Who will update to the facelift Stinger?

[Kr33m0]

I am currently leasing a 2019 GT2 and always considered purchasing a newer model down the road with the hopes of all digital display and other upgrades. Did not get the DD, but we all know what the upgrades are. Now I am wondering is it worth it to upgrade? The few things I am looking forward to are the sportier sound, larger display and maybe the ambient lighting. Not sure if I am feeling the new rear lights...will have to see in person. I take good care of the cars I drive, inc this lease, so if I turn it in someone else would get a well kept car (I am half way through a 3 yr lease). Plus the features seem to be greater in the current GT2 than it will be in the next model. Just wondering what other's are thinking. Thanks!

 

[MerlintheMad]

My answer is always the same: shiny features do not a satisfying car ownership make. Your short list is unimportant in my humble opinion: those are just features, take 'em or leave 'em. They do not impact quality, performance or style. The rear lights change is just a change, not more stylish or "better"; just different. The question is: is the vehicle you currently have perfectly satisfying as THIS one? If it is, then why risk getting a less perfect vehicle by changing to a different one? My 2018 is the most perfect, material, mechanical thing I've ever owned. It astounds me. I feel almost as much affection for "her" as a second wife. Hah! I take very good care of her. And so saying, I'm off to give her a bath.

 

[Aliboy]

Since I’m currently leasing a 2.0 Premium and my lease is up in May, the 2.5 GT Line looks enticing. Just wish I knew more about the features, options......etc.

 

[GPhenom]

Since I’m currently leasing a 2.0 Premium and my lease is up in May, the 2.5 GT Line looks enticing. Just wish I knew more about the features, options......etc.

Here's a screengrab from @Liampk23's video. It's the GT2 window sticker, which also shows the GT1 features.

 

[Lynix]

My answer is always the same: shiny features do not a satisfying car ownership make. Your short list is unimportant in my humble opinion: those are just features, take 'em or leave 'em. They do not impact quality, performance or style. The rear lights change is just a change, not more stylish or "better"; just different. The question is: is the vehicle you currently have perfectly satisfying as THIS one? If it is, then why risk getting a less perfect vehicle by changing to a different one? My 2018 is the most perfect, material, mechanical thing I've ever owned. It astounds me. I feel almost as much affection for "her" as a second wife. Hah! I take very good care of her. And so saying, I'm off to give her a bath.

I mean it affects both style and quality lol

 

[Jayphil]

Most of the time car refreshes in general hardly justify to loose money to sell a car and buy the refreshed car. I always try to change to a new generation car when selling my cars. For those who are into leasing and your lease is due than it make sense if you like the Stinger to get another one new and fresh. Another option is to buy back your car if the forecasted value is lower vs the current market value which I assume it is the case these day with the Stinger.

As for if new GT1 worth it, I am not sure it is a pre facelift GT with refreshed rear exhaust, safety tech and new screen. Everything else is pretty much the same as the previous GT including the seats. Also pre refresh GT1 and GT are going to be discounted. Maybe if you had that you want the new green it help to justify the new one also...

On the other hand GT2 you get everything from previous GT2 but you gain Exhaust, new screen, safety tech, new seats etc for ony 900$ more! Not factoring in that pre facelift GT2 will be discounted though.

 

[Liampk23]

Since I’m currently leasing a 2.0 Premium and my lease is up in May, the 2.5 GT Line looks enticing. Just wish I knew more about the features, options......etc.

We should expect the 2.5 in 3-6 months (hopefully) I assume it will be a while to put focus on the new 3.3 since the 2.5 will have features and options not avalible in the 3.3 at the time.
those features being
-new headlights
-new seat designs
-new rim options
-no fake hood fins? I’m not sure what to call those two black pieces in the hood of the car but there are some without them
- color and style packages

 

[Liampk23]

I am currently leasing a 2019 GT2 and always considered purchasing a newer model down the road with the hopes of all digital display and other upgrades. Did not get the DD, but we all know what the upgrades are. Now I am wondering is it worth it to upgrade? The few things I am looking forward to are the sportier sound, larger display and maybe the ambient lighting. Not sure if I am feeling the new rear lights...will have to see in person. I take good care of the cars I drive, inc this lease, so if I turn it in someone else would get a well kept car (I am half way through a 3 yr lease). Plus the features seem to be greater in the current GT2 than it will be in the next model. Just wondering what other's are thinking. Thanks!

