2015 used Hyundai Genesis 3.8 AWD vs new Kia Stinger 2.0

[vatdim]

Hello and so glad to have found you, guys!

First I'd like to note that I'm not familiar with Genesis cars due to the reason that I live in the EU and these were not sold new in Europe (and still aren't). However, all that changed after I found an interesting 2015 3.8 AWD V6 with appr. 90.000 miles for sale at a reputable dealer near me. I've been reading extensively and I'd like to hear your opinion of what I should keep in mind if I am to go have a look at the car. Any pointers to make a good comparison with a brand new Kia Stinger 2.0 would be very helpful, as well.

From my research, I have noticed the following worry items with respect to the Genesis:
- valve clearance check & possible adjustment every 60.000 miles - this is arguably not easily done by a less experienced DIY like myself, and should be done professionally. Costs may go up to USD 3-4k
- carbon deposits - being a GDI-engined car with 90,000 miles, I'd expect some deposits have accumulated and would require cleaning. While I'm familiar with the seafoam treatment and I've no issue with straightforward wrenching, if this doesn't sort the issue, costs up to USD 1.5k may be incurred for professional cleaning.
- gas mileage - seems a bit more than that of the Stinger, but on the upside the Stinger takes premium only.

In terms of total ownership costs, I think the two propositions (i.e. used Genesis AWD 3.8 and brand new Stinger 2.0) are coming up relatively even.

In terms of the vehicle features, the Genesis has the advantage that it has a much better interior, a much richer feature list, a N/A engine, it is the larger car overall (which is a plus for me, coming from an older 5-series). I will also be able to pay cash for this car if I am to get it.
The Stinger has the advantage of being the lighter, more torquey and better 0-60 car (coming at the cost of a 4-cyl turbo), featuring a liftback trunk, as well as sporting a full warranty. I will have to partially finance this car, which is something of a worry for me considering the economic climate.

What would you guys advise me do? Are you happy with your Genesis? Would you keep the car after 5 years, or after its warranty has expired? What have been the biggest gripes with it? What have you grown to like most about it? If anyone has had the chance to drive a Stinger, please chime in with a comparison!

 

[Backslack]

I'd go for the Genesis, but since it's such a rare care in Europe. I wonder if dealers will know how to service it, and if parts are even available at non-exorbitant prices. But you would definitely stand out from the rows of E-Class and A6.

As for the Stinger, I haven't heard good things about the base 2.0T engine performance- you might be better off waiting for a the new 2.5T next year, or consider a used 3.3T.

 

[EdP]

Hello and so glad to have found you, guys!

First I'd like to note that I'm not familiar with Genesis cars due to the reason that I live in the EU and these were not sold new in Europe (and still aren't). However, all that changed after I found an interesting 2015 3.8 AWD V6 with appr. 90.000 miles for sale at a reputable dealer near me. I've been reading extensively and I'd like to hear your opinion of what I should keep in mind if I am to go have a look at the car. Any pointers to make a good comparison with a brand new Kia Stinger 2.0 would be very helpful, as well.

From my research, I have noticed the following worry items with respect to the Genesis:
- valve clearance check & possible adjustment every 60.000 miles - this is arguably not easily done by a less experienced DIY like myself, and should be done professionally. Costs may go up to USD 3-4k
- carbon deposits - being a GDI-engined car with 90,000 miles, I'd expect some deposits have accumulated and would require cleaning. While I'm familiar with the seafoam treatment and I've no issue with straightforward wrenching, if this doesn't sort the issue, costs up to USD 1.5k may be incurred for professional cleaning.
- gas mileage - seems a bit more than that of the Stinger, but on the upside the Stinger takes premium only.

In terms of total ownership costs, I think the two propositions (i.e. used Genesis AWD 3.8 and brand new Stinger 2.0) are coming up relatively even.

In terms of the vehicle features, the Genesis has the advantage that it has a much better interior, a much richer feature list, a N/A engine, it is the larger car overall (which is a plus for me, coming from an older 5-series). I will also be able to pay cash for this car if I am to get it.
The Stinger has the advantage of being the lighter, more torquey and better 0-60 car (coming at the cost of a 4-cyl turbo), featuring a liftback trunk, as well as sporting a full warranty. I will have to partially finance this car, which is something of a worry for me considering the economic climate.

