What is the Stinger Target Market?

[Crisis]

Yep, I think it's almost to create its own market - GT motoring at a price that more can afford.

The expensive GT cars are aspirational - the Stinger is affordable.

I agree with these comments. While the Stinger may attract some BMW & Audi customers who recognize the value in the Stinger, I think the larger chunk of sales will be headed towards people who are buying their first car in the $50K range. I moved from a Hyundai Sonata into the Stinger and I can see others coming from Camry, Accords & Maximas - roomy cars with lots of features & decent performance. The Stinger is a few grand more than than those family sedans but offers the performance of sport sedans costing an extra $20K or more. It was an easy decision for me.

 

[Rob M]

I'm pretty convinced that Kia was directly targeting the void left when Oldsmobile was discontinued. They knew that my 140hp Alero with 207K miles was due for a replacement.

 

[MisterMac]

I'm pretty convinced that Kia was directly targeting the void left when Oldsmobile was discontinued. They knew that my 140hp Alero with 207K miles was due for a replacement.

@Rob M, you are on a roll today!

 

[YOWStinger]

My purchase list was Audi S5, Audi A7, Mercedes C43 and BMW 440i. I have a serious sweet tooth when it comes to underdog cars though, there are more S5's driving around my neighbourhood than I can count. I also really enjoy the look of the Stinger, seeing it in pictures really doesn't do it justice, it's long, low, I love the facia, fastback and hips.

The C43 looks seriously run-of-the-mill Mercedes and does not do it for me at all, the S5 is nice and crisp and clean, but also very generic-sedan. I quite like the A7's, but until this year, the interior was a little too generic, and the 440i was ultimately sort of "meh" in all categories.

The M3 or Panamera was just too far a stretch beyond what you get for the Stinger, so far beyond that it just doesn't make sense. Even if I could afford the cars, I think there are better options in this category.

I was also planning for this to be a project car from the get go. I've already replaced the suspension to meet my needs, a few more minor bolt ons and I'll be happy with where I'm at. I could do the same with the other cars on my list too, but then, why bother spending extra money on a car that I'm just going to replace most of those expensive bits anyway.

Additionally, except on quality and fit and finish, the Stinger toe-to-toe meets all of the specs of everything else on the list, I would seriously only be buying one of the other cars just for the badge.

 

[Moses]

I don't know what they were aiming at, but I do know around where they hit. I drive an 02 WRX wagon. Fun car, pretty fast, looks good (IMHO), and fairly spacious. Problem is, I turn 34 this year and I have three kids, one who turns 13 this year, one who turns 13 next year, and the last one is still young and smallish. For the past year, as I go out to my car, or when I'm driving my car, all I could think is how I have outgrown this car. Not necessarily just in the fact that my kids are getting older, but more in the fact that I feel like a grown man driving a kids car. I guess you could say that I'm ready for a grown up car, but I'm not willing to sacrifice the fun and performance. The Stinger really hits those points but without the butthole puckering pricetag of a Benz or Bimmer or Audi.

 

[YOWStinger]

I don't know what they were aiming at, but I do know around where they hit. I drive an 02 WRX wagon. Fun car, pretty fast, looks good (IMHO), and fairly spacious. Problem is, I turn 34 this year and I have three kids, one who turns 13 this year, one who turns 13 next year, and the last one is still young and smallish. For the past year, as I go out to my car, or when I'm driving my car, all I could think is how I have outgrown this car. Not necessarily just in the fact that my kids are getting older, but more in the fact that I feel like a grown man driving a kids car. I guess you could say that I'm ready for a grown up car, but I'm not willing to sacrifice the fun and performance. The Stinger really hits those points but without the butthole puckering pricetag of a Benz or Bimmer or Audi.

Yup, I think that's really fair too, it's a "grown up car", lots of features, big sedan, classy ride, and not a hot hatch. So they're marketing for people who want to get a grown up car. Admittedly I also fall in that camp, I was looking at the cars above, but I had had my 2010 GTI for long enough, that was another phase in my life, .

 

[Stingerfan1]

Yes, the C43 is may be a target. I have never driven one but I did have a c63. It is a great car. and double the price of what we are paying for our cars. For some reason, walking out to and driving my Stinger puts a bigger smile on my face than the C63 did. Maybe it is because I also saved $40k, LOL.

We have not even gotten into maintenance and repair. Way, way more.