I’m leasing a GT-line with premium package now so upgrading for me hosts a lot of upgrades. For you going from a GT2 to another, the new options are much more limited. Regardless of that my only suggestion is to wait a few months from now to give time for more packages and options to be released. Usually about 6 months to a year we can see packages and such added as options and those might help you feel more confident in a upgrade. So you won’t feel like your just swapping out for the same thing. (My personal opinion being that like you mentioned the features now are a big change, to some maybe not but the larger screen above all being a worthy reason to upgrade)

 

[Jayphil]

We should expect the 2.5 in 3-6 months (hopefully) I assume it will be a while to put focus on the new 3.3 since the 2.5 will have features and options not avalible in the 3.3 at the time.
those features being
-new headlights
-new seat designs
-new rim options
-no fake hood fins? I’m not sure what to call those two black pieces in the hood of the car but there are some without them
- color and style packages

You make sound like 2.5t features will be newer / better vs the 3.3t but that isn’t really true. 3.3T will likely never get those 2.5T features

• New headlight are reflector LED because previous 2.0T projector were really bad rated in IIHS. The 3.3T have a revised version of the pervious 3.3T headlight (not much changed) but they are still better vs the new 2.5T headlight since they are projector LED.
• New Nappa seat are available on GT2, I do not think there are specific 2.5T seats
• New 2.5T wheels are either a new design 18" wheel or same wheel as the new GT 3.3T wheels
• No fake hood, well I might agree that is better.
• Potential 8" Navigation unit with wireless carplay (the wireless part is an upgrade but the 8" part is not)

 

[stoopid]

If I put the fact I just got my 2021 aside, there still isn't enough changed in the 2022 model (pricing, features) that would tempt me to trade-in a car only a few years old. It should be a significant upgrade, not just a few minor improvements, that justify such a significant financial move. If Kia offers some type of buyout that favors you, then by all means. They very well might if sales are tepid in a few months.

 

[monusa]

Since I’m currently leasing a 2.0 Premium and my lease is up in May, the 2.5 GT Line looks enticing. Just wish I knew more about the features, options......etc.

Right there with you.....mine is not a premium but I am pretty excited about the 2.5

 

[Devin]

One thing I an curious about are the exhaust changes. What did they actually change?

 

[Waynerm002]

My biggest annoyance with the Stinger is that the cabin isn’t quieter. If they made it quieter and keep the wind and tire noise out, I would go for one. It would be nice If they bring the new interior colors over as well. I like the new quilted seats and the subtle updates to the car enough to check it out to see if want to get another. Although the GV80 is looking really good to me and I love the tech and how luxurious it is. I’ll check them out and see which way I’m gonna go.

 

[MerlintheMad]

My biggest annoyance with the Stinger is that the cabin isn’t quieter. If they made it quieter and keep the wind and tire noise out, I would go for one. It would be nice If they bring the new interior colors over as well. I like the new quilted seats and the subtle updates to the car enough to check it out to see if want to get another. Although the GV80 is looking really good to me and I love the tech and how luxurious it is. I’ll check them out and see which way I’m gonna go.

Wait, did I miss something? Did something happen to your 2nd Stinger? No, you're the Mando guy; or you were?

 

[Waynerm002]

Nope, the car is fine. The BFG tires and the Mando tune has made the car handle so much better riding and handling. My brief stint with the GV80 has me interested but the Stinger is still so much fun when you get on it.

 

[Kamauxx]

One thing I an curious about are the exhaust changes. What did they actually change?

If what I read is correct your Stinger should have valves that open at a certain RPM or drive mode. Previous North American versions didn't do that. Other than having that valve I'm not sure what other changes may have been made to it.

BTW, if Kia designed theirs like BMW/Audi do you should be able to easily have those valves open permanently, either by unplugging them, removing a fuse, or maybe even zip tying. I'm betting that will become one of the most popular mods folks will do to the new Stingers.

 

[STINGER]

I was going to if it had the new 3.5T v6.

 

[Kr33m0]

If what I read is correct your Stinger should have valves that open at a certain RPM or drive mode. Previous North American versions didn't do that. Other than having that valve I'm not sure what other changes may have been made to it.

BTW, if Kia designed theirs like BMW/Audi do you should be able to easily have those valves open permanently, either by unplugging them, removing a fuse, or maybe even zip tying. I'm betting that will become one of the most popular mods folks will do to the new Stingers.

So it would be cheaper to do this or upgrade the exhaust and keep the current car if the noise boost is something you were looking fwd to in the facelift model?!!!

 

[Kr33m0]

My biggest annoyance with the Stinger is that the cabin isn’t quieter. If they made it quieter and keep the wind and tire noise out, I would go for one. It would be nice If they bring the new interior colors over as well. I like the new quilted seats and the subtle updates to the car enough to check it out to see if want to get another. Although the GV80 is looking really good to me and I love the tech and how luxurious it is. I’ll check them out and see which way I’m gonna go.

By the time my lease is up in Sept 2022, there will be other interesting cars for around the price point of a GT2. I am also keeping an eye out for the BMW i4 if I go the EV route. The competition at that price point will definitely get more interesting.

 

[Waynerm002]

By the time my lease is up in Sept 2022, there will be other interesting cars for around the price point of a GT2. I am also keeping an eye out for the BMW i4 if I go the EV route. The competition at that price point will definitely get more interesting.

You bring up a good point on the EVs, seems like a number of manufacturers are planning on launching EV or Plug-In Hybrids for the '22 model year. I like the look of that updated Santa Fe and hope they will bring it with 19" wheels and not 17s (and FWD only) like on the Sorento. I saw the release of the Korean Sorento Hybrid AWD with 19" wheels and had that on my short list but now, it's off unless they have a Plug-In with AWD (and 19s). That Hyundai Ioniq 5 looks nice, might be similar in size to the Audi E-TRON, can’t tell for sure but we will learn more soon. Fun times ahead.