Kia Badging - Keep it or Ditch it?

[mediocrepizza]

Wondering how everyone feels about this. Personally, I'm going to debadge the Kia logo entirely. It looks like there won't be any bolts/divots underneath the badging based on this Kia tester image, so visual deformities shouldn't be an issue:

It's not that I want to disassociate from the brand, because I do think highly of Kia, but the logo itself looks aesthetically challenged in my opinion. It also makes the car look bad due to public perception of the brand. Alternatively, you could replace it with the Korean Kia logo or the "E" badge, or even the "Stinger" stylized text on the rear like they have on the Korean models.

What's your preference?

 

[Kia Stinger]

Welcome aboard! And thank you for signing up. Mediocre Pizza, huh?

As for the badge - I'll either replace the KIA badge that Lexus-like "K" I see online (I've always liked it) - or the "E" badge. If anyone asks me what it is, I'll proudly proclaim it to be a Kia. No shame there - especially considering I usually root for the underdog. I love the fact that Kia's come so far in so little time.

The way I see it is this... People see the KIA badge and immediately turn their nose up. When they're given enough time to be intrigued and don't know what it is for awhile - and grow to like it - and THEN find out it's a Kia - then Kia has their respect. I watched it happen many times with the Hyundai Genesis - and now "Genesis" is a luxury brand...

 

[mediocrepizza]

Welcome aboard! And thank you for signing up. Mediocre Pizza, huh?

As for the badge - I'll either replace the KIA badge that Lexus-like "K" I see online (I've always liked it) - or the "E" badge. If anyone asks me what it is, I'll proudly proclaim it to be a Kia. No shame there - especially considering I usually root for the underdog. I love the fact that Kia's come so far in so little time.

The way I see it is this... People see the KIA badge and immediately turn their nose up. When they're given enough time to be intrigued and don't know what it is for awhile - and grow to like it - and THEN find out it's a Kia - then Kia has their respect. I watched it happen many times with the Hyundai Genesis - and now "Genesis" is a luxury brand...

Yeah I completely agree. I'm all for the underdog as well, being a huge Mazda fan. Half the enjoyment would be seeing the look of shock on their face over a Kia

 

[Kia Stinger]

Yeah I completely agree. I'm all for the underdog as well, being a huge Mazda fan. Half the enjoyment would be seeing the look of shock on their face over a Kia

I've only owned one Mazda but they do make some nice cars these days. And they almost went "luxury" once. Too bad that never happened...

Yes, I'm anxious to get people to agree that Kia makes great cars by showing them the Stinger GT.

 

[app_master]

I've only owned one Mazda but they do make some nice cars these days. And they almost went "luxury" once. Too bad that never happened...

Yes, I'm anxious to get people to agree that Kia makes great cars by showing them the Stinger GT.

Hey me too. Had the current 6 model in 2013. Fortuneltly it is pretty far from Luxury. For some on-going reason Mazda seem to have no idea how to deal with road noise. We had it less than two years and this really killed the driving enjoyment for us. Hence why the Stinger appeals. Perhaps Mazda have moved forward, I have read the newest CX's are improved on this front.

 

[Jay M]

I hope Kia reads this forum. I want the Korean logos. Whoever was the decision maker to go with the E in Korea should argue for consistency across the continents. I think the same reasoning for making the change for the Korean market holds true here. I think they will sell more cars and they will come across as "special" if they arrive on our shores with the E badge instead of the Kia badge. Just my opinion.

 

[app_master]

It's a beautiful thing, just leave it there, either one

 

[jburns]

It's a beautiful thing, just leave it there, either one

It is beautiful but even the most attractive do not want to go to the prom with a big zit in the middle of their forehead.

 

[davebo]

I've got the K logo swapped on my 2012 Optima SX and I've always preferred it. I had a fair amount of people ask me what it was before you saw Optimas everywhere. I'd happily to say it's a Kia, so I'm not ashamed of the brand, just the mediocre logo. I fully intend to swap out the rear badge on the Stinger but if @mediocrepizza is correct and there's no indentation up front, I might just leave the front blank.

 

[app_master]

It is beautiful but even the most attractive do not want to go to the prom with a big zit in the middle of their forehead.

Hahahaha. Great analogy. I'll go with it...
So if you band-aid, pop-it, cover-it, wait-it-out this "big zit" (badge) will still never change who (car) it is. Because if you become to concerned about it you may just miss the out on the best part, the prom (drive) and enjoying that time.

 

[tv77]

Bring on the "E"! No shame in telling people it's a Kia. I just want people to ask what the car is and see their face when you say "Kia".......

Hey Kia management.....hope you are reading!

 

[RMA]

If I end up with a RWD version I "might" swap the badge out, but to replace it with the Korean "E" badge just as the car is designated in Korea.

 

[richard]

How would you get The E and stinger badges? I think it might be hard to get these badges without speaking Korean. Not sure if our local dealers would be able to order these items or would we just use eBay?

 

[carlosfernandez]

Google translate!!!

 

[jburns]

Google translate!!!

Yep but you have to be careful. You don't want to end up with a set of old Yugo badges.

 

[regnitStinger]

Not sure what the "E" badge is supposed to signify. A start of Kia's new luxury or performance division? To critique the design itself...I like it. IMO, it has the "subtle elegance" thing going on there. For me, the "E" emblem can stay. I can see the future Kia's model names can just be placed underneath the logo as how the "S T I N G E R" is done.

 

[carlosfernandez]

If I could I will buy the E logo because only people who really know about cars will know who manufacturare the car. A way to know who really KNOW about cars here in US!!!

 

[app_master]

The only badge that would be tough to swap the Korea "E" with, will be on the steering wheel. Round vs Oval. You might have to actually order the center plate too.

 

[RMA]

In case nobody knows what the E badge is supposed to mean, I thought I had read somewhere the E stands for exciting/excitement or something along those lines. And as mentioned all RWD models in Korea will receive the E badge.

 

[Bamm1]

Not sure what the "E" badge is supposed to signify. A start of Kia's new luxury or performance division? To critique the design itself...I like it. IMO, it has the "subtle elegance" thing going on there. For me, the "E" emblem can stay. I can see the future Kia's model names can just be placed underneath the logo as how the "S T I N G E R" is done.

In case nobody knows what the E badge is supposed to mean, I thought I had read somewhere the E stands for exciting/excitement or something along those lines. And as mentioned all RWD models in Korea will receive the E badge.

It's primary meaning is "Engineered by Excellence".
It's secondary meanings are: Exclusive, Exquisite and Evolutionary.