360º cam: YES! Cup Holder Cover: YES!

[Merkur720]

I'm still just stunned the 360 AVM is not available on even the $50K GT2. Why Canada and Mexico both get it and we don't is crazy. Even Mexico gets the 2.0 with GT-Line trim. Must be cost effective for only smaller markets!?!?

http://www.kia.com/mx/showroom/Stinger/features.html

Oh well. I'm still excited and will have to get over it I suppose!

 

[Chris]

Oh well. I'm still excited and will have to get over it I suppose!

This is the answer why. Kia seems to think the US market will still buy anyway. From a lot of posts here, they might be right.

 

[david norman]

I'm still just stunned the 360 AVM is not available on even the $50K GT2. Why Canada and Mexico both get it and we don't is crazy. Even Mexico gets the 2.0 with GT-Line trim. Must be cost effective for only smaller markets!?!?

http://www.kia.com/mx/showroom/Stinger/features.html

Oh well. I'm still excited and will have to get over it I suppose!

Yah we will have to get over it. Bummer

 

[mkc]

But why? Can we ask some Kia people? Corporate? Why would they leave out the 360 cam, cupholder cover, and wireless charging? Doesn't literally EVERY other market get them besides the US?

I'm still holding out hope until we can build and price our own and see the complete list of options...

 

[eljay]

Can we ask some Kia people? Corporate? Why would they leave out the 360 cam, cupholder cover, and wireless charging? Doesn't literally EVERY other market get them besides the US?

Kia has responded by phone to every one of my concerns within 24 hours of my emailing them. I said this on another thread, but it bears repeating. The rep I talked to this week about the surround view camera said that she could find no data about WHY they eliminated it (I'm not pretending they have all the answers), but that every complaint (and suggestion and compliment) that comes in to consumer assistance is documented and sent to the design team. Maybe if they get more than just my complaint-in-the-wilderness about this, it will make a difference. Not in the first shipment, since they're already out of the factory, but in the next one or the one after that.

You can send an email from their website or phone directly. Check out this page on the Kia USA website: https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs

 

[david norman]

I just got home the Orange County (Anaheim) Auto Show. I spent a lot of time collecting info, but haven't looked at recent Forum entries, so some of this may already have been verified by some of you.

Yes! The Stinger will have a 360º camera. The rep and I circled the floor model as he pointed out the locations of all the cameras. I pointed out that this was a Korean spec car, but he and another rep both swore that the U.S. spec cars will have it, too.

They also swore that it will have a cup holder cover. [note: Almost every other car I looked at, even much more expensive ones, either had no covers or covers that closed manually like a roll top desk.]

The only colors we'll get to buy in the U.S. are snow white pearl, red (can't remember the adjective, but it was probably the high chroma), panthera metal, silky silver, black pearl, micro blue, and ceramic silver. NO yellow, and I asked specifically if it was simply missing from the display of paint colors, and they said no, no yellow at this time. Maybe they're saving it for a mid-year special edition?

I mentioned that there was quite a kerfuffle going on over the price. Of course they couldn't quote price, but when I mentioned that we'd heard the GT2 RWD might be coming in over $50k, both reps looked absolutely horrified and said NO, Kia was definitely planning to bring it in under $50k.

They have 2 red cars on display, and I was surprised at how much the color changes based on the light. The one revolving under the spots looked true red; the one down on the display floor looked dark red.

The display car did not have the passenger seat controls at the top of the seat.

I overheard another rep telling someone to expect to see the Stinger out in November.

Unfortunately, no 2018 Buick Regal GS on display, or, of course, Genesis G70. But I did sit in the BMW 4-series Grand Coupe, the Audi A5 Sportback, the Jag XE, and several other luxury and near luxury sports sedans that are running together in my mind now, and the Stinger was the most comfortable for me. (I was ticked that the Giulia was separated from the public, so I didn't get to sit in it.) The Stinger has the most intuitively arranged controls, the best steering wheel adjustment (I can't believe how many were mechanical, not electric), the best rear leg room, and just generally the best feel--for my taste.

Most importantly, of all the cars I looked at, the Stinger consistently had the largest crowd gathered around it.

No Stingers were available for test drives, of course, but I drove a Cadenza (in Disneyland traffic, sadly) with the 3.3tt and a lot of the same features, and I'm besotted. Completely. If something goes wrong with the Stinger, I can easily settle for the Cadenza.

Edit: And the Cadenza has a CD player for us old folks. Nah, it's still the Stinger for me. I'll just have to adapt.

Is there any charts showing all 5 models with options?

 

[LSUgopher]

Kia has responded by phone to every one of my concerns within 24 hours of my emailing them. I said this on another thread, but it bears repeating. The rep I talked to this week about the surround view camera said that she could find no data about WHY they eliminated it (I'm not pretending they have all the answers), but that every complaint (and suggestion and compliment) that comes in to consumer assistance is documented and sent to the design team. Maybe if they get more than just my complaint-in-the-wilderness about this, it will make a difference. Not in the first shipment, since they're already out of the factory, but in the next one or the one after that.

