2018 Kia Stinger Features and Options (USA)

[david norman]

Picking nits here:
I took the wife to see the Stinger over the weekend, she sat in an Optima SX Limited pack right before and commented that she wished the Stinger had the solid seatback pocket and the rear shades of the Optima.

I then went to search the German competitors and they have net style seaback pockets too.

I have had a 2012 Kia Optima SX for 5 years and I really like the car but I don’t love it. Maybe because like the accord it’s not a drivers car. Just a sporty car to get around in without a real punch.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Picking nits here:
I took the wife to see the Stinger over the weekend, she sat in an Optima SX Limited pack right before and commented that she wished the Stinger had the solid seatback pocket and the rear shades of the Optima.

I then went to search the German competitors and they have net style seaback pockets too.

Welcome, Tom. I never understood those net style seat back pockets. But I suppose they work fine...

 

[ralzod]

Welcome, Tom. I never understood those net style seat back pockets. But I suppose they work fine...

What are the pockets even there for anymore? I think mine still has a '00s-era paper map book in it...hasn't seen light of day for years!

 

[Kia Stinger]

What are the pockets even there for anymore? I think mine still has a '00s-era paper map book in it...hasn't seen light of day for years!

True, I haven't used them in years. I suppose some people store papers back there...

 

[tom]

my wife used them to store stuff for the kid, any random brochures we had when house hunting, etc. More an aesthetic thing than anything, the solid pockets look more appealing than the nets

 

[eljay]

What are the pockets even there for anymore? I think mine still has a '00s-era paper map book in it...hasn't seen light of day for years!

Yup--I have the Thomas Guide for CA behind me, and the L.A./Orange Cty. Guide behind the passenger. Actually did use one about a year ago. Just call me old school.

 

[jbweb7]

True, I haven't used them in years. I suppose some people store papers back there...

Yeah, I keep my coaching clipboards, practice plans and kids drawing supplies in mine. Nets or pockets would work fine.

 

[CHC]

So I've been looking at the Excel spreadsheet that is on the Kia website and been comparing trim levels. I noticed that the shift by wire gear is only reserved for the 3.3T GT2 trim, while all lesser 3.3T trims and 2.0T trims get shift by cable.

Does anyone have an opinion on this and if this setup is that much better? I do like the ergonomics of the shift by wire and the aesthetics of the grip. I'm coming from a manual 6-speed so either is definitely a change. And what is confusing is why it is only reserved for the GT2 trim. Just confused as to why some features have to be so trivial and either omitted for our market. We really need something official now if December is indeed the sale date, but to be realistic this doesn't seem promising.

 

[Bamm1]

So I've been looking at the Excel spreadsheet that is on the Kia website and been comparing trim levels. I noticed that the shift by wire gear is only reserved for the 3.3T GT2 trim, while all lesser 3.3T trims and 2.0T trims get shift by cable.

Does anyone have an opinion on this and if this setup is that much better? I do like the ergonomics of the shift by wire and the aesthetics of the grip. I'm coming from a manual 6-speed so either is definitely a change. And what is confusing is why it is only reserved for the GT2 trim. Just confused as to why some features have to be so trivial and either omitted for our market. We really need something official now if December is indeed the sale date, but to be realistic this doesn't seem promising.

Shift by wire has several advantages. How significant they are is up for debate.

• Shift effort is greatly reduced.
• It allows for safety features like auto shift to park when turning the car off or opening a door.
• It can also have packaging efficiencies but it appears Kia did not take advantage of that with both methods using a shifter in the same place.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Shift by wire has several advantages. How significant they are is up for debate.

• Shift effort is greatly reduced.
• It allows for safety features like auto shift to park when turning the car off or opening a door.
• It can also have packaging efficiencies but it appears Kia did not take advantage of that with both methods using a shifter in the same place.

I guess the "auto hold" feature is only available with shift by wire. Right?

 

[CHC]

Shift by wire has several advantages. How significant they are is up for debate.

• Shift effort is greatly reduced.
• It allows for safety features like auto shift to park when turning the car off or opening a door.
• It can also have packaging efficiencies but it appears Kia did not take advantage of that with both methods using a shifter in the same place.

Thanks for that I hope they incorporate some smart logic in the production models.

 

[seanmccubb]

I guess the "auto hold" feature is only available with shift by wire. Right?

It shouldn't be, I know the current Optima has auto hold and that is shift by cable

 

[Bamm1]

I guess the "auto hold" feature is only available with shift by wire. Right?

That would be related to an electronic parking park. Again, removing the cable, like with "shift by wire". It has similar advantages. Things like:

• Auto Hold, like you mentioned
• Auto engage parking brake if you are in nuetral and start opening doors, taking off seat belts, etc.
• Auto disengage after putting the car into gear (D or R) and hitting the gas

 

[hej]

I'm going to bet that a fully loaded AWD Stinger in the US will be about the same price as a fully loaded Sorento V6 . There has to be some relationship to to the existing portfolio in the US and they did promote the Sorento as a "flagship" vehicle as they are with the Stinger ...........................so maybe $45,000 ish ??

It'll be a bit over $50k MSRP. I'm guessing that at some point you'll be able to get discounts that push the price down around $45k, if you wait until model year inventory is being cleared out.

 

[BrianSTINGER2022]

Does the Stinger have a Automatic Parallel Parking option? Just wondering.

 

[westcoastGT]

Does the Stinger have a Automatic Parallel Parking option? Just wondering.

no sir , but this is optional ..................( note: US model only )

 

[mldavis2]

With all due respect @BrianSTINGER2022, if you (or the significant other) can't parallel park, you need to find another parking spot far far away from mud-caked pickup trucks and decal-covered beaters. Been drivin' since cars wuz invented 'n took driver's ed waaaay back in the olden days when cars wuz longer 'n a football field, and we never had no trouble......

 

[Melissa Rothburg]

Does the Stinger have a Automatic Parallel Parking option? Just wondering.

No sir! It does not!

With all due respect @BrianSTINGER2022, if you (or the significant other) can't parallel park, you need to find another parking spot far far away from mud-caked pickup trucks and decal-covered beaters. Been drivin' since cars wuz invented 'n took driver's ed waaaay back in the olden days when cars wuz longer 'n a football field, and we never had no trouble......

Oh come on you know there were only 2 other cars on the road besides yours back then.

 

[davebo]

It's not a feature I'd really care about but I'm kind of curious why it doesn't. I mean, granted the USA doesn't get the 360 camera, but in markets where it does you would think it'd be easy to tack on that functionality, right? Cheaper mid-size sedans like the Ford Fusion have that I think.