stinger541
Active Member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2018
- Messages
- 242
- Reaction score
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So, after a gut-wrenching decision process that took us hours, we just walked away from a brand new 22 GT-Line, which we thought we were upgrading from our 2018 Premium. About to sign the papers when we were told they needed to re-print some docs. So we just checked out the car some more (first time we had seen it was today, had done everything online), thinking we already knew what to expect having researched and having owned a Stinger for years.
We found there to be no difference in the power, even though the 2.5 is now in the 22 GT-Line. Still, we liked the look of the car, new exhaust, black chrome, etc. So, still all good. But when we started really looking at the car we started to see all that we were losing, and I wanted to post on here so that others are aware as we were not. Our Premium may be different, because we had bought it with every package that they offered...tech, sun/sound, driver assistance.
So, this new car was gorgeous...red interior is REALLY nice (a deep, darker red, like a maroon or burgundy). Really nice. Now thinking it is the only way to go in the future, if they fix the issues about to list (and they keep the Stinger around). All of the below may seem like small things, but they add up and they are things you may be used to/use every day and not realize.
First...no sunglasses holder. Yes, small thing, but really? Really Kia? Find another place for the UVO wiring, or another dash spot for the sunglasses like on Nissans, Audi, Subaru, etc.
Second...no ambient lighting. Again, small thing but once you are used to it, it is a nice touch that you come to really enjoy/think adds to the car
Third...not really a loss, but a change...the DRLs changed from the unique double-L thing to just two straight parallel lines, a set on top and set on bottom. Obviously Kia sees value in them, as they kept that design for the GT1 and GT2.
Fourth...Memory seats. Now, some will say, hey I never move my seat...but my wife may drive the car, and again it is helpful, like setting one for driving, setting 2 for another driver OR for you, but while waiting for someone like the kids or spouse...set it to move back, lay back, while you waste time on your phone as you wait. Whatever the case, we always have had it and now was gone.
Fifth...most important, and really was the dealbreaker. Could deal with the other items, but as we said, they added up...but the GT-Lines do not have any front-end sensors. Yes, you can live without them, but in today's day and age, why would you? Why remove these simple sensors that are so helpful...help with parking, front cross-traffic alert, alerts for someone walking in front you (saved us once from pulling out with a dog in front of us that we could not see, right in front of the car), tells you how close you are to something like in a drive-thru, etc. Hugely helpful in cities with constant parallel parking.
Sixth...again, stupid, small thing that it is so odd to remove...audio controls. They removed the seek/track (channel up/down buttons) that were on the dash for the radio. We use those for SXM every day, as they also cut down the number of favorites...so you could jump to a section, say the 10s...then those two buttons were right in front of where you may have your hand, on the shifter. You can use the steering wheel to change, but it only does favorites, not just one channel up/down. You can use the touchscreen, but not if you have CarPlay or Android auto going. Leaves only the knob that is all the way to the right. For shorter people, a long stretch and unnecessary, and not as accurate, as you can easily go past the one channel you wanted to change.
There were some other safety things too, like driver lane assist and rain-sensing wipers that were lost.
There are some other small changes we noticed, like the headliner was now black, which we liked. But when buying this new car, we were really looking forward to a complete upgrade, but instead felt like we were taking a step back in many ways. Small things, but again, why lose them? We were told that other buyers ended up walking away as well over these types of issues, and feedback was being sent to Kia; the dealership was so understanding and now we understand why they kept asking us to be SURE that this was what we wanted. They said the same thing, that Kia should offer these things as options, or another package, not just lose them all completely. They hoped sun/sound might include them but they do not. The issue is that to get lots of these items, you now need to go to a GT1/2. But many people, especially now, do not want the bigger engine in the v6, with lesser mpg, especially when dealing the required AWD for the northeast. But they want the amenities that adds the value to the Stinger, which is what we got when we first bought this car.
Anyways, we did not see any of this in any of the reviews that we had read, watched on youtube, etc...for months! So was hoping this might help others as they do research, as I would have loved to have known these things...especially as so much of car buying moves online. We thought we were fine, as we never dreamed that Kia would remove things like the forward sensors. For people who have never had these different items, you may not care....but for those who have, or those just expecting them in today's cars, this info may help with a decision.
