2017 KIA Stinger GT -Wow

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrk
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Cadder said:
Solid thread revival, but why make a new one?

Curious to know if any forum users own/have owned a Kia Stinger - if so, would you favour this car over a 4 series or A5?
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We have a friend with one and his main reason for choosing it was perhaps not relevant to you. He bought it because it was not a BMW or AUDI. Or a Merc for that matter. He wanted something different.

He also seriously looked at those other 3 brands and told me he got a lot more bang for his buck with the Stinger. He loves it. It's been reliable and puts a smile on his face. I happen to think it's a gorgeous car but I haven't driven it so cannot comment on the dynamics compared to a 4 series. It's certainly comfortable and quick from the passenger seat.
 
I bought two, 2018 and 2022.

The clincher for me when looking to replace the first one was when I went to look at an AMG E53 and I came back to find the 2018 Stinger surrounded by AMG mechanics - I was stuck chatting for about 20 minutes.

It's not perfect, but it comes fully loaded with only paint as an option, and it's a fun driving experience with the V6 and plenty of low down torque plus RWD.
The seats work well for larger drivers.
The equivalent 440i might have been slightly better, and quicker around a track, but would have been a full step up more expensive once you start adding on the dreaded options.

S5 was not really a consideration, it's a diesel.
RS5 very nice, but would have required selling body parts to finance.
 
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dvinell said:
I bought two, 2018 and 2022.

The clincher for me when looking to replace the first one was when I went to look at an AMG E53 and I came back to find the 2018 Stinger surrounded by AMG mechanics - I was stuck chatting for about 20 minutes.

It's not perfect, but it comes fully loaded with only paint as an option, and it's a fun driving experience with the V6 and plenty of low down torque plus RWD. The seats work well for larger drivers.
The equivalent 440i might have been slightly better, and quicker around a track, but would have been a full step up more expensive once you start adding on the dreaded options.

S5 was not really a consideration, it's a diesel.
RS5 very nice, but would have required selling body parts to finance.
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I'm sure you can get an s5 petrol, infact not sure you can even get a diesel s5.
 
dvinell said:
I bought two, 2018 and 2022.

The clincher for me when looking to replace the first one was when I went to look at an AMG E53 and I came back to find the 2018 Stinger surrounded by AMG mechanics - I was stuck chatting for about 20 minutes.
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Surely that's just because they see the AMG's day in day out and this was a bit different for them?

I do think they're superb looking cars and would seriously consider one though if i was looking for a performance saloon.
 
Fair enough, I just looked at wiki and it's showing a tfsi from 17-present.
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Because outside of Europe, it still is. It's only in Europe that its a diesel.

theone8181 said:
I have issues with dirty diesels being in sporty cars, seems an oxymoron.
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The Audi S5 is just a hatchback version of the Audi A4 - it's hardly a Porsche 911 alternative.

The engine actually suits the car really well. It was just released at the wrong time and the market had decided against diesels. If we ignore that then what you get is a fast, comfortable, refined saloon with fantastic range for long distance trips. For me the only bad thing was that they didn't offer a choice of petrol or diesel like BMW does with the equivalent 3 Series.
 
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[TW]Fox said:
The engine actually suits the car really well. It was just released at the wrong time and the market had decided against diesels. If we ignore that then what you get is a fast, comfortable, refined saloon with fantastic range for long distance trips. For me the only bad thing was that they didn't offer a choice of petrol or diesel like BMW does with the equivalent 3 Series.
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The Diesel is A5 worthy but not S5 worthy. The 3L V6 is a wonderfully charismatic engine, which is the problem - the B9 S5 was initially launched with said EA 839 and later revised to the diesel.

Had it have launched with the diesel initially, it wouldn’t have been a problem.
 
MrRockliffe said:
The Diesel is A5 worthy but not S5 worthy
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Let's not pretend the S5 is something that's it not. It's a trim level of the A5, the real performance version is the RS5 and that has always been petrol.

The S5 is no different to the M340d in terms of where it sits in the market.

I think Audi should have offered the choice as BMW did in the 3 series.
 
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[TW]Fox said:
Let's not pretend the S5 is something that's it not. It's a trim level of the A5, the real performance version is the RS5 and that has always been petrol.