What would you guys advise me do? Are you happy with your Genesis? Would you keep the car after 5 years, or after its warranty has expired? What have been the biggest gripes with it? What have you grown to like most about it? If anyone has had the chance to drive a Stinger, please chime in with a comparison!

My advice would always be the brand new car with full warranty. Cars with a lot of electronics can be expensive to repair and that is with any brand.

 

[YEH]

What's your time-table?

As already stated, can you wait for the Stinger F/L getting the upgrade to the 2.5T which has both direct and multi-port injection (as well as being more powerful, more fuel efficient and cleaner - which should affect whatever displacement and CO2 taxes you would have to pay)?

From what have heard/read - carbon build-up doesn't seem to be as big of a problem on HMG GDI engines like for certain other automakers (GM engines also seem to be less affected), but it's still something one has to keep an eye on.

There are plenty of reviews of the Stinger in European auto publications, as well as on youtube.

But basically it comes down to what you prefer - do you like the looks, added utility of a liftback and the sportier drive of the Stinger or that of a traditional sedan w/ a more luxo-cruiser bent?

Genesis should be launching in Europe within the next 1.5 or so year(s).

Think the timetable is when the smaller GV70 CUV is ready.

 

[vatdim]

I'd go for the Genesis, but since it's such a rare care in Europe. I wonder if dealers will know how to service it, and if parts are even available at non-exorbitant prices. But you would definitely stand out from the rows of E-Class and A6.

As for the Stinger, I haven't heard good things about the base 2.0T engine performance- you might be better off waiting for a the new 2.5T next year, or consider a used 3.3T.

Thank you, Backslack. Indeed, I haven't rushed to get a 2.0 Stinger precisely due to the fact that I am expecting a facelifted 2.5 to arrive in the not so distant future. That, and the fact that my old 5-series is still going (though I'd love to make a dedicated weekend / holiday car out of it if I don't sell it).

I note your comment on the parts availability. I've been told by the seller that this particular Genesis they are offering has a full service history at the Hyundai dealer in my town. This has me a little worried if all service has been carried out properly, given the fact that this was probably the only Genesis they ever worked on. Then again, I might be wrong and it might turn out that they did a great job and did not have issues with part waiting times.

My advice would always be the brand new car with full warranty. Cars with a lot of electronics can be expensive to repair and that is with any brand.

I hear you, EdP. It is why it's so hard for me to let go of the 20th century analogue car I am currently driving. There are possibly a handful of sensors on it and I have had all of them replaced in the last couple of years, just for my peace of mind. Modern cars seem so overly complicated that I am afraid of actually getting into a modern used car with no warranty, not due to mechanical issues, but mainly due to the potential condition of the dozens of sensors and other electronics that it may hide.

What's your time-table?

As already stated, can you wait for the Stinger F/L getting the upgrade to the 2.5T which has both direct and multi-port injection (as well as being more powerful, more fuel efficient and cleaner - which should affect whatever displacement and CO2 taxes you would have to pay)?

From what have heard/read - carbon build-up doesn't seem to be as big of a problem on HMG GDI engines like for certain other automakers (GM engines also seem to be less affected), but it's still something one has to keep an eye on.

There are plenty of reviews of the Stinger in European auto publications, as well as on youtube.

But basically it comes down to what you prefer - do you like the looks, added utility of a liftback and the sportier drive of the Stinger or that of a traditional sedan w/ a more luxo-cruiser bent?

Genesis should be launching in Europe within the next 1.5 or so year(s).

Think the timetable is when the smaller GV70 CUV is ready.

YEH, thank you for letting me know about the carbon build-up on Hyundai sourced GDI engines - I was not aware of that fact!

I am quite excited for the Stinger 2.5T. However, I'm a bit anxious when it comes to financing it, and this is why I came to this board hoping to find if a fully paid for Genesis won't fulfill my needs without me having to jump for financing in this particular economic climate. Overall, total ownership costs between both vehicles seem on par in my projections.

