Kia Stinger facelift confirmed, next generation still up in the air

[Waynerm002]

Looks like I stirred up something here. Personally, I would prefer a hybrid version however, I'm one of the few in that group, a lot would prefer the power and performance and some are ok with it as is. While the Stinger is a GT car, it is built on the same platform as the G70 and with some tweaks, can easily perform the same. It was intentionally tuned to let the G70 be the better performer, to compete in the entry level luxury class. With the new 3 series out and a face lifted version of the G70 coming soon, I'm sure Genesis wants to keep it as a competitor. The only issue the G70 has is space, they could easily remedy that by adding an extra couple of inches to give it some more rear legroom. It is after all, built on the same platform as the G80 and G90, which the stinger also shares.

We already know the current 2.0T and 3.3T engines will be replaced by the 2.5T and 3.5T across the Genesis/Hyundai/KIA line and they also have plans for electrifying some of their vehicles. They may not boost the power over the standard level of the 3.5T at launch, but we also know that a plug-in hybrid G80 is being tested. Will it be a "performance" hybrid like Porsche is doing or just more like a Lexus to boost power and add some range? That is yet to be known. If a power/performance lift could end up with more sales for KIA, that could guarantee a next generation Stinger that would cater to multiple groups.

A suspension tune would be easy enough for KIA to do on the GT1 and 2 by adjusting the EDS system as we have seen with the Mando unit. They could also offer springs and sway bar upgrades as they do on some of their vehicles in Korea:

기아 K3 GT 특징 - 승차감 좋은 대한민국 대표 준중형차 | 기아자동차 공식사이트

기아 스포티지 특징 - 승차감 좋은 중형 SUV 자동차 | 기아자동차 공식 사이트

기아 쏘렌토 특징 - 연비좋은 디젤 SUV | 기아자동차 공식 사이트

Some folks would be fine with a factory backed system purchased on the vehicle, sort of like a M-Sport from BMW or S version from Audi, while others would love to have a reliable, long warranty backed M or RS version. Yes, there are some that would love to see an upstart like KIA beat the Germans at their game. They do have a lot of german talent working for them however, I think that will be preferred for Genesis, unless the Koreans spin off the N-Line into its own division. I am quite happy with my car now that I have added the Mando unit to make it ride and handle better however, I would take a hybrid version for better economy and range, while keeping some of the performance and all of the handling.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

No just get a different car!

Why does it trigger you so that other people look at it differently and want to turn it into a legit performance car? The platform is certainly capable of it.

 

[Kiksbut]

Kimberly & Wayner, excellent replys!
Humans have been evolving, as have been the cars. Some people are ok with what they have & others prefer to push the limits. Whether it's with their life's or maybe their cars.
Neither is good or bad, wrong or right. But choices are what make us human.
Enjoy your life, do what you enjoy.

 

[Lawrence Williams]

Why does it trigger you so that other people look at it differently and want to turn it into a legit performance car? The platform is certainly capable of it.

But you read nothing I posted ; choosing to pull one line from my paragraph/response.....that's rich

 

[BlueByYouGT]

Sure but to take a 2yr car and want a massive overhaul doesn't make sense.

Adding 35hp to the 3.3 wouldn't be massive overhaul. It would take a Kia engineer 10 seconds of button pushing to get the car over 400 hp.

 

[BlueByYouGT]

I think it would be disappointing if Kia threw in the towel on the stinger. In 2021. They were happy with the 16-17,000 stingers they sold in 2018, sales in 2019 were down a little bit but still reported 12-14000 sales by November of this last year (no December or year totals yet that I could find).

In the U.S. Stinger sales were down nearly 20% for 2019. Hopefully, it's selling well in other markets around the world. There's only one car in Kia's lineup that had a worst year to year dropoff. The Cadenza sold more than 60% fewer units in 2019 compared to 2018. Eek!

Fun fact: Genesis sales in 2019 were doubled from 10,311 to 21,233.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

But you read nothing I posted ; choosing to pull one line from my paragraph/response.....that's rich

|

It is all that needs to be quoted.
I am thankful you're not an automotive exec. If you were at, there would be less chance that some of these would have happened: Buick GN/GNX (Regal was a personal luxury car), BMW M, Mercedes AMG, Subaru STI, and the Corvette would never have become a legit supercar with the ZR1 trim but would have withered away again as a bloated two-seater luxury GT.

Quoting the rest of your posts was quite unnecessary because you project your view on everyone else and think that only your needs and desires matter, and therefore, better options should be unavailable and possibly people prevented from customizing the vehicles as they see fit.

You started out saying you don't see why people want to do $foo. I gave you a few reasons, and then you proceeded with ad hominem attacks, unwilling to accept that there are actually people who have hobbies centered around cars, and it may manifest in various ways.

Anyway, bye felicia. Welcome to the ignore list, since all you're here for is bickering.