Going back, I test drove a 550i. Twin Turbo w/400 hp and more room inside than an M3. The 550i is a great car but the Stinger is faster. Of course the 550i was 5 years ago and they may have upgraded, but personally, I prefer the Stinger.

I think the 335i might have been the target, but the Stinger is faster and better, IMO.

I traded in a CPO 2014 BMW 550i Msport (AWD) for a 2019 Stinger GT2 (AWD). I am sooooo much happier in this car!

I had a bunch of engine issues with the BMW that left me stranded on the side of the road 3 times! (Both fuel pumps went out (at different times) and multiple fuel injectors (at different times). Thank GOD for the CPO warranty, but getting towed and wasting countless hours sucked! And don't even get me started on the maintenance costs which I insulated myself from a little by purchasing the maintenance package. Oh and then there are the awful riding run flat tires on the BMW.

Just want to add here that the sticker price of the 2014 BMW was $87,500

I also like the driving dynamics of the Stinger better as it feels more light weight and nimble. The tech in the GT2 is superior to the fully loaded 2014 BMW as well. The BMW launched harder as it had 450 HP and 470? lb torque, but real world 0-60 they are even or the Stinger beats it. The Stinger has more interior room based on googled specs and has the lift gate!

I am very happy to have the Stinger as my first "new" car purchase.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

They claim to be taking aim at German GTs (Audi, BMW, Porsche, and to a lesser extent, VW and Mercedes) in the US market. In interviews they've claimed they designed the car for this market. However they seem to limit the features in the US market, misreading us.

I want a performance sedan; I prefer pure sports cars but I need luggage room.

I am considering:

CPO Audi S4 Prestige (or RS 3) <=== I won't pay Corvette prices for a sedan; let someone else take the depreciation hit!
WRX STI Limited (I was dead set on this due to c.diff and driving dynamics, and tuning potential, but decided I won't pay $48K for a car with an econobox interior and where the US market is missing the few safety and convenience features other markets get)

Crossed off list: Anything BMW, due to lack of Android Auto support. (we made an exception to that rule for motorcycles, because I can't be so demanding about convenience features on a sport bike, and we'll be getting a second BMW bike in the next year or so)

Stinger comes awful close, but the open rear diff, lack of vehicle locator/geofencing in the US market shows they aren't listening to what the market wants. At least they added the surround cameras (the main reason I crossed WRX off the list is the lack of the front camera, and the dealer refuses to import the JDM pigtail to plug one in. They lost a $48K sale of a high-markup hot rodded econobox over the sake of unwillingness to import the pigtail).

But really, they're targeting a segment where all of their stated competitors offer vehicle locator/remote lock capability, they offer those features on the Stinger in Canada, have the support network present here in the US, and refuse to install a SIM card to enable it in the US, and their competitors offer LSD diffs. I can have the stealership's shop or a tuner install an LSD gear carrier, but the remote capabilities are not so simple.

Open diff in the rear end, in a sports "sedan" (ok sportsback)/GT... What the heck are they thinking? All they need to do is look at enthusiast forums like this, and "what I hate about my Stinger" videos and they'll quickly discover what is turning buyers off (apart from the Kia badge, which is what caused me to disregard the Stinger at first).

 

[StungBlueGT2]

They claim to be taking aim at German GTs (Audi, BMW, Porsche, and to a lesser extent, VW and Mercedes) in the US market. In interviews they've claimed they designed the car for this market. However they seem to limit the features in the US market, misreading us.

I want a performance sedan; I prefer pure sports cars but I need luggage room.

I am considering:

CPO Audi S4 Prestige (or RS 3) <=== I won't pay Corvette prices for a sedan; let someone else take the depreciation hit!
WRX STI Limited (I was dead set on this due to c.diff and driving dynamics, and tuning potential, but decided I won't pay $48K for a car with an econobox interior and where the US market is missing the few safety and convenience features other markets get)

Crossed off list: Anything BMW, due to lack of Android Auto support. (we made an exception to that rule for motorcycles, because I can't be so demanding about convenience features on a sport bike, and we'll be getting a second BMW bike in the next year or so)

Stinger comes awful close, but the open rear diff, lack of vehicle locator/geofencing in the US market shows they aren't listening to what the market wants. At least they added the surround cameras (the main reason I crossed WRX off the list is the lack of the front camera, and the dealer refuses to import the JDM pigtail to plug one in. They lost a $48K sale of a high-markup hot rodded econobox over the sake of unwillingness to import the pigtail).

