Next-gen Stinger wishlist

[Dia1Up]

Working at a Kia dealership, I get to see the latest and greatest from Kia (If we can get it in, we are the 2nd smallest Kia dealership in all of Canada to my knowledge). One of those cars being the K5

The K5 is good. VERY good. The interior of the K5, really shows the Stingers age. Which is insane because the Stinger is only 2 years old. Although it doesn't have AWD (probably for the reason NOT to step on the Stinger) the K5 GT only has 75hp less, but being nearly a whole TON lighter. Nevermind the tech. Radar cruise control starting at the EX model

I do work at a Kia dealership as a sales person, however I don't get any magical insider knowledge, but seeing how good the K5 is, it makes me believe a Stinger refresh is happening sooner than later.

Especially with the new G70 and G80 out, Kia tends to lag behind Hyundai. Usually they take their stuff and make it better, and stick a Kia badge on it.

So what would you like to see? A few things, I understand the current Stinger was Kias first at a total brand overhaul, and they did a good job.

Obvious things like LKAS, blind spot, ect are a given of course.

Here's my list
-Fun colours. Bring Yellow back. Could be why they have the "Neon Orange Edition" here in Canada, testing the waters
-Adaptive Dampers on all 4 corners. Right now, it seems only the front end has the dynamic dampers, hence why people complain even in sport the rear is too soft
-LSD standard all trims.
-Updated 10.25 Inch infotainment with the wireless android auto/apple carplay
-Radar Cruise standard
-The new 3.5L MPI and GDI engine from the G80. Save our valves and plugs!
-Lighter weight. 4150 (give or take depending on trim) is HEAVY. We are talking mid-sized SUV heavy. Like literally Telluride weight
-Remember last drive mode. Even if it's custom.
-Bit faster auto transmission, the current is actually great. But I'd love to see ZF levels of speed
-NO fake vents. Enough said.
-Build, I know it was Kia's first in their line of total overhauls. But on a flagship product there's no room for rattles ect
-Front Double wishbone like the Genesis cars instead of the strut
- E badge from factory!

 

[MANPADS]

Make it an EV. Thats the direction KIA wants to go anyway. They can make it really special by allowing the driver to determine front-rear bias.

Besides better overall fit and finish I couldn't ask for anything else the model doesn't already offer

 

[MerlintheMad]

I wouldn't change a thing on my car. I'm easy.

But for the future: any EV would no longer be a retro GT it would be a Tesla competitor. When the "grid" gets people charged up almost as conveniently coast to coast as petrol stations now, then EV will truly be in its own. Until then, it will be niche and politically correct only.

You can't expect the Stinger to be significantly lighter or at all; because the chassis is designed to keep the car stiff in spite of that yawning hatch opening. It can't be lightened without compromising ride quality and even safety.

All the electrical gadgetry will be upgraded as we go along. I didn't care about any of that going in (although I like quite a bit of it now), so none of those features interest me in the least vis-a-vis "would I upgrade to a newer model year."

Paddle shifters already shift faster than I can, so I don't know what you're on about "bit faster".

The fake "vents" can be done away by drilling out at the very least; though why this is a deal breaker with some is mysterious to me. Aftermarket replacements require interior modification as well. Kia isn't going there. If they were egregiously pushing fake vents while other sporty models did away with theirs, I'd say Kia was being stubborn and stupid. But they just inserted the Stinger as-is into an already established market of existing designs that have fake vents. S. Korea does have that optional hood without the "vents" flourish.

That's enough, I reckon.

 

[Silvermanor]

Make it an EV. Thats the direction KIA wants to go anyway. They can make it really special by allowing the driver to determine front-rear bias.

Besides better overall fit and finish I couldn't ask for anything else the model doesn't already offer

yuck

 

[KiwiGT3.3]

Double yuck to EV - for now.

 

[Waynerm002]

The vehicles with adaptive suspension has adjustable dampers on all 4 corners. Those of us with the Mando unit can adjust the rears to be tighter. I forgo a rear sway bar after installing the unit and have it tuned to a sporty ride in comfort, if I want it tighter, I can pick another setting. They should give us a built in system to adjust the suspension even more without the need of the aftermarket box but until then, I'm good on that front.

I'm all for a hybrid or EV version to increase the range and performance. If they want to spawn a line of Sporty Hybrid or EV SUV off the platform (the GV80 is built on the new G80 platform, an upgrade of the the G70 and Stinger has), I'm cool with that.

Some of the things mentioned are on the refreshed Stinger in Korea for 2021, we just didn't get that upgrade here on this side of the world but will in the future.

 

[jazzdabb]

There are very few, very minor changes I would make. I love the stock appearance and am extremely happy with the performance, functions and features.

Yes, I'd prefer the hood vents were either functional or deleted. I'd also prefer body colored side mirrors. Front vents with integrated DRLs/foglights should be stock. I'd also like the wheels each to be 10 lbs lighter. I find the wiper motor a tad anemic for my tastes. The auto opening hatch should be triggered by the foot wavy thing instead of just by proximity -- it's way too sensitive as is and I have it disabled. I find the combination shifter and park button awkward even after a year of driving the car. Lastly and most importantly, I'd like more capable backup lights.

Oh, and could we have wireless CarPlay and the blind spot view in the cluster like the Telluride please?

 

[MANPADS]

Double yuck to EV - for now.

The future is yesterday, man

 

[5tinger]

The Stinger is close to perfection - but for me the following are areas for potential improvement.