Hope someone finds this helpful,
Thanks!
We found there to be no difference in the power, even though the 2.5 is now in the 22 GT-Line. Still, we liked the look of the car, new exhaust, black chrome, etc. So, still all good. But when we started really looking at the car we started to see all that we were losing, and I wanted to post on here so that others are aware as we were not. Our Premium may be different, because we had bought it with every package that they offered...tech, sun/sound, driver assistance.
So, this new car was gorgeous...red interior is REALLY nice (a deep, darker red, like a maroon or burgundy). Really nice. Now thinking it is the only way to go in the future, if they fix the issues about to list (and they keep the Stinger around). All of the below may seem like small things, but they add up and they are things you may be used to/use every day and not realize.
First...no sunglasses holder. Yes, small thing, but really? Really Kia? Find another place for the UVO wiring, or another dash spot for the sunglasses like on Nissans, Audi, Subaru, etc.
Second...no ambient lighting. Again, small thing but once you are used to it, it is a nice touch that you come to really enjoy/think adds to the car
Third...not really a loss, but a change...the DRLs changed from the unique double-L thing to just two straight parallel lines, a set on top and set on bottom. Obviously Kia sees value in them, as they kept that design for the GT1 and GT2.
Fourth...Memory seats. Now, some will say, hey I never move my seat...but my wife may drive the car, and again it is helpful, like setting one for driving, setting 2 for another driver OR for you, but while waiting for someone like the kids or spouse...set it to move back, lay back, while you waste time on your phone as you wait. Whatever the case, we always have had it and now was gone.
Fifth...most important, and really was the dealbreaker. Could deal with the other items, but as we said, they added up...but the GT-Lines do not have any front-end sensors. Yes, you can live without them, but in today's day and age, why would you? Why remove these simple sensors that are so helpful...help with parking, front cross-traffic alert, alerts for someone walking in front you (saved us once from pulling out with a dog in front of us that we could not see, right in front of the car), tells you how close you are to something like in a drive-thru, etc. Hugely helpful in cities with constant parallel parking.
Sixth...again, stupid, small thing that it is so odd to remove...audio controls. They removed the seek/track (channel up/down buttons) that were on the dash for the radio. We use those for SXM every day, as they also cut down the number of favorites...so you could jump to a section, say the 10s...then those two buttons were right in front of where you may have your hand, on the shifter. You can use the steering wheel to change, but it only does favorites, not just one channel up/down. You can use the touchscreen, but not if you have CarPlay or Android auto going. Leaves only the knob that is all the way to the right. For shorter people, a long stretch and unnecessary, and not as accurate, as you can easily go past the one channel you wanted to change.
There were some other safety things too, like driver lane assist and rain-sensing wipers that were lost.
There are some other small changes we noticed, like the headliner was now black, which we liked. But when buying this new car, we were really looking forward to a complete upgrade, but instead felt like we were taking a step back in many ways. Small things, but again, why lose them? We were told that other buyers ended up walking away as well over these types of issues, and feedback was being sent to Kia; the dealership was so understanding and now we understand why they kept asking us to be SURE that this was what we wanted. They said the same thing, that Kia should offer these things as options, or another package, not just lose them all completely. They hoped sun/sound might include them but they do not. The issue is that to get lots of these items, you now need to go to a GT1/2. But many people, especially now, do not want the bigger engine in the v6, with lesser mpg, especially when dealing the required AWD for the northeast. But they want the amenities that adds the value to the Stinger, which is what we got when we first bought this car.
Anyways, we did not see any of this in any of the reviews that we had read, watched on youtube, etc...for months! So was hoping this might help others as they do research, as I would have loved to have known these things...especially as so much of car buying moves online. We thought we were fine, as we never dreamed that Kia would remove things like the forward sensors. For people who have never had these different items, you may not care....but for those who have, or those just expecting them in today's cars, this info may help with a decision.
Hope someone finds this helpful,
Thanks!
Last edited:
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