2022 Kia Stinger GT | PERFORMANCE AT A GREAT PRICE

[@DreamWorkDrive]

Another awesome review and it shocks me how this channel hasn't achieved a much higher number of subscribers. Really like the Stinger and wouldn't mind owning one at the right price.

[@tomdoe1234]

I bought a 2019 4,500 Kia discounts and 4,500 discount by dealer. 49,500 car for 40,500. I just took a look Kia is offering 4K cash off. BTW whatever car make sure you know what the manufacturer is offering because the dealer will act like that's their discount. No they need to add some in. You should be able to get 8 or 9K off sticker.

[@fnievez]

Got my GT2 on Thursday and tinted the windows today 😎

[@TBISYTC]

Kia outdid theirselves with this one. An absolute gem!

[@delfromarkley]

I've only put a couple of thousand kilometres on my new Stinger, which is the exact same model as Brian has here (2022, 3.3l Elite). I agree with all he says, except that I find the seat height is fine. Great to drive. Love the hatch.

[@camirocz]

Just got one and i love it .Came from a C43 and this feels just as good . I buy and sell cars for living and i am very impressed with this car.

[@BrianMakse]

Good move.

[@etjulien]

I really like the interior on that Canadian version. We may have more model choices in the U.S. However, we don't have the option of that interior. Thank you for the video, Brian. Always appreciated! Enjoy this weekend.

[@BrianMakse]

This interior is a stunner. Glad you enjoyed! Have a good one yourself!

[@scottanthony3426]

It is interesting that Canada and the US get some exclusive choices. I just watched Brian's video on the plug in hybrid BMW 3-series, and he was mentioning that the color of the car he tested, was not available in the US. This has been going on for many years. Way back in the early 80's I was getting ready to buy a second generation Honda Prelude, and really not in love with any of the colors offered. In the US we had 3 color choices. You could get red, navy, or silver (and I think each had its own interior color scheme.) One day on the highway, a car with Canadian plates passed by, and it was same generation Prelude, but in charcol gray (and it looked great). I actually scratched out a sign on a piece of paper to ask if it was an OEM color. Driver responded that it was. If I had to guess, I'd guess it had to do with US regulations on all sorts of things not related to color.

[@DuncanEduardo]

Brilliant review. It's ridiculous how some very mediocre channels have millions if subscribers and yet this has 30k. People are like sheep and don't explore new avenues and give other people a chance.

[@BrianMakse]

Cheers, thanks, Dunc. 🐑 indeed. (Can I interest you in a handling score without knowing anything about vehicle dynamics? lol)

[@tomdoe1234]

There is a dedicated fuse for the AWD system. Pull the fuse and it's RWD

[@11DelgadoBrian]

What? Really??

[@tomdoe1234]

@@11DelgadoBrian Yeah it's true kzbin.info/www/bejne/iabCkK1nq66kg7s doesn't even throw a check engine light or anything. I haven't done it myself. For me the 20/80 split is fine. I care less about the RWD than I do it not having a manual option. Really should and the auto should be a DSG

[@alexvalle750]

OMG no way.. wow.. is that for previous model's as we'll? I have a 2019 model.

[@tomdoe1234]

@@alexvalle750 I put a link in my previous message to a youtube video it works on 2018-21 for sure, but to tell you the truth I leave mine in 20% front/80% rear all the time. I've had the car drifting in snow and to me it handled like a RWD car or close enough to so for me a non race car driver :)

[@alexvalle750]

@@tomdoe1234 thanks so much for this great info 😀

[@tonycardazzi]

One of the best reviews I’ve seen on the Stinger bar none! You cut through the chase and just say what all car enthusiasts want to hear throughout all your reviews. Any thoughts on which you would prefer between the Stinger and the CT5-V Brian? Much appreciated.

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks, Tony. That’s our objective right there! Tough choice there, both have their merits, but personally I’d have to go Stinger due to its hatch. Works for my life so much better than a trunk. Is it bad to put utility first? 😎

[@tonycardazzi]

@@BrianMakse I agree with you Brian on an utility level but you seemed to appreciate the driving performance on the CT5 (not withstanding the braking system) more than the Stinger in your review. If the Stinger wasn’t a hatchback, would you reconsider your decision?

[@timw2083]

Very good review, once people get over the "It's a Kia" effect they would appreciate the Stinger. The hatchback really sold me. I can load as much as a small SUV and have fun when its over

[@mjareacts2731]

I still can't understand people's reaction to the word Kia. Kia and Hyundai have been making fantastic vehicles for well over a decade now, but people seem to still be stuck in the past. The only issue that I have with this new Stinger GT is that it somehow feels a bit softer than the last generation visually, but that could just be me.

