for my taste and the brakes are average at best. Both can easily be sorted aftermarket. Fitted the K&N cold air intakes to mind and really makes it sound good now.
I wanted a Stinger GT but I was turned away because of the dealers. They didn't know anything about their products. The sites weren't clean either. I checked out the cousin, G70 instead. The treatment is just a different level esp. the concierge service. I'm happy with my G70 and yes it does feel more premium than the Stinger although it loses big time in space. The Stinger is far more preactical.
I know 2 Stinger owners that traded their BMWs for their Stingers and are amazed at the performance they get with the lower maintenance costs compared to the BMW. We find that the Stinger is more fun and faster than our Dodge Charger R/T tuned to 450hp. My son at 6'2" 260lbs fits nicely in the back seat.
Saw one in person for the first time .. loved it.
fuel economy has never been Kia's forte... I see you sneaking in jokes Alex :)
… and he rolled right through the pun!!
Have a 2020 GT2 AWD and love it! Have owned several performance MBs and BMWs and find the Stinger a much better car for the money. Great performance and practicality. Can't get over the number of people who come up to ask about the car, and as you've probably heard from others, they can't believe it's a KIA.
💯
I have 2019 GT AWD, and I absolutely love my car. It's functional, fun, and has a striking appearance in person (i was not impressed by the aesthetic of in the Stinger until i saw it in person-- cameras never do it justice. It's subtle beauty-- the right blend of curves and aggressive styling).
People don't believe me when tell them it handles well in the snow-- until they're in the car with me or drive it themselves. The number of people who come up asking my car never ceases to amaze me. And I'm equally amazed that nearly the same number of strangers come up and compliment me for having the "courage" for making the decision they couldn't, and expressing regret over not getting a Stinger. I reckon if even half those people I talked to who wanted on and actually got one, maybe it wouldn't be getting discontinued. :/
The good news: The Stinger is likely one of the few new cars sold that you can actually get a deal on these days. They have an unusually long avg days on dealers lots. I would get this over the TLX Type-S.
While I wouldn’t get this over the Type S, I agree with the rest.
I trust Acura engineering a lot better plus SHAWD
ruclips.net/video/cOyJr9qbmfM/видео.html
@@rahimi4762 Acura engineering hyped up the type s to be the biggest flop/disappointment of the decade literally lol. It’s slower then a 275hp DCT veloster N.
The TLX is very cramped, nose-heavy, slower, behind in tech over this 5 year old car(no touchscreen/1:1 interface is behind thr times), and even thirstier, despite having a smaller, single turbo powertrain. It also weighs 4100-4300 pounds(my '20 Hellcat Redeye is 4450 and wayyy larger with a V8) Sure it has SH-AWD, but that does not account for FWD architecture and dynamics.
The Acura is not a bad car, but for the money, there are other options.
Alex is always the best!! Moved up from our 2017 Optima SXL to 2020 GT-line 2.0 RWD Sun and sound equipped Panthere gray RWD. Snow tires here in Reno and all is well. Still love driving my husband's Optima since it feels plush!
Very nice job on the review. It is a beautiful car in my opinion, I’ve driven several keys but not the stinger yet but it is on my list. You also should point out cost of ownership is going to be way lower on the Kia than any of the German competitors. That should be a huge buying point to the average public.
It’s 100% all about the brand. Ive driven this car so many times and it’s one of my favorite cars of the last 3 years.
However I’ve seen people firsthand, outright double down on never buying anything Korean (but their reasons usually are specious and unconvincing). The majority of car shoppers hang onto generational perception, image, and familiarity. When you not only have a brand that a lot of US shoppers seem to not have any favor towards AND in the case of the Stinger, being priced within a $40k-$50k segment that overlaps with the premium shoppers that DO value image and brand familiarity, it’s a perfect storm of uninterested shoppers.
It doesn’t even matter how good the car is or how much value it brings when people don’t know what it is and the perception of the brand still is stuck in the 80s from the casual shopping mind.
