"LJ909" (lj909)
01/19/2018 at 12:45 • Filed to: Kia, Kia Stinger
0
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"LJ909" (lj909)
01/19/2018 at 12:45 • Filed to: Kia, Kia Stinger | 0
| 22 |
The Kia Stinger was one of the most anticipated cars of 2017. Here was Kia giving real drivers what they wanted, while everyone else is going for hybrids and crossovers. Its gorgeous and unexpected and a value, well if you’re willing to drop nearly 50 large on the top trim GT2. But how does it stack up to the German competition that Kia thinks will be cross shopped against the Stinger?
Using Kia’s own site, lets compare the models they have listed there, which honestly, are pretty lofty models to compare to: The Porsche Panamera V6, Audi A5 Sportback,and the BMW 4 and 6 Series GC. Kia’s own site states that the Stinger, in twin turbo V6 trim, beats all of those to 60. But across all trims, how does it stack up in the only metrics that matter: power/performance and price?
Firstly, here are the Stingers engine specs since I have detailed the Stinger pricing !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! The Stinger comes with 2 engine choices: a base 2.0 turbo I4 putting out 255 horses and 260 lb/ft of torque with a claimed 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds; and the 3.3 twin turbo v6 with 365 horses and 376 lb/ft of torque with a 4.7 0-60 time. Each engine comes with Kia’s 8 speed auto.
First up: Audi A5 SportBack: The A5 Sportback is Audi’s newest addition to the A5 family. What has always been a coupe and convertible only models has grown into what is essentially BMW level of confusion: a 4 door version of a 2 door version of a car that is a 2 door version of a 4 door car (an A5 is essentially a 2 door A4) with an added hatchback for the marketing term Sportback. Its starts at $42,600. The only engine option is a a 2.0 4 with 252 horses and gives the Sportback a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds. Power gets routed through a 7 speed S Tronic transmission.
Engine/trans advantage: Kia: With 2 engine options, both out power the Audi, with the Stinger’s 4 being up 3 horses. The Kia’s transmission also gets 1 gear more, 8 to the Audi’s 7. The only thing Audi has over the Kia in this department is the standard AWD, while AWD on the Stinger is a $2200 option on every trim level regardless of engine.
Pricing advantage: Kia: With few options, you can get a base A5 Sportback Premium with the S Line sport package for just under $44 grand. Keep in mind though that with this being an Audi, its pretty nicely equipped for the standard features, but to get anything good out of it pricing can go up fast. A base Stinger starts at $32,800 and is kind of spartan, especially in the exterior and interior color choices. Things get weirder when you compare the top trims of both. A fully loaded 2.0 A5 Prestige starts at $50,200, that’s with no options mind you. A loaded Stinger is just $100 bucks less. And being Kia, its loaded and there aren’t any other options besides accessories. The Audi is just getting started. Just choosing the S Line package, cooled seats and a driver assistance pack takes you to nearly 55 grand.
Vs the A5 Sportback, the Kia looks to be the better buy, though Audi gives you more options, but your going to pay.
Next up: BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: The 4 Gran Coupe is the epitome of Bavarian confusion and is just like I described the A5 above but with it being BMW is even more confusing: its a 4 door version of a 2 door car which is itself a 2 door version of a 4 door car but with a name that implies 2 doors because of a sloping roofline. The 4 GC comes in 2 flavors: 430i starts at $43,300 and comes with BMW’s extra named TwinPower Turbo 2.0 I4. It puts out 248 horses and 258 lb/ft of torque and is good for a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds. That power gets routed to the rear wheels through an 8 speed transmission. The 440i, starting at $49,700, uses BMW’s smooth turbo I6 putting out 320 horses and 330 lb/ft of torque to the rear wheels.
Engine/Trans advantage: Kia: Again, Kia bests the competition. The specs don’t lie. In both engines, the Kia out powers the BMW: 7 horses in the 430 and a whopping 45 in the 440. They are evenly matched in the trans department though with both having 8 speed autos.
Pricing Advantage: Kia: This is almost a no brainer for the Kia being a Kia. They are made to undercut the competition by thousands and it really shows when you compare the BMW pricing. Like I mentioned before, a bare bones, leatherette seated no optioned BMW 430i is $43,300. Just adding, for example, black leather with red stitching requires the addition of a $2300 premium package. You’re already at nearly 48 grand just by wanting real leather and no other options. The 440i is even pricer. Fully optioned with things like the M sport Package, Premium package, track handling package, Apple CarPlay etc, a 440i GC is $61,875, $11,280 more than a loaded Stinger GT2.
Vs the 4 Series, the Stinger looks to be a fantastic buy, especially when you compare a loaded 440i to a Stinger GT2. You’re paying almost 12 grand less for a car that’s more powerful and faster, and probably will drive just as good.
The Next 2 cars are oddballs to me. Oddballs in that Kia seems to be really reaching with the comparisons of these 2: the Porsche Panamera V6 and the BMW 640i Gran Coupe.