[@BrianMakse]

This is a good car. Haters gonna hate. Their loss.

[@stephenluxa1923]

@@mjareacts2731 I had a Cerato GT / Forte GT and that was a fantastic car and would still buy one if I didn't have my Stinger. I have friends wand family who have recently bought Kias and they love them. So much standard equipment that are optional extras on similar cars. Unbeatable value for money and the quality is fantastic. Hyundai and Genesis are also brilliant. Guess they have to be given they are the same company.

[@mjareacts2731]

@@stephenluxa1923 you're absolutely correct. You just can't beat the value for the money, and they're exciting vehicles on top of that.

[@stephenluxa1923]

@@mjareacts2731 Very exciting vehicles. The Genesis range is superb and Hyundai are producing some brilliant cars such as the I30n. Kia is killing the comp. here in Oz

[@WLGunnett]

2022 GT2 RWD owner, US Good review, however, a couple things… It DOES have launch control…Traction/stability off (hold for 3 sec), left foot brake, right foot full throttle. You’ll see launch control prompts in the display. (may be an AWD limit) The sport mode DOES hold paddle shift gear changes (until a full stop and then reverts to auto) ((maybe that’s a Canadian model spec))

[@BrianMakse]

I’m loathe to do launch control regardless, but this car did not hold gears in any mode or condition.

[@WLGunnett]

@@BrianMakse Let’s talk semantics. I rewatched the video. Your definition of ‘hold gears’ may be different from mine. I’m used to my Chevy SS. I could select the manual mode and then use the paddle shifters. The gears would stay in whatever gear I selected until either I hit the rev limiter or slowed enough to force a downshift by the TCU. Without selecting manual mode, after a gear change with the paddles, the TCU would revert back to auto after several seconds. This is what I am calling ‘hold gears’. The difference for my Stinger is that there is no selectable manual mode. The only way to keep the TCU from reverting back to auto is to have SPORT selected. Then the paddle selected gear stays in the gear I’ve selected until either rev limiter, in which case the TCU upshifts (the SS doesn’t shift, it limits fuel) or slow enough to force a downshift by the TCU. Every paddle shift transmission I’ve driven works similar to this. Big brother hard at work trying to keep us from harming the eng/tranny. I agree on the launch control. It’s very hard on an auto transmission.

[@BrianMakse]

By holding gears, I meant that the driver had control and this car didn’t provide that. It would upshift near redline and this is a common protocol with other related products. IIRC, only the Veloster N dct will hold gears.

[@marklynch2382]

Great car and great review I’ve had mine 11 months now and love it. Paid 69860 in Australia

[@BrianMakse]

Excellent choice!

[@ContentinMesa]

Great review. I just got a 2022 gt2 here in the states. It still has launch control and will rev hang if traction control is off fully.

[@BrianMakse]

Nice! Enjoy! How often do you do launch control starts? LOL

[@ContentinMesa]

I’ve done it twice I’m only at 500 miles and don’t want to go to balls out until the engine has been broke in. Living in Southern California traffic hurts chances to really have fun on most roads. Just nice to know I have the power if I need it.

[@ContentinMesa]

@The Real Cat of 2020 I love it. Could not be happier. My second Kia I own and spilt time with my fiancé in both to keep miles down and she loves it more than her old evo 8. The perfect daily cruiser that can go fast if need be.

[@mumu800]

Sick car. I hope they keep making Sport back sedans!

[@cindykeselowski899]

Great Review! Just took delivery of my 2022 Stinger GT RWD. Can the adaptive cruise control be disengaged? I prefer good old standard cruise. Thank you!

[@BrianMakse]

I hear that if you press and hold the cruise control button it switches to regular cruise control. Enjoy your Stinger!

[@cindykeselowski899]

@@BrianMakse sorry Brian I tried your suggestion but it didn't work...

[@shawnp4714]

I just bought my 2022 two weeks ago. Bought K&N cold air, borla exhaust, BOVs, tinted, spoiler, eibach springs

[@Guy-mx4fb]

This is the best color option and i love the suede even though i know it won't last long

[@cameronstewart6193]

@brian The Stinger is a crazy-good value; I'm amazed I don't see more in the wild. Maybe people can't get over the badge (although I agree that its looks are, well ... not fully resolved, as you might say). BTW, this is another review in which you mentioned that polarized sunglasses make it difficult-to-impossible to see the HUD. I have the same issue with our current vehicle, and lately I've been thinking that surely it's easy enough to add some kind of HUD setting that addresses polarized lenses.