Sad, but true. you still have the uneducated saying "but its a kia"
Tiktok trending of brand new Kai motors blowing up! So many at the shop waiting for new motor to be installed! That’s the reason!
I’m glad someone else mentioned it. Every time I bring it up in any Kia/Hyundai video all the K-pop bots attack me, LOL!
Outstanding job on this Alex. Really nailed the reasons why the Stinger is so impressive and unique. Definitely would take this over a Acura TLX or Toyota Avalon. Interior is beautiful and the the driving dynamics are great. Love that its a proper RWD four door. I wish Genesis would have followed Kia's move in offering the 2.5T engine as a base engine. You can't go wrong with either engine on the Stinger
Only a would take this copy cat sedan over a world class SHAWD smh
I have a AWD GT-line and I absolutely love it. Apple CarPlay, best warranty in the auto business, and average 30 mpg on the highway. I live in North Dakota, we got 3 feet of snow this year and I never have gotten stuck nor have I even been worried about getting stuck. Overall great vehicle. Only complaint is creeks and rattles in the cabin at speed (40mph+) and the turn radius is not great but still not bad for being such a big vehicle. 10/10 would totally recommend.
I have this car and I can vouch for how excellent it is.
Beautiful. Powerful. Practical. And so unique I always get a ton of people asking me about it. It's a joy to drive even if you aren't flooring it.
I love my '19. it's been fantastic. I got a screaming deal though at the end of '19 (rwd base GT w/3.3TT...$31k).
Your analysis is spot on Alex.
Good cars don't sell.
Cheap gas efficient fwd cars sell.
Or cheap cookie cutter crossovers sell.
Not to say there is anything wrong with those cars. If you're using it for transportation only which is what most people do.
But car people like us, we know better...
My wife's daily driver is a '21 Stinger GT which we purchased new for 35k. Fit and finish is ok and rear visibility isn't great, but the driving experience is excellent and the fun-to-drive factor is very good for the price.
I don't know how you got one that cheap when they're going for $50k+ used.
The Stinger is awesome. I had a 2019 Gt1 AWD. Did some aftermarket work to get it up to a reliable 450hp. She flew and covered miles with ease. Tempted to get back into a 2.5 AWD, as they are no longer offering $10k off sticker as they were when I got mine. Truly worth a look for anyone wanting a 4 door non SUV.
Send me all the instructions for work you did i want to soup mine up or at least tell me where to go
@@McFanick mods included…racing intercooler, cold air intakes, racing plugs, high flow down pipes, mid pipe (resonator turned into a proper X), catch cans, custom weld on the rear part of the exhaust to remove the crimp that’s stock ahead of the muffler, BOV, and a custom tune from Torq Motorsports to tie it all together…it was a mild tune up to 14psi. All in close to $3,500 and it made a noticeable improvement without sacrificing relaxed and quiet interstate cruising. You can get well over 500hp, but 450 proved enough for me.
Getting the 2.5t wouldn't be a bad buy. Kia advertised the 2.5t being 5 tenths slower to 60. When comparing the base engine to the premium engine isn't bad performance-wise. Sure it doesn't sound as good, but either way not a bad buy.
@@99-Zulu taking about 200lbs off the front axel never hurts. I have the 2.5t in my Sonata NLine…it is no slouch
The stinger is basically a modern Pontiac G8/Chevy SS alternative. I really have a soft spot for this very small mainstream premium RWD based segment. Kia’s performance models remind me a lot of the performance models Pontiac used to produce. They have a lot of great performance options and I hope the stinger has a future. One is definitely on my wish list coming from a 2016 Malibu 2.0t.
It would be if it had a proper V8 instead of a breathed on V6 that still made less power than the old LS3
@@pontiacGXPfan the 3.3tt v6 is a beast of a motor lol…….it’s rated a 365 but dynos around 330 to the wheels. Just a piggyback jb4 some intakes and plugs can get 450whp, Real ECU tuning has just come out and people are getting 500whp with bolt ons and some ethanol.
