2019 vs 2018, my findings

[Waynerm002]

So today I took the car out of the garage after returning the rental, first trip out since it was picked up on Thursday night. I noticed the 2019 feels tighter than my 2018 which I got new with less miles, the 2018 had 46 or so miles on it, the 2019 had 116. Outside noise seems to be less and that buffeting noise isn’t occurring on this car. The 2018 was noisy from the start and it was discovered that the drivers door was out of alignment and subsequently fixed. I suspect something else was off as other have noted theirs didn’t have the noise issues I encountered on the 2018.

On another front the stereo seems louder as well, similar to the G70 I drove a couple of days earlier, at level 10 on the volume, it’s more than sufficient while driving. I’ve used to set the 2018’s volume at 15 to 20 while streaming Spotify to get above the outside noise at highway speed. That said, the bass I found was pretty potent even and when I went to adjust it, it was set at -5, leveling out, it has enough kick to sound like there is some adjustment to it. To 2018’s system took a while to break in and sound good and the bass got deeper over time. The 2019 seems like it was already burned in. Folks have said the system has more mids and highs, which on the 2019, they are there, on the 2018 I wanted to do that mod to remove the felt cover in front of the speakers. I would set the mids to 3 and treble to 2 to get things where I like them (with enhancements set to on-stage mode), now it’s about right flat. A setting change of 1, brings up the vocals just nicely, again for my taste.

The ride so far is quite good. Steering feel is a bit better but i’ll Have to drive my buddy’s car back to back with this one to tell for sure. The Michelin winter tires have some noise at speed but they are quite new so expect that should improve over time. On the 18” wheel/tire setup, the ride feels good but a bit hard and I checked and saw the pressure was off, even though the shop guy said they adjusted them correctly when they were installed. It was a weird setting, pressures matched diagonally front to back, 42 RF/LR, 39 LF/RR, was told they were 36 all around. I’ll correct tomorrow. What I noticed though was the pressure setting remained after shutting down and leaving the car for about 20 minutes, on the 2018, once the car was turned off, you would have to drive a bit for them to reregister. The system TR installed must be better than the stock system. Can’t say for sure though as the summers were taken off and swapped upon delivery. I took a brief drive on the summers to confirm the car was in good shape before going back to the dealer and signing the paperwork.

As an owner of a few Optima’s, I know KIA makes running changes to improve issues and make the vehicle better. Some are advertised, while others you figure out through the ownership of the vehicle. That said, this car feels like an improvement on my 2018, will have to get it rebadged when it’s warmer.

 

[Lawrence Williams]

Awesome info!

 

[dgreen045]

Thanks for the comparison. I ended up purchasing a 2019 model while being teased with a good deal on a 2018. This reenforces my decision to go with the 2019 model.

 

[Waynerm002]

First year models will have some issues but I was surprised as while it was the first year in the US, they were already on sale in Korea some months before we got them. 2020 production for the Koreans start in May if memory serves. 2nd car from KIA that I have had multiple versions of. Who knows, if they make it as quiet as the G70 and change the dampening of the sport mode to make it more controlled or offer a sportier suspension, I will probably be in for one. I’m on my 3rd Optima Hybrid and 2nd Stinger so anything is possible. Hybrid performance Stinger? Sign me up!

 

[Waynerm002]

After perusing the manual, I found a note on winter tires. It states that the tire pressure should be 4 psi above what is recommended for non-winter tires. Changed the settings to 40/43 (F/R), stock setting for 18" squared setup (225/45 18), is 36/39. The car had a soft but comfortable feel with a setting at 38 all around which is what I set it to as it felt good there. The ride is now firmer but still on the comfortable side and the economy went up from 19.1 to 23.8 over a 20 mile trip on some back roads, traveling between 25 and 60 mph. After some quick launch from stop, it dropped to 22.3. I did notice though that the car rolls longer while coasting to a stop. With the settings correct, the ECO side of the tires are showing. Just love how tight and solid this one feels over the last Stinger. Loving the 2019!

 

[Mike_TX]

Speaking of the sound system, I'm less than thrilled with the "boominess" of my 2019. Even if I dial out all the bass and crank the treble up, there is still a sort of muffled sound or fuzziness that wasn't there in the HK systems on my Optimas. It's just not as clean sounding as those others.

Anyone else notice that, or are you all bass freaks?

 

[Waynerm002]

I prefer a system that give an overall detailed sound without being too harsh. The mids and highs on my system are more pronounced, when sitting in the back, with a flat tone setting, the bass is low compared to the mids and highs. Adding more bass gets it on a matching level while up front, it hits harder. Up front things sound pretty good at that same flat setting. Initially the bass sounded heavier, now it’s the mids and highs. The sound is similar to the Focal Listen Wireless headphones I picked up about a month ago. They were some harshness to the highs on electronic/dance music which over time leveled out and the sound is more detailed and even, hoping for the same here. On the old system, I needed to tune the mids and highs but as of now, leaving it flat is fine, but it could use a bit deeper bass sound.

