VW Arteon vs Stinger

[StingerVetteMan]

So back in October my 2023 Stinger GT-Line Apex Edition was hit while parked and the insurance ended up calling it a loss. They gave me pretty much what I paid for it, so that was good. So now to get a replacement. To find another Stinger just like mine (year, mileage and features) is really hard these days. I am not a SUV guy, so those are out. Being a musician I loved the room the Stinger offered being a hatchback. BMW and Audi have a hatchback, but out of my price range. I looked at the Acura Integra but found it is too small. Then I remembered the VW Arteon. I had many VWs over the years (from GTI to Passats), so figured I go look at one. Not a popular selling car in the US and only sold in small numbers, I found a dealership an hour away that had four. Well ended up going home with one!

Got a 2023 VW Arteon SEL Premium R-Line. This was basically VWs flagship top of the line car which due to sales like the Stinger was discontinued in the US this year. It features a 300hp engine mated to a DCT tranny and AWD. 20" wheels and all the bells and whistles! New they sold for around $56k. So how does it compare to the Stinger?

Well overall the Arteon is much more refined compared to the Stinger. The interior is much higher quality in regards to materials and the look and touch. The Napa leather seats are beautiful and soft and even have a massage feature! The digital dash is pretty much straight out of an Audi and very sharp and configurable. I love you can pull up a full map in it. Awesome sound system and has wireless charging and wireless Apple Carplay. The interior is a bit more roomy than the Stinger including the cargo area. The overall fit and finish is much better in the Arteon.

In regards to tech the Arteon is good, but not as good as in the Stinger. Kia really has stepped up their game in that field. Voice command in the Stinger is much better and you can do more compared to the voice command in the Arteon. The Arteon does have hand gestures you can do in front of the infotainment screen which is cool and also has a good 360 degree camera system.

Exterior wise they are both good looking cars. I love the 20" wheels on the Arteon, kind of like what you see on the performance Audi's. I did wish they offered Brembo brakes on the Arteon, which they don't.

Performance wise, it's quick. 0-60 it is rated at 4.6 sec which is a tad quicker than a Stinger GT2. Probably due to the DCT tranny and AWD. I have seen some videos of an Arteon vs Stinger race. From a stop the Arteon takes the Stinger every time. BUT, from a rolling start the Stinger has the advantage and wins. My only real gripe, the fake exhaust vents in the rear! I so loved the look of the quad exhaust on the Stinger. A quad exhaust would be killer on the Arteon! Well at least it doesn't have fake hood vents! LOL

Handling wise, the Stinger definitely has a more sporty feel and more toss able. The Arteon a more refined feel when driving. Very smooth getting up to speed, again due to the DCT tranny. So overall very happy with my purchase. They are so rare, I think I have only seen one other on the road. I have even had people asking me about it!

 

[Snicklefritz]

If this car were not cancelled, and the engine was N/S and RWD bias, it would probably replace the Stinger for me if that were ever a need. Of course, like the Optima/K5, the transverse engine placement is what makes the interior slightly more roomy than the Stinger, even though the wheelbase is c. 3" shorter. I like the look of the longer wheelbase and longer hood on the Stinger, but that is an aesthetic preference not necessarily a dealbreaker.

 

[ElChanclo]

Are they all 2.0 4-bangers? Pretty well equipped if you're happy to trade some performance for more comfort, but you won't take my V6 without a fight.

I do envy that rear pass-through. A 424 split would also work for me.

 

[Thomby]

Of course, like the Optima/K5, the transverse engine placement is what makes the interior slightly more roomy than the Stinger, even though the wheelbase is c. 3" shorter

It's also the reason we don't get a dual clutch/DGG, because they only have a FWD transaxle version. You'd think it even if the Stinger wasn't enough to justify developing a RWD/longitudinal one, that all the Genesis models that share the drivetrain would...

But the biggest sin of the K5 is having to choose between AWD and the turbo GT engine. I assume this is also a limitation of the dual clutch transaxle, but it's criminal to handicap the top trim with FWD. An AWD K5 with turbo 2.5 and DSG could be a fun "hot hatch" contender.

 

[StingerVetteMan]

Are they all 2.0 4-bangers? Pretty well equipped if you're happy to trade some performance for more comfort, but you won't take my V6 without a fight.

I do envy that rear pass-through. A 424 split would also work for me.

All 2.0 Turbo 4. Off the line the Arteon is actually slightly faster than the V6 Stinger. Much better and quicker tranny in the Arteon. But as I mentioned the Stinger has more power in the top end.

 

[Snicklefritz]

But the biggest sin of the K5 is having to choose between AWD and the turbo GT engine. I assume this is also a limitation of the dual clutch transaxle, but it's criminal to handicap the top trim with FWD. An AWD K5 with turbo 2.5 and DSG could be a fun "hot hatch" contender.