What I am essentially looking for is an everyday car which is RWD-based, has good comfort (big plus for the Genesis here!), has a reasonable acceleration for safe overtaking, and has a better reliability than my old BMW. I'd hope to keep that car for the next 5-7 years.

While a lot of reviews have been posted on the Stinger and the Genesis, it is difficult for me to judge (without having driven both vehicles) how exactly they feel and drive. My impressions so far are that the Genesis offers the more luxurious package, while the Stinger has a bit sportier nature. But then, I've also read reviews where the Genesis' steering was claimed to be more direct and offering better road feedback than the Stinger. It is a bit confusing to make the call.

 

[YEH]

Yeah, w/o driving them, it's a tough call (even tougher if also considering the F/L w/ the 2.5T).

Seems like what you are prioritizing is comfort and the Genesis wins there, and of course whatever the case may be, finances are the key factor (esp. in these times where it may not be prudent to take on a large auto loan), so that's another (big) nod for the Genesis.

Still, it's a used 5 yr old vehicle w/ 90k miles on it.

That could mean things could start going wrong (of course, that can happen for a new vehicle as well) or it could provide you w/ another 150k miles of largely trouble-free driving.

According to data supplied by the ACEA, have seen 1-2 Genesis sedans sold/month in places like Germany, so would be new auto sales.

Good luck!

 

[vatdim]

Appreciate the detailed response, YEH! It seems a bit more Genesis coupes have been sold in Europe, but sedans are very limited numbers. I wonder if these aren't owned predominantly by diplomats or other VIPs, because I still can't find how the general public is supposed to order one.

One more question, guys - it has come to my attention from the many reviews I keep looking at that there is in fact a Genesis Intelligent Assistant / app offering remote start / climate control and other features - would that work on a used 2015 sedan like the one I'm contemplating? Anything I should know about it? My brief search online seemed to indicate that its functioning is intermittent. Are there alternative apps to provide the same features? I use an Android device.

 

[skipgen]

Appreciate the detailed response, YEH! It seems a bit more Genesis coupes have been sold in Europe, but sedans are very limited numbers. I wonder if these aren't owned predominantly by diplomats or other VIPs, because I still can't find how the general public is supposed to order one.

One more question, guys - it has come to my attention from the many reviews I keep looking at that there is in fact a Genesis Intelligent Assistant / app offering remote start / climate control and other features - would that work on a used 2015 sedan like the one I'm contemplating? Anything I should know about it? My brief search online seemed to indicate that its functioning is intermittent. Are there alternative apps to provide the same features? I use an Android device.

You have to have a BlueLink subscription for the app to work - mine usually works pretty well. Takes a couple of minutes for the request to be processed though.

 

[YEH]

Appreciate the detailed response, YEH! It seems a bit more Genesis coupes have been sold in Europe, but sedans are very limited numbers. I wonder if these aren't owned predominantly by diplomats or other VIPs, because I still can't find how the general public is supposed to order one.

Yeah, not sure exactly how sales of the Genesis sedan (aka G80) were procured, but basically talking a handful.

 

[ntmehan]

From what I've read, drivetrain and trim seem to matter on a Genesis from a reliability standpoint. 2015s seem to have more issues with the DIS head unit (Ultimate package here, not sure which market the one you have your eyes on is for, but I think the highest zoot Genesis is not called Ultimate in other markets) than the smaller-screened, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabled unit in lesser models. I speak from a tiny bit of experience here, as my Ultimate's head unit began freezing and ignoring inputs, including no display of my backup cam until I updated the maps (which also essentially provides a full system UI update).

Also it seems that the 5.0 Tau V8 has fewer issues (although perhaps just because of their lower sales volume) than the 3.8 Lambda V6. I don't really have examples to back this up, it's just the conclusion I remember drawing when researching these prior to my purchase. Contrary to what I just said, my 5.0 has been replaced under warranty (prior to my ownership) due to a misfire at ~42k miles so basically everything between the manifolds and between the accessories and the flywheel has been replaced with new parts including ECM, TCM, and apparently the separate controller that drive the GDI and it's related harnesses. No valve adjustment on V8, no timing chain issues, no odd engine software hiccups, all of which I've heard of on the V6. I've also read that one or both diffs in the AWD cars (only available on V6s in the US) aren't the most robust.