 

[Manchuz]

Spy shots of the new rear. Looks like one long brake light similar to the K5.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

I really like that the entire rear light bar appears to be functional now. I do plan to enable the rear fogs if I go with a 2020.. but I like where the facelift is going. I'm hoping Stinger gets those cool 3D gauges, and blind spot cameras. Blind spot cameras eliminate the worry of handing the keys over to people who do the "I'll point all mirrors behind the car for the super redundant rear view behind the car even though the center mirror has it covered and let the blind spots stay blind" thing.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I really like that the entire rear light bar appears to be functional now.

I don't think a constant connecting bar is that cool. But an additional brake light between the taillights, I could go for that.

 

[leecm]

I love the esthetics of the 10.2" infotainment screen, but honestly, all that screen space is pretty useless until Hyundai overhauls or completely replaces their software.

The digital gauge cluster with blindspot cameras is the feature that I'll be most jealous of.

 

[Waynerm002]

I love the esthetics of the 10.2" infotainment screen, but honestly, all that screen space is pretty useless until Hyundai overhauls or completely replaces their software.

The digital gauge cluster with blindspot cameras is the feature that I'll be most jealous of.

I think they could do like Apple and change the fonts or if possible, give us the option to do so. I feel something that simple would help it some. Also, if they could use smaller bezels and give more screen real estate., that would be nice.

 

[SKStinger]

The rear light bar is not my thing. I’m more interested to see what they do with the headlights. I like the new Optima headlights so hopefully something similar.

 

[Mikia]

A coupe version of the 3.3 would be interesting, especially with an option for a V8 and maybe even a supercharged or twin turbo V8.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

A widescreen infotainment screen would allow for Android Auto's advanced UI so it isn't like the screen estate would go wasted, even with the current UI since you'd probably be using a phone app for navigation or entertainment anyway.

 

[SKStinger]

A coupe version of the 3.3 would be interesting, especially with an option for a V8 and maybe even a supercharged or twin turbo V8.

Putting a V8 into a 2 door Stinger... Take a low volume product and make it even less appealing to the masses. Not sure that would be a solid move for Kia there. Definitely optimistic.

 

[Ty Davis]

I hope that Kia endows the Stinger with a revised suspension system for 2021.
Albert Beirmann is used to working with BMW, who regularly improves the suspensions throughout the model cycle, particularly at the mid cycle refresh. Perhaps, he's been working on a few tweaks for the Stinger refresh. A sport suspension would be nice. But I'd really like to see the standard suspensions have their body control tightened up a bit.

The new infotainment screen is gonna be welcome. That being said, if they don't allow you to see 1 menu on the whole display (mostly), it will still leave me wanting for an aftermarket solution. A trend now is the big screen, but segmented into different sections. So the radio screen for example will probably be much the same as it is now, but with additional panes/screensections dedicated to weather, maps or other menus. I'd like the option to display just the radio on the whole screen. Or just the map. Or just HVAC, etc.
Adding multiple menus/apps to be shown at once should be optional and user selectable.
But it can look cluttered if too many different functions are sharing the screen at one time.
I won't complain though, because the G70 and Stinger should have had a 10 inch screen when these cars first debuted.
Glad to see it now!

 

[JMP]

On the topic of declining sales (especially through the end of this past year). My only comment and this is based on my experience in Canada, but when I went to scoop one up, there was no 2019's left....this was at the end of October. My local dealer got two, 2019 factory demo's otherwise no more new 2019's in my province to get their hands on. So I'm going to question if limited production/supply is not more the cause of sales as opposed to demand. Because of that I ended up with a 2020 straight out of compound (not complaining of course). The incentives where not great either. although to be fair, we get a bargain here in Canada to start with.

In general, auto sales where down through Europe and Asia. Even US, was not as hot as the past few years. In the end, the Stinger is a niche car, so what should they expect from the vehicle that they spend zero to advertise?

With all this said, I hope there is a second generation to this car, it would be a shame not to see where Kia could take this car. I leased mine, if they discontinue the line, I will for sure buy out the car..... this thing is way to nice a car, especially for what you pay for it. Replacing it with an equivalent would mean stepping up to a luxury brand like the S5 Sportback.....and that thing (be it very nice) is much more $$$

 

[Waynerm002]

Watched the launch video for the GV80 and they have added some new tech but I’m not sure if the Stinger would get it. 14” screen, air cleaning climate control, intersection collision warning and avoidance, road preview ECS, Road Active Noise Control, Augmented Reality and Neon view Navigation, Evasive Steering assist on the Forward Collision Avoidance system, Smart Remote Assist for Parallel parking, amongst others. Including a video of them.

I think the control unit and sensors can be upgraded to add those features.

 

[moinmoin]

can be upgraded to add those features

Wayne, if I understand correctly, you are implying the Stinger could possibly be upgraded to the Genesis level?
Software could be relatively easy but what about the controls?