I came from a 2017 malibu premier 2.0t……..got a brand new 2020 GT AWD. The stinger is in a whole other league. Shit the 2.5t is in a whole other league let alone the 3.3t
@@Tsand4 since it can't make that kind of power without having to use boost I don't see why i would be impressed
@@pontiacGXPfan so what does impress you? Basically every motor now a days has some form of forced induction. Except the American muscle cars which use huge displacement motors to get power not impressive at all imo. What really defines a good motor to me is how much power it can handle on stock turbos stock block etc. which the 3.3tt does very well.
I do prefer frameless windows. It just looks so much more neat when the window is down. Also, you can come out of the car more easily with no frame in the way. I wish all cars have frameless windows.
I remember my dad's old 1989 Subaru Leone had them in a sedan, it is one of those cool things that you remember when growing up as a kid.
Previous year model GT1 and 2 had much meaner looking tail light and the wheels.Suited the car much better in my opinion.
I hope KIA will reconsider discontinuing stinger for few more years! It's a beautifully designed car.
It’s coming back as a ev
@@user-pz9yg1go4e I hope so, it's a dope car besides the fake vents on the hood.
@@rainman415 I love mine. Great car.
yeah, i personally like the old circle tail lights better than the light bar look. it's just too generic for me now, but owners have commented they like how it makes the stinger text badge look at night and some even like more than the old
I hear that the 2023 model is indeed coming back, but not sure on the trims. They are already taking orders in Korea for 2023
I would only recommend buying it if you're going to run it to the ground. Resale value is TERRIBLE 😱
They have none to blame but their dealers. I was cross shopping this over a bmw 440i grand coupe. I went to 2 kia dealerships in my area. One wanted to run my credit before they would let me testdrive the vehicle. So i walked away. The other dealer wanted around 150$ more a month for a lease compared to the bmw i was cross shopping. This after showing them the bmw offer i was looking at. The price was online. They though too much of their own car. Btw that same dealership wanted to charge 10k over asking for the brand new telluride. This was pre covid time so no excuse about supply issues etc.
I was at Kia 2 days ago. Tried the ev6 and it felt cheap inside but the stinger... O the stinger was fantastic.
Both Kia and VW dealers consider the Stinger and Arteon respectively as halo cars. Showroom candy. In my region neither dealer ever had more than one, maybe two to choose from on hand even in the best of times. Never in the color and configuration I was shopping for. Otherwise I'd have bought one of them by now.
That's a bummer. It really is a do-it-all car that is a ton of fun to to drive. A dealer about 35 miles from me happen to have the exact model and color combo I was looking for back in July 2020, and because it was a 2019 model, they offered well under MSRP, so it was a no-brainer decision.
I went for RWD GT. Cheaper and more fun to drive for my taste. Great sport sedan for what you pay. 👏
Get what u pay for
I don't know why it bothers me but I can't help but laugh every time I hear you say "tablet computer"
Alex, there are many reviewers that I love to watch. However, you are the only one that leaves me with no questions unanswered. Thank you for your attention to detail!
The VW Arteon is another forgotten amazing car
agree, although vw never gave it in north america the same goodies the euro spec had. as usual to keep price lower.
It's beautiful, but expensive for what it is.
They also depreciate like rocks, you can find a one year old stinger and it's like 25k
Lol they hold value very well idk what ur talking about maybe a base model for 25k you can’t get a v6 for under 35k right now.
@@Tsand4 I saw a fully loaded GT at CarMax yesterday and it was nowhere near 30 😂
@@ethanmckibbin are u sayin it was below 30 or above 30?lol
@@Tsand4 below
@@ethanmckibbin ok post the link…….. because that’s literally BS……….Just went on car max caravana even the 2.0t stingers are 30k
Bought a 3.3T awd a few months ago. I regretted it at first because Kia dealerships are 👎 but the car is amazing!
