No idea why so much hate on Kia. Kia has made huge strides compared to years back. Even Hyundai. Maybe people just purely want hate on it because it's called a Kia. I bet if this car was created by a different more popular brand that more people would go ooooooooooh aaaaaaaaaah that looks awesome etc etc. I always believe in competition and this is where it's at. BMW and Mercedes needs more competition anyway. I think car enthusiasts (the actual ones and not the trolls) would genuinely appreciate this car for what it is. I say well done to Kia and well done to Hyundai for creating that gorgeous i30 N sport.
Well, you accept it or not, KIA's and Hyundai's are known for being cheap cars and that is 100% true if you look in to the quality of the cars they made over the past 20 years... I agree they have improved a lot but just imagine , if you have been a thief and a troublemaker during your childhood, teenage days and also till you reached the age of 35... Now all of the sudden you changed, now you are a good honest man for the last 5 years... do you really think that everyone who knows you all these years will feel that you are as credible as the person who has been all his life ...? That's impossible... Moreover the quality of the German/Japanese cars like BMW, Audi or Lexus when combined with the craftsmanship, it is impossible for a Korean car manufacturer to match that quality... I would never pay that amount of money for a Car made by KIA...! It is ridiculous...!
Only just saw this review, so nice to see a reviewer getting the car right. I love my 2018 GT2, here in northern Sweden, we get temperatures where at the competetion doesn't actually recommend driving their cars. The Stinger however, AWD, it just eats snow, ice, and spits it back out. It's hands down the best winter car I've ever had. -40 celsius, no issues, starts right up. KIA really did something wonderfull, they built a car that actually can handle a proper winter, unlike the other "major" brands. And at a decent price tag. A similiarly equipped volvo would be almost 20K more here.. so.. Kia, thank you, and hope you keep going.
Looks like the love child of an A7 and a Jag. Have to say it's nice looking though. I won't hate on the badge, KIA has come a long way just have a stigma to get over for some. Good for them building cars people are starting to pay attention to.
Loving all the hate from BMW fans... Y'all do know that BMW's M-series head engineer left BMW to join Hyundai/KIA and pretty much engineered this car and the new Hyundai N-division? Albert Biermann, look him up.
Great review. Can't understand why you say at the end that the car could do with a bit more power. I'd say this car has got it in spades. And the 3.3L GT version costs $50K in your country for goodness sake! Here in Aus it's quite a bit more but still exceptional value I think. The suspension on the Australian versions is tuned a little differently, and probably don't have that slight softness at the rear you describe. I like the styling, the interior, the build quality, the performance -- and the non-snob factor. Bollocks to the BMW brigade, Kamerad. We've had a Kia Sportage Platinum for a year now. Mightily impressed, and ready for our second Kia soon.
It's even better here in Australia as the competitors cost even more here. Kia Stinger costs 65k drive away whilst it's BMW and Audi competitors cost from 120k+. Infact, Stinger GT at 65k is faster than BMW 440i at 120k... I love my 2019 Kia Cerato GT.
Kia and Hyundai are the two highest brands in initial quality and owner satisfaction right now. BMW and M-B are overpriced unreliable losing customers daily. End of story.
I own a blue 2018 Kia Stinger GT AWD In Quebec. The reason I like this car is it's multi-purpose usage , It's handling in the winter seasons & the sporty look & racy engine that propulsive it.Thanx for the video,U made it more visible to the public!!!
Bought a 2019 GT-2 AWD Limited 3.3L this past April and picked it up for $42k Cdn. Under 20k mileage and was previously owned by a Kia mechanic so it's been pampered. Absolutely love the car, the styling and performance. German-engineered and Korean-built...the price point was unbeatable. Turns heads and I often get compliments and questions about it.
People complain about price/badge... Acura has a car that msrp is just a shade under a quarter of a million, yes... is the 2019 NSX carbon fiber body, shown 2 weeks ago at the San Diego Internatonal Auto Show. And what about Nissan 100k GT... Both has Acura and Nissan badges on them. Fact is, you are getting a lot of car for way less. Good for KIA for step it up!
Ray Thomas you're not going to find ANY of the cars you mentioned anywhere near $50K new. If you do, they will be very basic versions without many of the options the Stinger has. Also keep in mind the Stinger is fully loaded at $50K, but you can get the V6 very well equipped starting at $39K.
Not a Kia or any Korean car brand fan. but I have to say this is really a great product! very happy to see a new & strong competitor in the market. Good job Kia. and thank you Zack for the great review as always!
I never saw myself as a KIA owner partly because of the local dealer using a converted storage building however looking at what KIA has done in the last few years is amazing. Most of their vehicle earn top safety + and JD Power report and Consumer report puts KIA above VW and Toyota. I will try them next time I need a vehicle.
auto-haters galore in 2017! Good for Kia but honestly it's competition will be itself: this car NEEDS to be as reliable as sunrise....I will probably look to one of these in two years after they work out the inevitable kinks.
I just got my GT1 about a month ago, and saw that folks were changing out the badges... which on one level is understandable. But I've decided to go the other way with it; I take people for rides and almost universally they have the 'this is a Kia?" bewilderment. I have talked to a few folks that had no idea what Kia is now, and they've said they will at least shop them in the future. The car is fantastic, so I am happy to represent.
What a great looking car. Kia have done well for themselves, all the cars in the range now are fantastic. I learned to drive in a i10 and really liked it. This Stinger is a car I'd hunker for... Can I have one please Kia?
the should use a special one for mthe singer. hmm ... like.... :D www.windowworldcares.com/wp-content/themes/wworldcares/images/the-stinger/stinger.png
dq303 Yes, those 3 letters can have a bad meaning to the english speaking American military, that is true. But to the rest of the world, it just means Kia. Kinda like how SOL means shit out of luck to some Americans, but to millions of spanish speakers, it means sun, which is a good thing. The world is a big place...
Let me add that I have a 2006 Murano as a second car without a speck of rust.routine maintenance and new ball joints late last year has all it hurt me to own this car.has been very reliable and is extremely well equipped for that yr....I've owned 5 American made cars that couldn't compare to Japanese quality and reliability.
Zach, top notch job as usual! I've not driven these back to back, but an S5 Sportback would be my odds-on! With that said, I applaud Kia for bringing this to market! If you can steal a loaded version (w/ AWD) at
I'm quite envious of your market, here in Australia we only get the RWD version. Good enough to beat the crap out of Commodores and Mustangs but I would love to see how an AWD version would handle our shit roads.
Canadian spec comes even better equipped than the American one. For instance, they don't have wireless charging, heated seats in the back or the 360 camera.
I'm all in on Kia. My Optima is everything I was looking for and the quality is perfect! No problems. Outstanding performance for worry free commuting. Reliable, affordable, sex appeal. Maybe one day the resale value will get some respect when the long haul reliability becomes known. But all in all that doesn't matter to me. Stinger is in the near future for sure...
To my mind, Kia is the most interesting car company this side of Tesla. This is an exciting car, albeit possibly overstyled. The three best video reviewers: Autogefuehl, Motormouth and Redline.
I like the looks of the Hyundai G70 version of this vehicle better, plus it's a couple of inches shorter and lighter than the Kia, so performance will be a little better. The G70 won't have the hatchback style utility though, which is a significant drawback for me personally.
Great Car! Bought the GT2 AWD (top of the line) in late September and I absolutely love it! It checks off everything I look for in a car: It's gorgeous, it's fast, it has AWD, it has 4 doors with good room in front and back, it's a hatchback providing really good cargo space, and it has all the bells and whistles for safety as well as comfort. And I got it for 45K out the door.
Gilberto Uribe You obviously haven’t shopped for new cars recently. Avalons, 4 runners, sequoia, tundra all can sticker around 50K and over depending on options. Land cruisers are over $85K. Honda Odyssey and pilot elite are around $48K. Some European countries pay even more because of heavy taxes.
