Motor Trend: Kia Stinger First Test

[cp-the-nerd]

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/kia/stinger/2018/2018-kia-stinger-gt-first-test-review/

The review is largely unremarkable. They like how the car drives and the blend of ride compliance while maintaining handling responsiveness. The 3.3T V6 makes good power and rarely feels burdened unless it gets caught in the lower revs. They have some gripes with the 8-speed transmission hesitation and steering. One point of surprise is how this RWD example weighed in just over 4000 lbs despite being touted as one of the first cars on Hyundai/Kia's new lighter RWD platform.

I personally find issue with the constant doting on Hyundai and Kia as being a "great first try," or a "good start" like they're patting them on the back and judging their product in a vacuum because they were terrible 10 years ago. Well I found an inconvenient comparison for them, the 2012 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec:

2012 Genesis R-Spec (Motor Trend test)
5.0L/8-speed auto
429 hp/376 tq
0-60: 4.8 sec
1/4 mi: 13.3 @ 107.1 mph
Braking: 109 ft
Grip: .87g
Figure 8: 26.3 sec
Weight: 4199 lb
Starting Price: $47,350 ($48, 785 as tested)

2018 Kia Stinger (Motor Trend test linked above)
3.3T/8-speed auto
365 hp/376 tq
0-60: 4.8 sec
1/4 mi: 13.3 @ 106.9 mph
Braking: 113 ft
Grip: .85g
Figure 8: 26.2 sec
Weight: 4005 lb
Estimated Price: $50,000 as tested ($40,000 base, whatever that includes)

New engine, new chassis, 6 years apart, and these two cars are on top of each other. Hyundai/Kia have progressed essentially nowhere in half a decade, and I'm done saying "great first try" because this isn't the company's first, second, or third RWD. Good looking car, reasonable performance. Nothing mind blowing.

[frogger]

Nice enough, but like the current CTS I'm guessing these will depreciate a bunch quickly and be available pretty cheap with warranty left over.

 

[G. David Felt]

LOL, might not be a "great first try" but seems to be able to hold up against being run over by Toyota!