Most Americans still perceive Kia/Hyundai's as "inferior" and certainly less "luxurious" as to what they're trying to compete against, the BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. I for example, couldn't fathom paying the same amount for a Kia as I could an Audi or other similar sized German engineered vehicle. This feeling is exacerbated when driving around town on the weekends and taking your date or someone out to dinner. It feels nice to roll up in a nice German luxury car, especially if needing to valet. It's all about the sense of feeling luxurious while out driving. Perception and image is key in the US for most, and this car seems in the wrong price point.
The fastback design on this thing is no joke! I hit my head really hard getting in the backseat of this thing at the LA auto show a few years ago.
Absolutely love my '22 GT1 Stinger! Though I've been following this car since 2017 when it was announced. Finally glad I was able pick one up.
Yumm
Owned a 2018 GT2 for 3 years .. loved the car. A actually got a lot of compliments on almost every where I went. Dynamic wise it never disappointed and from a storage stand point .. it was borderline magic. I was always amazing how much stuff the car could hold. The only reason why I sold it was Carvana gave me a stupid amount of money for it (which gave me the opportunity to buy a 718 Cayman S)
I still say this is the best overall car you can buy (luxury, tech, performance, practicality) for 45k-50k .. even when I tell this to “car people” some scoff then I tell them to name a better new car for the money .. and they can’t lol
Men I envy you.... For the Cayman 😁
I purchased a 2022 Stinger GT2 last month. Amazing vehicle and so underrated.
I tried to lease one a few years back and they wanted $4k down and like $650 a month for a GT2 36/10K. They had like 10 on the lot.
Ouch. That’s insane. No wonder they still had many on the lot
@@towelies4884 yea it was called Sunshine Kia in Miami, FL. The sales guy also said I had to pay tax on the full amount of the car and just not the lease monthly payment. LOL, no wonder that placed is out of business now!!
That seems to be a reoccurring trend among Kia dealerships it seems. Had a similar case for me; Kinda leaves a bad taste in your mouth about the car even though this is a dealer thing
Unfortunately when the volume goes down, less intelligent dealers will then try to make more money on each car, smh!
In Canada, a fully loaded GT(2) Limited Stinger is $52k CDN ($41k USD).
I bought my Stinger almost 2 years ago and have put on over 95,000km. The car offers excellent bang for buck and turns heads everywhere I go. It attracts even more attention now since I have a turbo back exhaust and intakes. Lol
How do you find fit and finish, rattles after 2 years? Wind noise at higher speeds/highway. Good looking car, love it in red.
@@robertduklus6555 The interior can rattle a bit at freeway speed in my experience. But nothing major aside from that.
@@robertduklus6555 for me personally, I have no rattles, creaking or popping noises in my interior unless the car is very cold or very hot. When it’s either of those, I have a bit of headliner crackling.
Went from a E350 to a Stinger GT2 and am now a year into my 2nd GT2 (Scorpion edition). I can't exaggerate how much I love this car.
Great car with a lot of options! One thing that is keeping many people from buying it is quality of material, the car is well built with cheap material. Almost every person I know that bought it complain about plastics squeaking, leather seats wrinkled after a year or two…things like that. Yet I’m still considering this car as my next one. Great review as usual 👍
Sounds like a BMW
@@rahimi4762 and I own a BMW too 🤦♂️ 2019 X5, too much plastic there too, and very uncomfortable seats. Thank goodness it’s a lease 😅
Branding does matter once the price tag reaches certain point. Hyundai/Kia dealership experience doesn't help either.
I went in to buy a stinger back in 2018. They gave me a lecture how this is an m3 killer etc, I asked for $800 discount so I can be in my budget and they shut me down instantly. I ended up with a q50 red sport, and I got 5k off. Kia is shooting themselves in the foot
Kia isn’t, that dealership is shooting them in the foot
Car dealers are basically everyone's worst enemy, even their own Factory!😒😒
@@Alvan81 I agree
@@christianflores6626 but if your market maker I making you fail due to greed and personal gain, kia is the one that needs to address it
I looked at the Q50 before buying the Stinger because they had special offers. The base model was missing something I thought was basic. Can't recall what it was but I think it was heated seats. I told them about the Stinger and they said "yeah but the Infiniti is faster". Needless to say I was very disappointed with Infiniti. Also, on the test drive I noticed really strange and bad on-center feel with the steering on the Q50. A couple of reviews I saw later mentioned the same thing.
