The Other Side of “It’s a KIA”?

[Jimmer]

Totally agree with everyone here. I bought it because it’s not a bmw, merc, audi, etc. it’s crazy how many people stop you about this car. My wife thinks it’s hilarious. We were at dinner and the car was parked right outside the restaurant. We saw some guy and his wife going around the car and taking pictures for a solid 5 minutes. I’ve had a few people know what it is.

is yours re-badged?

 

[Never thought]

is yours re-badged?

Yup. I wish the Kia logo looked better. Totally cheapens the car IMO since it looks like a logo straight from 1992. I did the E badge even though the E makes no sense. Picked it since it is OEM still.

 

[Jimmer]

Yup. I wish the Kia logo looked better. Totally cheapens the car IMO since it looks like a logo straight from 1992. I did the E badge even though the E makes no sense. Picked it since it is OEM still.

You know what the E is for though, right?"'Engineered by Excellence' are the core themes. Exclusive (for a select few), Exquisite (sophisticated and sensitive), Evolutionary (constantly evolving) presents the direction of the new premium line-up of Kia."

I picked it because it's the badge on the Stingers in Korea. And I like that it says Stinger on it.

 

[Never thought]

You know what the E is for though, right?"'Engineered by Excellence' are the core themes. Exclusive (for a select few), Exquisite (sophisticated and sensitive), Evolutionary (constantly evolving) presents the direction of the new premium line-up of Kia."

I picked it because it's the badge on the Stingers in Korea. And I like that it says Stinger on it.

I picked it for the same reason as you. I know what it means but it still doesn’t make sense

 

[MerlintheMad]

Totally cheapens the car IMO since it looks like a logo straight from 1992.

Ford? Chevy? Come on. There is nothing wrong with the KIA badge except overcoming early perceptions.

 

[SKStinger]

Ford? Chevy? Come on. There is nothing wrong with the KIA badge except overcoming early perceptions.

It’s the worst badge out there. IMO it’s the one thing that cheapens their otherwise appealing exterior styling.

Kia needs a logo just as Hyundai did with the Genesis wings. As said above, the font looks like it’s straight outta 1992.

 

[MerlintheMad]

It’s the worst badge out there. IMO it’s the one thing that cheapens their otherwise appealing exterior styling.

Kia needs a logo just as Hyundai did with the Genesis wings. As said above, the font looks like it’s straight outta 1992.

And Ford looks ancient; talk about dated script. Kia's an ellipse with block letters. The only thing regrettable is that KIA stands for killed in action, which is the first thing I thought the first time I saw that badge, lo these many, many years ago. Funny, I haven't thought of that since getting the Stinger, unless reminded by criticism of the KIA badge.

 

[Never thought]

And Ford looks ancient; talk about dated script. Kia's an ellipse with block letters. The only thing regrettable is that KIA stands for killed in action, which is the first thing I thought the first time I saw that badge, lo these many, many years ago. Funny, I haven't thought of that since getting the Stinger, unless reminded by criticism of the KIA badge.

I didn’t say the Kia badge is the only bad looking badge out there. And yes, not a fan of the Chevy or Ford emblems either. That’s probably why neither are on the mustang or corvette. Just like the Stinger has its own badge in Korea.

 

[jaccfrost]

I was a badge whore....WAS

 

[TimS]

I kept the KIA badges on my Stinger GT2 because, plain and simple, I just think they look better. The 'K' one looks ok I guess, but the 'E' just looks plain silly.

Funny thing is, even with the KIA badge in plain sight, some people still ask 'what is it'? LOL.

 

[SKStinger]

I kept the KIA badges on my Stinger GT2 because, plain and simple, I just think they look better. The 'K' one looks ok I guess, but the 'E' just looks plain silly.

Funny thing is, even with the KIA badge in plain sight, some people still ask 'what is it'? LOL.

To each there own but IMO, as I said above, I dislike the Kia badge as I think it looks cheap so mine doesn’t say Kia anywhere now other than the etching on the side window glass...

The E badge is alright. I like how it looks but would prefer if Kia had something that made more sense that was Stinger exclusive.

That said, I also hate badging so all that’s left on the back is Stinger in black.

What really made me cringe was when I saw a Stinger with the large script in place of the Kia badge on the rear but still had all of the other badges, including the Stinger one on the left.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I kept the KIA badges on my Stinger GT2 because, plain and simple, I just think they look better. The 'K' one looks ok I guess, but the 'E' just looks plain silly.