+D K K Yeah, but the only CAR you listed there was the Avalon, and that luxo-boat wouldn't even be competing with the Stinger,,,,,,,so,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,?
My bad I thought we were talking about cars not SUVs and trucks and it was compared to the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry nowhere near 50 Grand on those cars if you do pay that much I feel bad for you and I just bought two brand new cars so yes I have research the price on new cars.
Michael Zhu nope the others you mentioned have a longer history of quality builds kia is still known for sub par builds it's been much better the last 5 years but that doesn't take away from their shit fest the earlier models
I love how their cars look and perform for the price but the only complain I have with their cars is that they are not very quiet inside the cabin. Maybe I am getting old and I perfer the cars to be quieter now.
BananaChipzzz Wow! A new Porsche 911 stickers around 90K in murica. Ofcourse it’s an empty can with almost nothing in it but some people like that. But the avg yuppie type usually buys one with $20-40K in options cuz Porsche nickels and dimes you for everything and their options prices are shocking. I believe Porsche has the highest profit markup for regular production cars in the world. This Stinger GT2 is loaded to the gills at $50K! Standard brembos, Nappa leather, LSD, etc etc The 440i at nearly 90k won’t have those. Dollar for dollar this car is a better car, imho. It just doesn’t have the 3pointed star or spinning prop for the badge whores.
Read some of the comments below. Some were very amusing. Before I looked at the online reviews of the Kia Stinger GT* and the Kia Telluride I was biased against Kia. Buying a Kia was equivalent to shopping at Kmart in my mind. Then I began watching videos about the Stinger and the telluride and my mind changed. Now I’m the proud owner of a 2020 Panthera Metal Kia Stinger GT. There’s a lot of bias against Kia by automobile shoppers. Kia makes great cars but it could help its Stinger GT* sales if it came up with special Stinger badging. Unfortunately most humans are shallow.
Heck ya! I am in for Kia.. A long die hard fan for Japanese cars but now I am leaning towards these mighty Korean cars now.. Sayonara Toyotas and Hondas and say Hello to Genesis, Hyundais and Kias and that's a good thing!!
Lucius Wong That would be a huge step in the right direction. I'd prefer more wagons, but since almost no one wants to sell wagons, I would take your compromise gladly. I have a sedan now (had hatchbacks previously) and find its configuration completely useless.
The wagons are getting more popular because they have all the features of SUVs with better looks so I'm pretty sure the SUV fad will die off eventually.
Thanks for the review Zach! Great job as always! I think one of things that some reviewers are missing and I am surprised that other people on here haven't commented on. The Stinger GT should be compared to the Audi S5 Sportback and not the A5 Sportback. The brakes, suspension, horsepower and torque are closer to the S5 setup than the A5. I have driven Audi's for the past 7 years. I am in no way a brand snob even though I really enjoy the Audi brand. If you look on autotrader.ca the Stinger GT LTD is selling for around $52,000 and some change. The S5 (in the Tecknik trim) is selling for close to $88,000. Yes the A5/S5' interior is a bit more refined but I can't justify paying an additional $36,000 for a comparably equipped vehicle. In the middle of 2019 I will be leaving Audi and going either with the 2020 re-modeled Mazda 6GT turbo (all wheel drive if they can get a new platform for it in time), the Stinger GT Ltd or the Genesis G70 Sport. One of those 3 vehicles will be my next car. I'm about the best vehicle for the price. Cheers everyone and I hope you have a great holiday season!
Cassidey Ousley just driving it off the dealers parking lot would depreciate it by $5k. Since its a performance car that shit will drop value really fast.
Q K I know that's the truth. I went to view a BMW 750Li fully loaded 2015 model one owner clean carfax with 27k mileage on it, and they dealership wanted 56k. I offered 50k and they decided to meet me at 52,500. Ultimately I declined and went with an alternative brand new car. That BMW in particular was 100k just two years ago, the fact that they were willing to let it go at 53k was absolutely shocking. German cars, at least BMW, depreciates fast as hell.
The competition for this car quit last year .The SS sedan it had a LS1 ,415 horsepower, Magnetic Ride, Auto or stick, 46 loaded, beautiful car. Chevy gave up on. I never knew the car existed, for the first three years of its life .Chevy should take some lessons from the way Kia advertisers.
Konrad C yep. This is even more evident when you compare it to a Dodge Charger Scatpack. The Scatpack weights more and has all season tires and still beats the stinger on the skidpad and figure 8 test. That’s not good considering the Scatty is really setup for drag racing, and this Kia is being marketed as a GT car to compete with German luxury cars. If you can’t out handle an American car set up for drag racing, you’re doing it wrong.
Same with the build quality, and this guy comparing it to anything else but a Charger is just dumb. An Audi or BMW as a comp is laughable. No direct competitors? LOL.
Just bought "probably my last car" 2 days ago; after 30-35 years of "responsible" pickups & vans I wanted to get back to driving=fun. Stinger was in my "final 4", and if it was available in stick, there's a REAL good chance I would've bought one. But it isn't, so I got a 2018 Type R, "only" $3K over sticker. Both cars figure to be fun, I just wanted the "involvement" of a stick. Enjoy.
Don't care who it looks like, what is smells like or even what is sounds like this beast is badass. I fell on my ass hard for the Kia Optima in 2011. It would be in the parking lot and I would return from the mall and it wouldn't surprise me if I met a few people circling it and wondering what car it was. I used to joke that I wouldn't bat an eye if I came out in the morning and met my neighbor having sex with my Optima. That's how sexy it was. If the Optima was sexy, this beauty will have a few illicit affairs before a successor comes along. Love it!!!!!
Nick P I literally obliterate kia optima turbos in a 20 yr old m3. You need to get out there and drive some other cars. Its always some fuckboy that doesn't even stop at stop signs that has something to prove in their kia optima turbo...until they get smoked by a stock s52 m3 from 20 years ago. 🤷🏻♂️ They keep trying and trying. Finally once you back off after handing them their ass three times in a row do they fly by you acting like they actually beat you, and then go to masterbate on kia forums how they "chopped" a m car. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Konrad, I'm not a speeder, dude. I chill out keep my ride clean and relish in the ride. I don't have anything to prove to anyone else trying to drag me. This one's for me, dude. Embarrassing other drivers is not how I get my kick.
VQ3713, Sorry about your experience with the Optima, man. But I didn't get the car to compare nor even compete with your experience. This one's for me, man. And while I'm terribly sorry about what occurred with your Optima, your experience is totally irrelevant to my devotion to my Optima.
Nick P relish the ride? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 jesus christ dude, get out there and drive some other cars. The optima ride quality is one of the worst of all new midsize cars. 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
People will go and say KIA's suck, but then go and lease a Mercedes. There is a reason most people don't buy them and would rather lease them. If they were so reliable and/or good I don't understand why more people don't buy instead. I get certain people have different circumstances but still. The value of German luxury drops faster than the rock that killed the dinos once the warranty is up. Their marketing departments must be the best in the world.
It's a trade off for a more compliant ride. Most people buying a cruiser like this will be more interested in how comfortable it is running down the interstate more than they will be about carving corners with it.
Been a mechanic for years every swear word i know was created by the main big names Chev Ford Dodge . I love foreign cars and Kia's never break down. They r easy to work on when parts wear out. Not fail because manufactures cheaped out.Just waitin for Kia to bring a Truck to North America!!##?
Why the heck do the lights wrap around the side? It's not so noticeable in red, and I'm sure Kia did it to make it look a little more interesting, but I just think it would have looked better without that weird line on the rear three-quarter view.
It’s funny i’m watching this just after my 17 year old Toyota Avalon finally broke down. Now should I wait a bit and buy this or should I go for the new Accord which has really grown on me?
ashrafc go for this. You get all the bells and whistles of the accord and rwd or awd. Not to mention it's going to be easy to find in the parking lot lol.