You can send an email from their website or phone directly. Check out this page on the Kia USA website: https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs

Thanks for the link, I sent this:

Please forward this to the Kia Stinger Engineers, Designers & Marketers.

I have been following the release of the Kia Stinger since the first reviews came out in the Summer around the Nurbrugring press reviews and then the Korean release. I have been tracking the release of this car in other markets such as Korea, Australia, and Canada. This car has a very high potential to be my next car purchase. This car would be replacing an Acura TL SH-AWD and a Chevrolet Corvette. I beleive the Stinger has at least the luxury and practicality of the TL, with 80% of the Corvette's peformance. The Stinger is also a much better value than other cars I am considering such as the Audi S5 and BWM 440i.

About a month ago there were rumors that the US car would not get a surround view camera, rear heated seats, and wireless charging in the US. Since Kia Stingers in all other markets have these features I assumed it was a marketing misprint. Now with many YouTube journalists reviewing a US spec car it appears that there is not even an option to get any of those features. That is a huge marketing mistake that those features are not at least available on the GT2 trim level. Please don't make the $50,000 RWD GT2 price an unbreakable upper price ceiling, as I and many others looking at the GT2 trim Stinger am willing to pay a little extra to get those features. If I buy a Stinger it will be a GT2 model. Other markets also get a cupholder cover. I would prefer a cover, but that change doesn't dissapoint as much as the other omissions. Lastly, why isn't the Sport-Plus drive mode available in the US?

I do want to say that the redesign of the LCD navigation screen for the US market looks much better than old design and looks very similar to the G70. My compliments to the designers for that change.

Also, I have some suggestions to consider incorporating in the future:

1. Add a tachometer screen option to the Heads-Up Display. A sporty car like the Stinger should have that. Less sporty cars such as the 2018 Honda Accord & 2018 Buick Regal have that option.
2. Consider adding a traction control mode that still keeps stability control active. Being able to use launch control with traction control off, but stability control still active would add some safeguards to prevent the car from going sideways. My Corvette has this feature.
3. Overseas Australia Kia Stingers are rated to tow. US models should as well. This makes the car's practicality even higher.
4. Add a dual-mode exhaust option. I love this feature of my Corvette. This is becoming more popular on performance cars as now the Camaro, Mustang, and Charger have these as options. Having this option tied to drive mode would be great as well. The optional Borla exhaust sounds good from what I have heard so far, but I don't always want a loud exhaust.
5. Add a USB charging port(s) in the center console.
6. Seperate the heated steering wheel option from AWD. I live in Louisiana and it can get in the 40's many days in Winter. This is when I use heated seats the most often, and they are very effective as I'm not wearing heavy winter coats. A heated steering wheel would be nice on cold mornings.
7. Figure out how to make the hood vents functional
8. A larger fuel tank around 18 gal would be better for highway range.

Overall I believe the Stinger is a great car, but I think it can be even better.

Regards,

David

 

[LSUgopher]

Is there any charts showing all 5 models with options?

I made a spreadsheet of cars that I am interested in from high to low MSRP price. Most of these prices are for cars equipped how I would want it and most are fully loaded.

Year Car Price
2018 M3 81170
2018 Corvette Stingray 77345
2017 ATS-V 72730
2018 C43 68685
2018 Audi S5 Sportback 68250
2018 BMW 440I GC AWD 67135
2017 Lincoln MKZ 60825
2018 Q50 Red Sport AWD 60710
2018 GS350 F Sport AWD 59030
2018 G80 Sport 58725
2017 Charger SRT 392 57025
2018 Audi A5 Sportback 55150
2018 Ford Mustang GT 53260
2018 Kia Stinger GT AWD 52595
2018 Camaro SS 51295
2018 Kia Stinger GT RWD 50395
2017 Chevrolet SS 50320
2018 TLX AWD A-Spec 45750
2018 Buick Regal GS 45105
2017 Maxima Platinum 42855
2017 Ford Fusion Sport 42545
2017 Buick Regal GS 41695
2017 Golf R 41295
2018 Camry XSE 38290
2018 Optima SXL 37240
2018 Accord 2.0T Touring 36675
2017 Mazda 6 GT 35295
2018 Sonata Limited 33335

 

[ralzod]

The rep I talked to this week about the surround view camera said that she could find no data about WHY they eliminated it (I'm not pretending they have all the answers), but that every complaint (and suggestion and compliment) that comes in to consumer assistance is documented and sent to the design team.

The irony pathetic part is that this isn't even remotely a design issue. The technology is already production-ready, and the cars already have them in other markets. This is a Kia financial decision, either to keep the costs low in the entry year, and/or to hold features back for the supposed special edition(s) to be released in '18. Regardless, I do applaud your efforts.

