by "LJ909" (lj909)
Published 11/25/2017 at 11:40
by "LJ909" (lj909)
Published 11/25/2017 at 11:40
No Tags
STARS: 2
Ive been checking and waiting for this to go up and its up finally. Lets look at the price break down finally.
So the base Stinger is $32,100 before any options. It comes with the 2.0L I-4 Turbo GDI, 255hp and 8 speed auto, leather with heated front seats, both Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and a host of other pretty good standard features. Strangely, you can only choose from 3 exterior color choices: white, silver and black. You can add awd to this trim for $2,200. The main option package on this trim is the Kia Drive Wise package, which is a bunch of driver aids lumped together. You get:
Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA)
Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS)
Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
High Beam Assist (HBA)
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) - Base Stinger only
Rain Sensing Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Adding the Drive Wise pack is 2 grand. There really aren’t any other options aside from a few random things like cargo nets and bumper appliques ( I believe these are the same across all trims):
I added remote start for $495. With the Drive Wise Package and remote start: $32,395, $37,495 with awd. Not bad.
Next up is the Premium trim that builds on the base by adding standard things like a Harmon Kardon audio system, navigation, LED headlights, sunroof etc. It still comes with the same turbo 4. It starts at $38 grand even. Exterior color choices are the same 3 from the base but add a Blue color that Kia calls Micro Blue Pearl. The Drive Wise package is still the main option. Withe the same options as the base (remote start and Drive Wise) you’re looking at $40,495, or $42,695 with awd. It got pricey fast.
Now come the GT trims after the base and Premium. There are 3: standard GT, GT1 and GT2. The GT of course comes with that sweet 3.3 liter V6 and adds Brembo’s and 19' wheels, dynamic torque vectoring control, etc. It starts at $39,250 before any options. Red becomes an exterior color choice. Adding the Drive Wise package and remote start, you’re at $$41,745. Interestingly, if you add AWD on any of the GT trims, an option package becomes available that is an all season tire package that gives you all season rubber on 18' wheels. It costs nothing, but requires that you get the Drive Wise pack. I didn’t add this. With awd, you’re at $43,945.
Next GT trim is GT1 and it adds the electronically controlled suspension. It starts at $44,150. On this trim, if you select black, you can get a red leather interior. With the Drive Wise pack and remote start, $46,645, or $48,845 with awd.
Lastly is the top dog GT2 trim that adds things like Nappa leather, heads up display and shift by wire. The Drive Wise package also comes standard on this trim. It starts at $50,100. Selecting the two silver exterior color choices or black will get you just one interior color option: red. Selecting blue will get you light gray leather inside. Red and white will get you Black leather. Weird. Since Drive Wise is standard, there are no options aside from the accessories. With remote start, you’re looking at $50,595 or $52,795 with awd.
All in all, I think its solid and I love the amount of standard features it has, something that should sit well with the 6 people that will cross shop this with the Germans. We all know how BMW is with their options. Its not as pricey as I thought it would be because of the features, but it does climb fast between the trims. A big plus for it is the fact that awd is an option on every single trim level regardless of engine. A downside is no manual of course. The builder is live if you guys want to play with it. What do you think of the pricing and trims?
"PanchoVilleneuve ST" (PanchoVilleneuve)
11/25/2017 at 11:50, STARS: 3
Can somebody give me $50,100 for a blue GT2? Thanks.
"Nibby" (nibby68)
11/25/2017 at 11:51, STARS: 3
unpopular opinion
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/25/2017 at 11:51, STARS: 0
I’d be fine with a base. I just hate its kinda, basic looking. Between those 3 color choices and those standard wheels, it doesnt look like its anything special.
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/25/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 0
How come?
"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
11/25/2017 at 11:53, STARS: 1
Stinger GT, in Blue over black leather, RWD, with the cargo tray and remote start. all i would need
"Nibby" (nibby68)
11/25/2017 at 11:56, STARS: 2
i don’t think it looks good and don’t like the interior layout. i’m sure it drives well but i’m sticking with the ford aspire for fun filled driving
"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer)
11/25/2017 at 11:56, STARS: 0
Gotta love the Mexican Market.
Only rear wheel drive
No manuals (though I don’t think any market gets those)
no base GT, but the top trim is 42,000 dollars and comes fully loaded!
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/25/2017 at 11:57, STARS: 0
It looks better in person. I agree with you on the interior though. They could have tried harder in that regard. But keep in mind this is Kia we are talking about. But Ford Aspire?