First up: BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe: Another example of what I like to call Bavarian Confusion is the 6 Gran Coupe. Its the same level of confusion as the 4 Series GC except its a large 4 seater. BMW likes to tout that it has a roomier back seat and 2 actual doors for people that wanted a 6 but not the inconvenience of the convertible. The 6 Series can be had with 2 engine options: the 640i comes with a 3.0 TwinPower Turbo I6 with 315 horses and 330 lb/ft of torque. The 650i comes with a 4.4 liter TwinPower Turbo V8 putting out 445 horses and 480 lb/ft of torque. Both can be had with an 8 speed auto as the only trans option.
Engine Advantage: Kia,kinda: When I say kinda, I mean that it only bests the 6 Series in the 640i, which I find to be woefully under powered for how big the car is. The Stinger GT out powers the 640i by a whopping 50 horses. And that’s where it counts for Kia for marketing purposes. But the 6 Series out performs the base 2.0 powered Stinger in both the 640 and 650 trims (not to mention the V8 out powering the Stinger GT by 80 horses). Its got 60 horses on the Stinger 2.0 in 640i trim and a whopping 190 in 650 (Of course. Its a V8)
Price advantage: Kia: but this comes with caveats of course. First, in both 640 and 650 trim, the BMW is on another planet price wise to the point buyers of the 6 may not even know that the Stinger exists. A Kia is something they vaguely recall their nanny driving. But nonetheless for comparisons sake the Kia of course undercuts the 6 Series. Prices rise fast for it. A no optioned 640i is $81,400. The 650? Don’t get me started, but optioned up, both can easily get near or crest 6 figures.
Vs the 6 Series, there kind of isn’t really a real world comparison. Like I mentioned, 6 Series buyers aren’t going for a Stinger. that’s just the reality. And the Stinger’s only marketing point, being more powerful than the 640i, only holds up to a point. the point being that you don’t take a look at the base Stinger 2.0 or the V8 powered 650i.
Lastly: the Porsche Panamera V6: Kia comparing themselves to Porsche? Are they inhaling exhaust fumes from old Sephia’s? Probably, but they are touting the Stinger GT to be faster than the Panamera V6 on their site. Starting at an eye watering $85 grand, the Panamera V6 is powered by Porsche’s 330 horse turbo V6 putting power to the rear wheels through Porsche’s 8 speed PDK. Of course the Panamera is available with other engine options that blow the Stinger out of the water, but Kia was careful to only choose the V6 version.
Engine advantage: Kia*: Yes Kia for those of you surprised. The Stinger GT actually is more powerful and faster than the Panamera. It up 35 horses over the Porsche and is faster to 60, getting there in in 4.7 seconds compared to the Porsche’s 5.6. And here’s where that asterisk i put comes in. Of course this is all on the surface to get wtf looks from consumers by Kia. For one the Stinger is faster than the Panamera, but not just because its 35 horses down, but because its heavier by 172 lbs. Which can make all the difference. And once you get to the other Panamera models, the Stinger is both out powered and will be slower.
Pricing advantage: Kia: But like the 6 Series, probably even more so with the Panamera, who’s really going to cross shop the 2? You cant even change a color on the Porsche without raising the price nearly a grand. And with Porsche options, you can very easily get a base Panamera well into 6 figures with the myriad of options they have.
Vs the Panamera, the Stinger win only counts for those people that want bragging rights to say they are faster than those rich stay at home wives who drive base Panamera’s.
But there you have it folks. In some ways, the Stinger really is the better buy. But honestly no one is going to cross shop the 2, especially not with the 6 and Panamera. Its all just for bragging rights or those times Stinger drivers will encounter a BMW or Audi driver at the gas pump next to them.
jkm7680
> LJ909
01/19/2018 at 17:32 |
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Once a Kia, always a Kia. That’s what I think at least.
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LJ909
> jkm7680
01/19/2018 at 17:33 |
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Thats what too many people think. No matter how good their cars have become.
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jkm7680
> LJ909
01/19/2018 at 17:39 |
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“I drive a Kia” is one of those embarrassing statements I never wish to utter.
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LJ909
> jkm7680
01/19/2018 at 17:43 |
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It is. But they are too good to ignore now. Cars like the Cadenza, Stinger and K900 show that you can get comparable performance and luxury for thousands less if you’re a smart buyer that doesnt care about a badge. Not to mention their warranty makes the rest of the industry look like a joke.
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jkm7680
> LJ909
01/19/2018 at 17:46 |
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Honestly, I’d have to go with the badge thing and deal with the extra cost. A badge goes a lot farther than anything else.
When I drove a 1997 A4 a few years ago, everybody thought I was well off. If I drove a 2018 Kia Sephia or whatever that one is, everybody would think I drove a Kia.
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LJ909
> jkm7680
01/19/2018 at 17:49 |
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True. But it comes down to this: who gives a fuck what everyone else thinks? I for one don’t care about perception with mainstream brands. If I can save thousands over some yuppie who bough a car not on the cars actual merits and performance, but because of some badge on the hood so people can look at him and go”that man is probably successful”, I would say that its not only a smarter buy, but a rational one as well.