Get the accord touring package Just test drove it the other day...it's not just fun, safe and sporty..but reliable, the type R of sedans and...a real value holder
The problem with Kia's are not what you see, rather it's what you don't see. The paint will flake off in various places where it should not (like in the middle of the hood), the rear window will vibrate- (especially on cold days), the car will pull to one side on the highway, the tires will get sidewall bubbles, the transmission will have a drip, the leather seats will flake and crack and none of this will be fixed under warranty. They will tell you that the paint flaking on the hood is an 'effect' of how you drive and not a 'defect' in their quality. The rear window is vibrating because the cold weather does this, and it will be better in the spring. The car pulling to one side is 'normal' due to the road crown (yet your other car does not do this). The bubble on the sidewall is because you must be driving aggressively. The transmission drip is just 'sweat' and you should 'keep an eye on it'. The flaking and cracked leather seats is just normal 'wear and tear'. These cars are all hat and no cowboy.
mac daddy thank you for saying this. That's exactly the problem. Idiots call it badge snobbery, intelligent people call it doing your research and not buying a inferior korean clone. Nothing has changed and it never will. Its korean culture
Mac daddy... You're whining because you bought a bargain priced sedan and expected premium standards. You sound like a real tool. Konrad C ... denigrates people who buy things that they can afford. You're a piece of work. Bend over girls. I'll make you feel better. But don't expect a reach around.
Except the G8 has an amazing engine in it mated to a great transmission. Not saying this engine isn't all that, but the LSx platform has been proven and it's cheap. A twin-turbo V6, eh, might overstress the engine quick. I guess we'll see once it's been around for a while, since it's hyped up, a lot will buy.
I like a new brand coming into competition, always benefits the consumers. Kudos to Kia for putting some pressure on German premiums whether you are a German Engineering fan boy or not.
I’ll buy a 2016 Hellcat for $50 k or a 485hp 392 scatpack for $40k way before this ...Oops correction 12/17!-I did buy a 2018 Daytona 392 for way less than this-
Yeah go ahead the added hp is to cover up the fact that lower hp cars are whooping dodge azz. The only way to compete is to give average drivers excess hp to get them to buy a dodge!
Reggie Shields nope only way to give lower power cars to whoop a Dodge off the line is... awd. A V8 sounds sweet everywhere and those will give almost all similar equipment to Kia’s. But I will say sitting in 1 recently , the interior is superior to most cars in its class !
And it still won’t sell, I find odd that they have not tried to compare it with the Ford fusion sport which is a direct competitor both all wheel drive both TwinTurbo both small V6’s
Yes, you can... You say that as if the American muscle is better? The interior of most American muscle cars is pathetic. I mean, take the interior of a Ford Mustang and compare it to the one in a Kia Picanto (comparable to a Ford Ka in size). The interior looks comparable, and I even think the one in the Mustang looks cheaper. It doesn't do justice to the exterior of the Mustang, which looks really nice. starmoz.com/images/2015-ford-mustang-interior-11.jpg www.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/3rd_generation_kia_picanto_gt_line_interior.jpg?itok=oU9bYb-3
Rented a charger on vancouver island, went for a night time spin on some hilly twisties, after 45min the manual shift was disabled due to unknown reasons (guessing overheated). It is still a heavy ass boat with no stiffness in the chassis and no brakes. The kia will outperform easily Also its pretty pathetic you would even bring up american muscle when this kia gives bmws and audi coupes a run for their money
Civilized I believe Hyundai/Kia has more cars rated most safe than any other maker regardless of price. Also, Kia won j d powers initial quality rating 2 yrs in a row. Keep in mind most buyers remorse/regrets takes place within the first few months of ownership. You can’t offer the best warranty in America if you build cars like FCA, Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford , gm, etc... Many of those companies went broke and needed tax payer bail outs. And they can’t blame the costs of offering great warranties for their failures. Ya gotta call a spade a spade. Hyundai/Kia make quality vehicles and the badge whores will always think their cars, and themselves, are better than you. Even when they are not. That’s why we call them badge snobs. I tell ya, the depreciation rates on my new Mercedes and bmws shocked the crap out of me when I first started buying them 15+ yrs ago. Check out this gallery from USA TODAY: 2018 IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus awards usat.ly/2AYYSXP
D K K legit, my mom had a 2003 C 4matic on lease and wow what a joke of a company it is. No courtesy shuttle, no pickup, we went to ask for a fukin phone to call a cab and they point us to a payphone. Not to mention a basic service is 300+$. Our next car, a Hyundai sonata, didn't cost half that and drove 275 000km in salty winter highways. I have an utmost respect for Korean cars, we drove the living shit out of that Hyundai and it basically never gave us a single issue. Had it for 9 years and was still passing safety
Mike Blando huh? I don’t think you know anything about the 392 Chargers. The Scatpack pulled 0.92g’s on the skidpad and stopped from 60 mph in 104ft. The Stinger pulled 0.85g’s and stopped in 126ft.
JoCo Dashcam then again you are comparing a car that’s main priority is going a quarter mile and that’s I️t. I️t can’t handle turns for shit. I’ve drove I️t and I’ve drove a hellcat , very fast cars but not worth my time if all I️ can do is floor I️t at red lights
Mike Blando so you’re just going to gloss over the fact that the 392 Chargers handle better than the new Kia Stinger? What do you have to say about the old 2012 392 Charger turning a faster lap time than a 2015 WRX STi, an Audi S4, Audi S3, and the BMW 335i in C&D Lighting Lap? Are you going to tell us all that those cars can’t handle a turn at 60 mph too? Or, are you going to continue down the road of willful ignorance?
This is whats needed to keep auto manufacturers honest. I hope this car really sells. I hope it's reliable. Who cares if a car has 700 hp but can't turn! Or if as soon as it rains out I better be careful! This company trying to upset the norm! I give them thumbs up! Dodge & ford is know for giving cars excessive hp with subpar handing unless modified.
That random guy lurking in the comment section That's cool if you like it. Just saying there's other cars that handle better. Never seen any dodge or ford claiming best time around nurburgring.
There is little luxury and prestige in the majority of Mercedes, BMW and Audi on th road these days. The cost of these brands has dropped considerably relative to inflation over the last decade or so in order to compete for middle class buyers with Japanese makes. And to compete they had strip them off all luxury so that even the most basic features you would expect comes as optional extras. They’re premium because of their badge and reputation they earned decades ago. They look good but the parts, technology, materials and quality of workmanship are often less than a toyota or Hyundai.
What Kia should have done with the stinger, is to remove all Kia badges, or any other Kia or Hyundai markings anywhere on it when presenting the car, and offering it simply as the Stinger to car journalists and reviewers to evaluate without telling them who makes it. Then, after their conclusions, reveal to them that it's from Kia and to keep the brand secret for a while. That way, it would have been a really impartial and unbiased review from everyone.
This is way above a fusion sport in terms of speed, braking and options. Would much rather have this as the GT1 twin turbo can be had for around $44k which is really an amazing value.
thuglifezeem716 It's like Kia made a baby for the Ford Fusion on the outside and Audi/Mercedes on the inside. However, from the handling of the car in this video, it still feels like Kia hasn't gotten everything right.
The V6 version of the Stinger is considerably more powerful, and considerably faster than the bloated Fusion Sport, and the interior of the Kia blows the Fusion away.
The problem is not the car. It's the fact that kia being a budget brand depreciation like a lead filled balloon. Looking forward to a used 12 month old stinger for $15k
Would probably have to look at the torque curve. I'm guessing the twin turbos are to have more linear acceleration as opposed the usual "nothing-nothing-whoah turbo-nothing-nothing" rpm band.
The non-turbo 3.3L has 255lbft at 5200rpm vs 376lbft from 1300rpm of torque for the turbo - so not a small difference. Obviously could get more hp but with more lag.