But really, they're targeting a segment where all of their stated competitors offer vehicle locator/remote lock capability, they offer those features on the Stinger in Canada, have the support network present here in the US, and refuse to install a SIM card to enable it in the US, and their competitors offer LSD (Limited Slip Differential) diffs. I can have the stealership's shop or a tuner install an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) gear carrier, but the remote capabilities are not so simple.

Open diff in the rear end, in a sports "sedan" (ok sportsback)/GT... What the heck are they thinking? All they need to do is look at enthusiast forums like this, and "what I hate about my Stinger" videos and they'll quickly discover what is turning buyers off (apart from the Kia badge, which is what caused me to disregard the Stinger at first).

Kia and the Stinger is definitely targeting Audi, Porsche, BMW, etc. and it easily matches or surpasses most of their features and performance for $10k-$20k less. A GT2 is basically a “poor mans” Audi S7 with 90% of the features & specs at a fraction of the cost.

I did have the same wants in a car as you. A high performance sports car/sedan, but needed the extra passenger & cargo capacity. I also wanted something with a luxury feel & features. The Stinger GT2 is the ONLY new car that offers all that and still costs less than $50k.

I’m not familiar with the specific “vehicle locator/geofencing” you’re speaking about and haven’t heard anyone wanting that feature, but do know the Stinger has a vehicle locator with GPS tracking built into the UVO system. I also know that LSD is standard on all GTs so unless you’re looking at the 2.0l that isn’t an issue.

Basically, the Stinger GT2 has almost every feature of its premium brand competitors and the specs to match, but at a huge savings. It’s no wonder why a lot of people are trading in their Audi’s, BMW’s and Benz’s for this amazing car.

 

[Moses]

Kia and the Stinger is definitely targeting Audi, Porsche, BMW, etc. and it easily matches or surpasses most of their features and performance for $10k-$20k less. A GT2 is basically a “poor mans” Audi S7 with 90% of the features & specs at a fraction of the cost.

I did have the same wants in a car as you. A high performance sports car/sedan, but needed the extra passenger & cargo capacity. I also wanted something with a luxury feel & features. The Stinger GT2 is the ONLY new car that offers all that and still costs less than $50k.

I’m not familiar with the specific “vehicle locator/geofencing” you’re speaking about and haven’t heard anyone wanting that feature, but do know the Stinger has a vehicle locator with GPS tracking built into the UVO system. I also know that LSD (Limited Slip Differential) is standard on all GTs so unless you’re looking at the 2.0l that isn’t an issue.

Basically, the Stinger GT2 has almost every feature of its premium brand competitors and the specs to match, but at a huge savings. It’s no wonder why a lot of people are trading in their Audi’s, BMW’s and Benz’s for this amazing car.

Something else to keep in mind, more features would mean a higher price tag. I don't think anyone would have bought the Stinger if it was priced like a higher end Audi or Benz. The Stinger may not have all the features of those cars but the huge price difference makes it where I don't care and I think most would agree. Would we like to have those features? Sure. Is it deal breaking? Obviously not for most of us on this forum. With any car you have to pick and choose what you are willing to sacrifice. Whether it be features, or money, or reliability, you are going to lose out somewhere.

 

[MisterMac]

I enjoyed my GT2 AWD for 25,000 miles and just traded it in for a Benz S63. I'd never buy a brand new Benz S Series and I would buy a GT2 again if it were more comfortable for me.

 

[Nuthadey]

Audi S7 with 90% of the features & specs at a fraction of the cost.

That's laughable. Where did this 90% figure come from? What year S7 are you comparing the GT2 to? The tech in a GT2 is comparable to the tech in a 2012 A7, the materials and build quality are no where near the level of any year A or S7s, and the service after the sale isn't even in the same solar system.

I guess if we're giving made up percentages and comparing it to a 2020 S7 that 90% figure would fall to what ,<50%? Both have doors, a hatch, engines, tires, seats, and steering wheels. But the Stinger is no Audi. And if you sincerely believe a 2020 GT2 can hold a match to a 2020 S7 it's obvious you are either extremely biased or have never been in or driven a 2020 S7.

While biased Stinger owners are sitting around saying "I drive smaller, almost Audi S7, with old Audi tech for $20k less" there are no S7 drivers on the Audi forum saying "I wish I would have saved my money and got a Stinger instead."

"A Kia Stinger is 78.53% of a Continental GT for a fraction of the cost!"