I look for the K5 in the near future to combine the 2.5L turbo and AWD. The reason why KIA didn't do that at first is because Stinger sales would have tanked from not very good to almost none. That is a theory and opinion, trying to explain what you call "the biggest sin".

 

[Ah GetFd]

I think the States has taken more to the 4 cylinder versions. I have never seen a 4 cyl Stinger here and frankly it compares to the 4 cyl Mustang they tried selling here. Why?

The Arteon sure, it's a sedan. As you said, doesn't have the performance brakes, I notice it has the non digital shift, does it have the 5 performance suspension settings or not?

Something about the low screen to the right of the wheel. What is that? I hope that's not where your maps are and if they are thru the steering wheel that could be worse.

I am sure its a fine family car. Your wireless charging isn't hanging off that cradle is it? Is it?....

Sticking with my 365 Horsepower twin turbo V6 I think......

I have visions of the production line......what is that? A Skoda? Nah, might be an Audi. Nope, it's an Arteon. Here.....hammer that badge on.....

 

[StingerVetteMan]

I think the States has taken more to the 4 cylinder versions. I have never seen a 4 cyl Stinger here and frankly it compares to the 4 cyl Mustang they tried selling here. Why?

The Arteon sure, it's a sedan. As you said, doesn't have the performance brakes, I notice it has the non digital shift, does it have the 5 performance suspension settings or not?

Something about the low screen to the right of the wheel. What is that? I hope that's not where your maps are and if they are thru the steering wheel that could be worse.

I am sure its a fine family car. Your wireless charging isn't hanging off that cradle is it? Is it?....

Sticking with my 365 Horsepower twin turbo V6 I think......

I have visions of the production line......what is that? A Skoda? Nah, might be an Audi. Nope, it's an Arteon. Here.....hammer that badge on.....

The Arteon R-Line which mine is has adaptive suspension as well as multiple drive modes including a custom one where you can set things like steering, shifting and suspension.

The screen to the right center is the infotainment screen. I actually prefer that over screens that look like they were an after thought and just stuck onto the dash like most cars these days. It actually detects your hand movements before you even touch the screen and reacts. Pretty cool function.

The digital gauges is pretty much right out of an Audi. You can pull up a full navigation map in the gauge screen which is awesome. It's very high res and easy to read. That screen is actually quite big. You can also have the map shown in the infotainment screen, but having it in the gauge cluster is much better. I don't use the built-in nav that much, usually use Waze when I need to use navigation.

And no, that cradle is just a phone holder. The wireless charging is in the same place as in the Stinger.

Also note the Arteon engine is right out of the Golf R, pretty potent engine!

 

[Ah GetFd]

It is a very nice looking vehicle.

The Aussie way is to hang shit on everyone and every thing and if you get through that then you are truly a person we like to deal with.

Nice car.

 

[5tinger]

The interior is typical VW and certainly does not look better than Stinger's interior which has a more substantial design.

 

[StingerVetteMan]

The interior is typical VW and certainly does not look better than Stinger's interior which has a more substantial design.

I have no complaints on the the Stinger interior. I think they did an excellent job on the design. BUT that said, you can tell they cut corners to keep the price down. The touch and feel of the Stinger interior is much inferior than what is in the VW. The Arteon is more like what you see in a high end luxury car like an Audi (which makes sense, allot of the tech and features came from Audi). Instead of plastic buttons the VW has the haptic feedback controls which is a nice touch. Now note not all VWs are like that. The Arteon was VW flagship car and plus I have the top trim level.

Don't take all this as I don't like the Stinger. I loved my time with mine and will miss it. Was a fun car for sure. But the Arteon is a much more refined car which leans more on luxury rather then sport. Although with that DCT and AWD, I bet the Arteon would be fun on some mountain roads! (Well not as fun as my Corvette! lol)

 

[Thomby]

I look for the K5 in the near future to combine the 2.5L turbo and AWD. The reason why KIA didn't do that at first is because Stinger sales would have tanked from not very good to almost none. That is a theory and opinion, trying to explain what you call "the biggest sin".

Would that mean giving up the dual clutch? I'm not aware of any AWD applications (but I'm also not as familiar with the FWD lineup because that's a dealbreaker for me).

The interior is typical VW and certainly does not look better than Stinger's interior which has a more substantial design.

I have no complaints on the the Stinger interior

The Stinger's interior always seemed "almost-Audi" to me. Remember that Kia's head of design is Peter Schreyer, who spent a couple decades at Audi & VW and designed the Audi TT. I have no doubt the A7/S7 rear profile, the flat bottom steering wheel, and the interior in general were influenced by this.

There was also involvement from Kia/Hyundai R&D head Albert Biermann (30 years at BMW, ran the M division), Kia's European design head Gregory Guillaume (over a decade at VW/Audi), and probably a lot more engineers & designers they brought with them.