Funny thing is, even with the KIA badge in plain sight, some people still ask 'what is it'? LOL.

I have "K" skins, for the time being. Eventually, once the Stinger Mystique fades, I will take them off and run with the OE KIA badges. I think that's what I said to myself. Oh well, doesn't matter: the OE badges are still there regardless.

 

[MerlintheMad]

What really made me cringe was when I saw a Stinger with the large script in place of the Kia badge on the rear but still had all of the other badges, including the Stinger one on the left.

Seriously? They had TWO "Stinger" scripts in the back? That would look stupid.

 

[SKStinger]

Seriously? They had TWO "Stinger" scripts in the back? That would look stupid.

Yep. It was parked as Costco. I had to do a double take. In hindsight I should have snapped a photo but I was too stunned in the moment.

 

[phxgt]

I didn’t say the Kia badge is the only bad looking badge out there. And yes, not a fan of the Chevy or Ford emblems either. That’s probably why neither are on the mustang or corvette. Just like the Stinger has its own badge in Korea.

Seems ood, does it not, that only the lower prices brands are seen as having "inferior" emblems? Gee, I wonder if it's possible that how we feel about the emblem is based on our prejudices about the brand? If a Yugo used a raging bull it would look cheesy. On a Lamborghini it's cool. There is nothing great about a prancing horse or peace sign but Ferrari and Benz have earned their respect over the years.

 

[Jimmer]

Seems ood, does it not, that only the lower prices brands are seen as having "inferior" emblems? Gee, I wonder if it's possible that how we feel about the emblem is based on our prejudices about the brand? If a Yugo used a raging bull it would look cheesy. On a Lamborghini it's cool. There is nothing great about a prancing horse or peace sign but Ferrari and Benz have earned their respect over the years.

Thinking maybe if the people switching out the badges were so prejudice about the KIA brand they wouldn't have even considered this car much less dropped as much coin as they did to get it. It was my second KIA bought in 2018 and I wanted the badges the Stinger wears in it's home country (which are still KIA badges).

I would never buy a Mercedes or BMW.

 

[Never thought]

Seems ood, does it not, that only the lower prices brands are seen as having "inferior" emblems? Gee, I wonder if it's possible that how we feel about the emblem is based on our prejudices about the brand? If a Yugo used a raging bull it would look cheesy. On a Lamborghini it's cool. There is nothing great about a prancing horse or peace sign but Ferrari and Benz have earned their respect over the years.

This is my 3rd Kia. So I don’t think I am prejudiced. I don’t like the BMW emblem or the Audi emblems either. My favorite is probably Genesis and Porsche. Kia should switch to the Kia motors blue emblem that Sal sells. That would be a huge appearance upgrade.

 

[phxgt]

This is my 3rd Kia. So I don’t think I am prejudiced. I don’t like the BMW emblem or the Audi emblems either. My favorite is probably Genesis and Porsche. Kia should switch to the Kia motors blue emblem that Sal sells. That would be a huge appearance upgrade.

I agree with the Genesis badge. The Porsche badge I believe is back to my original premise that pedigree can clubc the opinion. The E badge looks good to me but not a fan of the blue Kia badge. All that means is that our opinions and taste will differ. No pleasing everyone.

 

[CaliSting]

And Ford looks ancient; talk about dated script. Kia's an ellipse with block letters. The only thing regrettable is that KIA stands for killed in action, which is the first thing I thought the first time I saw that badge, lo these many, many years ago. Funny, I haven't thought of that since getting the Stinger, unless reminded by criticism of the KIA badge.

Take a look at new Mustangs. Ford has done good. No Ford logo on Mustang. Just horsies up front and GT out back.

Kia logo leaves a lot to be desired. It’s graphically ugly and badges on our Stingers are cheap crap they slap on all Kias. They could have done exactly what Ford did with Mustang and just put big Stinger badge on car. Instead Kia makes us advertise for them with big ugly Kia badge plastered up front and in back. Even puts Kia badges on wheels and steering wheel? I chucked all mine. The killed in action thing is stupid. I had a family member that was killed in action and I don’t see Kia branding as an offensive or unfortunate. It’s name of the company.

Bullit edition doesn’t even have horse upfront.