Suspension Performance and How to Improve it!

[Deisic]

would love to hear.

 

[RLittle]

I don't know about this software upgrade, but I can tell you the 2019 I just test drove handled better than the 2018 I own.
The steering was much better and both cars had the same 18" wheels and tires with AWD.

 

[Marc Collins]

FANTASTIC NEWS FOR ALL. My Stinger got a software upgrade sometime around October 15. Kia did it automatically. Now my transmission is perfect in full Auto Mode and my suspension is stiffer in Sport Mode. I know I'm not crazy because the dash display has a different graphic for the driver attention function.
Never mind that though. I am now able to switch to SUPER SPORT MODE with a toggle I had installed in the coin tray. You see, I figured out if the suspension controls fail, the shocks would have to fail to firm. So all I have to do is break the circuit to one of the shock solenoids and I have super sport stiff suspension. Close the circuit and the computer restores the adaptive system. If you leave it in SUPER SPORT for too long, the computer will notice and you can't restore the adaptive until you close the circuit and restart the car. In the meantime, AWESOME SUSPENSION. The car is buttoned down and you can toss it around like a maniac without looking like a maniac because it's under control. Spread the good news to all suspension fanatics! Comfort is soft. Sport is Firm. Super Sport is for serious drivers.

@Steve Ostrowski still waiting for a pic of the driver attention graphic so we can all figure-out whether you have something new or just got caught-up to what others already had. It also sounds like stuff got changed for 2019 that affects suspension firmness and tranny (see @RLittle post above, but I am also reading this elsewhere), so let's all work together to figure it out.

 

[Beege]

Yes

@Steve Ostrowski still waiting for a pic of the driver attention graphic so we can all figure-out whether you have something new or just got caught-up to what others already had. It also sounds like stuff got changed for 2019 that affects suspension firmness and tranny (see @RLittle post above, but I am also reading this elsewhere), so let's all work together to figure it out.

Yes please. I wonder if it's hardware or software or both.

 

[Deisic]

yes, please update

 

[only1harry]

I just test drove a 2019 GT AWD (twice in 2 days) and it did not have a Super Sport mode. I felt no difference between Comfort and Sport. Also when I took a couple of corners a little fast to test handling, the rear snapped out and back in. That did not feel good at all. I also noticed that the car pushes for like half a second, and then gets composed and turn in becomes really good - like it has a delay to adapt.
Anyway it sounds to me like the the 2019's are behaving exactly the same as the '18 models from my 2 test drives of the '19 GT. Has anyone asked their Dealer if they can do the same software upgrade to theirs? I 'm going to ask the dealer before I purchase the GT, but I doubt they 'll do anything before anyone buys the car, because they don't get paid from Kia until after the car has been purchased.

I agree the car feels too soft and I did hit one small bump on 1 turn and it felt like the rear was off the ground and was going to come around on me. It was a little unnerving and deterred me from cornering fast. This kind of behavior does not inspire you to corner fast which is disappointing.

The suspension software upgrade is great news though! Sounds like exactly what the Stinger needs.

 

[Jimmer]

I just test drove a 2019 GT AWD (twice in 2 days) and it did not have a Super Sport mode. I felt no difference between Comfort and Sport. Also when I took a couple of corners a little fast to test handling, the rear snapped out and back in. That did not feel good at all. I also noticed that the car pushes for like half a second, and then gets composed and turn in becomes really good - like it has a delay to adapt.
Anyway it sounds to me like the the 2019's are behaving exactly the same as the '18 models from my 2 test drives of the '19 GT. Has anyone asked their Dealer if they can do the same software upgrade to theirs? I 'm going to ask the dealer before I purchase the GT, but I doubt they 'll do anything before anyone buys the car, because they don't get paid from Kia until after the car has been purchased.

I agree the car feels too soft and I did hit one small bump on 1 turn and it felt like the rear was off the ground and was going to come around on me. It was a little unnerving and deterred me from cornering fast. This kind of behavior does not inspire you to corner fast which is disappointing.

The suspension software upgrade is great news though! Sounds like exactly what the Stinger needs.

I feel plenty of difference between Comfort and Sport mode. My GT2 AWD corners just fine. Overall, it seems you don't really care for the car. Plenty of other options, I guess.

 

[Dochidalgo]

The suspension software upgrade is great news though! Sounds like exactly what the Stinger needs.

