2018 Kia Stinger

[GB]

http://www.thecurveahead.net/resources/images/gallery/US%20Spec/24_Kia-Stinger-GT-Studio-(8)_US-Spec.png


http://www.thecurveahead.net/resources/images/gallery/US%20Spec/27_Kia-Stinger-GT-Studio-(7)_US-Spec.png





http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2018-kia-stinger-sports-sedan-photos-and-info-news


http://www.thecurveahead.net/


In principle, I'm on board.

In my opinion the foundations of the design are well done, but the added too many baubles in the form of scoops and vents and whatnots. It also seems like it will be a little big for my tastes... approximately the same size as a Merc CLS, and bigger than all the cars Kia lists as its potential competitors. And I'm worried about what its curb weight will be, as Hyundai and Kia are not yet known for their ingenious weight-saving strategy (ie: Mazda). If this thing weighs 4500lbs, then there's no point, IMO.

Alas, I fear it is doomed. It's, once again, the car everyone SAYS they want, but the car nobody buys. (G8, SS, etc.)

[Yw-slayer]

I agree with pretty much everything you said. I like very much (save for the centre console, which sadly reminds me of Mercs). But I don't need a car like this, save as a single replacement for the Legacy and the BRZ, both of which do not need to be replaced.

[balki]

Looks good, like the name
agree with it being doomed like the G8, SS, ...

[dodint]

Looks like a Ford Fusion.

http://img.s-msn.com/tenant/amp/entityid/BBvmwAw.img?w=320&h=212&m=1&o=t&l=t&u=t

[MR2 Fan]

Reminds me a bit of the Genesis Coupe as in, it doesn't feel proportioned correctly in the front end.

Again, people who want a "nice" car aren't looking at Kia's for the most part yet, they still have the stigma of a cheap/value brand.

Having said that, the 2017 Cadenza is VERY nice

[neanderthal]

The thing is people want a large, powerful, rear wheel drive sporty sedan or coupe, but they just don't want one that weighs more than 3300lbs.


It would be interesting to see Mazda make a go at a category like this, just to see what is possible weight wise.

[drew]

It can weigh more than 3300 pounds, you just need to have 500+hp :D

[shakes]

I kinda like it. Looks like they tried to make a 4-door Genesis coupe. I just don't know where it's going to fit in the Hyundai/Kia lineups. They already have a mid-to-large size RWD sedan.

[Kchrpm]

My understanding is that this is mostly their attempt to subsidize the engineering and production of their more expensive RWD sedans on the same platform.

[thesameguy]

That sounds likely. Seems like it's a 1st gen CTS all over again - too big to be a 3-series, too cheap to be a 5-series. Cast a wide net, see what to shore up in the 2nd gen.

[drew]

Speaking of the Genesis, if they'd through the sedan's V8 in the Coupe, I'd buy one a minute later.

[KillerB]

The thing is people want a large, powerful, rear wheel drive sporty sedan or coupe, but they just don't want one that weighs more than 3300lbs.


It would be interesting to see Mazda make a go at a category like this, just to see what is possible weight wise.

I'd held out hope that Mazda would have stretched the RX-8 platform a bit and built an RX-9 as a sport sedan. I think that would have made the platform viable long term - sport sedans have a much longer shelf life than sports cars.

[MR2 Fan]

In case you haven't seen it, here's the 2017 Cadenza:

http://arvandplak.ir/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2017-kia-cadenza-review-2.jpg

[IMOA]

I'm liking it. Looks great, numbers are great, if the execution of the handling and subjective soft stuff is good (and given who they've headhunted it should be) then it should be a really good car. Hoping it does well as the world is missing a 'cheap bmw' these days

[Yw-slayer]

Cheap BMW with Asian car reliability FTW

[TheBenior]

The thing is people want a large, powerful, rear wheel drive sporty sedan or coupe, but they just don't want one that weighs more than 3300lbs.


It would be interesting to see Mazda make a go at a category like this, just to see what is possible weight wise.
I don't think the people who actually buy/lease them care much about the weight. They don't seem to be having any issues with buying 3900 lb Audi S4s and 3600 lb M3/4, let alone 4800-5000 lb S63/S65 AMG.

I would also like to see Mazda take a crack at it, but unless they partner with an established luxury brand, we probably never will since Mazda's low volumes are tough on development without luxury margins or partners.

[Rare White Ape]

Plus Mazda's ties with Ford speak volumes (!) about their product planning.