"Nibby" (nibby68)
11/25/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 3
done seen it in person
ford aspire is the most luxurious sport hatch ever made. maybach who?
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/25/2017 at 12:01, STARS: 0
I think we might have to go to Mexico to get a better deal.
"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer)
11/25/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 2
I guess its an advantage!
Dare I say Optima l
"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer)
11/25/2017 at 12:09, STARS: 0
Hmm, I see.
Definitely the Figo is very luxurious
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
11/25/2017 at 12:14, STARS: 2
Overall I like it, but there are a few nits to pick.
How is remote start a $500 option on a $51K car? That seems like it should be standard at this price point.
Why are the color combos so tightly controlled? If I want black on black or red on red, I should be able to choose that. Give us some options, KIA.
What the hell were they thinking with the satin nickel trim? If they must have it, an alternative (body-color, silver, black) would be nice.
"fintail" (fintail)
11/25/2017 at 12:16, STARS: 2
I don’t like the lack of interior color choice - looks like you are stuck with one per the exterior color. Styling is also too close to a 2011 Optima for me, but this is likely the best Kia yet, so it has that going for it.
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/25/2017 at 12:20, STARS: 0
I agree on all of these. Remote start should be standard. Hell it was standard on my Sonic. But look at Porsche: they charge you extra if you want another key. Still unacceptable though.
I dont get why the color choices are so controlled either. It really bugs me on the base. The fact that there are only 3 color choices, with 2 of the 3 (white and silver) being universal base model colors along with the wheel options makes the car look basic. I also just realized that that yellow color I had seen some publications testing isnt even one of the color options. Why can’t we get red leather on the base trim?
I would have preferred black or some faux carbon fiber to the satin nickel trim. But the interior already isn’t as snazzy as the exterior, and I feel that anything other than the satin nickel trim would make the interior even more drab than it already is.
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/25/2017 at 12:25, STARS: 1
Yea the color choices are weird like I was saying to someone else. For instance: there are no interior leather color options until you get to the Premium trim, and even then its weirdly limiting: in actuality there are 3, light gray, black and beige leather. But you can only get the light gray leather with the White exterior, and you can only get the tan leather with the Black exterior. Other than that you’re stuck with Black. Even more strange? That tan leather is only available on the Premium trim. Its not even an option on the GT’s. Maybe Kia feels tan leather isnt sporty enough? I dont know, but its limiting.
Gray and silver also dont seem to be too flattering to the Stinger either. A quick glance does show some Optima similarities I agree. But it is a damn good car performance wise.
"fintail" (fintail)
11/25/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 0
I’d want blue, nothing else. I also want a beige, brown, tan, ivory etc interior. Looks like a no go. The red could also be cool, and if there was blue on blue, be still my heart (blue interiors are hens teeth these days). But it looks like I am stuck with black or grey, depending on trim. The light grey might be palatable, but far from my ideal choice. The fact that tan exists, but you can’t select when forking over the money for the top model, is perplexing. The Germans can be good at this game, diverse colors - you pay for it, but you can build close to your spec. My MB is blue on brown, I didn’t build it, but I found it, and I like it.
I just noticed the package names are wacky, too. GT, GT1, and GT2. By a normal numbering convention like for filenames, wouldn’t “GT” be “GT1"? Is “GT” actually GT zero? Weird.
It’ll be very interesting to see how these sell, especially at high spec, and how they hold value after 2-3-5 years.
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/25/2017 at 12:40, STARS: 0
I wish blue were a color option for the interior (looks like you have to go to Lincoln for blue leather), or at least some different stitching colors. With how limiting the colors are, one has to wonder how this will affect finding the car you want. I do give it to the Germans though like you said, they have diverse color options. The 4 GC for instance has 12 different leather color options. They do require different option packages though but still there’s variety.
Honestly they could have just done with one or 2 GT trims and have either everything be standard or have one have options the other doesnt.
It’ll be very interesting to see how this sells. Honestly though I’m not holding my breath because I still have to wonder: who’s this for or who’s going to buy this? The competitors that Kia touts on its site, like the 4 GC and Audi A5 aren’t realistically being crossshopped because in the real world, buyers of these cars care less about performance and more about the badge, and the Stinger is a Kia. Combine that with the shitty customer service that most Kia dealers are known for and sadly I dont think this is going to sell. All one has to do is look to the K900, another high priced Kia to see how high priced Kia’s do in the US marketplace. If anything wait on those rebates.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
11/25/2017 at 12:40, STARS: 0
I’d take a blue, RWD,GT1 with puddle lights, and remote start, which at this price should be standard. Also grabbed the rubber cargo mat.