I bought a GT2 used for my wife for 38k usd. It’s really nice! It came with an excellent warranty to boot!
2015-2016 hyundai genesis sedan. 310 HP v6 awd with snow mode! 22K-25K depending on features. Find an V6 AWD ultimate like I have and you will be extremely happy with your purchase! Plus the average buyer age of this vehicle new was 56! Meaning they were most likely gentle miles lol
I had a GT1 for a while. It's a cool car that IMO, is a good alternative to a CUV. It delivers speed, looks, and storage but not much fizz in the bends. The big motor gets absolutely atrocious fuel economy and reaching the touchscreen was a serious pain if you're tall. I sold it to get into a high spec Giulia 2.0 that feels WAY more special and actually gets much better fuel economy.
I am very much considering following suit. A Certified Preowned Guila TI Sport can be barely more than than the new Stinger GT-Line and it's been the best steering car I've yet driven. Also I'm tall and the sport seats in the Giulia TI Sport seem to be very supportive in the right ways.
Giulia Ti sport owner here also. It is truly a special drive. I added a go pedal, pop it in Dynamic and let the fun begin.
I wish the Guilia entry model had a NA version of the Quadrifoglio V6. Can't get my mind around spending 50k on a 2.0T.
@@norwegianblue2017 that's what bmw, audi, and Mercedes are charging. The Giulia 2.0t is feels more special
How was the reliability? I'm looking to get one sometime this year, hopefully.
I actually did cross shop the Stinger when I was shopping for a C43/S4/M340i but the Stinger, although its straight line speed felt pretty good, did not have the "overall package". Driving dynamics felt numb, engine and exhaust sounded like an economy car, steering didn't feel like anything, luxury in terms of design and materials is mediocre. Realistically, this car is only $5k or so cheaper than its German competitors and when people are spending $50k+ another $5k or so for better driving dynamics, sound and luxury is well worth it. Of course, there's also brand image for whoever cares about this. We can talk crap about brand image all day, but the majority of people who can afford more expensive brands DO care about brand image end of the day, and Kia does not offer that. Overall, it makes sense that the Kia did not sell. If this car was priced at $45k then yes, I think it has a bigger chance of success.
Base prices for German cars, yes, but they all kill you with options, including safety features standard on cheaper cars.
A fully loaded German is damn near 70k lol you can get literally a bare bones m340i c43 or s4 for 55-58k. The stinger/g70 are fully loaded at 53k. Not even close.
@@Tsand4 Of course you won't understand if you're just looking at the MSRP on paper. German cars lease extremely well. My optioned out C43 is $570/mo. A lease for the loaded Stinger GT2 I was looking at was a stupid $700/mo. Kia won't even negotiate because this is their top end sports car whereas a C43/M340i/S4 are still below their top end full AMG/M/RS so you can negotiate for a much better deal as well. Either a $55k Kia Stinger or a $57k Mercedes C43 AMG. The choice was pretty obvious lol.
@@BN99239 I don’t lease u buy my vehicles lol
@japanwatchconnection a m340i is much more expensive I hope it should lol you can’t get a brand new m340i for anything under around 58k bare bones. I got my stinger 3.3tt v6 awd 2020 brand new for 37k……….and does the 1/4 mile 12.5 stock 🤷🏻♂️
Only twice in 57 years have I owned a vehicle that I never fail to look back at after parking it. Bought a 2019 Kia StingerGT-2 3.3L AWD Limited last April - and LOVE it! I constantly get compliments and questions about it nearly everytime I take it out. There's very few of them around in our local area so they stand out. The performance is great...they handle awesome...and the features are nice. One aspect that doesn't really get mentioned in most reviews is the terrific-sounding 750W 15-speaker Harmon-Kardon audio system (with sub-woofer). I had the Bose system in my old 2011 Kia Optima that sounded sweet - but the H/K system really ups the game. Our local Kia dealership recently replaced all 4 rotors under warranty due to a known factory warp - so that was good.