Sunroofs on all DH (chassis code) cars, no matter the trim or year, are problematic in the right climate. Seems like the conclusion has been, if it's nice enough to use the roof for part of the year (too hot in summer and too cold in winter) those people tend to have issues (e.g. southern US). Mine is one of these, even after all the movement linkage was replaced under warranty, it still makes noise when closed, has trouble closing automatically and the seal between the panes won't stay in place.

BlueLink is market dependent as well, I think Canadian cars have the telematics unit, just like US cars, but BL isn't available there, or maybe wasn't early on. Correct me if I'm wrong. It also works on CDMA (Verizon, here) which I think isn't widely available in Europe as most providers use GSM. It's worth bringing up that the only way to have factory remote start in the Genesis is via the Subscription to BlueLink. Looks like the Stinger only has this option from the factory as well but apparently there's an accessory that allows remote start from smart key by pressing lock then trunk button? Worth looking into further if it's important to you. I personally subscribe to all the BL packages, even though it's functionality is not perfect.

I've not driven a Stinger, yet, but I've driven a loaner G80 with the 3.8 and a loaner G70 with the 2.0T (which I'm fairly certain is the exact same power-train the Stinger has,) and I was really disappointed with the 2.0T. Felt less powerful than the 2.0T in my 2012 Optima (and is by the numbers, although that iteration of the Theta II [is the RWD version still Theta II?] had huge reliability issues later in life) and felt about the same as scooting around in my V6/8spd Grand Cherokee, not awful, but not inspiring as you'd expect from a sport Sedan. (And the G70's chassis, sister of the Stinger, can handle so so so much more.) The 3.8 in a G80 was surprisingly smooth, refined, and normal-driving-torquey as compared to my V8, but when driven comparably (mostly grandma in traffic), it got about the same gas mileage as the 5.0. I've read the 3.8 in a Genny gets 4cyl gas mileage on the highway, and my 5.0 isn't bad either (26-28 running 80ish). If you're 5er has an NA 2.5 I6, I think you'd be happy with a 2.0T. If you're used to an NA or turbo'd 3.0 I6, you're going to want at least the 3.8, and if you want old M5 performance, just grab a 5.0.

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[Aquineas]

Appreciate the detailed response, YEH! It seems a bit more Genesis coupes have been sold in Europe, but sedans are very limited numbers. I wonder if these aren't owned predominantly by diplomats or other VIPs, because I still can't find how the general public is supposed to order one.

One more question, guys - it has come to my attention from the many reviews I keep looking at that there is in fact a Genesis Intelligent Assistant / app offering remote start / climate control and other features - would that work on a used 2015 sedan like the one I'm contemplating? Anything I should know about it? My brief search online seemed to indicate that its functioning is intermittent. Are there alternative apps to provide the same features? I use an Android device.

The Intelligent Assistant App relies on it's own internal mobile phone # and modem in the car to work. Basically, your vehicle is running a server, listening for commands (remote lock, remote start, etc) that get relayed from the mothership to your car. That phone #/modem is highly dependent on the local services it is (or is not) networked to. If the car is sold in your home market, then the chances are much better that they would work, and nearly impossible if not sold in your home market (for reference, in the US, Genesis uses Verizon as their mobile provider). Also note that typically the first three years of this service are free and then it's subscription-based after that.

As a former owner of a DH sedan (2015-2020 Genesis or G80) that made it to 195,000 km (5.0 V8 powerplant) and a current owner of a G70, I will say that the 2015 is considerably quieter, cushier, and more comfortable, while the Stinger will handle much MUCH better but also not do as good a job with things like sound insulation. That being said, I'm a fan of warranties especially for expensive items and electronics, so I would probably elect the new car with the warranty, preferring even the updated one with the 2.5 engine as recommended by YEH.