Kia undecided on 2nd Generation Stinger

[TwiceStung]

scale , expanded charging infrastructure and govt rebates will fix that issue over time

Probably, but not in my lifetime.

 

[Coast GT]

Would you buy if it was electric?

Those of us that rebadged already confuse everyone because they don’t know it’s a Kia. If they go electric how much more will people be confused with all these petrol models getting around with E badges on them

 

[Kamauxx]

Unfortunately for most of us, the limited range and, mostly, purchase prices put these E vehicles beyond our reach.

They aren't exactly expensive anymore. Model 3s range from mid $30k to mid $50k. Range is around 300-325 miles.

Charging infrastructure depends on location. Where I'm located electric charging networks are pretty strong.

 

[TwiceStung]

They aren't exactly expensive anymore. Model 3s range from mid $30k to mid $50k. Range is around 300-325 miles.

Charging infrastructure depends on location. Where I'm located electric charging networks are pretty strong.

I agree. Location location location. Still, wouldn’t have done much for me on a 520 mile drive to Gettysburg over Labor Day. Stinger was reeaal comfy.

 

[Nasscar]

Well, if they decide not to build a second gen then those of us who own the first gen really will have a nice future one of a kind collectible. Hopefully.

This is what I was thinking. Even if they go electric, ours will be future collectable performance cars.

 

[westcoastGT]

Probably, but not in my lifetime.

if you're under 60 , you'll be OK

 

[19GT-AWD]

... At this point, the Telluride is probably a better halo car, at least folks know it exists.

"Flagship" vehicle would be a better description for the Stinger:
Why is a flagship vehicle important? - Why High End

Those of us that rebadged already confuse everyone because they don’t know it’s a Kia ...

Of the few Stinger's I've spotted, every one had the

badge.

So it follows that the extremely finite number of people who decide to rebadge will essentially have no deleterious effect on Stinger recognition.

 

[OliverNuther]

So it follows that the extremely finite number of people who decide to rebadge will essentially have no deleterious effect on Stinger recognition.

Excellent news.

You heard it here first folks. Rebadge to your hearts content and rejoice!!!

 

[19GT-AWD]

Excellent news.

You heard it here first folks. Rebadge to your hearts content and rejoice!!!

Old news.

You've seen it here folks. Rebadgers are scarce and essentially effect nothing!!!

 

[Kamauxx]

Old news.
and essentially effect nothing!!!

...says the guy that can't go a day without ranting about them. The irony.

 

[OliverNuther]

. Rebadgers are scarce and essentially effect nothing!!!

So does this mean you will no longer harangue anyone who rebadges their car? Given that they are so ineffectual?

 

[Coast GT]

Of the few Stinger's I've spotted, every one had the

badge.

So it follows that the extremely finite number of people who decide to rebadge will essentially have no deleterious effect on Stinger recognition.

Read the post in it’s entirety, my point was the E badge on petrol models will confuse people who will think they’re electric if in fact they go to an all electric model like the original post in this thread suggested. Just like the E badge now confuses people because the Kia badge has been removed.

It was a tongue in cheek post which most would call humour. But hey thanks for posting a pick of the Kia badge so we all know what it looks like.

As for the few Stingers you’ve spotted in your little patch of the world, well it’s not really a big enough sample to say it would affect Stinger recognition. If anything rebadged cars give the Stinger more recognition because typically they replace the rear Kia badge with the large Stinger script, therefore making the “Stinger” brand more noticeable. Unfortunately it reduces the Kia branding, but I don’t know of one rebadged owner who is trying to hide the fact it’s a Kia.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Unfortunately it reduces the Kia branding, but I don’t know of one rebadged owner who is trying to hide the fact it’s a Kia.

Not really. "Stinger" as a search word turns the car up immediately. Anyone wanting to know what the "Stinger" is will find out on his smartphone in ten seconds or less. This car has turned that word into its own meme. And it is viral to the max. On Google you don't even get into the other uses of the word "stinger" until the second page of results. (Of course, that is likely, on my machine, due to my constant, affectionate regard for "our" use of the word; but still, a complete noob searching "stinger" will turn up the car at the very top of the results.)

 

[Sabs]

It's surprising to me that Gregory Guillaume says sales were expected to be higher on the Stinger. It hasn't been far off in numbers from its competitors like the A5/S5 and BMW 4 series.