Let's all be reasonable here...lest we risk losing our credibility.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Let's all be reasonable here...lest we risk losing our credibility.

What is the target audience of your concern? It surely isn't the buyers of German cars. To them, Kia buyers have no credibility to begin with. So, we are not going to impress anyone "over on the other forums" regardless of how accurately we "hyperbolize".

 

[GRStinger]

That's laughable. Where did this 90% figure come from? What year S7 are you comparing the GT2 to? The tech in a GT2 is comparable to the tech in a 2012 A7, the materials and build quality are no where near the level of any year A or S7s, and the service after the sale isn't even in the same solar system.

I guess if we're giving made up percentages and comparing it to a 2020 S7 that 90% figure would fall to what ,<50%? Both have doors, a hatch, engines, tires, seats, and steering wheels. But the Stinger is no Audi. And if you sincerely believe a 2020 GT2 can hold a match to a 2020 S7 it's obvious you are either extremely biased or have never been in or driven a 2020 S7.

While biased Stinger owners are sitting around saying "I drive smaller, almost Audi S7, with old Audi tech for $20k less" there are no S7 drivers on the Audi forum saying "I wish I would have saved my money and got a Stinger instead."

"A Kia Stinger is 78.53% of a Continental GT for a fraction of the cost!"

Let's all be reasonable here...lest we risk losing our credibility.

Go back to the S7 fanboy site. A great car, the S7. But really, you can buy 2 Stinger GT's for the price of an S7. For my money, which I'm really fond of, I'll take a Stinger GT over the S7 any day. If you buy an Audi, any Audi (again - a very nice car), and drive it over the warranty period, you're just buying a big carload - boatload -of really expensive car repairs. Ain't worth it. Unless you have more money than brains.
I had all but made my mind up that I was going to buy an A5, then was thinking seriously about an S5, but then I drove a Stinger GT2. Game over. If you put those nice little 4 rings on the front of a Stinger GT... people would say: "hey, that's a really good sporty looking S7!"

 

[GRStinger]

I still believe that 95% of the reviewers and potential buyers don't "get it". When introduced, Kia pointed out that they wanted to engineer and build a true GT car. It's in their niche, but it's NOT supposed to be a "sports sedan"- like a BMW 3 or 4 series, or their competitors like an Audi A/S 5... or Genesis G70. Yes, it's a drivers car, with power that can stay with any Dodge product up-to and including an R/T V8 485 HP Scat pack - and as good-looking as a Porsche Panamera But it's all that, along with long legs on the freeway, fantastic comfort, tons of great tech, and lots of room for the long-weekend 'gran turismo' - and it turns heads the whole way. Kia was never going to sell a lot of Stingers, and they knew it, but it's the performance car value of the decade. That said, at the price-point, too many buyers will drive past a Kia dealership and pay an extra $85/month lease for an A5. They don't know what they are missing. But I do - and the rest of us do.

 

[Nuthadey]

Go back to the S7 fanboy site.

That's adorable. The problem is, it isn't me that's constantly trying to make the Stinger match up to an S7. I'm aware that my car is a budget GT with decent performance, okay tech, sub-par build quality, with poor service support. I'm completely honest about what the car is. I'm not the one trying to make it something it isn't.

I'm merely pointing out how foolish it is for someone to say "I'm driving 90% of a an S7." It's mucho ironic for you to use a word like "fanboy" while defending such an idea. But hey, enjoy driving your "62% of a Bugatti Chiron" and marvel at how many Stingers you can buy in place of one of them. That's a totally logical way of thinking.

Here's a thought, let's compare the Stinger to an M1A1 Abrams tank. You all can rave about how the Stinger has better fuel economy, more passenger headroom, better 0-60 performance, and is 84% of the tank for a "fraction of the cost." Then I can come in and rain on the Ridiculous Parade by "fanboying" about the features and tech present in the tank that aren't available on the Stinger. Then you can all get angry about me seeing through an unbiased lens and refusing to crown the Stinger "the best vehicle ever produced."

I didn't know owning a Kia Stinger meant I had to abandon my critical thinking skills.

/Abrams fanboying

 

[GRStinger]

That's adorable. The problem is, it isn't me that's constantly trying to make the Stinger match up to an S7. I'm aware that my car is a budget GT with decent performance, okay tech, sub-par build quality, with poor service support. I'm completely honest about what the car is. I'm not the one trying to make it something it isn't.