[@scottanthony3426]

If you are choosing the AWD version (or likely the RWD as well), won't you need winter tires in most of Canada? When I bought my first car with summer tires a few years back, I did not realize that they are not recommended for temperatures much below 40F. So while we don't see a lot of snow and ice where I live, we see plenty of temperatures in the 20's and 30's. So, I ended up getting a set of winter wheels and Blizzaks. The problem with that is that the Blizzaks don't wear well in warmer weather, and we get plenty of days where the temperature ranges from cold enough to not (ideally) run the summer tires in the morning, to not being great for winter tires in the afternoon. I guess that leaves two choices. Go with high performance all-season's in place of my summer tires, or do same with my winter tires. I am now in a situation where I can pretty much avoid needing to drive this car in snow or ice, which wasn't the case at time of original purchase. Anyway, that detail just popped up in my head when you were talking whether to get the AWD or RWD. Not sure everyone out there understands the temperature limits on summer performance tires, or not until they get a performance car. Nice work, as usual on the video. Looking forward to your test of the pure RWD. Any idea how much weight that shaves off?

[@BrianMakse]

You'd still want winter meats in most of Canada for sure. If temps get below 7C, summers aren't ideal. With my personal cars, it's always good summers and good winters. Best of both worlds. As for Stinger rear drive, I doubt I'll get to it before it's discontinued. Weight savings? Probably right around 150lb.

[@andrewstaub5378]

God man, how long have u been allowed to drive. Obviously performance tires are ONLY FOR SUMMER. AND IN WINTER U NEED SEPARATE TIRES. ALL THESE CARS ARE MADE FOR CALIFORNIA, WHERE WINTER IS NOT ON THE MENUS. Remember THE POPULAR IN CAL IS MORE THAN IN ALL OF CANADA. WHEN THERE IS SUCH WEATHER EXTREMES U MUST USE 2 TYPES OF TIRES.

[@scottanthony3426]

@@andrewstaub5378 Driving since WAY before summer performance tires were even a thing. In fact, got my license the first year that a US maker (Ford) put RADIAL tires on a car as OEM equipment. (Yeah, look that up! You likely have no idea how far tires have come since the 70's). So, in all those decades, every car I owned (until the BRZ) and bought new came with OEM all-season tires. This included cars oriented towards performance/hanlding. The '84 Honda Prelude was voted second best handling car under $ 30 K (behind the Porshce 944) by Car and Driver, and came OEM with 13" 185mm all-season "H" speed rated tires. Keep in mind that this car only weighed about 2200 lbs. (Probably 185/70's if I remember right, but I sold that 24 years ago). Later I had a Civic Si, which came OEM with Michelin MXV4 Tires, with the "4" being indicitave of ALL SEASON (even though they could be had with H or V speed rating). So, other than traction concerns for snow and ice, temperature was not an issue. (i did buy winter wheels and tires in a minus one size for that Civic Si so I could swap them on in my own garage if we got the rare snow storm and I had to commute to work and the set-up worked great). Fast forwarding to '17/'18, when, after much research on which car to buy, I bought the BRZ, it was a small surprise that the "Prius tires" everyone bitched about in the reviews were actually a SUMMER PERFORMANCE version of that Michelin Primacy. And at that time, my SO actually had recently owned a Prius, and her Primacy tires were all-season. So, yes, not possessing your worldly knowledge, it was a bit of a surprise to learn that my BRZ "Prius tires" were going to suck when it got cold. (I bought the car in the winter, but winter here doesn't necessarily mean every week is going to be too cold for the summer tires.) I immediately got on the phone with Tire Rack and got those Blizzaks on the way. I was likely going to do that anyway for those snow days, but urgency was ramped up when I learned of temperature issues. We get the temps that summer tires hate much more frequently than any snow or ice. In my comment to Brian's video, I was trying to point out for others who might be buying their first performance oriented car with summer tires that they might need to set aside some of their car budget for an extra set of wheels and tires (regardless of AWD or RWD). I'd imagine you could easily hit $ 2k for winter tires and wheels in sizes to fit these cars, so something to keep in mind as you shop, price compare, and select which car to buy. It would be a bummer to stretch your budget to buy the top trim Stinger, then a couple months later, realize you need winter tires.

[@VitoC.]

Great value. Love the hatch.

[@JuanLopez-oz9kh]

I have being looking at one for a while, might pick up one used for fun.

[@BrianMakse]

It’s a cool thing, very enjoyable to drive.

