Kia Stinger facing the axe.

[Silverghost]

In my opinion the Stinger is great as it is. I am totally for it being kept the way it is - maybe some minor tweaks and upgrades here and there, but overall the package is amazing.
The power, the looks, the reliability (for most of us anyway) and the price - you just can't beat it. Until any of these become second rate, then I for one am all for keeping this Stinger the way it is.

 

[Mayhem]

An article today called the Stinger "The best car no one is buying". I've only had mine a month, but can't understand why it's not more popular, especially with an AWD option. It's great as it is to me too.

 

[Jim Dunn]

Unfortunately, the Kia Stinger is a sales catastrophe and sedans are not what people are buying. Key the spotlight on SUV and crossover models.

When people stop by a Kia dealership looking for a Rio, Forte, or Optima they’re not going to be interested in an MSRP for a car that’s at least $10K more. Before they did, I’ll bet they’d consider a Kia SUV or crossover first. I’m going to guess anecdotally more Kia SUV and crossover units are sold closer to MSRP or above than the Stinger, which means more $$$.

I’d be shocked to see a refresh this summer, regardless of posted spy photos.

The Lexus GS has been in production for 27-years and 2020 is the last year for production. No car is impervious to discontinuation.

The good news is that the Stinger GT will be regarded as great value and a good buy for resale.

 

[YEH]

Unfortunately, the Kia Stinger is a sales catastrophe and sedans are not what people are buying. Key the spotlight on SUV and crossover models.

When people stop by a Kia dealership looking for a Rio, Forte, or Optima they’re not going to be interested in an MSRP for a car that’s at least $10K more. Before they did, I’ll bet they’d consider a Kia SUV or crossover first. I’m going to guess anecdotally more Kia SUV and crossover units are sold closer to MSRP or above than the Stinger, which means more $$$.

Something like the Lexus LS 500 is a sales catastrophe, the Stinger isn't doing that badly compared to its direct competition (4 Series GC, A5 Sportback and Arteon) - all niche sellers compared to their actual 4-door sedan counterparts (3 Series, etc.).

And sales of the TTV6 Stinger actually have surpassed expectations (so the argument of buyers not willing to spend $$ on a Stinger isn't exactly accurate), whereas sales of the cheaper T4 haven't come close to meeting the initial projections.

In markets like AUS, pretty much no one gets the T4.

The pandemic likely has sealed the fate for the Stinger.

Automakers are hemorrhaging $$ and are cutting back or delaying development of new products (esp. those that are niche sellers).

The EU's upcoming punitive CO2 penalties have also played a role in likely sealing the Stinger's fate.

Under current Kia's fleet emissions for Europe, Kia would end up paying around $1.3-1.4 billion in penalties (w/ the Stinger being the worst CO2 emitter in Kia's European lineup).

Continuing to sell the Stinger (as is) in Europe would actually cost Kia a lot of $$.

There's a reason why Kia is going ahead w/ development of the Imagine EV and other EVs and PHEVs.

However, can see Kia eventually replacing the Stinger w/ a lux sport CUV.

But this would be using the new Genesis RWD platform which is adaptable enough to support a BEV powertrain (the eG80 is undergoing testing).

Anyway, if the Stinger's fate is sealed, hope that the F/L goes ahead w/ the upgrades to the 2.5T and 3.5TT engines.

 

[cncBilly]

@BTA the Stinger is already a rare breed. Killing production will, kill it.

No no Merlin. This one you should know, I'm surprised! Killing production will not kill the car, it will instead launch the Stinger to CULT status $$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Jim Dunn]

"At the moment I’m not sure it’s doing as good as we hoped," Gregory Guillaume, Kia vice president, senior chief designer told media in 2019. "We never really expected to do massive volumes. It was a halo car. We did want to be successful at least in America, the market where we thought there is a chance that it works. We had very high expectations for that market and it’s very difficult to start in such segments."

This quote is replete with past tense. Sales missed expectations. There is a pure vibe of disappointment in the quote. Rightly, so.

 

[MerlintheMad]

No no Merlin. This one you should know, I'm surprised! Killing production will not kill the car, it will instead launch the Stinger to CULT status $$$$$$$$$$$

If production continues for at least a few more years, the end will be the beginning of "cult status". If Kia ended the Stinger this year, do you really think that c. 50K vehicles is enough to assure "cult status" for us? If ICE vehicles continue for years, then possibly. But if EV take over and ICE turn into niche playthings, none of us here and now will benefit. Only car collectors.

 

[Ozstung]

We'll be last of the Petrol users, we're way behind everybody else in the uptake of electric and hybrid vehicles. We love are gasoline, i can see my Stinger living to old age before petrol ceases to be pumped. By world standards fuel is relatively cheap here. About $Aud 3.55 per US gallon at the moment for Premium.