Just came back from a test drive and it is truly breathtaking. The quality of the interior is fantastic, but the performance is on a whole new level. Will be picking up the top-of-the-Range model in a months time.
Love your unbiased review style. I really think Kia&Hyundai have come a long way to roll out fantastic cars like this. Just spotted a Stinger GT in LA and the car looks absolutely fantastic!
Actually, the Stinger is worth more than $50K, buddy. With all those stuff they put into this car, they are worth more than $70-80K.. You are getting a bargain. And sure it's still a Kia but It sure as hell better than any of those Toyotas and Fords worth $50K. Kia came a long way and they deserve a pet on the back.
Brian Lawrance sorry to say it but that's loaded a gt1 is 38-42k.for that it's on touchable. 10 year power train and 5 year 60k mile bumper to bumper. Better value than even cars in the 60-70k range just based on its warranty
Wedow yeah true! But if you buy something well made, such as a Lexus, you don't need a warranty. So warranties mean nothing to me if the machine is built right
Brian Lawrance if you want an extremely boring car then sure go buy a Lexus. Sorry to say it but I've driven the ISF and the lc500 and they were so pathetic for there price Tags. I wouldn't want the car past warranty because its just too slow and not capable enough to justify 70-110k dollars. This car would destroy them at 40-45k. Not to mention the ugly styling of the Lexus front grilles. Just don't see the value at all lmao
I have no idea why this car gets the attention that it gets. It looks like a half dozen car parts put together to create a Frankenstein car. It looks odd. The interior is not much better. And it is an expensive KIA...hopefully if you like it, you lease it. I have a feeling that buyers will take a bath.
trstnhn no you’re acting like you’re the chief designer or something. Or like I’m talking about one of your kids...that is what the geesh was for. If you like it, say what you like about it. Spend your money on it. I gave my opinion. I don’t like it. And keep in mind, I didn’t comment on your opinions, you commented on mine.
trstnhn but if I came across as argumentative, I didn’t aim for that. I sold cars when Hyundai first came out, and will confess that Korean cars have come a long way.
I just got one, the GT v6 TT awd, and I am immensely impressed by it. it is so dang fast and it is going to be very easy to bring more power out of it later on. On top of its power it is very nice but not overdone inside
No idea why so much hate on Kia. Kia has made huge strides compared to years back. Even Hyundai. Maybe people just purely want hate on it because it's called a Kia. I bet if this car was created by a different more popular brand that more people would go ooooooooooh aaaaaaaaaah that looks awesome etc etc. I always believe in competition and this is where it's at. BMW and Mercedes needs more competition anyway. I think car enthusiasts (the actual ones and not the trolls) would genuinely appreciate this car for what it is. I say well done to Kia and well done to Hyundai for creating that gorgeous i30 N sport.
I know why I dislike it because now my 335i is slower than a kia
Jonathan Duenas love the honesty lol ur car is still awesome though
what a plot twist at the end,i thought you were talking anout the stinger that whole time
I'm pretty sure it's based off of Hyundai genisus but uglier
Well, you accept it or not, KIA's and Hyundai's are known for being cheap cars and that is 100% true if you look in to the quality of the cars they made over the past 20 years... I agree they have improved a lot but just imagine , if you have been a thief and a troublemaker during your childhood, teenage days and also till you reached the age of 35... Now all of the sudden you changed, now you are a good honest man for the last 5 years... do you really think that everyone who knows you all these years will feel that you are as credible as the person who has been all his life ...? That's impossible... Moreover the quality of the German/Japanese cars like BMW, Audi or Lexus when combined with the craftsmanship, it is impossible for a Korean car manufacturer to match that quality... I would never pay that amount of money for a Car made by KIA...! It is ridiculous...!
literally a head turner. Great performance and daily practicality!.. so proud to have bought one! (2019 GT Base RWD in Panthera Metal).
My son has one and he loves it.
Bernie Fen - youre living my dream!
Yes, got a 2019 GT1 RWD and glad I did. It offers all the traction I need in snow free AZ. It's been my favorite car to date!
Just bought a 2021 GT1 awd Panthera Metal! How is your Stinger any issues?
Kia did what Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Chrysler, and Cadillac couldn't do: make BMW and Audi nervous.
Only just saw this review, so nice to see a reviewer getting the car right.
I love my 2018 GT2, here in northern Sweden, we get temperatures where at the competetion doesn't actually recommend driving their cars. The Stinger however, AWD, it just eats snow, ice, and spits it back out. It's hands down the best winter car I've ever had. -40 celsius, no issues, starts right up. KIA really did something wonderfull, they built a car that actually can handle a proper winter, unlike the other "major" brands. And at a decent price tag.
A similiarly equipped volvo would be almost 20K more here.. so.. Kia, thank you, and hope you keep going.
Looks like the love child of an A7 and a Jag.
Have to say it's nice looking though. I won't hate on the badge, KIA has come a long way just have a stigma to get over for some. Good for them building cars people are starting to pay attention to.
Wife is watching. Sounds to me this is our next car. Thanks Zack. Truly an impressive all around vehicle for its class.
Tito Rick Wish I could get my wife to watch 😔. I want one 😫
Loving all the hate from BMW fans...
Y'all do know that BMW's M-series head engineer left BMW to join Hyundai/KIA and pretty much engineered this car and the new Hyundai N-division?
Albert Biermann, look him up.
Great review. Can't understand why you say at the end that the car could do with a bit more power. I'd say this car has got it in spades. And the 3.3L GT version costs $50K in your country for goodness sake! Here in Aus it's quite a bit more but still exceptional value I think. The suspension on the Australian versions is tuned a little differently, and probably don't have that slight softness at the rear you describe. I like the styling, the interior, the build quality, the performance -- and the non-snob factor. Bollocks to the BMW brigade, Kamerad. We've had a Kia Sportage Platinum for a year now. Mightily impressed, and ready for our second Kia soon.
It's even better here in Australia as the competitors cost even more here. Kia Stinger costs 65k drive away whilst it's BMW and Audi competitors cost from 120k+. Infact, Stinger GT at 65k is faster than BMW 440i at 120k... I love my 2019 Kia Cerato GT.
Kia and Hyundai are the two highest brands in initial quality and owner satisfaction right now. BMW and M-B are overpriced unreliable losing customers daily. End of story.
I own a blue 2018 Kia Stinger GT AWD In Quebec. The reason I like this car is it's multi-purpose usage , It's handling in the winter seasons & the sporty look & racy engine that propulsive it.Thanx for the video,U made it more visible to the public!!!
I saw one today at a dealer and man o man, that car is beautiful!
Bought a 2019 GT-2 AWD Limited 3.3L this past April and picked it up for $42k Cdn. Under 20k mileage and was previously owned by a Kia mechanic so it's been pampered. Absolutely love the car, the styling and performance. German-engineered and Korean-built...the price point was unbeatable. Turns heads and I often get compliments and questions about it.
Hey guys don't forget 7 years 100K miles warranty - ^~^´
People complain about price/badge...
Acura has a car that msrp is just a shade under a quarter of a million, yes... is the 2019 NSX carbon fiber body, shown 2 weeks ago at the San Diego Internatonal Auto Show. And what about Nissan 100k GT... Both has Acura and Nissan badges on them.
Fact is, you are getting a lot of car for way less. Good for KIA for step it up!
I like it because of the non-snob factor. However, I think the Genesis G70 is going to be the best option. We'll see!
aircanuck agreed. It seems like the g70 will have the better looks and more sportier intentions
@Ray Thomas - What would you suggest?
Ray Thomas you're not going to find ANY of the cars you mentioned anywhere near $50K new. If you do, they will be very basic versions without many of the options the Stinger has. Also keep in mind the Stinger is fully loaded at $50K, but you can get the V6 very well equipped starting at $39K.
genesis 5.0 V8 is 5 seconds flat this is 4.5....
weighs less and has more of a tuned suspension
Isauro Banuelos yeah, but we'll see how the two does in the circuits.