[@Guy-mx4fb]

Should i get suede or leather

[@paulm6481]

Beautiful car and seems like it has a functional interior. The V6 seems well suited. I would have guessed those rubber band tires mean bad ride but I trust your statements. My problem with Kia and Hyundai are dealer networks. I rather they make Genesis a luxury dealership network instead of pushing nice vehicles through Kia and Hyundai dealer network. I take a new Acura TLX base or type S over this because of dealer network and quality. Are you testing type S soon?

[@BrianMakse]

I probably should arrange TLX Type S, shouldn't I Paul?

[@paulm6481]

@@BrianMakse Yes please, can't wait. I am a little biased towards Honda to be honest.

[@CanadianMax]

Brian, is the G70 worth the extra $6k Canadian? I've ordered a 2022 G70 sport and was wondering if I should have rather gone for the cheaper Stinger...

[@BrianMakse]

Definitely not an easy answer. How are you going to use the car? They’re very close dynamically, but very different in terms of utility.

[@CanadianMax]

@@BrianMakse I am trading a 2020 Mustang GT. Fun and dynamics are pretty important. I live in Edmonton so AWD for winter is a nice to have. I essentially use my car for the morning school run and weekend fun...

[@BrianMakse]

There’s a bit more room in the second row and the hatch makes it more versatile for me, given that I golf, snowboard and occasionally haul a bicycle or two.

[@dwaynebolan2583]

Great review. Please review a BMW M340.

[@SebastianThierjung]

really a neat vehicle. awesome video!

[@limpunsing224]

Nice video review

[@pizzapiglet]

So this, or G70 for just under $5k more?

[@BrianMakse]

Based on what criteria?

[@stephenluxa1923]

The G70 looks a bit more luxurious in the cabin however they have the same equipment as the Stinger so comes down to choice I guess.

[@wardellward]

They definitely missing LED fog lights

[@stephenluxa1923]

Totally agree. Pointed that out to the sales person when I bought mine last year. Also needs a rear window wiper and a rear spoiler as standard. I know the Scorpion edition has the rear spoiler but it should be standard

[@mariocamilleri922]

Love it

[@BrianMakse]

Thanks!

[@stephenluxa1923]

A brilliant and very informative review of a very stunning vehicle. I am biased as I have last year's model here in Australia. Unfortunately we don't get an AWD version here in Oz. We have the RWD which is sensational to drive. I have last year's GT which is the top of the range here in Oz and everything is standard. Unbeatable value for money, bang for bucks. quality, warranty and the driving experience. That suede package in the car you are driving is fantastic and I wish we had that here. It is insanely fast from a standing start and even when overtaking. I overtook a car doing 100 kays on a highway and realised I had got to 178 before I even knew it. Luckily there were no police around or it would have been instant loss of license. I decided to overtake gently as opposed to aggressively from then on. The seat bolstering in Sport mode is fantastic on winding roads. I tested it against the normal setting and it certainly makes a huge difference in twisty roads. I have mine normal setting set to custom mode but switch over to Sports mode on twist roads. A tip for the HUD. I changed the colour of the speedo on the HUD to green and it works perfectly as opposed to white or the orange. On really hot bright sunny days here in Oz, the green seems to contrast against the road and sunlight perfectly and is easy to see. This car is every bit as good as a German equivalent and costs half as much as similarly specced German car. I did the cost exercise before buying my Stinger and could not be happier with my decision. Cheers from Oz

[@blacklyfe5543]

What model is this

[@BrianMakse]

In which country do you reside?

[@blacklyfe5543]

@@BrianMakse the u.s ofc

[@BrianMakse]

Had do ask, only a small portion of our viewers are American and Kia calls this by different names in different markets. In the US, this is a GT2 iirc.

[@blacklyfe5543]

@@BrianMakse I just saw this on my news feed and clicked I knew it was in Canada as soon as you said Canadian Dollars

[@stephenhendricks103]

