Stinger good as a family car or should I stick with an SUV?

[bgstewar]

I'm sure this question has been asked a bunch before, but I was hoping to get firsthand input from Stinger owners. I have two kids (4 and 9, both very tall for their ages) and I'm 6'2". I have a Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T and was heavily contemplating the new Sorento until I drove a Stinger. I have always preferred sedans but thought with kids they might be really impractical. Once I drove the Stinger GT2 I couldn't wipe the stupid smile off my face, and I've been relatively obsessed ever since. It was the most fun I've ever had driving a car (I'd have to have an attorney on retainer for all my speeding tickets I'd imagine .

I'm really contemplating ordering a GT2 AWD with Scorpion package (hesitant about the $56k MSRP though), but am wondering how those of you with kids like it. I sat in the back seat with the front seat pushed all the way back and couldn't get my feet to the floorboard without turning them sideways. I'm concerned it might not be practical with kids if you are a tall driver, but really like the hatchback and space it has for a sedan. I'm in NC but might move to IL that's got lots of snow/ice. Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Welcome to the forum.

I have grandkids, and when they sit in the back they have plenty of room. The interior space is designed with adults in mind, so, kids are a breeze, and you only have two, so that auxiliary center seat won't get used much if at all. The hatch, with the cover removed, is as big as a refrigerator. In short, the Stinger is the most practical sedan out there for the money, combining FUN and comfort and style. No SUV or trunk sedan is going to touch it.

 

[bgstewar]

Welcome to the forum.

I have grandkids, and when they sit in the back they have plenty of room. The interior space is designed with adults in mind, so, kids are a breeze, and you only have two, so that auxiliary center seat won't get used much if at all. The hatch, with the cover removed, is as big as a refrigerator. In short, the Stinger is the most practical sedan out there for the money, combining FUN and comfort and style. No SUV or trunk sedan is going to touch it.

Thanks - that's very helpful! I've watched so many videos and have convinced myself it's practical, but don't want to make a $56k mistake!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Today's nutso market means you can trade your "mistake" in for something else and probably be ahead. Have you looked at availability of the Telluride? That's no grin-producing ride like the Stinger, but practicality and comfort and Kia warranty, all boxes checked.

 

[bgstewar]

Today's nutso market means you can trade your "mistake" in for something else and probably be ahead. Have you looked at availability of the Telluride? That's no grin-producing ride like the Stinger, but practicality and comfort and Kia warranty, all boxes checked.

Telluride is a bit too big for what I'm looking for, and it takes 6+ months to get one anyway. I was considering a Sorento but really love driving sedans.

 

[Snowwhite]

The Stinger is fine for 2 adults and 2 kids that don’t pack too heavy on a weekend trip. If you need more space than that frequently, get an SUV. While the 4 of us have taken the Stinger on several weekend trips, it’s a better fit for a couples retreat. we use my wife’s Pilot for longer trips. If your spouse has something larger, the Stinger will more than suffice.

 

[DonD]

You don't need the Scorpion to enjoy the Stinger, the GT1 has all you need and I paid $46K for it.

If you have a set of winter tires, you do not need AWD, just more expense, more weight, less go and less economical.

I lived in the east mountains of Albuquerque for 9 yrs, drove a Mustang GT and a more powerful Pontiac G8GT (pre LS3 engine) daily to work in town on summer only tires. Never missed a day of work.

Dedicated winter tires give you all you need and ABQ gets colder than NC. Don

 

[ElChanclo]

Much as I love the stinger, it's just not designed as a full time family adventure vehicle. Maybe compared to other sedans it ticks a lot of boxes, but I dare you to cram everyone and their camping/holiday gear into the stinger and see how comfortable they are driving around for a few hours.

The cabin and trunk volume just doesn't compare to the sorento, not to mention the safety of a low slung sedan around in daily traffic.

Obviously in your situation it might work, but those were my personal observations.

 

[DonD]

not to mention the safety of a low slung sedan around in daily traffic.

Nothing unsafe about a Stinger in daily traffic. It's higher than most sports cars like Mustangs, Corvettes, MIatas and any number of hypercars.

If the height of a Stinger bothers you, you might be a candidate for pickups. Don

 

[GenesisG70]

Life is short get whatever it makes you happy. If I was you I will get the Stinger unless you have like 5 children and need 3 spaces of child seats.

 

[DonD]

Life is short get whatever it makes you happy. If I was you I will get the Stinger unless you have like 5 children and need 3 spaces of child seats.

I'm 6'2" and with the driver's seat where I put it, I can sit in the back seat with about 3" between my knees and the seat back. I don't drive Italian racer style with arms straight out but I don't have it anywhere near my chest.

Far more useable than say a Mustang. Don

 

[JSolo]

It would be prudent to take a drive with all parties present. Go for a 20-30 min test drive, then evaluate everyone's comfort. I'm 6' tall and find the front seats comfortable. However, with front seats adjusted for me, rear leg room is limited. ymmv.

 

[Devin]

I took a 2500 mile round trip with my wife and the two teenagers. Took out the hatch cover and everything fit, although on the way back we had zero room. No one complained, even though my son is 6'1'' like me. Gotta stop to stretch once in a while.

I'm taking some guys to Denver from Seattle in May. This time I picked up a roof rack and a cargo box.

This is not an endorsement, just my experience.

 

[Floridaman]

I'd rather have a root canal than to drive an suv everyday. Some people like root canals though.

 

[hayagix]

Go for it! Just don't let anyone else drive it. It's a one man or woman car.

 

[bgstewar]

Go for it! Just don't let anyone else drive it. It's a one man or woman car.

Why’s that?

 

[amehring1982]

I have a 4 year old and an 8 year old. It works more than fine. We also travel with a small dog and pack bags, foldable crates, etc. it all fits in the hatch/trunk.

 

[stoopid]

Camping trips it makes sense for the extra storage, slightly better gas mileage, and more clearance to use the CX-5.

 

[Devin]

Why’s that?

Leggo my eggo?

 

[hummus]

I found the Stinger to be mostly a very good dad mobile, but ultimately had to move on. Space and comfort are abundant (once inside), and the stability and responsiveness are very reassuring.

Although the space is plentiful, entry and exit when assisting a child can be a handful because of the sloping roof and tapering rear door openings that are cut quite low relative to the roof. In my case, we had a relatively tall and often squirmy toddler that often needed assistance (and persuasion) to buckle in. This lead to frequent close calls, and even a few bumped noggins, which was not ideal. Again, though, once inside, the space was great and the ride was fun. Probably a non issue with a 4 year old, and the 9 year old could very well earn some cool points for arriving in that kind of style.

Only once did the cargo area fall short for me when we wanted to bring this along: