I don't see what is wrong with comparing the two. It's normal for certain brands to move up over time and others to move down. Acura right now isn't the Acura from a decade+ ago. Neither is Kia.

 

I think he means because Kia is levels above.
Better to compare Fiat to Acura, or Lada.

 

To be fair, Audi has a killer launch control system. You gotta engage that every time if you wanna do 0-60mph in 5.3s. Otherwise its 5-60mph time is 6.1s and lagging a bit behind the TLX at 5.9s. The 1/4 mile trap speed is a better indication of how fast a car really is. Both trap 100mph so in the real world, so all said and done, they are pretty close to one another.

 

Car & Driver just listed its 2017 entry level listings. Alfa got the grand prize, Audi was the pick of the litter & Stinger did very well.

Alfa Romeo Giulia
Audi A5 Sportback
Audi A4
Audi A5
MB C-Class
BMW 3
BMW 4
Kia Stinger
BMW 4 Grand Coupe
Jaguar XE
Infiniti G60
Infiniti G50
Lexus IS
Lexus RC
Caddy ATS
Buick Regal Sportback
Acura TLX
Lincoln MKZ
Volks CC
Volvo S60
Buick Regal

 

Is someone going to create a TLX vs Regal thread?

 

 

I actually had a Buick Regal as a rental a few months back
Not terrible, there were things I didn't like about it for sure, but livable.

 

Uh oh!!! Another mod bashing Acura!!! You're gonna get it, Maj!!

 

I'm not bashing Acura
I have an Acura

 

 

Yeah, my neighbor owns an Acura.. and he's black Asian too

 

Well if it was a Regal the TLX wins by 4 places. If its a Sportback I don't think I can comment without Mr. Sulu putting the shields up.

 

#metoo

 

What a piece of shit, I bet the rear window doesn't even roll down.

 

Mods can't own Acuras on this board.

Reported.

 

Sounds like a plan. Also the if you don't own the car don't post crowd has been invalidated by one of its key members. Saintor has turned up on the BMW board.

 

 

I saw it yesterday in person at the car show. It's a good looking car, but it's large...very long. It's not a car I would consider purchasing as I don't need anything that big. There were a lot of people huddled around it checking it out.

 

Are you referring to the TLX?

 

No , the Stinger

 

Well that large and very long car you just described is shorter and smaller than the TLX

 

 

One of the best things about the Cleveland Auto Show is that many of the automakers offer ride and drives. I took advantage of a short ride and drive of the Stinger GT AWD in GT2 trim, the top of the line. I drove my TLX A-Spec SH-AWD to the auto show today, so I can give a direct comparison. As these things, go, I didn't get much time with the GT, and no highway acceleration runs.

Interior: TLX wins.
Steering wheel has noticeably lower leather quality trim than the TLX. The TLX steering wheel is thicker right at 9 and 3, and the thumb rests are just perfectly placed for you to grab that chunky wheel at 9&3, and to rest your thumbs....just as you're supposed to (10 & 3 is wrong placement, 9 & 3 allows for better steering control...).

Interior layout looks pretty good at first glance. The soft touch areas are the same as in the TLX, basically anything above the middle of the door. Again, the soft touch areas are grainier and generally less refined than in the TLX.

I like the single screen in the Stinger. Stinger wins here. Clear screen, modern-looking navi graphics. It makes the stock Acura navi graphics look extremely dated. In my TLX, I use Apple Carplay and the Apple Maps interface is far superior to the Acura navi interface. Ideal would be that I could use Google Maps from my iPhone, but that's an Apple limitation, not an Acura limitation.

Rear seat is usable, but not ample. A little smaller than the TLX. TLX wins.

I personally like the seats in the A-Spec far better than in the Stinger GT--the A-Spec seats hold you in a little better and seem better fitted to me. I don't think there's a thigh bolster, or if there is, I didn't see it.

Shifter use is weird. You have to push a button to park, but you have to use the shift lever for everything else. At least with Acura's push button shifter, you deal with all buttons rather than part button and part shifter. TLX wins.

Storage: DAT HATCH YO! Stinger wins!

Other features: power folding mirrors, power trunk on the Stinger. Sure wish I had these on my TLX!

Driving: It's a wash.
Gobs of usable torque. I wish I had this in my TLX. Stinger wins by a mile. Acura, please give us a high-po version of the TLX!

Loose steering both at parking lot and at speed. No feedback at all from the road. While the TLX also has less road feel than my CTS-V or NSX, it's far better than the Stinger GT. TLX wins strongly here.

The AWD system in the GT does not provide torque vectoring in the same way that SH-AWD does. Handling is not as neutral in turns with the Stinger GT, as the TLX A-Spec. TLX wins.

8-speed tranny in the Stinger GT gave absolutely no hiccups or pauses at all during my short test drive. Stinger wins.

The GT2 AWD trim is $52.3k!

To conclude, the TLX is slower, has less power, has fewer features, and less cargo room, but the interior is more refined and SH-AWD is better than Kia's torque vectoring system. The Stinger GT wins on power , features, and storage. The Stinger GT is a great car for someone who wants to have a little fun and carry all their stuff, and to have all the modern features. Is it $7k (MSRP) better than the TLX A-Spec? I have to say, based on the features alone and the power, it may be. However, even with less power, the TLX is the better driver, needing only more power and a better transmission to catch up with the Stinger in those regards.

Acura definitely has to catch up on some features. At least the A-Spec is much less expensive.

 

Great review Bob

 

Well this S5 vs Stinger AWD Limited comparo was broadcasted today. Too bad it is ...in French.
https://noovo.ca/videos/rpm/kia-stin...rtback-technik

Very interesting nonetheless (with very good videos).

Their findings.

The S5 was with torque-vectoring package and it made quite an impact compared to a basic AWD like in the A4/A5/3-series/Stinger.
They don't feel that the $26000 price gap was worth it ($75000C Audi S5 ...lol)

I sat in both; I don't like either interior particularly. FAR from the Audi of late '80 early '90s.

And the Stinger is dead on birth. Another car that every talks about, but nobody buys. I think that the G70 will do better.

 

 

 

Wait, WHAAAT? Price gouging on a KIA? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL and they're gonna sit. What fool is going to pay above market for a KIA?

In short, I agree with you, Taco.

 

That all said you still get the $52K performance in the base car & the mid level is not priced to bad with a lot of features. Personally think most of the action will be on the lower two flavors.

C&D said this

"The base GT comes in at $39,250. Stepping up to the GT1 trim adds a larger infotainment system with navigation, adaptive dampers, a 15-speaker audio system, and memory settings for the driver’s seat, among other features. That model costs $44,150."

This road test was at $41K

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/20...B1DD443FBC2ADD

My grandsons R-Spec coupe with the Genesis label was only $30K, with all the performance features including Brembo brakes & LSD is well equipped with creature comforts & is quick. They can package a lot into a car with a nice price.

Dealers will wise up when the don't sell Stingers with a mask & gun pricing just like the TLX dealers did.

 

Just saw a Stinger commercial on TV. They are selling pure performance. Red car has Emerson Fittipaldi Former F1 World Champion & Indy winner at a track. Car is flying along goes into a smokey left turn drift. He straightens out, cut to the speedo climbing fast as he hits the paddles. Switch to an outside trailing shot of the car pulling away into the banking, flash up a graphic - 167MPH.

Not one mention of the multi-speaker sound system.

 

drive the Stinger and other brands

Kia Stinger Experience

 

Good marketing but they are setting up some sitters;

"Stinger Experience participants will take on several dynamic challenges in the Stinger GT, as well as in the Audi A5, BMW 640i Gran Coupe and Porsche Panamera, through various dynamic exercises." Would not describe any of these three as agile. Expect a Miatia could stick it too them on an Auto-X course. Personally lapped a pair of 640 GC, 5 door hatch's, with a 435 a few times at the performance delivery program. In its price range an M240 would be interesting.

Not sure what the 0-60 times are for them but the Stinger being in the high 4's should be quicker.

Would take a shot at it but Charlotte, 350mile round trip. is out of range for an in & out with a few minutes seat time.

 

 

You don't get in on the 10 yr / 100k powertrain warranty then

 

 

I just checked, it's 5 yr / 60k mile (same as you guys eh) on a transfer.. .unless.. it's a certified used sale.

 

 

 

I work at a automotive group that owns a franchise for Acura and Kia among other 3 major brands and honestly I can see why you would like the Stinger because it’s really NICE but in my personal opinion and experience I would go with the 2018 TLX Acura.

 

As an insider can you open that up with more info as to why & which versions you would match against each other.

BTW the BMW 3 Series/Stinger GT thread is up to 112 posts & 5000 views now. Lots of interest in this car.