Used 2018 Kia Stinger Consumer Reviews
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If you place value over logo then drive this car
gearhead, 01/24/2019
updated 01/28/2022
2018 Kia Stinger GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
I've been a car nut for decades, having owned a turbo Volvo and BMW, supercharged MINI, Audi and Mazda, and a big block V8 as well as an Infiniti G35. The two things that drive me is (1) the car has to be fun and (2) it has to be authentic, which means that it has to represent value, in acquisition price, driving satisfaction, reliability, and maintenance cost. Keeping in character, this time I went shopping for a high performance sports sedan for around $50K. I drove a bunch: Alfa (too claustrophobic, untested reliability), BMW 340i (nice car but not much fun), Mercedes C43 (sweet car but $20K over my budget, Audi S4 (don't know why but is just didn't move me. and it was 10K over my budget). Then I stopped by my local KIA dealer and was appalled at the juvenile behavior of the sales staff. Plus, they placed a $5.000 "market adjustment" onto the Monroney. Despite that, I test drove the vehicle and loved it. I then called to other KIA dealers in the Denver area and focused on one that was a bit more professional. In the end I leased the car and then bought out the lease after 90 days. The "acrobatics" saved me a little over $8,000 off sticker. The car is great with a few minor nits (1) the driver preference template resets to "comfort" each time the car is turned off. This is also true for the auto stop/start. If you want rear visibility use the side mirrors - the rear window view is very small. The dealership is very pedestrian, but as my daddy used to say, its OK to have people fawning over you - just remember that you are paying for it one way or another. The same is true with the German auto palaces. So, I look forward to (1) a great driving experience (2) repair bills that do not look like mortgage payments (the longest warranty in the business) (3) a car brand that is low on prestige, but 5th highest on reliability. For that I can put up with the crying babies, stale popcorn, and Optima loaners. At this point I have over 12K miles on the KIA. It has been totally trouble free. Good thing, because the service writers at the dealership are total bozos. Might have something to do with the extremely tight labor market here in Denver, or maybe the dealer just puts a higher priority on selling cars, rather than maintaining them. Good thing that KIA makes a quality car. To Date: mediocre mileage - close to EPA Estimates no rattles very little road noise effortless performance tight handling - considering its weight a good thing that I bought it right, as depreciation is a bit steep. I will probably end up keeping the KIA for a longer time, just because resale is not great. I recently took it on an extended trip, mostly well traveled two lane roads. The acceleration made passing slower moving vehicles very easy. The low road noise and compliant suspension resulted in arriving at my destination without the fatigue I had experienced doing the same route in other cars. It is too big to be a sports sedan - it is truly a grand tourer.
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Great Car!
Martin, 11/03/2018
2018 Kia Stinger GT1 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
I have been leasing cars every two years for the past 10 years. I am very happy with this car. I think Korean cars will be the benchmark of cars in the future. it is a great balance among price, performance, and reliability. in every location that I parked, somebody says " I le your car" It has an Italian style and in terms of performance for 42K you can beat an Audi A7 which is similar a hatchback priced at 70K. Also is giving me 21.5 MPG in City and 26 in Highway which is great for that engine. IT is hard to find a car that for 42k gets you from 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. I Am leasing it now and I am thinking of buying it after two years of depreciation. It worth it.
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Had my heart set on a Mercedes...but fell in love
Queen Bee, 05/11/2018
2018 Kia Stinger GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
22 of 24 people found this review helpful
For the past 12 years...had my heart set on a Mercedes. At a point where I could actually afford one...I chose to test drive the Stinger GT2....and that's all it took. One press of the pedal to the floor put a smile on my face I've not had from driving in a very long time. Handling...comfort...and have you seen this car? She is stunning! The Stinger ad with Steven Tyler hit the nail on the head...Feel Something Again. Indeed.
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Stinger is a winner!
Larry Scheps, 06/14/2018
2018 Kia Stinger GT2 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
This is a very special vehicle. A lot of engineering and driver comfort and safety features were paramount in regards to making the new Stinger GT2. It is fun to drive, has many safety features, a 0-60 acceleration in 4.7 seconds with it’s 365 hp twin turbo engine. The interior is luxuriously appointed, with easy to read displays, a great stereo system, and large GPS display. Kia has knocked it out of the park with its new model.
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I replaced my GTI with a Stinger...and no regrets!
Gordon A., 10/15/2018
2018 Kia Stinger GT1 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I had a perfectly fine 2016 GTI but test drove the Stinger because I loved the styling, and fell in lust with it's driving dynamics as well. It took me 3 months to pull the trigger and purchase, and with the VW falling out of warranty, the timing was right (life has taught me to always ditch the Euro brands I've purchased over the years(VW, Audi, and BMW) right when the warranty ends, because they then become money pits with the repair costs). I was leery about getting a larger car (I'm a single guy with no real need for all the room) but the Stinger drives so well that you don't notice its size. I got the GT1 with AWD (a must here in Colorado) and the power and handling is phenomenal. I just broke it in with a Cannonball run from Denver to Santa Fe and back. On the way down, I had clear skies and dry pavement and it proved to be an excellent cruiser. I was concerned about it being a gas guzzler (and it IS driving around town), so I left the car in Eco mode and achieved 28 avg mpg, which was good even with all of the elevation changes. On my way back to Denver I spent most of the drive in sub-freezing temps and wet/icy/snowy roads. No issues whatsoever, it was a stable Mable haha. The heated seats and steering wheel were perfect, and the AWD had me feeling truly confident. I never truly though of myself as a brand snob, and drove German cars because of their driving dynamics and style. But alas, I was tired of paying for that German goodness by way of expensive repair bills once they all were over 40,000 miles (like clockwork). This Kia combines that German feel, far more exciting style, content, and best of all, reliability, at a fraction of the price. Plus the dealerships are GIVING these things away to move them. Here in Denver I've only seen two, so you also get an air of exclusivity until the masses get hip to this amazing car. Again, overall, no buyer's remorse-the power, the styling. The styling (again haha), the features-the driver's assist tech all works grand, and the Harmon Kardon stereo sounds truly awesome-The Eagles and Fela Kuti never sounded so good! Please don't let badge snobbery keep you from test driving (and buying) this car.
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