The S5 is no different to the M340d in terms of where it sits in the market.

I think Audi should have offered the choice as BMW did in the 3 series.
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It is indeed a trim level, but with optional equipment such as LSD.

It also does drive differently to an A5, and not just because of the engine.


It feels a little more sporty than the A5 and I just don’t think switching from the petrol to the diesel was a wise decision. Nor do I think it’s a good engine for the S5. It no longer feels special
 
Seriously impressive when I first tried one in 2018. I loved it and hoped to buy but it never happened. Could be in the market within 6 months. How do the newer models fair now with their infotainment - I’d only use CarPlay so it’s not software I’m worried about. It’s the size of the screen, quality of sound etc.
 
mattpj said:
Seriously impressive when I first tried one in 2018. I loved it and hoped to buy but it never happened. Could be in the market within 6 months. How do the newer models fair now with their infotainment - I’d only use CarPlay so it’s not software I’m worried about. It’s the size of the screen, quality of sound etc.
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Sound quality is very good for a manufacturer standard fit - Harmon Kardon, with subs underneath the seats.
Note that you have to plug in your phone to get CarPlay, which is annoying, although there are adapters you can buy:
cplay2air.com

CPLAY2air wireless adapter for factory CarPlay on CARPLAY2air.com

Connect wirelessly to your factory Carplay in your Audi, VW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo or Porsche vehicle what was not possible before. Wired Android auto module inside. Convert wired CarPlay connection to the wireless one!
cplay2air.com cplay2air.com

I don't really use it as I fire up Spotify beforehand then hit "Media" to stream over Bluetooth and use the built in SatNav.

But if you do use CarPlay, it looks like this on the later models.
Earlier models had the smaller screen.

EHOvca.jpg

XGZobb.jpg
 
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The Audi S range has been a right mixed bag in recent years.

For a good few years (I believe since the refresh so 2020 time) Audi only offered a V6 Diesel (In Europe) for the S4, S5, S6, S7 and SQ5. I test drove a 2022 S5 and it was pleasant, fast enough, and comfortable but not exciting at all. Honestly you'd be better off getting most powerful A5, barely any difference.

That leaves the S3, TTS, SQ2 (same engine inline 4), SQ7, SQ8 and S8 (I assume the same v8) having a petrol engine.

North America, Australia and other places have always had the TFSI option for the S cars.

Its a shame really.
 
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Qitarah said:
I test drove a 2022 S5 and it was pleasant, fast enough, and comfortable but not exciting at all.
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So exactly the point then. The RS5 exists if you want more than that.

For years the direct rival to the S5 - the BMW 440i M Sport - had exactly the same name as a 420d M Sport. Same sort of idea. It's just the fastest normal A5.

I do agree they should have offered the petrol version alongside it, but there's nothing wrong with the S5 being available as a diesel.
 
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I'm not sure a sport (its in the name after all) car should be described as a "pleasant, fast enough, and comfortable but not exciting at all.", in my eyes that's what the bigger engine A series cars should be. That being said I think the V6 Diesel has a place, I'm just not sure being the only option for the "Sport" line up, is where that place should be. Obviously the issue is emissions related and probably much more complicated than I think it is.

For me personally (and as much as I love my S3 Saloon), it pushes me out of an Audi into a 340i/440i for my next car, or I wait longer and save up more £ for a RS3/RS5.
 
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dvinell said:
Sound quality is very good for a manufacturer standard fit - Harmon Kardon, with subs underneath the seats.
Note that you have to plug in your phone to get CarPlay, which is annoying, although there are adapters you can buy:
cplay2air.com

CPLAY2air wireless adapter for factory CarPlay on CARPLAY2air.com

Connect wirelessly to your factory Carplay in your Audi, VW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo or Porsche vehicle what was not possible before. Wired Android auto module inside. Convert wired CarPlay connection to the wireless one!
cplay2air.com cplay2air.com

I don't really use it as I fire up Spotify beforehand then hit "Media" to stream over Bluetooth and use the built in SatNav.

But if you do use CarPlay, it looks like this on the later models.
Earlier models had the smaller screen.

EHOvca.jpg

XGZobb.jpg
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That’s perfect. Thanks ever so much!
 
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