I test drove the Kia Stinger Gt 2 several times, while I was waiting for the Genesis G70 to be released in the US.
I also test drove BMW and Mercedes, neither of those vehicles did anything for me. They were new vehicles, yet they felt old (2019 model year).
I chose the Genesis G70 3.3.T. It had more to do with need. I already had a large sedan (2012 Hyundai Azera), and an a SUV (2006 Hyundai Tucson). I didn't need rear passenger space nor did I need a large cargo space
I wanted a smaller personal vehicle. I will admit that the Kia Stinger is a better looking car than my Genesis G70.
I considered buying the Stinger back in 2018. I instead opted for the Buick Regal which also is a liftback with AWD optional. Ofcourse, just when GM finally brings a nice sedan to the market, they quickly drop it. At least the Stinger might be be around for another year or 2.
That was a shame, but the problem was the Regal really didn't match the rest of the Buick lineup or their traditional older buyers. Alas, GM no longer had a more suitable brand. Saturn was a hodgepodge of unrelated models by the end, but I could have seen the Regal as a Pontiac if they could have kept the price reasonable.
@@markmiller3279 also Buick seemed to just want to kill all their non-SUVs
@@markmiller3279 Actually, the problem was that the Regal was an Opel Insignia, designed and made in Germany. GM sold the Opel company and its lineup, so once that model finished, GM had no Regal to sell.
I looked at that Buick also but in the end bought a Volvo.
@@afcgeo882
The Regal and the Malibu are platform siblings. The Malibu is still selling, yes the Regal was assembled by Opel. But that could have changed, brought to the Fairfax plant. If they didn't want to market it as a Buick. Then change it to the Chevy Malibu. A Malibu sportback, wagon, and a performance model. Would have sold better under the Malibu nameplate. Adding AWD to all the models would have helped as well. Especially now that Nissan and Toyota are adding AWD. The only other midsized sedan from a US automaker was the Ford Fusion which was discontinued.
I own a Kia Optima SXL and would be looking at the Stinger as my next vehicle if it weren’t for the terrible fuel economy. There’s no excuse for a 45k modern sedan having a sub-25mpg highway rating unless it has a boosted V8 and 600+ HP, which the Stinger does not.
This exactly. I have a '19 SX and at one time considered the GT2 after the lease ends. But i just can't give up 34+ highway mpg. This 2.0 consistently overperforms on the highway and I've grown to love it lol
If the Stinger is still available in early 2024 when my lease expires, I will very likely get one
The hyundai/Kia’s are still perceived as subpar vehicles. When I have traded my Genesis G80 vehicles in for a luxury vehicle, the trade in values have been abysmal. Until that subpar stigma is removed these vehicles will not do well.
Hyundai n kia are super popular here.
This looks good. I think a fully loaded 2.5T is good enough to go!
After taking a recent test drive of the ‘22 Stinger GT I was blown away on how it drives, the incredible power and how it feels on the road. However over here in Australia there is about a six to 8 months wait to get one and because of some uncertainty by the dealers of the cars future after the second quarter of this year they are not that keen to take orders.
The only downside I have read about on other Stinger reviews is a problem sunroof and hatch rattles noticeable on some vehicles from new.
COMMENT UPDATE! Two weeks ago I bought a brand new 2022 Stinger GT and I’m so glad I did this car is phenomenal and just blows me away on each drive , yes the fuel economy is of course a little on the high side but if you want a car with this much power it is just part of the ownership. All I can say is that I’m very happy with it and even if this car does fadeinto the sunset (as rumours would have you believe) at the end of the year and it is discontinued I’ll still have mine!