 

[FluffyBottoms]

Kia has responded by phone to every one of my concerns within 24 hours of my emailing them.

You can send an email from their website or phone directly. Check out this page on the Kia USA website: https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs

Thanks for the link, I just sent them an email.

 

[ScottyDangles]

I bet you it has to do with the fact the US Stingers come with a more aggressive exhaust. In my opinion the car should have come with more grunt from the get go. My weed wacker sounds better than the Korean spec Stinger I heard!!

 

[eljay]

The irony pathetic part is that this isn't even remotely a design issue. The technology is already production-ready, and the cars already have them in other markets. This is a Kia financial decision, either to keep the costs low in the entry year, and/or to hold features back for the supposed special edition(s) to be released in '18. Regardless, I do applaud your efforts.

I agree with you completely, even about this not really being a design issue. I don't remember her exact wording, but the idea I got was that info is used as they design the next iteration of the car, whether it be a mid-season update or the next generation (which is certainly years in the future). Really, I don't have a great deal of faith in their changing their sinful ways based on complaints, but I figure it can't hurt, and it sure improves my blood pressure when I kvetch, rather than holding it in.

 

[davebo]

I get that no 360 camera is pretty disappointing for those who want it, but aren't wireless charging pads like $20? On the one hand it's easy enough to hook one up to the usb port and leave it in your car, but on the other hand it doesn't seem like anything that's saving Kia money by removing.

 

[netmag]

Kia has responded by phone to every one of my concerns within 24 hours of my emailing them. I said this on another thread, but it bears repeating. The rep I talked to this week about the surround view camera said that she could find no data about WHY they eliminated it (I'm not pretending they have all the answers), but that every complaint (and suggestion and compliment) that comes in to consumer assistance is documented and sent to the design team. Maybe if they get more than just my complaint-in-the-wilderness about this, it will make a difference. Not in the first shipment, since they're already out of the factory, but in the next one or the one after that.

You can send an email from their website or phone directly. Check out this page on the Kia USA website: https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs

Thanks, I sent a message voicing my top 3 Stinger omission concerns.
#1 - No Deep Chroma Blue or Panthera Metal (noted regret that this alone would mean I wouldn't be able to purchase the vehicle)
#2 - 360 camera (noted that this would actually be quite useful given the limited view through the rear window; also noted that it seems to be available everywhere else and for other Kia's)
#3 - The rear seat heaters (we've got kids and my wife felt like this was a nice feature everyone would have that is now gone.)

#1 is the deal breaker. #2 is a major disappointment due to its senseless hit on the luxury side of things. And #3 isn't a deal breaker, but still a disappointment.
I mentioned that there were other omissions from the demo vehicle, but didn't explicitly mention the Qi charging though. Based on the demo car, it didn't appear that either of our phones would work well in that slot anyway so I can live with short cables.

 

[david norman]

Thanks, I sent a message voicing my top 3 Stinger omission concerns.
#1 - No Deep Chroma Blue or Panthera Metal (noted regret that this alone would mean I wouldn't be able to purchase the vehicle)
#2 - 360 camera (noted that this would actually be quite useful given the limited view through the rear window; also noted that it seems to be available everywhere else and for other Kia's)
#3 - The rear seat heaters (we've got kids and my wife felt like this was a nice feature everyone would have that is now gone.)

#1 is the deal breaker. #2 is a major disappointment due to its senseless hit on the luxury side of things. And #3 isn't a deal breaker, but still a disappointment.
I mentioned that there were other omissions from the demo vehicle, but didn't explicitly mention the Qi charging though. Based on the demo car, it didn't appear that either of our phones would work well in that slot anyway so I can live with short cables.

It’s stupid though that the Optima has it but a 14000 higher priced car doesn’t.

 

[Bamm1]

I get that no 360 camera is pretty disappointing for those who want it, but aren't wireless charging pads like $20? On the one hand it's easy enough to hook one up to the usb port and leave it in your car, but on the other hand it doesn't seem like anything that's saving Kia money by removing.

The integrated factory unit from Kia will give you a "warning" if you turn the car off with your phone still sitting on the wireless charging pad to help prevent you from leaving it behind. I felt that was a well thought out addition to the wireless charging feature and an improvement over an aftermarket solution. But apparently Kia really needs the extra money they are going to make by removing it.

 

[Japarican]

Thanks, I sent a message voicing my top 3 Stinger omission concerns.
#1 - No Deep Chroma Blue or Panthera Metal (noted regret that this alone would mean I wouldn't be able to purchase the vehicle)


#1 is the deal breaker.

#1 is a deal breaker for me as well. If I am going to have to look at this car for 7+ years then I want the color I want (Deep Chroma Blue). If it wasn't offered in other locations this wouldn't be a problem, but no, Kia displays it at their dealerships then doesn't offer it.