We do not know exactly, about the "suspension upgrade" means or specifically and officially from Kia in what it consists. I could be wrong and some member knows exactly, but it seems that they are personal impressions.
What if you know exactly, is that the suspension needs a "hardware upgrade", meaning springs and sway bars.

 

[only1harry]

Also, did it change manual mode the way KIA promised? So it's actually fully manual when you are in Sport mode?

The 2019 GT AWD I test drove today and last night was in full "manual mode" when in Sport mode. Meaning the gears never changed until I decided to change them using the shift paddles or shifter (to the left position). It kind of surprised me at first because I had read that Sport mode is not a true manual mode, but the 2019 would not change gears or go to "D" in Sport mode, but stayed indefinitely in the gears I selected, or until I downshifted/upshifted.

 

[only1harry]

We do not know exactly, about the "suspension upgrade" means or specifically and officially from Kia in what it consists. I could be wrong and some member knows exactly, but it seems that they are personal impressions.
What if you know exactly, is that the suspension needs a "hardware upgrade", meaning springs and sway bars.

Has anyone given any thought to the fact that the G70 has a mechanical LSD even with its AWD version, and is not experiencing the suspension slop or getting squirrely on the turns over rough surface? Noone has reported any of the Stinger's behavior with the G70. The main difference I can see is that it has a mechanical LSD which is what is missing on the Stinger. On the other hand it's possible the G70 has different springs and dampers, and even differnet/bigger sway bars. All the G70 reviews said the G70 felt more composed and more agile than the Stinger (I don't think it's the 200lb weight reduction either).

 

[Beege]

I just test drove a 2019 GT AWD (twice in 2 days) and it did not have a Super Sport mode. I felt no difference between Comfort and Sport. Also when I took a couple of corners a little fast to test handling, the rear snapped out and back in. That did not feel good at all. I also noticed that the car pushes for like half a second, and then gets composed and turn in becomes really good - like it has a delay to adapt.
Anyway it sounds to me like the the 2019's are behaving exactly the same as the '18 models from my 2 test drives of the '19 GT. Has anyone asked their Dealer if they can do the same software upgrade to theirs? I 'm going to ask the dealer before I purchase the GT, but I doubt they 'll do anything before anyone buys the car, because they don't get paid from Kia until after the car has been purchased.

I agree the car feels too soft and I did hit one small bump on 1 turn and it felt like the rear was off the ground and was going to come around on me. It was a little unnerving and deterred me from cornering fast. This kind of behavior does not inspire you to corner fast which is disappointing.

The suspension software upgrade is great news though! Sounds like exactly what the Stinger needs.

Aww. Shit. Sounds like you test drive a rear wheel drive bias vehicle

 

[Ruturaj]

Has anyone given any thought to the fact that the G70 has a mechanical LSD (Limited Slip Differential) even with its AWD version, and is not experiencing the suspension slop or getting squirrely on the turns over rough surface? Noone has reported any of the Stinger's behavior with the G70. The main difference I can see is that it has a mechanical LSD (Limited Slip Differential) which is what is missing on the Stinger. On the other hand it's possible the G70 has different springs and dampers, and even differnet/bigger sway bars. All the G70 reviews said the G70 felt more composed and more agile than the Stinger (I don't think it's the 200lb weight reduction either).

It has stiffer suspension and hence harsher ride. They are different cars (even though they share power-train same as G80 sport), I think the sway bars would be different.

 

[Marc Collins]

Has anyone given any thought to the fact that the G70 has a mechanical LSD (Limited Slip Differential) even with its AWD version, and is not experiencing the suspension slop or getting squirrely on the turns over rough surface? Noone has reported any of the Stinger's behavior with the G70. The main difference I can see is that it has a mechanical LSD (Limited Slip Differential) which is what is missing on the Stinger. On the other hand it's possible the G70 has different springs and dampers, and even differnet/bigger sway bars. All the G70 reviews said the G70 felt more composed and more agile than the Stinger (I don't think it's the 200lb weight reduction either).

All of the above, but yes, the Stinger should have had a mechanical LSD as an option on AWD versions. It's coming, though, just too late for us stupid enough to be early adopters.

 

[mulepic]

...