Well done Phil, how long did you have to wait for your car ?
@@danc2779 I was lucky enough not to have to wait as it was a cancelled order already at the dealership.
Their new KIA logo is just OUTSTANDING, super modern and clean. One of the best new logo’s that I’ve ever seen. Well done. And the Stinger is sexy as Hell, quite frankly. The fuel economy is rather disappointing, but it’s not really relevant to most sports car buyers (I’m an exception, unfortunately). Nice ride, no doubt.
I sell Hondas and we had a used one of these on our lot for a while. It was the 4 cylinder AWD. Not as roomy as the Accord, but I could not find anything to complain about. Great driving car and very nice interior.
I love my 2022 stinger gt2 probably the closest thing to a perfect car in my mind
My red/black GT2 is waiting for me on the showroom floor. Can't wait to pick up on Wednesday. Perfect is an understatement !
I actually see so many of these in South Texas; it really surprised me that they said it wasn't selling enough.
there is alot of hardwork and practice behind His content and unstoppable information for 30 minutes, Its definitely not an easy thing...!
I always forget about the Stinger when comparing midsize family sedans. It’s such a great car. I wish it had a plug-in or EV option because fuel economy isn’t Kia’s Forte. The Kia EV6 might be the alternative.
Oooooooooooh
I would never spend $ 53k on a Kia. Ever.
I have spent one week with my new Stinger GT-Line AWD and it is wonderful. 300hp will get you where you need to go in a hurry. It looks great inside and out. I got myself some red floor mats and now the interior really pops. Get yourself one of these babies before they are all gone.
I prefer the style of the Stinger over most of the other 'popular' cars. Bought a 2022 GT Line AWD version a few days ago. This car is so comfortable. I was looking for something similar but sportier than my old 2015 Ford Taurus. The Stinger happened to get traded in recently at a dealer near me and I made arrangements to see it. Bought it that day.
Sorry Alex, have to disagree. I rather have the performance versatility of torque vectoring in a TLX than the rear wheel drive Stinger. As a fun weekend vehicle it might be better but if you need a daily driver with good performance and a supremely comfortable ride, I'd go with the TLX.
Its an awesome car, but when you are paying 50+ grand for a sports sedan, it becomes hard to sell when it has a Kia logo on it, while brand snobbery isn't right, it deeply affects a lot of people buying decisions it is easier to sell the same car under the Genesis brand because Genesis isn't acquainted with cheap economy sedans, while they still don't have the prestige of brands like BMW, Lexus or Mercedes, it isn't a Kia, which is a shame because the Stinger is one awesome car, but most people will choose a TLX- Type S, even tho it might be slightly slower or not RWD simply because it is an Acura. There is also the dealership thing, most dealerships seem to think that their Stinger is a BMW M3 fighter or something and then mark up the car which then discourages them from buying it. But this car would make one hell of a used deal in the next coming years.
I have a 2019 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD, (ceramic silver w/ red interior). I have owned quite a few vehicles, and I have never received so many compliments on a vehicle as I have with my Stinger. I love this car! You will not find a better, more well equipped for the money. Quick and fun to drive..
I test drove both Kia stinger and the Arteon and for my taste I ended buy a 2021 Arteon and don’t regret my decision. I had a 2017 optima and it was just ok
I think you have to remember that branding plays a huge part in peoples decision making. If I have a choice between buying an Acura or a stinger, I would pay the badge tax and get the Acura. If I am an enthusiast, I would get the Stinger in a heart beat. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of enthusiasts and the poor sales of this car is a good indicator.
It shouldn't matter. Caring about what others think is a flaw
True, for those who care (not me), but the bigger problem is that sedan sales (except true luxury models) are tanking. Throw in an oddball liftback design (which I love), poor gas mileage, and a brand associated with hamsters, and this was always going to sell in low numbers.
@@catinthehat5140 I understand how you feel but that's not how the market works and you can't convince the majority how they need to think.