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/25/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 1
I love that color. Its high for a Kia, but its not bad when you compare it. Because if you look at say, a 440i Grand Coupe similar specs, you’re at just over $60 grand with the 4 Series having pricey options for things the Kia has standard like the Apple Car Play ($500) and some of the driving aids (totaling $2,200 on the 4).
"fintail" (fintail)
11/25/2017 at 13:00, STARS: 0
I suspect you can do it for Bentley and other stratosphere price cars, too. Otherwise, for blue, you are going to be buying older cars - I know MB had it at least until the W140 anyway. Kia seems to be using a mainstream Japanese model of few choices. At a premium price point, I expect more than one interior color choice per exterior color.
The high number of trim levels, especially with oddly repetitive names, is an issue. I wonder if this will cause any confusion from customers or dealers, as we all know some don’t know their product line as they should. GT/GT1/GT2 just seems oddly numbered to me. If it was like GT/GTS/GTX, it would make more sense.
That’s the big question - who is this for. The demographic for this style of vehicle often also wants a badge. This car might have everything but a badge. I believe they will sell, but they probably won’t poach many buyers from prestige brands, rather, maybe finding mainstream buyers who want to move up a step. K900 has to be a tough sell indeed, and depreciation must be fierce. A good used car maybe. In a year, it’ll be interesting to see where this is in the market.
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/25/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 0
The color choices are way too simplistic and that could be an issue for some buyers. I know it would be for me. I dont want to have to go another whole trim line up just to get a certain color that should be an option anyway, especially considering the price.
I think the naming might lead to confusion with the often ill informed sales people, who in turn are going to give customer the wrong info. GT1 and GT2 seems like something that would be named on internal documents regarding the trim differences. I dont like it. Some people may think these types of things are minutia, but they matter.
The badge is the huge obstacle for this car at this price. I say it wont sell because I dont think the buyers they are hoping for will buy this car. Like you said, it wont poach buyers from the Germans because for one, badge is everything to them and they wont see the bang for buck that this car has because they dont care that they can get the same for less elsewhere. The badge blinds them from all of that. 2019/20 should be interesting when these things starts showing up used. The K900/Equus are fantastic buys. Used they usually go for the mid 20's with low miles and still under warranty.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
11/25/2017 at 13:14, STARS: 1
GT1 trim and the only option I got was wheel locks. Because I don’t need remote start on my $44k car!
Also red interior. The picture was apparently taken with some random factory worker’s flip phone.
"CompactLuxuryFan" (compactluxury)
11/25/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 0
All the prices seem to be right on top of the 3-series. I’m afraid I’d have to go with the German. They both have awful depreciation, too, so still a wash there.
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/25/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 0
A similarly specced out 340i is nearly $57 grand. you dont see the value proposition the Kia has over it?
"fintail" (fintail)
11/25/2017 at 19:20, STARS: 1
The color choice restriction might also make the car seem downmarket to anyone cross-shopping or coming from a premium brand, who might be used to some choice. Kind of a dangerous game being played by Kia, maybe they assume because a Rio buyer doesn’t care, that someone spending 40-50K won’t care? Good luck.
Badge will be the big one, but I’d want to judge design and interior materials, too. That has been my gripe when examining an Equus or K900 in person - the spec sheet is nice, but seeing it and feeling it shows that it indeed is not an S-class for E-class money, but rather, a highly equipped mainstream car maybe lacking a little in refinement. Some of the details aren’t polished. It also might end up competing with late model CPO premium cars, like a K900/Equus would compete with a 2-3 year old big German. Loaded off-lease A7 or new Stinger? The market will decide, I might have a hard time. Kia is definitely my favorite of the Hyunkia family, based on design alone. This will be something to watch.
"CompactLuxuryFan" (compactluxury)
11/27/2017 at 15:00, STARS: 1
So $50,595 to $57,000? I think I just don’t value additional equipment that highly. A base 340i would make me happy enough equipment-wise I think. And then you get a better engine and a much better dealer experience.
"LJ909" (lj909)
11/27/2017 at 15:02, STARS: 0
Way better dealer experience. The hard part is actually finding a base no option 340i.
"CompactLuxuryFan" (compactluxury)
11/27/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 1
European delivery baby! Or more realistically bargain down so you get the extra stuff for “free”.
As a used car buyer I’m just thankful BMWs seem to depreciate the same regardless of equipment for the most part. See some obtainable cars with options I would never check.