I'm merely pointing out how foolish it is for someone to say "I'm driving 90% of a an S7." It's mucho ironic for you to use a word like "fanboy" while defending such an idea. But hey, enjoy driving your "62% of a Bugatti Chiron" and marvel at how many Stingers you can buy in place of one of them. That's a totally logical way of thinking.

Here's a thought, let's compare the Stinger to an M1A1 Abrams tank. You all can rave about how the Stinger has better fuel economy, more passenger headroom, better 0-60 performance, and is 84% of the tank for a "fraction of the cost." Then I can come in and rain on the Ridiculous Parade by "fanboying" about the features and tech present in the tank that aren't available on the Stinger. Then you can all get angry about me seeing through an unbiased lens and refusing to crown the Stinger "the best vehicle ever produced."

I didn't know owning a Kia Stinger meant I had to abandon my critical thinking skills.

"...my car is a budget GT..."
"my car"? Pictures, please.
"I didn't know owning a Kia Stinger meant I had to abandon my critical thinking skills."
IF you own an Stinger, and you actually chose it over an $90,000 S7, you at-least stumbled over critical thinking skills.

Suggestion: You're probably not spending productive personal time dumping on the Stinger at the Stingerfurm site. Just sayin'.

/Abrams fanboying

 

[StungBlueGT2]

That's laughable. Where did this 90% figure come from? What year S7 are you comparing the GT2 to? The tech in a GT2 is comparable to the tech in a 2012 A7, the materials and build quality are no where near the level of any year A or S7s, and the service after the sale isn't even in the same solar system.

I guess if we're giving made up percentages and comparing it to a 2020 S7 that 90% figure would fall to what ,<50%? Both have doors, a hatch, engines, tires, seats, and steering wheels. But the Stinger is no Audi. And if you sincerely believe a 2020 GT2 can hold a match to a 2020 S7 it's obvious you are either extremely biased or have never been in or driven a 2020 S7.

While biased Stinger owners are sitting around saying "I drive smaller, almost Audi S7, with old Audi tech for $20k less" there are no S7 drivers on the Audi forum saying "I wish I would have saved my money and got a Stinger instead."

"A Kia Stinger is 78.53% of a Continental GT for a fraction of the cost!"

Let's all be reasonable here...lest we risk losing our credibility.

You obviously have no experience with the S7 or you’d understand what I was talking about. I admit I may have exaggerated with the 90%, but a 2018 S7 is very similar in specs/performance and the GT2 has almost every feature that Audi has. I never mentioned materials, build quality or the service and only talking about the design, specs, performance & features. My good friend has a 2018 S7 and after taking him in a ride in my GT2 he said he couldn’t believe how similar they were.

I know Audi made a lot of changes to the 2020 S7 and that thing is like a spaceship now, but the 2018s of both cars are very similar when it comes to the things I mentioned above. Kia stole Albert Biermann from Audi and top BMW M division designer to head the design of the Stinger so the best of the European auto executives made the Stinger and obviously took the best ideas from both of those companies. The Stinger is undoubtedly the closest thing to a S7 & 640i Msport you can get and still costs $15k-$20k+ less.

Maybe it’s not 90%, but at least 80% an 2018 S7 and the best bang for the buck GT you can get that matches or surpasses the best GTs from Audi, BMW, Benz etc. at a fraction of the cost. It’s just the truth and sorry if you can’t see how close they actually are when comparing specs, features and performance.

 

[Nuthadey]

You're right. I don't own a Stinger. I joined the Stinger forum a year ago so I could lay in wait for the perfect time to jump out and say "THE STINGER IS NO AUDI S7!!!"

You caught me.

 

[Nuthadey]

You obviously have no experience with the S7 or you’d understand what I was talking about.

Yup, the S7 is such a rare car that no one else on this forum other than you has ever been in one.

the GT2 has almost every feature that Audi has. I never mentioned materials, build quality or the service.

Here's the problem, on one hand, you're saying they share "almost every feature" on the other you're saying you didn't mention "materials, build quality or service." To most people build quality, material quality, and service are "features" that are shopped during the buying process. Throughout your comparison, you're purposely omitting "features" that paint a positive light on the S7 and focusing on "features" that make the Stinger look better. This is the very definition of bias.

A high performance sports car/sedan, but needed the extra passenger & cargo capacity. I also wanted something with a luxury feel & features. The Stinger GT2 is the ONLY new car that offers all that and still costs less than $50k.

If you had stopped there I would have agreed with your every point.

Instead, you went full retard man.