I think they missed an opportunity to add in a separate control for the subwoofer. That said, I believe my system needs more time to break in to get things to even out. I find it an improvement over the 2018 I had.

 

[Dochidalgo]

@Waynerm002 May I ask your impressions about the suspension performance differences between the model 2018 and the model 2019???
I had to upgrade my 2018 Stinger' springs and sway bars in order to get more confidence and control over speed bumps and curves/corners.
Thanks

 

[MerlintheMad]

May I ask your impressions about the suspension performance differences between the model 2018 and the model 2019???

There is no change between 18 and 19 suspensions. Why do you think that there is a difference in handling in the MY19?

 

[Dochidalgo]

There is no change between 18 and 19 suspensions. Why do you think that there is a difference in handling in the MY19?

I expected that the engineers of kia would have read or be aware of forums where the owners, the final users of their products, reveal the deficiencies in design, manufacturing or performance and apply the improvement in those areas. The Stinger requires improvements in exterior paint, cabin insulation, sound, rear hatch noise and suspension among others improvements, because is the first model production I guess.....yes, I'm a dreamer.....

 

[MerlintheMad]

@Dochidalgo dreaming is good. But there is no deficiency in the chassis, suspension or otherwise performance of the Stinger. It is very well conceived, designed, tested and manufactured.

Just look at the paucity of complaints in the entire first year of sales. A very few exhibit any flaws worth mentioning because they are mechanical, expensive and unacceptable. A few have paint adherence issues; a few have noises in this or that portion of the bodywork; a few have sunroof or hatch noises. Most of these are easily fixed; some are more stubborn.

But handling and performance and reliability are not among the issues complained of, except by an exceedingly small (much smaller) number of owners. A handful of owners think the Stinger is supposed to behave like a race car. It was never intended to be a "track" car; but a GT that is fun to drive fast, and on the track, why not? (I have that on a bucket list that I keep insisting I don't keep!)

Paint issues seem to be much fewer in number than MY18s. Same with the other flaws; there are seemingly less of these with the MY19s. My belief is that Kia worked out most of the hitches encountered in the production processes, and will continue to improve those processes until virtually all future Stingers are practically perfect.

There are already a majority of Stingers from the beginning that do not have flaws worthy of mentioning. My own car, for instance, is almost eleven months in, over 15K miles, and nary a problem. I've heard the same from many forum members and I believe that is the typical Stinger experience.

 

[Waynerm002]

Since I have been driving the car, the one thing that comes to mind in how it feels, is tighter. The floaty feeling of my 2018 is not felt on the 2019, so far. I equate the feel as being closer to the G70 in how taut it feels in the steering and the ride and handling. Now I have snow tires on the car and only briefly drove with the summer tires on it, but haven't experience the rear end hop in cornering as I did with the 2018, while on summer and all season tires. The 2019 feels better overall. With the tire pressure set at 40/43, I equate the ride on them to be similar to the Nitto Motivos over concrete and damaged roads. This morning I used my Custom setting which has everything but the powertrain set to sport and it was firmer and more controlled than I recall on the 2018.

I will say I did wonder if there is a some sort of change with the suspension tuning as the car felt different, in a good way. I did order and receive the rear sway bar from TireRack but so far don't feel I need it, though I haven't been pushing the car hard due to using winter tires. I also felt the need to add aftermarket sway bars and possibly lowering springs to the car. When I went to drive the Genesis, I noticed the wheel gap was similar but the suspension tuning made the car feel as though it was lowered but the ride height looked similar to the Stinger's. My buddy that was with me when I drove the G70 and is used to driving in the 2018 Stinger commented how the 2019 felt less floaty in how it rides. Will have to take it on some curvy back roads to really see how it does in corners.

KIA (and most manufacturers) is known to make running changes without specifying them unless they are major. As an example, I drove a 2013 Optima hybrid which felt different than my 2012 and the major change to it was the hybrid system and battery. One could argue that the extra weight might make a difference but I believe the suspension was the same. My 2014 was a face lift version with the powertrain of the 2013, it was quieter and rode better. I've checked tascaparts.com but no info exists on the 2019 yet on their site. They might have tuned tie adaptive suspension differently this year or maybe it's the steering or both. I do know the steering feels firmer and I recall an update to my 2012 hybrid included a steering update which made the car feel like an entirely new vehicle by that change. I'll keep reporting my findings.

 

[Lawrence Williams]

Since I have been driving the car, the one thing that comes to mind in how it feels, is tighter. The floaty feeling of my 2018 is not felt on the 2019, so far. I equate the feel as being closer to the G70 in how taut it feels in the steering and the ride and handling. Now I have snow tires on the car and only briefly drove with the summer tires on it, but haven't experience the rear end hop in cornering as I did with the 2018, while on summer and all season tires. The 2019 feels better overall. With the tire pressure set at 40/43, I equate the ride on them to be similar to the Nitto Motivos over concrete and damaged roads. This morning I used my Custom setting which has everything but the powertrain set to sport and it was firmer and more controlled than I recall on the 2018.