Not a Kia or any Korean car brand fan. but I have to say this is really a great product! very happy to see a new & strong competitor in the market. Good job Kia. and thank you Zack for the great review as always!
I never saw myself as a KIA owner partly because of the local dealer using a converted storage building however looking at what KIA has done in the last few years is amazing. Most of their vehicle earn top safety + and JD Power report and Consumer report puts KIA above VW and Toyota. I will try them next time I need a vehicle.
Kia has come a long way. I'm impressed.
auto-haters galore in 2017! Good for Kia but honestly it's competition will be itself: this car NEEDS to be as reliable as sunrise....I will probably look to one of these in two years after they work out the inevitable kinks.
Korean cars are reliable!? Maybe not Japanese good but better than German, American and Itialian brands.
Great review! This guy is one of the better reviewers out there.
Everyone complaining about the emblems. Just take them off. Thats my plan.
I just got my GT1 about a month ago, and saw that folks were changing out the badges... which on one level is understandable. But I've decided to go the other way with it; I take people for rides and almost universally they have the 'this is a Kia?" bewilderment. I have talked to a few folks that had no idea what Kia is now, and they've said they will at least shop them in the future. The car is fantastic, so I am happy to represent.
What a great looking car.
Kia have done well for themselves, all the cars in the range now are fantastic.
I learned to drive in a i10 and really liked it.
This Stinger is a car I'd hunker for...
Can I have one please Kia?
Kia needs to change their logo
dq303 the logo they use in Korea is so much better
the should use a special one for mthe singer. hmm ... like.... :D
www.windowworldcares.com/wp-content/themes/wworldcares/images/the-stinger/stinger.png
dq303 Yes, those 3 letters can have a bad meaning to the english speaking American military, that is true. But to the rest of the world, it just means Kia. Kinda like how SOL means shit out of luck to some Americans, but to millions of spanish speakers, it means sun, which is a good thing. The world is a big place...
Its just an ugly logo lol
Yes. Rebrand. Rename.redo something!
Nice car that I wont buy because of name
Let me add that I have a 2006 Murano as a second car without a speck of rust.routine maintenance and new ball joints late last year has all it hurt me to own this car.has been very reliable and is extremely well equipped for that yr....I've owned 5 American made cars that couldn't compare to Japanese quality and reliability.
dang Kia stepped their game up! I'd buy one but i cannot afford a 50k car at the moment. really nice vehicle though.
Big Bonus having 4 doors ! all wheel drive is a must in CANADA! Kia is stepping up,thanks
The anti-KIA badge snobbery is strong in this comment section...
Cassidey Ousley How about some pro-Kia snobbery?
It goes beyond just the badge
Indeed the prestige brand fanboys are out in force here.
Yeah but that's because they all own several Audi, BMW and Mercedes models.
Cassidey Ousley The F-150 (the truck) sold more units than Kia (the entire company)!!!!! A country of snobs you say?
I test drove this car a few days ago. Pulls impressively forcefully forward. Likes to corner and is such a nice place to be in.
Suspension seems a bit soft, but except that, love it. Maybe in a couple of years i'll be able to grab one for half the price
Zach, top notch job as usual!
I've not driven these back to back, but an S5 Sportback would be my odds-on! With that said, I applaud Kia for bringing this to market! If you can steal a loaded version (w/ AWD) at
a better company logo would help up the brand image :D
EvendimataE IKR. instead of KIA.
not really the name.....something nice to look at like the emblem of the genesis
And now they have it! And i have a Stinger too!
I'm quite envious of your market, here in Australia we only get the RWD version. Good enough to beat the crap out of Commodores and Mustangs but I would love to see how an AWD version would handle our shit roads.
Canadian spec comes even better equipped than the American one. For instance, they don't have wireless charging, heated seats in the back or the 360 camera.
eagleeye128 no one would buy RWD in Canada tbh, and the AWD system cab send up to 100% of the power to the rear wheels if i'm not mistaken
I'm all in on Kia. My Optima is everything I was looking for and the quality is perfect! No problems. Outstanding performance for worry free commuting. Reliable, affordable, sex appeal. Maybe one day the resale value will get some respect when the long haul reliability becomes known. But all in all that doesn't matter to me. Stinger is in the near future for sure...
... "but that doesn't matter!".
Great review and great car.
Alfa Romeo Gulia is just .3 seconds slower, I think it is good competition, what do you think?
To my mind, Kia is the most interesting car company this side of Tesla. This is an exciting car, albeit possibly overstyled. The three best video reviewers: Autogefuehl, Motormouth and Redline.
I like the looks of the Hyundai G70 version of this vehicle better, plus it's a couple of inches shorter and lighter than the Kia, so performance will be a little better. The G70 won't have the hatchback style utility though, which is a significant drawback for me personally.
Kia is awesome. Owned a couple of them. But 'Alex on Autos' is the most badass car reviewer out there.
So the base model is not all-wheel drive??
What is interesting about a company finally making a 300+ hp AWD turbocharged car? Tesla is on A whole other world level no comparison.
Some people can't afford a Tesla!
Kia stingers are pretty cool cars. I've beaten a lot of them in my stock mustang
But I do like them
@Adam ya it's weird cuz ford claims 4.0 0-60
It really depends where you live tho to hit the manufacturer's times
Great Car! Bought the GT2 AWD (top of the line) in late September and I absolutely love it! It checks off everything I look for in a car: It's gorgeous, it's fast, it has AWD, it has 4 doors with good room in front and back, it's a hatchback providing really good cargo space, and it has all the bells and whistles for safety as well as comfort. And I got it for 45K out the door.
Great job.
Another solid review. Zack is a pro!
Saying 50k for a Kia is too much is the same as 50k for a toyota/Honda and people are still buying them.
What kind of Honda and Toyota are you talking I've never seen any for 50K
Gilberto Uribe You obviously haven’t shopped for new cars recently. Avalons, 4 runners, sequoia, tundra all can sticker around 50K and over depending on options. Land cruisers are over $85K. Honda Odyssey and pilot elite are around $48K. Some European countries pay even more because of heavy taxes.
+D K K Yeah, but the only CAR you listed there was the Avalon, and that luxo-boat wouldn't even be competing with the Stinger,,,,,,,so,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,?
My bad I thought we were talking about cars not SUVs and trucks and it was compared to the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry nowhere near 50 Grand on those cars if you do pay that much I feel bad for you and I just bought two brand new cars so yes I have research the price on new cars.
Michael Zhu nope the others you mentioned have a longer history of quality builds kia is still known for sub par builds it's been much better the last 5 years but that doesn't take away from their shit fest the earlier models
I have one word for this car, WOW!
Taurus SHO is 365hp twin turbo awd 4dr, so it competes with non-premium options
Steve Collins ford is trash though.
jiggamanog That's why it is a competitor to this.
Alexei Voloshin doubt it. Ford is garbage.
Its a brick though.
I love how their cars look and perform for the price but the only complain I have with their cars is that they are not very quiet inside the cabin. Maybe I am getting old and I perfer the cars to be quieter now.
Fully loaded BMW 440I is close to 90K after tax in Canada....
Leed Capetown Right, but compare lease rates (if you wanna lease). You could lease that Bimmer for pretty close to the Kia because of residuals.
BananaChipzzz Wow! A new Porsche 911 stickers around 90K in murica. Ofcourse it’s an empty can with almost nothing in it but some people like that. But the avg yuppie type usually buys one with $20-40K in options cuz Porsche nickels and dimes you for everything and their options prices are shocking. I believe Porsche has the highest profit markup for regular production cars in the world. This Stinger GT2 is loaded to the gills at $50K! Standard brembos, Nappa leather, LSD, etc etc
The 440i at nearly 90k won’t have those. Dollar for dollar this car is a better car, imho. It just doesn’t have the 3pointed star or spinning prop for the badge whores.
