Why did Kia use McPherson front suspension?

[5tinger]

As the title suggest - why did Kia not use the more superior Double-wishbone front suspension for the stinger?

The McPherson front is basically the standard front suspension design you find in every econobox. It's decent if done right - which I'm sure is the case with the stinger.

However, for overall road holding, braking, steering & and handling characteristics - the double wishbone design is more adept and can be pushed to much higher limits.

The Infinti Q50/Q60 use the double wishbone design- as does Lexus IS & 370z etc

 

[STINGER]

I am sure there are pro's and con's to each, considering the Stinger is a GT the McPherson probably fit the purpose better.

 

[Dennis]

Cost and complexity will be a major implication in my opinion. A macpherson strut setup works 90% of a double wishbone setup and also the reduction of cost to manufacturer and also the reduction of replacement costs to us.

However the front lower arm is a double ball joint setup which is not common on cars with Macpherson front struts and comes on higher end vehicles.

 

[xot1]

The G80 sport had double wishbone so I think cost was a factor in the choice.

 

[eflyguy]

It's not black and white - there are many variations from basic to complex. The 5-point multi-link system in the Stinger (and G70 Sport, and most all other moderate-cost sporty vehicles) is complex, and mechanically very similar in performance, but much cheaper and more compact overall, especially up front making more room for the crash structure and engine.

So cost is likely a factor, but design considerations also likely played a role.

 

[MerlintheMad]

What a fascinating topic. This has come up before, recently. This thread already has more info in the responses than I read on the other thread. I go along with the idea that cost and performance ratio fell on the side of the strut arrangement.

 

[eflyguy]

You have no idea how deep this rabbit hole can become, if you're thirsty for knowledge in these matters. Ultimately, there's no one "best" anything because if there were, it would be patented, mass-produced, and found on every commercial product available. There are very specific reasons one variation (or overall solution) is selected for a particular application, and on a mid-market vehicle like this, the suspension performance likely contributes more to the equation than cost. In other words, there ain't nothin' wrong with what we have, because you'd only be able to measure the fractional benefits of a dual-wishbone setup if you were racing - and this car was NOT built to race, despite the way some of the early marketing (and reviews) positioned it.

 

[5tinger]

Reading Stinger reviews regarding ride and handling is very black and white. You have reviewers on one hand who agree the stinger is close to perfecrion. Yet there are orher reviews who critisize the ride and handling, i.e too floaty, too firm etc etc?

I hope the Stinger is one of those vehicles that can be driven with the fingers. Something never possible on previous Kia's with EPS

 

[Jingguily]

Let's be real, if you're looking for "the best" you will not buy the Stinger. The Stinger is for those who want something that is great yet does not cost a lot to maintain and repair. MacPherson's are easy to maintain and repair and can offer like 80% of the performance of lower level double wishbone setups while costing a third of the price to replace an being easier to clean and maintain.

Lots of people understand this, but some people still seem to think that the Stinger is not a Kia.

Could I buy a used RS3 for the price of a new Stinger? Yes, but over 4 years the maintenance cost of the Stinger will be less than half of the Audi, and the longer you keep it the bigger the difference gets.

 

[eflyguy]

MacPherson's are easy to maintain and repair and can offer like 95% of the performance of lower level double wishbone setups while costing a third of the price to replace an being easier to clean and maintain.

FIFY

That 5% (or less) only matters when you're racing.

 

[oddball]

Reading Stinger reviews regarding ride and handling is very black and white. You have reviewers on one hand who agree the stinger is close to perfecrion. Yet there are orher reviews who critisize the ride and handling, i.e too floaty, too firm etc etc?

I hope the Stinger is one of those vehicles that can be driven with the fingers. Something never possible on previous Kia's with EPS

Depends on what the reviewer is looking for. As a grand tourer it's got a great balance of comfort and handling. As a sport sedan / track (e.g. M5) car it's far too soft and compliant. As a family sedan (e.g. Avalon) it's rough around the edges.

The steering is *not* fingertip-soft. But it's also not dead weight. It's balanced towards the heavy side though.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The steering is *not* fingertip-soft. But it's also not dead weight. It's balanced towards the heavy side though.

It definitely depends on what you came from. Vans are dead weight. The Stinger is a svelte athlete. Every time I get behind the wheel I feel like I am one small step away from racing - in total comfort . (A noob is speaking, yes, I know that.)

 

[oddball]

It definitely depends on what you came from. Vans are dead weight. The Stinger is a svelte athlete. Every time I get behind the wheel I feel like I am one small step away from racing - in total comfort . (A noob is speaking, yes, I know that.)

The stock steering in my '72 Cutlass was fingertip soft. You could steer all day with the tip of one finger. The '65 C10 with manual steering and farm tires? Holy hell, that's not fun in parking lots.

 

[brancky3]

Depends on what the reviewer is looking for. As a grand tourer it's got a great balance of comfort and handling. As a sport sedan / track (e.g. M5) car it's far too soft and compliant. As a family sedan (e.g. Avalon) it's rough around the edges.

The steering is *not* fingertip-soft. But it's also not dead weight. It's balanced towards the heavy side though.

I think it's still too soft even for a grand touring car. I would not compare the Stinger to an M5; a better comparison is to a BMW 540i M-sport.

 

[CaliSting]

Bottom line it saves money. Also some very good handling cars on struts. Porsche’s for example.

 

[Dia1Up]

I know this is an old topic, I was trying to research if it's possible to swap the G70 wishbone into the Stinger.... It's not heh. The entire subframes are VERY different. Idk if you could swap whole subframes or what, but either way it would be WORK

Double wish bone from a handling stand point is objectively better. You can tune exactly how you want the wheel to behave under compression. Adding or taking away dynamic camber ect

But strut is MUCH cheaper. Plus price to durability ratio is also high. Easy to align, if it even goes out of alignment, and packaging. Struts are more compact. I don't think they were taking that directly into account with the Stinger, I think it was a cost thing but who knows. Stinger is cheaper while offering 95% a genesis interior, tech, ect.

 

[stoopid]

It's easy to assume the primary factor is cost, because Kia. Makers like Kia survive by making the most with the components they can afford to build into a car to hit a price point. With a big brand like Kia, always assume decisions are made around cost until proven otherwise.