I will say I did wonder if there is a some sort of change with the suspension tuning as the car felt different, in a good way. I did order and receive the rear sway bar from TireRack but so far don't feel I need it, though I haven't been pushing the car hard due to using winter tires. I also felt the need to add aftermarket sway bars and possibly lowering springs to the car. When I went to drive the Genesis, I noticed the wheel gap was similar but the suspension tuning made the car feel as though it was lowered but the ride height looked similar to the Stinger's. My buddy that was with me when I drove the G70 and is used to driving in the 2018 Stinger commented how the 2019 felt less floaty in how it rides. Will have to take it on some curvy back roads to really see how it does in corners.

KIA (and most manufacturers) is known to make running changes without specifying them unless they are major. As an example, I drove a 2013 Optima hybrid which felt different than my 2012 and the major change to it was the hybrid system and battery. One could argue that the extra weight might make a difference but I believe the suspension was the same. My 2014 was a face lift version with the powertrain of the 2013, it was quieter and rode better. I've checked tascaparts.com but no info exists on the 2019 yet on their site. They might have tuned tie adaptive suspension differently this year or maybe it's the steering or both. I do know the steering feels firmer and I recall an update to my 2012 hybrid included a steering update which made the car feel like an entirely new vehicle by that change. I'll keep reporting my findings.

Just awesome feedback especially for those of us yet to get our Stinger....this certainly rules 18's out for .....not that they're bad cars per se....just with 360* camera , wireless charging and tighter overall makes things exciting to prospect !

 

[MerlintheMad]

Newer is always cool. If I didn't already have a Stinger, I'd buy the new one: unless the deal on a "new" MY18 was so much better, that paying thousands more for MY19 just isn't worth the differences, which are minor (other than the 360 camera, of course).

 

[Grayt 8]

Since I have been driving the car, the one thing that comes to mind in how it feels, is tighter. The floaty feeling of my 2018 is not felt on the 2019, so far. I equate the feel as being closer to the G70 in how taut it feels in the steering and the ride and handling. Now I have snow tires on the car and only briefly drove with the summer tires on it, but haven't experience the rear end hop in cornering as I did with the 2018, while on summer and all season tires. The 2019 feels better overall. With the tire pressure set at 40/43, I equate the ride on them to be similar to the Nitto Motivos over concrete and damaged roads. This morning I used my Custom setting which has everything but the powertrain set to sport and it was firmer and more controlled than I recall on the 2018.

I will say I did wonder if there is a some sort of change with the suspension tuning as the car felt different, in a good way. I did order and receive the rear sway bar from TireRack but so far don't feel I need it, though I haven't been pushing the car hard due to using winter tires. I also felt the need to add aftermarket sway bars and possibly lowering springs to the car. When I went to drive the Genesis, I noticed the wheel gap was similar but the suspension tuning made the car feel as though it was lowered but the ride height looked similar to the Stinger's. My buddy that was with me when I drove the G70 and is used to driving in the 2018 Stinger commented how the 2019 felt less floaty in how it rides. Will have to take it on some curvy back roads to really see how it does in corners.

KIA (and most manufacturers) is known to make running changes without specifying them unless they are major. As an example, I drove a 2013 Optima hybrid which felt different than my 2012 and the major change to it was the hybrid system and battery. One could argue that the extra weight might make a difference but I believe the suspension was the same. My 2014 was a face lift version with the powertrain of the 2013, it was quieter and rode better. I've checked tascaparts.com but no info exists on the 2019 yet on their site. They might have tuned tie adaptive suspension differently this year or maybe it's the steering or both. I do know the steering feels firmer and I recall an update to my 2012 hybrid included a steering update which made the car feel like an entirely new vehicle by that change. I'll keep reporting my findings.

Do you have the adaptive suspension on the 19? Did you on the 18?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Do you have the adaptive suspension on the 19? Did you on the 18?

By "adaptive suspension" do you mean electronically monitored suspension?

 

[forzanerazzurri]

Good info. Try to avoid the first model year of a car is good advice.

 

[Waynerm002]

It's a GT2 so yes, the suspension is electronically adjustable.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Good info. Try to avoid the first model year of a car is good advice.

You can't avoid a car that calls to you, at the age of 65 that would be stupid. Waiting anymore is stupid. And my gut did not direct me wrong. One hundred percent happy with this car for well over ten months now. I say that for the benefit of new eyes; you've "heard" it from me before.

 

[forzanerazzurri]

You can't avoid a car that calls to you, at the age of 65 that would be stupid. Waiting anymore is stupid. And my gut did not direct me wrong. One hundred percent happy with this car for well over ten months now. I say that for the benefit of new eyes; you've "heard" it from me before.

Thats how I feel about my LeBaron Convertible.