Read some of the comments below. Some were very amusing. Before I looked at the online reviews of the Kia Stinger GT* and the Kia Telluride I was biased against Kia. Buying a Kia was equivalent to shopping at Kmart in my mind. Then I began watching videos about the Stinger and the telluride and my mind changed. Now I’m the proud owner of a 2020 Panthera Metal Kia Stinger GT. There’s a lot of bias against Kia by automobile shoppers. Kia makes great cars but it could help its Stinger GT* sales if it came up with special Stinger badging. Unfortunately most humans are shallow.
Kia needs to redesign their badge. That "KIA" badge is hideous
These badges do come off , if necessary , dude !!!!
This car looks awesome, for the price I'll definitely take it over an Audi S5 Sportback or BMW 440i Gran Coupe (Those all cost around $75K)
Heck ya! I am in for Kia.. A long die hard fan for Japanese cars but now I am leaning towards these mighty Korean cars now.. Sayonara Toyotas and Hondas and say Hello to Genesis, Hyundais and Kias and that's a good thing!!
agree. look sony,,Toshiba,, all were. replaced. by Samsung,,LG
peter wei STFU
peter wei pioneer jvc
Estrading Co Kia isn't Japanese you idiot
Oh how the mighty have fallen, Honda/Toyota have no one to blame but themselves.
Nice car! Too bad I'm not in the market for a new vehicle or this would be on the top of my list!
I think fastbacks should replace all sedans. Makes sense to me.
Do you mean sportbacks with the hatch opening? Fastbacks can be trunks, i.e. Mustangs and 2018 Accords
Yes, I mean hatch.
Lucius Wong That would be a huge step in the right direction. I'd prefer more wagons, but since almost no one wants to sell wagons, I would take your compromise gladly. I have a sedan now (had hatchbacks previously) and find its configuration completely useless.
They should be the new wagons...
The wagons are getting more popular because they have all the features of SUVs with better looks so I'm pretty sure the SUV fad will die off eventually.
Thanks for the review Zach! Great job as always! I think one of things that some reviewers are missing and I am surprised that other people on here haven't commented on. The Stinger GT should be compared to the Audi S5 Sportback and not the A5 Sportback. The brakes, suspension, horsepower and torque are closer to the S5 setup than the A5. I have driven Audi's for the past 7 years. I am in no way a brand snob even though I really enjoy the Audi brand. If you look on autotrader.ca the Stinger GT LTD is selling for around $52,000 and some change. The S5 (in the Tecknik trim) is selling for close to $88,000. Yes the A5/S5' interior is a bit more refined but I can't justify paying an additional $36,000 for a comparably equipped vehicle. In the middle of 2019 I will be leaving Audi and going either with the 2020 re-modeled Mazda 6GT turbo (all wheel drive if they can get a new platform for it in time), the Stinger GT Ltd or the Genesis G70 Sport. One of those 3 vehicles will be my next car. I'm about the best vehicle for the price. Cheers everyone and I hope you have a great holiday season!
ill pick one up a limited next year for 25k
Good luck..
I don't think the price is gonna drop that low in one year. My Cadenza was 40K new, and it hit $20k only after like 3 years.
Cassidey Ousley just driving it off the dealers parking lot would depreciate it by $5k. Since its a performance car that shit will drop value really fast.
ttjoshtt More Like $15,000
Q K I know that's the truth. I went to view a BMW 750Li fully loaded 2015 model one owner clean carfax with 27k mileage on it, and they dealership wanted 56k. I offered 50k and they decided to meet me at 52,500. Ultimately I declined and went with an alternative brand new car. That BMW in particular was 100k just two years ago, the fact that they were willing to let it go at 53k was absolutely shocking. German cars, at least BMW, depreciates fast as hell.
The competition for this car quit last year .The SS sedan it had a LS1 ,415 horsepower, Magnetic Ride, Auto or stick, 46 loaded, beautiful car. Chevy gave up on. I never knew the car existed, for the first three years of its life .Chevy should take some lessons from the way Kia advertisers.
I wish the the big KIA badge could be something different as in "E" badge in South Korea.
You're right, Kia seems to have its own premier brand in a name of Esensis like Genesis.
Yeah
You could always cut the 'North Face' logo off your jacket and glue it to the KIA badge if it'll make you feel any better! SMH
40k for a fully loaded one is worth it
Just watch the video. It wallows in corners, and bounces like crazy, the reviewer even said it.
Konrad C yep. This is even more evident when you compare it to a Dodge Charger Scatpack. The Scatpack weights more and has all season tires and still beats the stinger on the skidpad and figure 8 test. That’s not good considering the Scatty is really setup for drag racing, and this Kia is being marketed as a GT car to compete with German luxury cars. If you can’t out handle an American car set up for drag racing, you’re doing it wrong.
He didn't say that at all. He said there is a slight softness in the rear suspension over bumps. He also said it handles nicely.
What a seemingly fair and balanced review. Having seen one on the move I can tell you, it's classy looking bit of kit.
Kias age like cows milk at room temperature
very nice - I love my stinger
The tale light look like the Dodge Charger
Brian Dillard I was just about to say that.
Looks more like maserati
Brian Dillard looks like a Ford Fusion tail lights
Same with the build quality, and this guy comparing it to anything else but a Charger is just dumb. An Audi or BMW as a comp is laughable. No direct competitors? LOL.
Its not function
Just bought "probably my last car" 2 days ago; after 30-35 years of "responsible" pickups & vans I wanted to get back to driving=fun. Stinger was in my "final 4", and if it was available in stick, there's a REAL good chance I would've bought one. But it isn't, so I got a 2018 Type R, "only" $3K over sticker. Both cars figure to be fun, I just wanted the "involvement" of a stick. Enjoy.
Don't care who it looks like, what is smells like or even what is sounds like this beast is badass. I fell on my ass hard for the Kia Optima in 2011. It would be in the parking lot and I would return from the mall and it wouldn't surprise me if I met a few people circling it and wondering what car it was. I used to joke that I wouldn't bat an eye if I came out in the morning and met my neighbor having sex with my Optima. That's how sexy it was. If the Optima was sexy, this beauty will have a few illicit affairs before a successor comes along. Love it!!!!!
Nick P I literally obliterate kia optima turbos in a 20 yr old m3. You need to get out there and drive some other cars. Its always some fuckboy that doesn't even stop at stop signs that has something to prove in their kia optima turbo...until they get smoked by a stock s52 m3 from 20 years ago. 🤷🏻♂️ They keep trying and trying. Finally once you back off after handing them their ass three times in a row do they fly by you acting like they actually beat you, and then go to masterbate on kia forums how they "chopped" a m car. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
My optima was junk, didn't even hit 70K miles....engine blew. Never again.
Konrad, I'm not a speeder, dude. I chill out keep my ride clean and relish in the ride. I don't have anything to prove to anyone else trying to drag me. This one's for me, dude. Embarrassing other drivers is not how I get my kick.
VQ3713, Sorry about your experience with the Optima, man. But I didn't get the car to compare nor even compete with your experience. This one's for me, man. And while I'm terribly sorry about what occurred with your Optima, your experience is totally irrelevant to my devotion to my Optima.
Nick P relish the ride? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 jesus christ dude, get out there and drive some other cars. The optima ride quality is one of the worst of all new midsize cars. 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
That suspension is hilariously bounce.
Nice car!
I choose Audi S4/S5.
James Xu you’re like this split movie thing where you have two different characters
octane booster lol
good luck with the expensive repairs after the warranty ends
I like the A5 but unfortunately you have to let the dealer put you up against the hood and lower your trousers.
People will go and say KIA's suck, but then go and lease a Mercedes. There is a reason most people don't buy them and would rather lease them. If they were so reliable and/or good I don't understand why more people don't buy instead. I get certain people have different circumstances but still. The value of German luxury drops faster than the rock that killed the dinos once the warranty is up. Their marketing departments must be the best in the world.