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jkm7680
> LJ909
01/19/2018 at 18:03 |
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That’s true as well.
However, people who buy the worst of a selection of vehicles seem to regret it and sell quickly when they realize they’ve bought a Kia instead of a most prestigious car that has something behind the name and spending a little more money. Kia also isn’t exactly known for making long lasting cars, even when they did make solely shitboxes that lasted a couple years.
Like 2001 wasn’t that long ago, look at Kia then: https://www.autobytel.com/kia/2001/
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LJ909
> jkm7680
01/19/2018 at 18:09 |
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Oh yea everyone is well aware of Hyundai/Kia’s recently shit box pass. But those days are long gone and in many ways the Kia’s might be more reliable than the prestigious brands and when stuff does go wrong, you wont be paying absurd amounts of money to fix it. They are too good to ignore now.
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jkm7680
> LJ909
01/19/2018 at 18:11 |
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It’s just the name I guess then. If they did something like Hyundai with Genesis, they would probably have more success. But then again, not that many people really buy Genesis line cars.
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LJ909
> jkm7680
01/19/2018 at 18:21 |
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Nah that wouldnt make sense. As it is they are pushing it with the K900 and Stinger. Kia is supposed to play Hyundai’s Pontiac to Genesis Cadillac. Meaning sporty/performance cars. But certain things dont fit that. But thats what they have stated they wanted: Kia sporty,Hyundai every man value and Genesis luxury.
Genesis is selling though. The G80 was 3rd place in sales for 2017 behind the 5 Series and ahead of the A6.
hike
> LJ909
01/19/2018 at 18:55 |
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I saw my first Stinger on the road today. It’s really quite the sharp looking vehicle! I’d love for one of the auto publications to do a very odd comparison between the Stinger, the cars you mentioned, and a Charger Scat Pack. I only mention the charger because it is a large performance oriented sedan in the same price range, where as the luxury vehicles aren’t necessarily in the same price range.
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LJ909
> hike
01/19/2018 at 18:59 |
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I’ve been starting to see them to. A guy that works near me just got a White one and its a looker for sure. I would love to see an actual comparison test as well with instrumented in depth data. The Charger would be the odd man out because in the V8 trims, you have to spend way more to get the kind of power FCA offers on them.
awmaster10
> jkm7680
01/19/2018 at 20:09 |
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These cars are nothing like a 2001 Kia. You really don’t value how good a car is as much as the badge? At least you’re able to admit it? Weird take as an auto enthusiast.
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jkm7680
> awmaster10
01/19/2018 at 20:18 |
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The name Kia is what makes me not like it.
Arrivederci
> jkm7680
01/22/2018 at 15:14 |
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It’s really not that bad - I used to feel the same way, and then my wife’s car got totaled. She, of course, wanted a CUV and the Sorento offered the best bang for the buck in the category. It’s been a great rig so far and doesn’t look out of place next to my S3.
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Arrivederci
> LJ909
01/22/2018 at 15:54 |
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I think it would still be interesting. The Daytona 392 would be a nice comparison to the Stinger GT as far as price goes. I’d imagine the Stinger would win handling and interior, but the Charger would take any acceleration comparison. I mean, it has 120hp over the Stinger GT after all, though I’d imagine it weighs more.
DayManFighterOfTheNightMan
> LJ909
01/22/2018 at 15:55 |
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I would also include the Infiniti Q50 3.0T , The 2018 Buick Regal GS and the TLX v6 SH-AWD as potential competitors to the Stinger GT. And as for the Base/Premium Stinger 2.0T I would compare the 2018 Buick Regal. I would gladly choose the stinger over any of these based on value of money.
It would be interesting to compare the Genesis G70 against it’s cousin in the future.
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LJ909
> Arrivederci
01/22/2018 at 15:59 |
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Yea the SRT and Stinger compete only as much as price goes. The Stinger would out handle it im sure. But the Charger would win everything else and probably have better resale.
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LJ909
> DayManFighterOfTheNightMan
01/22/2018 at 16:40 |
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The Stinger outpowers and will be faster than all of those though. Its really in a class all by itself almost even though the Regal has the same hatch body style.
It will be interesting. I think the G70 will be very closely related to the Stinger. That is if its still coming. Nothing has been said or heard about it since its little debut. Even on the Genesis site under future vehicles, its not there even though it was at one point.
Spanfeller is a twat
> LJ909
01/22/2018 at 18:27 |
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Dude, I love my car, but a competitor to the Germans it aint.
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LJ909
> Spanfeller is a twat
01/22/2018 at 18:37 |
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Everyone seems to realize that but GM. I mean they are better than what they used to be, but they got a little more to go.
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Spanfeller is a twat
> LJ909
01/22/2018 at 18:51 |
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Its my main issue with the Kia, its innate rival, the SS, is dead and buried.
And it is a nice car compared to an SS, but its not a nice car compared to a fucking 440i!