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

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?
Interesting , so if Kia simply decides to move the quality and image pin closer to Lux/Premium .....without an added tier like Hyundai has done with Genesis , all at a "value based price point " .................hmmmm ?? Then Rational buyers would likely lean towards Kia and Emotional buyers towards Genesis ......................positioning Hyundai at the bottom wrung ????????? Need to think about this but it constructs like a pretty good strategy ...............................
 
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Between KIA and Hyundai, KIA vehicles feel like they were designed to be the sportier driving versions, while Hyundai goes for a more luxurious feel. They use the same materials in both but the KIA vehicles feels sportier, except for the N vehicles. Speaking on the Stinger specifically, being built on the same platform as the G70, if it had the same sporty suspension tune, quilted leather seats and door treatment, sound deadening, etc., I’m sure it would be seen as a luxury vehicle. As it is, I would say it’s a premium offering. The Sorento and Cadenza already rival, and beat vehicles from some premium brands with their quietness, equipment and materials. The same can be said of some Hyundai vehicles as well.

Consumers are the deciders on how well things marketed as luxury will do. Based on the advertising and how we feel about them, a brand could succeed or fail. Volvo’s XC60 and XC90 aren’t as quiet on the road as say the new Santa Fe and current generation Sorento. The Volvo have nicer materials, but I couldn’t see spending a lot more for a vehicle that had more road noise than my current Optima Hybrid. When I was looking to replace the 2018 Stinger, I drove an S60 R-Design, the Stinger has it beat on noise isolation (and power even with the Polestar tune) and at a higher price, I couldn’t go for the Volvo. Acura is pretty much the same. KIA, I feel already have some premium vehicles, with the upcoming Optima, Sorento and Sportage, plus the face lifted Cadenza, they will have a number of premium vehicle offering, without having to start a Luxury brand. The dealership experience, is what is keeping them from making over their brand to be a premium one. If they can sort that out and spin off their lower tier (below the Forte) vehicles into another sub brand, while overhauling the current dealerships into a premium seller and using their new logo, it could be possible.

People are already seeing how well designed and manufactured their vehicles are, while offering a lot of value for what you pay. Upping the material quality, they could play with the Acura, Volvo and Infiniti brand on quality and if they threw in a few more performance oriented vehicles, then they could really be a Premium brand. That’s my take.
 
Saw this Today. Wasn't sure how to feel about it. Is it the 2021 model. Take a look.
Screenshot_20200123-141027_Gallery.webp
 
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Interesting , so if Kia simply decides to move the quality and image pin closer to Lux/Premium .....without an added tier like Hyundai has done with Genesis , all at a "value based price point " .................hmmmm ?? Then Rational buyers would likely lean towards Kia and Emotional buyers towards Genesis ......................positioning Hyundai at the bottom wrung ????????? Need to think about this but it constructs like a pretty good strategy ...............................

While Kia (and Hyundai) has been upping its game w/ regard to its (FWD) mainstream models (see the interior of the Telluride, the new Optima, the F/L Cadenza, the upcoming new Sorento, etc.), its lux offerings (K900; F/L Mohave) have pretty much always been lux.

However, the interior of the Stinger should have been more premium to start (presently, the F/L Cadenza has a nicer interior and that shouldn't be).

Kia's mainstream models won't be more premium than Hyundais (used to be the case w/ the top SX-L trim, since Hyundai didn't have an equivalent).

Kia won't spin off their lux offerings like what Hyundai did b/c they don't have the deep pockets of Hyundai and aren't planning on having a full lux lineup (may eventually do a lux RWD CUV).

Unfortunately, seems like the likelihood of a hybrid Stinger is slim as Genesis not going to do hybrids and/or PHEVs (which is a mistake, imo) and instead, jump to BEVs directly (the 3rd planned Genesis CUV will be a BEV w/ more models to follow).

The biggest impediment to seeing a 2nd gen Stinger is low KDM sales.

If Korean market sales were better (like for the G70), would make for a better financial case.

Kia has been contemplating doing a lux (RWD) CUV and in order not to step completely on Genesis' toes, can see them opting to do a coupe CUV (more sport-oriented at the expense of some utility), esp. considering that the GV80 did 14k in pre-sales on its first day and its 24k planned production for the Korean market is probably well spoken for.
 
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From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
I was hoping they would make the new Sorento a sort of coupe CUV or add another one of that type. The Sportage sort of have that look already and when it came out, it was sporty but I felt it could use some more power. KIA should do a coupe CUV as a sister car to the Stinger, I think the CUV buying public would eat that up. Just don't compromise the rear space like the Urus.
 
They could build a taller version not entirely like the Macan or Cayenne.
 
Oh they did come up with some of their own, and it was awful.

screencap-from-kias-summer-2010-commercial-for-the-soul_100313347_m.jpg
Come on, I loved the hamsters! I'm on my second Kia Soul(2018 turbo). It is the ultimate urban runabout!
 
Come on, I loved the hamsters! I'm on my second Kia Soul(2018 turbo). It is the ultimate urban runabout!
Kia clearly moved on , it was an anchor on their old imagery , it did the job needed several years ago no doubt.............
 
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From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
Here in Edmonton, there are radio adds for G70's that are very good. Funny and cutting edge.
Stingers, not a peep. :(
 
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
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Wonder if we will be able to update to the new screen on our cars

I've been wondering the same thing Hope so, but unless we can somehow update the software would it use the whole screen? Seems like it wouldn't.
 
The digital gauge cluster with blindspot cameras is the feature that I'll be most jealous of.

I'm torn between having a big versatile digital dash vs losing the analog gauges. Digital gauges are too video gamey.
 
I'm torn between having a big versatile digital dash vs losing the analog gauges. Digital gauges are too video gamey.

I have no affinity for analog gauges. Maybe I'm just not old school, or enough of a real car guy. Or it could just be that the leds illuminating the analog speedo and tach needles on my 06 is250 have either failed or are flickering. I guess thats better than having the entire digital cluster fail.
 
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
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