Dat body roll tho...😅
It's a trade off for a more compliant ride. Most people buying a cruiser like this will be more interested in how comfortable it is running down the interstate more than they will be about carving corners with it.
Chuck D ¥ou ar£ ®ight❕👏😆
trstnhn Lol, a little while but for understanding people, they deserve great comments, with💃Style❕
Been a mechanic for years every swear word i know was created by the main big names Chev Ford Dodge . I love foreign cars and Kia's never break down. They r easy to work on when parts wear out. Not fail because manufactures cheaped out.Just waitin for Kia to bring a Truck to North America!!##?
im a BMW mec and i drive a kia sorento my new car is a hyundai terracan love both never problems they work perfect
Any RWD option in negotiation with Kia Canada? I want the 3.3T with the LSD.
I think it might be. I asked the VP for a stiffer GTS version and a RWD option. It will be interesting if they do these.
Look for a local drug dealer for the LSD
LSD :D
Why the heck do the lights wrap around the side? It's not so noticeable in red, and I'm sure Kia did it to make it look a little more interesting, but I just think it would have looked better without that weird line on the rear three-quarter view.
It’s funny i’m watching this just after my 17 year old Toyota Avalon finally broke down. Now should I wait a bit and buy this or should I go for the new Accord which has really grown on me?
ashrafc go for this. You get all the bells and whistles of the accord and rwd or awd. Not to mention it's going to be easy to find in the parking lot lol.
ashrafc get this all the way.
Get the accord touring package
Just test drove it the other day...it's not just fun, safe and sporty..but reliable, the type R of sedans and...a real value holder
Stinger
Stinger
The body roll is fucking nuts on that car, good lord it looks like an suv.
The problem with Kia's are not what you see, rather it's what you don't see. The paint will flake off in various places where it should not (like in the middle of the hood), the rear window will vibrate- (especially on cold days), the car will pull to one side on the highway, the tires will get sidewall bubbles, the transmission will have a drip, the leather seats will flake and crack and none of this will be fixed under warranty.
They will tell you that the paint flaking on the hood is an 'effect' of how you drive and not a 'defect' in their quality. The rear window is vibrating because the cold weather does this, and it will be better in the spring. The car pulling to one side is 'normal' due to the road crown (yet your other car does not do this). The bubble on the sidewall is because you must be driving aggressively. The transmission drip is just 'sweat' and you should 'keep an eye on it'. The flaking and cracked leather seats is just normal 'wear and tear'.
These cars are all hat and no cowboy.
The last kia you sat in, i can bet was 20 years ago.
It was a 2015. I sold it before one year because of all these problems that Kia would not address. Total junk.
mac daddy thank you for saying this. That's exactly the problem. Idiots call it badge snobbery, intelligent people call it doing your research and not buying a inferior korean clone. Nothing has changed and it never will. Its korean culture
Konrad C - you are spot on right. Nothing is better than the real thing. Clones are just that... cheap copies.
Mac daddy... You're whining because you bought a bargain priced sedan and expected premium standards. You sound like a real tool.
Konrad C ... denigrates people who buy things that they can afford. You're a piece of work.
Bend over girls. I'll make you feel better. But don't expect a reach around.
The red looks stunning.
It's $10,000 too expensive.
no its not . if you think its expensive blame the wages in korea then lefty
@@coopsnz1 We may be blaming Trump for them getting even more expensive because of his proposed tariffs.
It's beautiful
It reminds me of the Pontiac G7
do you mean G8?
Mitchell Steindler
Sorry you're right! A g8
Some elements are more a Giulia Quadrofoglio rip off
Except the G8 has an amazing engine in it mated to a great transmission. Not saying this engine isn't all that, but the LSx platform has been proven and it's cheap. A twin-turbo V6, eh, might overstress the engine quick. I guess we'll see once it's been around for a while, since it's hyped up, a lot will buy.
The 2014-2017 Chevy SS sport Sedan is the just a more modern G8, may want to check them out.
I like a new brand coming into competition, always benefits the consumers. Kudos to Kia for putting some pressure on German premiums whether you are a German Engineering fan boy or not.
The interior is nice, but straight out of a Mercedes CLA...
Patrick Smith Crushes the CLA
I see audi interior cla-like infotainment screen which is the only crap thing about it.
so? whats your point? you basically get mercedes styling in a cheaper car. why the hell would anyone complain
Not really... The Stinger is nearly 50 grand, for that money you could get a pretty nicely equipped CLA 250
You mean it's better than a Fiat... I mean a Chrysler... I mean a Mercedes CLA's interior. Sit in a new Kia. You won't believe it.
Saw gayomatic left this comment and left.. have a good day
I’ll buy a 2016 Hellcat for $50 k or a 485hp 392 scatpack for $40k way before this ...Oops correction 12/17!-I did buy a 2018 Daytona 392 for way less than this-
Yeah go ahead the added hp is to cover up the fact that lower hp cars are whooping dodge azz. The only way to compete is to give average drivers excess hp to get them to buy a dodge!
Take a Camaro, Challenger, or Mustang over this car. No way $40k for a kia.
couch slouch this 1 is $52k lol
Reggie Shields nope only way to give lower power cars to whoop a Dodge off the line is... awd. A V8 sounds sweet everywhere and those will give almost all similar equipment to Kia’s. But I will say sitting in 1 recently , the interior is superior to most cars in its class !
Dodge is owned by fiat
Fix
It
Again
Tomorrow
And it still won’t sell, I find odd that they have not tried to compare it with the Ford fusion sport which is a direct competitor both all wheel drive both TwinTurbo both small V6’s
Yeah at 50k you can definitely get well equipped 4-door American muscle for cheaper than this.
True but that is not a comparison to this car they are 2 different segments.
Yes, you can... You say that as if the American muscle is better? The interior of most American muscle cars is pathetic. I mean, take the interior of a Ford Mustang and compare it to the one in a Kia Picanto (comparable to a Ford Ka in size). The interior looks comparable, and I even think the one in the Mustang looks cheaper. It doesn't do justice to the exterior of the Mustang, which looks really nice.
starmoz.com/images/2015-ford-mustang-interior-11.jpg
www.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/3rd_generation_kia_picanto_gt_line_interior.jpg?itok=oU9bYb-3
Rented a charger on vancouver island, went for a night time spin on some hilly twisties, after 45min the manual shift was disabled due to unknown reasons (guessing overheated). It is still a heavy ass boat with no stiffness in the chassis and no brakes. The kia will outperform easily
Also its pretty pathetic you would even bring up american muscle when this kia gives bmws and audi coupes a run for their money
Civilized I believe Hyundai/Kia has more cars rated most safe than any other maker regardless of price. Also, Kia won j d powers initial quality rating 2 yrs in a row. Keep in mind most buyers remorse/regrets takes place within the first few months of ownership. You can’t offer the best warranty in America if you build cars like FCA, Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford , gm, etc... Many of those companies went broke and needed tax payer bail outs. And they can’t blame the costs of offering great warranties for their failures. Ya gotta call a spade a spade. Hyundai/Kia make quality vehicles and the badge whores will always think their cars, and themselves, are better than you. Even when they are not. That’s why we call them badge snobs. I tell ya, the depreciation rates on my new Mercedes and bmws shocked the crap out of me when I first started buying them 15+ yrs ago.
Check out this gallery from USA TODAY:
2018 IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus awards
usat.ly/2AYYSXP
D K K legit, my mom had a 2003 C 4matic on lease and wow what a joke of a company it is. No courtesy shuttle, no pickup, we went to ask for a fukin phone to call a cab and they point us to a payphone.
Not to mention a basic service is 300+$. Our next car, a Hyundai sonata, didn't cost half that and drove 275 000km in salty winter highways. I have an utmost respect for Korean cars, we drove the living shit out of that Hyundai and it basically never gave us a single issue. Had it for 9 years and was still passing safety
Zach! Thank you for all your effort as always! test driving a GT Limited tomorrow and VERY excited! :)
Charger srt8?