@@markmiller3279 I have always been a big sedan guy but with how efficient the hybrid crossovers have become, it's stupid if I bought an expensive sedan when I could get an SUV for a very similar price. I am a home owner and i do a lot of shopping and sometimes for home improvement. Sedans will continue to be on decline unfortunately.
Precovid, my local dealer was open on Saturdays noon to 6, closed on Sundays. They never advertised. I looked at a Stinger and it was about the worst salesperson I've encountered ( I sold cars for a year) and honestly the entire dealership behaved as though they were bored. It was sad.
I'd buy a stinger. If it wasn't like... 37 grand and required premium lol
Love my stinger, got it because you said you might get one for yourself in your first review, that was good enough of reason for me. My girlfriend at the time and now my wife ended bup buying one. Mine was lease and I returned mine but we kept hers. Both were GT2 AWD. Also installing thicker rear sway bar as per your recommendation in first video made it much better.
I like it that it didn't sell well. Car felt rare but I have been seeing at least one stinger once a day now in Seattle WA area.
how does the awd compared to rwd. Is the driving dynamics a big difference? Iknow the AWD is great for snow and probably for rain too here in seattle.
@@Truehoon yes, pretty good overall actually. I am noob, so it saves me from spinning out plus in sports mode it sends 80% to rear. From 0 it's faster than RWD but rolling RWD are little bit faster. I live in Bellevue, WA.
Alex, love your reviews. Your test methods really allow your viewers to compare the vehicles you are testing on level ground. Can you help me highlight the difference in highway driving between the Stinger GT2 and the TLX Type S? Which one feels more planted, less fatigue on long road trips and how do their seats compare?
TLX feels a lot more substantial as a car. Not a comparison
@@rahimi4762 lol Stinger destroys the type s. Alex said himself it’s just a better car. Type s is embarrassingly slow for the price and being the newest powertrain in the segment.
It’s about perception, Kia has had a lot of issues in the past with early engine failure and that’s hard to overcome.
Is that why they can't keep the Tellurides on the lot?
@@suserman7775 I think they think that it will be covered by warranty but a lot of times manufacturer don't honor the warranty, claiming that it was wear and tear.
The engines that had issues were the 2.4 theta engines and the 3.3 N/A V6, they have been discontinued. The Telluride uses a 3.8 V6 that hasn't been proven yet.
@@damilolaakanni That engine HAS been proven - that’s why they’re using it in the Telluride/Palisade. That Hyundai/Kia 3.8L V6 has been around forever, at least since the early 2000s or so. It’s one of the most tried and true powertrains they offer. They even offered it on the original Genesis models and the G80 all the way up until it’s most recent redesign. Crazy reliable engine.
I love my 2018 Stinger GT1 and don't care about the KIA badge, but OMG the KIA service department where I live in NE Florida is as low rent as it gets - disrespectful (can't be bothered) attitude, 4-hour wait for a basic service visit, forgetting to put back on my tire stem caps more than once, lost my inside fuse box door and they had to order another. Had two new tires put on and they inflated the new tires to 42 psi while keeping the old tires at 34 psi. Extreme inattention to detail. They kept my car for 7 weeks waiting on a back-ordered Steelman ear chassis because corporate didn't want to cover the (under warranty) cost of a new steering rack when the groaning sound was clearly coming from the steering rack. Ear chassis came in and they replaced the steering rack. I don't recommend a Stinger because the price you pay for the car will probably not match the service.
12:04 “Sting… Sting… I don’t really listen to his music, but the fact that he is writing it, I respect that.” -Hansel
I have a 2018 Stinger and I love the car, but the dealer/service shop experience has been horrendous. So bad, in fact, that I doubt I seriously consider another Kia until they revamp their US dealer experience. Fantastic vehicles failed by low effort staff.
Had a 2018 also and 100 percent agree with you about the dealership experience. I got rid of the stinger for that very reason and got a 21 bmw 4 series.