I'm going to take what Mr. Guillaume said with a grain of salt. Perhaps it hasn't met expectations of the design studio in Germany, but maybe the higher-ups in Korea would have other things to say.

I think the Stinger has done well at what I assume Kia set out to do. It puts up a great showing against its German competitors, and at a much lower price point, no less. It's shown a lot of journalists and car guys that Kia can build a great performance car at an excellent value.

Now that the car guys know what Kia can do, the problem is more with Kia's reputation among the general public.

To reach the average person, they need to do a lot more advertising and get a lot more cars on the road. That isn't going to happen with $40-50k performance cars.

SUV's are what the general public are buying now. That's where the sales numbers are, and that's where it makes sense for Kia to put their advertising budget.

The Telluride and upcoming Mohave make better flagships in the general public's eyes, honestly.

They can continue to improve on their top-trim mid and full size SUV's by adding to luxury and performance. That will help Kia gradually move upmarket in both pricing and brand perception.

Let's say the Stinger goes away and Kia continues to improve on their SUV's. Even though I prefer sedans and wagons, with the right SUV I'd stick with Kia for my next car. None of the Asian brands have come out with a good competitor to the Cayenne, SQ5, X5M, etc.

I think Kia's next flagship should be an SUV that starts at $35k and goes up to $55k, with a 3.5TT performance model topping out the line. Seeing what Porsche has done with the Macan and Lambo with the Urus, SUV's can be made to handle quite well with recent advancements. An SUV like that would not only impress the car journalists which give Kia a lot of press, but would sell in greater numbers than Kia's other flagships.

 

[Guest-854183]

Put a hamster behind the wheel of one. Sure worked for the Soul.

 

[General_Vodka]

Oh anything but a Stupid Useless Vehicle. Or at least don't call it the stinger. Don't pull a Mitsubishi plz Kia.

 

[Shrikecorp]

Would you buy if it was electric?

If it had equivalent performance to Tesla including Ludicrous mode...but at current (see what I did there) pricing...

 

[MerlintheMad]

Now that the car guys know what Kia can do, the problem is more with Kia's reputation among the general public.

To reach the average person, they need to do a lot more advertising and get a lot more cars on the road. That isn't going to happen with $40-50k performance cars.

And the next vehicle to garner praise is the Telluride. It is gaining such attention and sales that it is de facto an advertisement for the Stinger: because the Stinger showed not just a performance car, but a good quality product (yes, this is a Kia; to answer the amazed, incredulous question). The Telluride is everything in quality that the Stinger is; and the Stinger is easily the most impressive vehicle Kia has come up with so far. So, rather than the Stinger pointing people to the Telluride, it is the SUV that will turn more heads back to look at the Stinger.

Knowing what they were going to bring out, it's as if the Kia Stinger was intended to get "car people" ready for the Telluride, and what comes after that. That first year of the Stinger certainly alerted car people that Kia had upped their game and could challenge anybody.

 

[Guest-554359]

I wonder if Kia can just refine and update the current Stinger for an extended length of time. The current Dodge Charger is basically a modified 1990s Mercedes E class. Ford was able to modify a platform for the mustang that lasted from 1979 to 1993.

I hope this car does not get discontinued. I hang on to my cars for s long time and my fear is maintaining this thing as parts become scarce. I remember nearly going mad looking for a marker light on my Mitsubishi 3000GT back on the day...

 

[RVance]

After 18 months of daily driving I am still amazed at all the comments and questions I get about the Stinger. All positive. The Kia badge, when noticed, blows minds and surprises people that Kia makes such a premium looking GT. People who know the car want to know more about it. The popularity of SUVs has just obliterated sedan sales. People like to haul stuff and sit tall, handling be damned. I have made three bonzai runs the FULL length of California and back. Many trips to Salem, OR from Crescent City, CA in fast time through mountains and canyons. At 67 years old, and with some pain issues, I am grateful for how comfortable this car can cruise and how you can drop the hammer and pass with impunity. The drivers of the thousands of neglected and pedestrian BMWs don't even want to look at me when stopped at a light. Kia went through all the effort of turning out a great new model and they can't market it and the dealerships aren't interested in selling it. Too bad.