I agree the car feels too soft and I did hit one small bump on 1 turn and it felt like the rear was off the ground and was going to come around on me. It was a little unnerving and deterred me from cornering fast. This kind of behavior does not inspire you to corner fast which is disappointing.

You begin to notice this behavior more and more and it takes away from the driving experience. Then the hatch starts to loosen up and make loud noises over bumps. Knowing what I'd know now, I'd probably hold off on the stinger till they figure these things out.

 

[only1harry]

Aww. Shit. Sounds like you test drive a rear wheel drive bias vehicle

Oh shit, wait... I have owned, raced and driven many RWD cars, and NO they don't feel unsettled and squirrely on the turns.

I did not take a turn that fast that is should have oversteered. The rear felt unsettled and floaty. The car is supposed to rotate, not bounce, float and come off the ground. This is mildly spirited street driving, not track racing. The weird thing I noticed with this car after 2 test drives is that sometimes it pushes/understeers first for a couple of moments and then turn-in gets sharper and it sort of tucks back in 1/2 way to 3/4 into the turn. Like the transmission and electronics are slow switching power & torque to the rear and are catching up late mid-turn. Oh well. The car I test drove had a lot of vibrations, not only in the steering wheel but in the seat and throughout the car that the sales manager said he felt it too. I won't be buying since they made it clear that that it's normal and there is nothing wrong with the car. So this tells me they won't do anything after I buy it, so they can keep their 4,000lb vibrator.

 

[only1harry]

You begin to notice this behavior more and more and it takes away from the driving experience. Then the hatch starts to loosen up and make loud noises over bumps. Knowing what I'd know now, I'd probably hold off on the stinger till they figure these things out.

If enough people call/write to Kia and complain, maybe they will fix all the issues in a couple of years. If they are not aware, and the Stinger keeps getting decent reviews by all those Google people with a channel, then they won't. I think an LSD in the rear and/or the G70 suspension will resolve most issues with the Stinger's handling and composure.

 

[Jimmer]

The G70 and Stinger are two vehicles meant for different drivers.

The Stinger is a GT that looks great and is fast, but it's not a sports car. It was not built to take corners sharply and at fast speeds. Again, it's a GT. It's meant for a comfortable ride on long trips for front and rear passengers and plenty cargo space (cause, smart move, hatchback).

The G70 is more of a sports type car. Smaller, less cargo space, it will take corners better cause its lighter and shorter.

The Stinger, like every car, cant do everything. For me, it does what it was meant to do at a top notch level. Great daily driver, great in long trip for four people with enough cargo space for luggage. Fast, beautiful and AWD for bad weather. Also with tons of safety and convenience features. All at a very good price for what I got. Doesn't need to be anything more.

Too many complaints about what it isn't, not enough compliments about what it is.

 

[Dochidalgo]

@Jimmer you have spoken good brief and meaty

 

[only1harry]

The G70 and Stinger are two vehicles meant for different drivers.

The Stinger is a GT that looks great and is fast, but it's not a sports car. It was not built to take corners sharply and at fast speeds. Again, it's a GT. It's meant for a comfortable ride on long trips for front and rear passengers and plenty cargo space (cause, smart move, hatchback).

The G70 is more of a sports type car. Smaller, less cargo space, it will take corners better cause its lighter and shorter.

The Stinger, like every car, cant do everything. For me, it does what it was meant to do at a top notch level. Great daily driver, great in long trip for four people with enough cargo space for luggage. Fast, beautiful and AWD for bad weather. Also with tons of safety and convenience features. All at a very good price for what I got. Doesn't need to be anything more.

Too many complaints about what it isn't, not enough compliments about what it is.

I 'll just say I agree with most of your points. Personally, if I were looking at a GT2 AWD that stickers for $52K-53K (discounts apart) I would want a little more out of the car's suspension and a little more out of the car in general as far as luxury/materials go, hence the reason I am looking at the base GT AWD that stickers for >$10K less. I think the GT is a good value and would be happy with that model and for what the Stinger is meant to be (if I can find one that has no vibrations).

 

[Waynerm002]

So many people come on here an complain about what the car isn't, negating the statement put out by the manufacturer. It was designed to be a GT car, not a sports car. While we want it to be more (for some, due to it's looks), just use it as it was intended and it does fine. Want more, do some mods to it. It is designed on the same platform as the G70 so the potential for more is there if you want to extract it.