 

[Guzman]

Lovely Arteon. It is unique looking but very classy. Huge upgrade from the 4 cylinder Stingers.

At first glance the Stinger GT (3.3T) seems like the more desirable car. Living with your Arteon, you have probably noticed a lot of little things that make the car feel like a class above the Stinger, some that are hard to describe....just "feels" more expensive, despite it not really looking so, especially in pictures.

I think the more time you spend in well engineered German cars the more you notice the little things. I remember when my wife had an S5 Sportback and I got my Stinger, I thought my car was essentially the equivalent of hers. The more I drove them back to back, and then in her Porsche Macan and Cayenne, it becomes very apparent where the extra money goes.

Kia did well with the engine and design, but parts of the car seem built to a price, which is understandable since it was "relatively" affordable. I remember Youtuber Savagegeese giving the Stinger a less than favorable review based on some of the corners that were cut. Most people wouldn't notice these by looking at it or short test drives, but over time they become apparent when compared to many German cars.

I love my Stinger (hate Kia dealers and service departments) and don't regret buying it. For my next car, I will give up performance if it means a better overall quality car.

 

[Thomby]

For my next car, I will give up performance if it means a better overall quality car.

See that's funny, because I agree with all your findings but come to the opposite conclusion: maybe it's cause I came from older, non-luxury cars so I haven't acquired more expensive tastes, but an automaker offering "90% of German sports sedan X for 65% of the price" is appealing, as is trading a small amount of refinement for an upgraded powertrain.

To me the worst case of this was always the ES300/330. Instead of "affordable way to get into a Lexus", I always thought "10k to rebadge a FWD Camry" I'd definitely take a Golf R over a base A4, and as much as I love the RS Audis, I'd take a "not quite S/RS" Stinger over a 4cyl A5 any day.

 

[Guzman]

The 4cyl German cars offer surprising levels performance especially compared to HKG 4 cy cars. They are closer to the 3.3T than they are to the 2.5T. For normal everyday driving a 330i/A5/C300 will feel not that big a step down from the Stinger GT but offering significantly improved quality and features. Interior rattles and cheap materials in certain places does show where costs were cut to get to a certain price point.
For me, at my point in life, I think it is worth the compromise......of course you can always get a 340i/S5/C43 (or their SUV equivalents) if need be.

The Arteon gives you an almost-Audi for VW prices.....so in some ways like the Stinger....offers a value play.

 

[StingerVetteMan]

The 4cyl German cars offer surprising levels performance especially compared to HKG 4 cy cars. They are closer to the 3.3T than they are to the 2.5T. For normal everyday driving a 330i/A5/C300 will feel not that big a step down from the Stinger GT but offering significantly improved quality and features. Interior rattles and cheap materials in certain places does show where costs were cut to get to a certain price point.
For me, at my point in life, I think it is worth the compromise......of course you can always get a 340i/S5/C43 (or their SUV equivalents) if need be.

The Arteon gives you an almost-Audi for VW prices.....so in some ways like the Stinger....offers a value play.

The Arteon were a bit pricy new, a fully loaded one like mine was in the mid $50K range. Probably contributed to it's demise. That's close to Audi price range.
BUT now they can be had for a bargain since they are not big sellers in the US. I got mine which is a 2023 fully load with only 11K miles for $32K and change with a great CPO warranty!

 

[BIG-D]

Something from many year's ago .. i love watching this channel.

 

[StingerVetteMan]

Something from many year's ago .. i love watching this channel.

Another comparison video from the UK

 

[Volfy]

My earlier self used to be a big VW nut. In fact, that is where my forum handle originated.

Live with and work on a make of cars long enough, you really get a sense of its design philosophy and its... soul. VWs - both the air-cooled and earlier watercooled - had a loyal following. And they handled way better than their low-buck suspension and wallowy chassis had a right to be. But they also have their flaws. Die-hards like us loved the cars' CHARACTER; everybody else called them UNRELIABILITY. I had to change the clutch cable on my '89 GTi no less than 5 times. It was an obvious design flaw, but the Mothership at Wolfsburg saw no need to fix it. If this were a Japanese or Korean car, there would have been at least 2-3 replacement OEM Part Numbers in as many years, until the problem is resolved. Nein, not the Germans. The enthusiasts like us didn't care... not when we can go buy an OEM replacement clutch cable for $14.79 at Beck/Arnley and swap it out in 20min, in time for the AutoX on Sunday - where 1/2 of the field were all A1/A2 VWs.

Over the years though, I just got tired of it. Having a family meant I could no longer afford to spend all weekend in the garage. At the same time, VW tried to swim upmarket and "democratize" luxury. Their cars got porkier and more expensive. I quit the brand.

I do occasionally look to see if VWAG has anything I might be remotely interested. None so far, in 20+yrs.