And I'm super supportive of both Kia and Hyundai increasing both the reliability, scope, and desirability of their range. I'm all for it, because maybe it'll push the established Japanese brands out of the complacency they've built around themselves over the last 20 years. Only Honda and Mazda do anything interesting at the low-mid end of their range anymore.

[novicius]

Looks passably sharp. :up:

The size of the KIA badges are obnoxious (especially on the steering wheel).

Price matters.

The size looks good, roomy. I don't know how it stacks up against zee Germans current offerings but most U.S. buyers buy German based on badge / interiors. KIA isn't a "good" buy in that light.

[Rare White Ape]

most U.S. buyers buy German based on badge / interiors. KIA isn't a "good" buy in that light.

If it's half the price then it might be worth it.

[novicius]

Well Dodge Chargers are cheaper than BMW's of equal girth but it's a tough sell to someone who can comfortably afford the Bimmer to save even more of their massive paycheck to drive the Mopar. ;)

But KIA is building this car so their math has been done on the subject. #shrug

[shakes]

Speaking of the Genesis, if they'd through the sedan's V8 in the Coupe, I'd buy one a minute later.

Rhys Millen Racing made one. http://www.musclecarszone.com/348hp-genesis-coupe-its-not-enough-tuners-have-a-solution-for-you/

I sold Hyundais for a couple of years and I would love for them to succeed but there are a couple of big issues that I think only time will resolve. The main one is brand image. People still have that misconception that the Korean's make cheap, unreliable cars when in fact Kia and Hyundai both outrank pretty much everybody else in initial quality surveys. Its going to take maybe another decade of putting out good quality cars before they can outgrow that misconception. They're also not quite up to the level of everyone else when it comes to handling/dynamics but again, they'll get there with time, money and head-hunting the right people from other brands.

[thesameguy]

I see PILES of Genesisesisisies around town - coupes and sedans, and have started to see a few Equus and K900s. I think these cars check all the luxo barge comfort, styling & tech cues, and that's enough for many. I think the major thing working against the Stinger is going to be those badges - you can play off the Genesis as it lacks an H, but the Stinger you're going to be advertising Kia. It may not matter - I see mountains of Optimas - I imagine those buyers will consider the bigger Kia when next they shop.

[balki]

Those Optimas are handsome cars. :up:

[MR2 Fan]

Plus Mazda's ties with Ford speak volumes (!) about their product planning.

And I'm super supportive of both Kia and Hyundai increasing both the reliability, scope, and desirability of their range. I'm all for it, because maybe it'll push the established Japanese brands out of the complacency they've built around themselves over the last 20 years. Only Honda and Mazda do anything interesting at the low-mid end of their range anymore.

Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ say hi

[IMOA]

I'm also trying to figure out what Honda do interesting as well

[thesameguy]

I sold Hyundais for a couple of years and I would love for them to succeed but there are a couple of big issues that I think only time will resolve. The main one is brand image. People still have that misconception that the Korean's make cheap, unreliable cars when in fact Kia and Hyundai both outrank pretty much everybody else in initial quality surveys.

It's probably not true everywhere, but around here there is almost no quality stigma left. It's a rare day when someone tells me they're shopping for a car but have ruled out Kia and Hyundai. I mean, really rare. Usually "Have you thought about an Elantra" is followed by "I really like them, but I wasn't sure whether they were good cars" or "That's my first choice." The dealers around here have gone from DEAL DEAL DEAL to "we don't give discounts" or even "they're backordered." I fully expected to be able to pick up a Veloster for cheap by now, but I'd seriously have better luck on a Focus or Fiesta - it's a little nuts.

I too wish they're shore up their handling & dynamics, but people who worry about that stuff in functional ways (as opposed to, "Durrrrrr.... it turns real good") are tiny, tiny minority. Hyundai & Kia are killing it.

I think the breakdown with $50k Hyundais is no different than $50k Toyotas. If you're spending that kind of money on a car, you want a brand to go with it. I think that's why Genesis works and Kia Stinger might not.

[Yw-slayer]

https://jalopnik.com/pre-owned-kia-stingers-are-already-an-awesome-value-1838658860

[shakes]

I'm seeing quite a few on my commute in the suburbs. Not sure what sort of lease/finance rates KIA is offering but methinks that might have something to do with it

[TheBenior]

Kia Stinger GTs have had steep markdowns pretty much since they launched, much like the Alfa Romeo Giulia.

[Yw-slayer]

Do you see what I did there?

[Rare White Ape]

I saw it mate.

I had a ‘little bit at a time’ joke left wanting in another thread a few days ago.

I think this place is losing its edge :(

[Godson]

Do you see what I did there?


But it isn't a Subaru.......