Excellent review, Brian! One very small nit and a few comments. It's a shame that Canadians don't have the option of the base GT-Line with the replacement of the 2.0L turbo with the ubiquitous 2.5L turbo. The GT trims are admittedly a bargain compared to European rivals but the GT-Line makes a strong case as well as an alternative to the KIA K5 GT and the Sonata N-Line, each fitted with the same 2.5L turbo engine. At around $38,000 USD for the fully loaded RWD version and a tad over $40,000 MSRP for AWD, the base Stinger is a screaming bargain with a small premium over the K5 and Sonata, neither of which offer either RWD or AWD and a far less premium interior. Assuming KIA's own numbers for 0-60 times, the 2.5 L turbo version reduces the 0-60 time by over a second (6.4 vs 5.2) compared to the previous engine and slices the difference between the GT-Line and the GT models with the twin turbo V6 to about half a second. Considering that a fully loaded GT2 Stinger has an MSRP of well over $12,000 more than the GT-Line the latter is tremendously tempting. My only nit is the reference to the Stinger as a "sports sedan." That's certainly an appropriate label for the Genesis G70 built on the same platform but I think the Stinger (in all its trim levels) comes closer to the European conception of a Gran Turismo rather than a sport sedan. Somewhat larger than benchmark sport sedans and designed for comfortable high speed travel for up to 4 passengers for hours at a time over meticulously maintained highways as well as twisting backroads originally laid down two millennia ago by the Romans, the Stinger qualifies as a true GT. We Americans can't legally (or safely) take full advantage of the triple digit cruising a true GT offers but now and then on a lightly traveled highway in places like Montana the KIA's capabilities can be enjoyed. As far as competitors are concerned I'd note the VW Arteon as an alternative to the GT-Line Stinger. And as an owner of both a VW GTI and a KIA Sorento I'm currently considering those two highly versatile "liftback" sedans as my teenage daughter looks hungrily at my GTI. (Can't imagine losing the GTI from the family. It would be like selling the family dog.) The two vehicles are virtually the same price (with discounts offered on the Arteon). And virtually the same length with a slightly longer wheelbase in the KIA. Rear seat room and cargo space, on the other hand, is more generous in the Arteon. While the on-paper HP and torque figures favor the Stinger, a Stage 1 ECU tune for the awesome EA888 VW engine virtually eliminates that advantage. Overall, the VW's interior is more upscale and the Arteon feels a bit "tighter" and well put together than the Stinger but the difference is slight, at best and may say more about my familiarity of the "feel" of a VW than a KIA sedan. The Stinger has a more "sporty" vibe but the Arteon is more elegant to my eye. In any case, it's a tough choice and I'm on the fence.

[@cclarkwriter]

VERY unique? Come on Brian :-)

[@BrianMakse]

Well, point me to anything with similar performance, dynamics, utility, and price and then I’ll concede this argument!

[@cclarkwriter]

@@BrianMakse Love the car. I have a G70. My point was grammatical. Unique is unique, period. Sorry for being pedantic.

[@BrianMakse]

I can use a good screenwriter.

[@cclarkwriter]

@@BrianMakse keep up the good work.

[@stephenluxa1923]

@@cclarkwriter I seriously looked at the G70 when I bought my Stinger. I just liked the look of the Stinger over the G70 and here in Oz, Kia have a 7 year warranty as opposed to Hyundai / Genesis's 5 year warranty. The Stinger was also cheaper than the Genesis. Similar car for less cost was a factor also.

[@stephenhendricks103]

Very sadly it appears the Stinger has been discontinued after the current model year. I had hoped the significant performance improvements in the base GT-Line model would lead to an increase in the overall dismal sales of the Stinger but KIA has apparently decided not to wait to see if that's the case. Despite strong reviews from its introduction on the Stinger has faced stiff challenges in terms of sales success. In 2018 KIA dealers had no experience and no idea how to sell a $50K (USD) sedan modelled on a European GT (Grand Touring) vehicle. And for that matter few North Americans understood what a GT in the European mode even was. As noted in my previous comment a European GT is a car designed for long distance comfortable travel for four or five passengers at high speeds on meticulously maintained highways and good handling on twisting European backroads many of which were originally paved by the Romans. It isn't a muscle car like a Dodge Charger, much less a two-door coupe with a V8 engine and a tiny rear seat. So despite the Stinger's strong points and the replacement of the rather anemic 2.0L turbo 4 with the new 2.5L turbo that's finding its way into at least 7 KIA, Hyundai, and Genesis vehicles and a 0-60 time within half a second of the V6 Turbo GT1 and GT2 models, the Stinger is going away. KIA apparently believes (and I suspect they're correct) that their performance "eggs" should go in a basket that includes a high performance versions of the forthcoming K6 EV. In any event those who find the Stinger appealing shouldn't wait to see their KIA dealers. The GT1 and GT2 versions do offer "Performance at a Great Price" as the headline reads. But the screaming bargain is the GT-Line with the same engine as the K5 GT, a far more upscale interior and amenities, and RWD or RWD-biased AWD with an MSRP ranging from $38K to $41K (USD).

[@BrianMakse]

I don’t disagree with a single word, Stephen.

[@paulpellico3797]

but no convertible available....bad!

[@BrianMakse]

We could always chop off the roof of one of these!

[@DIGITAL01UAA]

it's been refreshed for 2021, not 2022. I'm not sure why you Americans keep calling it 2022?

[@BrianMakse]

It’s a 2022 refresh and I’m not American.