Dash mat

[Mr. Wonderful]

I ordered/received a Dash Mat brand mat to cover my dash - needed here in FL so black doesn't absorb the heat and the car takes forever to cool down. I ordered a gray one. I've bought them for many of my previous cars and they fit like a glove, however, this one didn't even come close.
I ordered this from AutoAnything. I sent them these pics to show the poor fit, but the rep said I'd have to pay a 20% restocking fee + return postage. I asked him to speak with a mgr. and show him how it fits. He came back on the phone and said they'll send a full refund + shipping label.
I'm wondering if anyone has bought a dash mat, how it fits, do you like it, and where did you buy it from? I can't imagine where they got the layout and measurements to produce this. I thought this was all done by computers.

 

[SteveCo]

Well that certainly looks .... awful. Teething pains of a fairly new car, I guess - hope somebody else can step up to the plate.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I'm looking at one they have made by Covercraft, but don't know how well it will fit at this point.

 

[SteveCo]

Can you check with your Kia dealer and see if they have any recommendations? Not a common item up here, but I imagine it's a very popular accessory in those parts.

I guess another possibility would be to have someone local like an upholstery shop build one to a cardboard pattern, using a material of your choice - might even end up with something nicer than you could buy mass produced. There isn't a lot of material there, shouldn't be too expensive ...

 

[SOCAL2.0]

I have been reluctant to order a dash mat cause the last one I bought from AutoAnything for my Chrysler 300S had fitment problems. It was slightly too narrow so either the right side fit perfectly or the left side fit but not both at same time. Also the hole for the light sensor was 100% too small in all directions causing my headlights to stay on unless in direct sunlight. I opened the cutout to modify the shape and size. The material and finish of the mat was great so I lived with it. In Socal it takes about 4 years for the sun to cause cracking of the dash, so I might just skip buying one for my leased Stinger.

 

[Callum]

That color, gray...will make seeing out of the windscreen nearly impossible in the daytime. I'd buy a black one if you can1

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

That color, gray...will make seeing out of the windscreen nearly impossible in the daytime. I'd buy a black one if you can1

I've had gray ones in almost all my other cars with no glare problems.
Black will only absorb the heat I'm trying to avoid.

 

[DCBStingerGT]

I bought my Kia Stinger dashmat in grey from the Spare Parts department at the dealership, can't recall but i might have bought it same day i picked up the car, or only days after, it fits perfectly and looks quality, with the official KIA tag on it, go to your Kia website and look under Stinger accessories, it's worth the money even if it costs more. I live in Australia, but i'm sure other markets offer this Kia item.
Well, I'm back after visiting the US Kia website, and there is no Stinger dashmat offered through Kia dealerships in the US, unlike here in Australia, well I couldn't find it on there ?

On Kia's Australian website under Stinger accessories.

 

[Coast GT]

I ordered/received a Dash Mat brand mat to cover my dash - needed here in FL so black doesn't absorb the heat and the car takes forever to cool down. I ordered a gray one. I've bought them for many of my previous cars and they fit like a glove, however, this one didn't even come close.
I ordered this from AutoAnything. I sent them these pics to show the poor fit, but the rep said I'd have to pay a 20% restocking fee + return postage. I asked him to speak with a mgr. and show him how it fits. He came back on the phone and said they'll send a full refund + shipping label.
I'm wondering if anyone has bought a dash mat, how it fits, do you like it, and where did you buy it from? I can't imagine where they got the layout and measurements to produce this. I thought this was all done by computers.


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I got mine from my Kia dealership it’s an optional accessory in Australia. Not sure if they make a LHD version, check Kia USA website or even the Korean one. Surely there’d have to be some on eBay or Amazon. Good luck.

 

[eflyguy]

Not very common in the USA, so understandable not available direct from Kia here. I remember seeing one in a Saab over 20 years ago. Over here, we tend to use "sun visors" - large foldable shields that you prop up inside the windscreen to reflect the sun.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Another vote for windshield "sun visors" (shields, shades, whatever). Reflective surface; and lower the rear windows c. one inch. And keep the sunroof cover closed.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I ordered a 2018 dash mat for my 2019, assuming they were exactly the same.
They didn't list the 2019 on the website, but had the 2018, so I ordered it.
Am I wrong?

 

[NS_Stinger]

Damn those things are ugly but I see the need for one in really hot climates. If you dont get one of these does the dash fade and crack or something?

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

What happens is the dash absorbs heat and holds making the interior more difficult to cool.
So, even when driving, it heats up and holds the heat. A dash mat makes a big difference.
I've used one for years. Even now (March) it's been 85 degrees every day.

 

[eflyguy]

Glad we don't seem to worry about that here in the frozen North of Georgia..

 

[Coast GT]

Not very common in the USA, so understandable not available direct from Kia here. I remember seeing one in a Saab over 20 years ago. Over here, we tend to use "sun visors" - large foldable shields that you prop up inside the windscreen to reflect the sun.

Another vote for windshield "sun visors" (shields, shades, whatever). Reflective surface; and lower the rear windows c. one inch. And keep the sunroof cover closed.

You guys realise you can’t drive a car with a sun shade over your window?

Dash mats don’t keep the sun out of the car, they protect the surface of the dash from cracking & fading and reduce the glare of the sun on the usually plastic dash whilst driving. Also reduces the reflection of the dash on the front windscreen.

 

[Coast GT]

I ordered a 2018 dash mat for my 2019, assuming they were exactly the same.
They didn't list the 2019 on the website, but had the 2018, so I ordered it.
Am I wrong?

There’s no difference between the 2018/2019 dash

 

[eflyguy]

You guys realise you can’t drive a car with a sun shade over your window?

Dash mats don’t keep the sun out of the car, they protect the surface of the dash from cracking & fading and reduce the glare of the sun on the usually plastic dash whilst driving. Also reduces the reflection of the dash on the front windscreen.

I do realize that. Just never had a dashboard on any car I've owned in the last 25 years crack or fade. Some of those vehicles never saw covered parking.

To be fair, I did re-cover the dash on my (now ex) wifes PT cruiser, because the color made for a distracting reflection in sunlight.

 

[MerlintheMad]

You guys realise you can’t drive a car with a sun shade over your window?

Aha. I didn't pick up on the driving aspects of your objection to heat buildup. Well, most of the time the sun isn't coming in directly enough to create the problem you are on about. And on those occasions when you are driving into the sun and it's beating down and in, I cannot ever recall noticing what you are describing. The AC just takes care of it.

My only concern is drying out and cracking over time; and minimizing heat buildup when parked. Drying and cracking dash isn't going to happen from just driving, for most of us anyway. I can see an issue if you spend much higher amounts of time on the road than is typical of most drivers.

If I were concerned at all and wanted a dash cover, I'd never settle for anything less than a perfectly form-fitted one. Those Aussie ones look really spiff.

I ordered a 2018 dash mat for my 2019, assuming they were exactly the same.
They didn't list the 2019 on the website, but had the 2018, so I ordered it.
Am I wrong?

I am confident is saying that they are identical. And if I felt the need for one, I'd order a 2019 for my 2018 if that were the situation (the reverse of yours). I might ask first before ordering, just because that's how I go about these kinds of things. It is always a good idea to ask questions.

 

[Ozstung]

I understand the oddity of dashmats to our Northern friends. But here in Oz going back if you bought a second car it came with the mandatory cracked dash.

Technology has moved on but force of habit like my friends the dash mat was mod 2 behind tint. Im probably not willing to risk a naked dash when we get temps like this. And im talking shade temps.