The Charger beats the Kia Stinger in every measurable category.
Beats this Kia in a straight line that’s I️t lol one trick pony car can’t even hit a curve at 60 miles an hour
Mike Blando huh? I don’t think you know anything about the 392 Chargers. The Scatpack pulled 0.92g’s on the skidpad and stopped from 60 mph in 104ft. The Stinger pulled 0.85g’s and stopped in 126ft.
JoCo Dashcam then again you are comparing a car that’s main priority is going a quarter mile and that’s I️t. I️t can’t handle turns for shit. I’ve drove I️t and I’ve drove a hellcat , very fast cars but not worth my time if all I️ can do is floor I️t at red lights
Mike Blando so you’re just going to gloss over the fact that the 392 Chargers handle better than the new Kia Stinger? What do you have to say about the old 2012 392 Charger turning a faster lap time than a 2015 WRX STi, an Audi S4, Audi S3, and the BMW 335i in C&D Lighting Lap? Are you going to tell us all that those cars can’t handle a turn at 60 mph too? Or, are you going to continue down the road of willful ignorance?
This is whats needed to keep auto manufacturers honest. I hope this car really sells. I hope it's reliable. Who cares if a car has 700 hp but can't turn! Or if as soon as it rains out I better be careful! This company trying to upset the norm! I give them thumbs up! Dodge & ford is know for giving cars excessive hp with subpar handing unless modified.
Reggie Shields The Ford Mustang doesn't have sub-par handling, if that's what you mean. It corners really well based on my experience.
That random guy lurking in the comment section
That's cool if you like it. Just saying there's other cars that handle better. Never seen any dodge or ford claiming best time around nurburgring.
Not paying 50K for anything with a Kia badge
Taco Head at least I'm not driving a 50k Kia that will be worth 15k in 2 years
Vile Nation Gaming Worth 15k in 2 years? Lmao about the same depreciation as an AMG Mercedes then
Jacob Greenway no merc and bmws don’t lose value as bad as kias and other Japanese cars
performance kia , not an economy slow turd
There is little luxury and prestige in the majority of Mercedes, BMW and Audi on th road these days. The cost of these brands has dropped considerably relative to inflation over the last decade or so in order to compete for middle class buyers with Japanese makes. And to compete they had strip them off all luxury so that even the most basic features you would expect comes as optional extras. They’re premium because of their badge and reputation they earned decades ago. They look good but the parts, technology, materials and quality of workmanship are often less than a toyota or Hyundai.
What Kia should have done with the stinger, is to remove all Kia badges, or any other Kia or Hyundai markings anywhere on it when presenting the car, and offering it simply as the Stinger to car journalists and reviewers to evaluate without telling them who makes it. Then, after their conclusions, reveal to them that it's from Kia and to keep the brand secret for a while. That way, it would have been a really impartial and unbiased review from everyone.
Fusion V6 Sport AWD
This is way above a fusion sport in terms of speed, braking and options. Would much rather have this as the GT1 twin turbo can be had for around $44k which is really an amazing value.
What about that piece of shit ?
thuglifezeem716 It's like Kia made a baby for the Ford Fusion on the outside and Audi/Mercedes on the inside. However, from the handling of the car in this video, it still feels like Kia hasn't gotten everything right.
The V6 version of the Stinger is considerably more powerful, and considerably faster than the bloated Fusion Sport, and the interior of the Kia blows the Fusion away.
Brad Laue Doesn't in anyway compete.
The problem is not the car. It's the fact that kia being a budget brand depreciation like a lead filled balloon. Looking forward to a used 12 month old stinger for $15k
Good luck. Maybe one that was salvaged...
So a base 3.3L engine from Hyundai/Kia is 292hp and adding 2 turbochargers only adds 73hp. Does that seem low? Or is the boost dialed way back?
Matthew Lagace not just the horses! The torque and how the power is delivered matters a lot!
The Base engine is a 2.0L 4-Cylinder (Turbo).
Would probably have to look at the torque curve. I'm guessing the twin turbos are to have more linear acceleration as opposed the usual "nothing-nothing-whoah turbo-nothing-nothing" rpm band.
The non-turbo 3.3L has 255lbft at 5200rpm vs 376lbft from 1300rpm of torque for the turbo - so not a small difference. Obviously could get more hp but with more lag.
Its for the reliable issues. Anyone can easily add 100-200hp with turbos.
Just came back from a test drive and it is truly breathtaking. The quality of the interior is fantastic, but the performance is on a whole new level. Will be picking up the top-of-the-Range model in a months time.
This car is hideous and a fusion sport or a charger are both better values. Nobody shopping for a a7 or a 5 series would look at this monstrosity
PCSPITTER4NY yea it's not nice to look at...
Love your unbiased review style. I really think Kia&Hyundai have come a long way to roll out fantastic cars like this. Just spotted a Stinger GT in LA and the car looks absolutely fantastic!
Just wondering who the hell would pay for 50k for a KIA???
Tony Ka People who know better than to buy a Mercedes for twice the price.
people that want to retire rich
I would
I definitely will. Move over, Audi.
Well, that might be true. But for 50k, you could purchase an Audi A5 Prestige (top trim), or A6 Premium Plus, so, it might be worth a concern.
Up front it looks like Fisker ,back is just amazing
It's a nice car....but it's still a Kia,
And I cannot justify paying $50K.
Maybe in 3 years when it's worth 25K it can be a decent value
Actually, the Stinger is worth more than $50K, buddy. With all those stuff they put into this car, they are worth more than $70-80K.. You are getting a bargain. And sure it's still a Kia but It sure as hell better than any of those Toyotas and Fords worth $50K. Kia came a long way and they deserve a pet on the back.
Estrading Co Yeah I agree...They do deserve a pet on the back...Maybe a cat or a cow
Brian Lawrance sorry to say it but that's loaded a gt1 is 38-42k.for that it's on touchable. 10 year power train and 5 year 60k mile bumper to bumper. Better value than even cars in the 60-70k range just based on its warranty
Wedow yeah true! But if you buy something well made, such as a Lexus, you don't need a warranty. So warranties mean nothing to me if the machine is built right
Brian Lawrance if you want an extremely boring car then sure go buy a Lexus. Sorry to say it but I've driven the ISF and the lc500 and they were so pathetic for there price Tags. I wouldn't want the car past warranty because its just too slow and not capable enough to justify 70-110k dollars. This car would destroy them at 40-45k. Not to mention the ugly styling of the Lexus front grilles. Just don't see the value at all lmao
3.3L twin-turbo V6 365hp ? How can that be ,,NO REAL COMPETITION'' Audi 2.5 5 pot 400HP easy win
I have no idea why this car gets the attention that it gets. It looks like a half dozen car parts put together to create a Frankenstein car. It looks odd. The interior is not much better. And it is an expensive KIA...hopefully if you like it, you lease it. I have a feeling that buyers will take a bath.
trstnhn is your last name Kia? Geesh!
trstnhn no you’re acting like you’re the chief designer or something. Or like I’m talking about one of your kids...that is what the geesh was for. If you like it, say what you like about it. Spend your money on it. I gave my opinion. I don’t like it. And keep in mind, I didn’t comment on your opinions, you commented on mine.
trstnhn but if I came across as argumentative, I didn’t aim for that. I sold cars when Hyundai first came out, and will confess that Korean cars have come a long way.
You ever driven it ?
Ben Chesterman I haven’t, but sure that it drives fantastic. I’m just not a fan of the design or name...”stinger”. I may drive at some point.
I just got one, the GT v6 TT awd, and I am immensely impressed by it. it is so dang fast and it is going to be very easy to bring more power out of it later on. On top of its power it is very nice but not overdone inside