*Enhanced sound insulation on rough surfaces.
*Brighter backup lights
*Faster windshield wiper motor
*Punchier bass from the sound system
*360cam to automatically activate once the proximity sensor start beeping
*Intermediate mode between comfort & sport as the throttle response in comfort is a bit on the lazy side, whereas sport is hyper crazy

 

[YEH]

The K5 is good. VERY good. The interior of the K5, really shows the Stingers age. Which is insane because the Stinger is only 2 years old. Although it doesn't have AWD (probably for the reason NOT to step on the Stinger) the K5 GT only has 75hp less, but being nearly a whole TON lighter. Nevermind the tech. Radar cruise control starting at the EX model

I do work at a Kia dealership as a sales person, however I don't get any magical insider knowledge, but seeing how good the K5 is, it makes me believe a Stinger refresh is happening sooner than later.

Especially with the new G70 and G80 out, Kia tends to lag behind Hyundai. Usually they take their stuff and make it better, and stick a Kia badge on it.

So what would you like to see? A few things, I understand the current Stinger was Kias first at a total brand overhaul, and they did a good job.

The Stinger entered production in 2017, so it's already 3 years old.

The Stinger has already been refreshed for the KDM (ahead of the G70 refresh) and gets the upgrade to the 10.25" screen and other tech upgrades.

No upgrade to the 3.5TT just yet, only the 2.5T (the 2.5T no longer has the fake hood vents).

Just the change to the larger nav screen really updates the cabin/dash; with the interior material upgrades (NA may not be getting all that the KDM gets) making the FL Stinger more premium than the K5.

Make it an EV. Thats the direction KIA wants to go anyway. They can make it really special by allowing the driver to determine front-rear bias.

If Kia does go ahead with a 2G Stinger, would definitely have an electric powertrain option.

The new G80, GV70 and other Genesis models are getting electric variants.

I wouldn't change a thing on my car. I'm easy.

But for the future: any EV would no longer be a retro GT it would be a Tesla competitor. When the "grid" gets people charged up almost as conveniently coast to coast as petrol stations now, then EV will truly be in its own. Until then, it will be niche and politically correct only.

You can't expect the Stinger to be significantly lighter or at all; because the chassis is designed to keep the car stiff in spite of that yawning hatch opening. It can't be lightened without compromising ride quality and even safety.

Wouldn't be just electric (like for Genesis models, would offer both ICE and an electric powertrain).

The new G80 is several hundred pounds lighter due to the new, lighter M3 platform (which was developed to incorporate batteries) and the use of aluminum body panels at certain points.

Can see the next Stinger getting an aluminum hood and hatch at the minimum.

Kia made more changes to the FL Stinger than Genesis did for the G70; so reading the tea leaves, could very well mean that the next gen G70 will be arriving sooner than later.

Wouldn't be at all surprised if this means that Kia is extending the life-cycle of the current Stinger beyond the typical 5-6 years as they continue to mull whether to go ahead with a 2nd iteration of the Stinger.

Also wouldn't be surprised if Kia decides to turn the Stinger into a sport crossover (basically a Stinger on stilts).

 

[Dia1Up]

The Stinger entered production in 2017, so it's already 3 years old.

The Stinger has already been refreshed for the KDM (ahead of the G70 refresh) and gets the upgrade to the 10.25" screen and other tech upgrades.

No upgrade to the 3.5TT just yet, only the 2.5T (the 2.5T no longer has the fake hood vents).

Just the change to the larger nav screen really updates the cabin/dash; with the interior material upgrades (NA may not be getting all that the KDM gets) making the FL Stinger more premium than the K5.

My point exactly. Korea got a refresh, using the 10.25 from the Seltos/Telluride/K5. NA didn't. That tells me it's going to go 2 ways, 1: the drain....rip stinger, or 2: there's something bigger coming. Most likely March, and I'd guess with wireless android auto/apple carplay on a bigger screen to make a bit of distance from the K5

Also wouldn't be surprised if Kia decides to turn the Stinger into a sport crossover (basically a Stinger on stilts).

I don't think Kia would pull what Mitsubishi did with the Eclipse. The Telluride is the CUV version of the Stinger. At least that's what the Canadian marketing guy said. Now whether kia comes out with a Sporty cross over is anyone's guess. I mean, there is the Kona N now

 

[TMH]

The stitched leather seats on the Korean 2021 Stinger look amazing. I'm really hoping they bring that to NA.

 

[GenesisG70]

I will go even further, Kia/Hyundai needs to make a super car not to be a sales success but to make a statement that they can also make a super car, if you think this is BS then how come regular blue collar brands such as Toyota has the LFA and Chevy has the Corvette ZR1? If the management at Hyundai/Kia puts everything into making a super car and elevating the brand name even more I definitely think is possible and would take my hat for them.
IN OTHER WORDS HYUNDAI NEEDS TO BRING THE SUPER CAR GENESIS ESSENTIA.

 

[Dia1Up]

I will go even further, Kia/Hyundai need to make a super car not to be a sales success but to make a statement that we can do it also, if you think this is BS then how come regular blue collar brands such as Toyota has the LFA and Chevy has the Camaro. If the management at Hyundai/Kia put everything into making a super car and elevating the brand name even more I definitely think is possible and would take my hat for them.
IN OTHER WORDS HYUNDAI NEEDS TO BRING THE SUPER CAR GENESIS ESSENTIA.View attachment 52274

I mean.... The Camaro sells... Maybe not the LT1, but you use that halo car to sell the lower spec Camaro's

As for the LFA. 100% absolutely a halo car for publicity. I agree I'd love Hyundai/kia to do something like that. It would definitely have to be a Genesis