 

[mtuckeruk]

I have bought a CRDi here in the UK, whilst they may discontinue it and make it rare it seems to me I have bought the rarest of the rare Kia halo car, this forum suggests the 2.0 and 3.3 are the most popular and most cars sold in the US. When I bought my Kia the chap at Kia said they only allowed to sell 18 Stingers per year at each delaership, how true this is here in the UK I dont know but that is what he said. I have had my car 2 months and still havent seen another Stinger anywhere. I get some very odd looks from men doing a double take to try figure out what kind of car is this, lol. I have changed the KIA badges for the Korean E decals just to confuse them even more. It certainly gets looks, normally looks of confusion and envy...lol

 

[AUStingerGT]

I have bought a CRDi here in the UK, whilst they may discontinue it and make it rare it seems to me I have bought the rarest of the rare Kia halo car, this forum suggests the 2.0 and 3.3 are the most popular and most cars sold in the US. When I bought my Kia the chap at Kia said they only allowed to sell 18 Stingers per year at each delaership, how true this is here in the UK I dont know but that is what he said. I have had my car 2 months and still havent seen another Stinger anywhere. I get some very odd looks from men doing a double take to try figure out what kind of car is this, lol. I have changed the KIA badges for the Korean E decals just to confuse them even more. It certainly gets looks, normally looks of confusion and envy...lol

Had mine two weeks and it’s amusing watching people at lights and on the side of the road trying to work out what it is or just simply admiring it.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I have bought a CRDi here in the UK, whilst they may discontinue it and make it rare it seems to me I have bought the rarest of the rare Kia halo car, this forum suggests the 2.0 and 3.3 are the most popular and most cars sold in the US. When I bought my Kia the chap at Kia said they only allowed to sell 18 Stingers per year at each delaership, how true this is here in the UK I dont know but that is what he said. I have had my car 2 months and still havent seen another Stinger anywhere. I get some very odd looks from men doing a double take to try figure out what kind of car is this, lol. I have changed the KIA badges for the Korean E decals just to confuse them even more. It certainly gets looks, normally looks of confusion and envy...lol

Welcome, M. Tucker. How is the torque with that diesel? The diesel is not offered State-side.

 

[Paladin611]

@BTA the Stinger is already a rare breed. Killing production will, kill it.

2021 Stinger already in the works. People need to be patient and wait for the GT Line to do its job. GT Line was created to address the concerns of Casuals who want all the tech, without the performance; a demographic thought to be largely responsible for the poor numbers.

Hopefully, the Stinger SUV will stay dead!

 

[YOWStinger]

Nah, there's enough of them (over 50k sold) worldwide to keep parts flowing for decades, especially since Kia North America warranties them for 10 years.

Actually, just the US, “normal” warranties here in Canada

 

[Sushi]

Actually, just the US, “normal” warranties here in Canada

Yeah we got pretty screwed over with that. Canada has the lowest warranty out of all the markets.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Yeah we got pretty screwed over with that. Canada has the lowest warranty out of all the markets.

The further north you live, the lower the warranty period. Is that right? What about Alaska? What is the Kia warranty up there?

 

[Slip_Angle]

I don't believe KIA will kill the Stinger. You gotta think that of any car company, KIA knows it takes time to establish a vehicle. It's only been recently that the KIA brand itself has gained significant traction. Just doesn't make sense to do it this early on. The Stinger is a great halo vehicle for the brand.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Canada might get the shortest warranty but our MSRP for the exact same model here is 17,000 usd less than in America which is insane and makes this car an absolute steal here.

To be clear, even though we do have a shorter warranty, it's still at the top of the food chain here in Canada with a 5 year comprehensive warranty which is about 2 years more than most manufacturers offer here.

 

[mtuckeruk]

Welcome, M. Tucker. How is the torque with that diesel? The diesel is not offered State-side.

Torque is great and the auto gearbox/gear changes work well with the diesel in comfort mode, rolling acceleration is probably the best part rather than from a standstill. It has launch control but probably nothing like the 3.3 big daddy, handles well and really an impressive car. Got the S model, sunroof and all the extras, red exterior with red interior.

 

[Ozstung]

Cold water poured over the rumoured "Axing" of Kia Stinger.

Kia Stinger to live on with new engine? Prototype spotted testing with new 2.5-litre turbo

 

[YEH]

^ Going ahead w/ the engine upgrade(s) for the F/L has little bearing on whether there will be a 2G (note, the engine upgrade may only be for LHD markets).

At the very least, w/ the upgrades, Kia can extend the life-cycle of the 1G Stinger.