KIA Stinger uncertain future

[au2xr85.0]

I'm sure punters here saw Auto-Expert JC's vid last week on the impending kill off of the Kia Stinger, if you didn't see it, check out the vid below.

Even though i don't own one, i have driven one and it was a great experience, not quite as hard hitting as my GT335, very linear but definately a well balanced performance car, great bfyb
I wonder whats next ?

https://youtu.be/O0QS8mkZDW0

[hayseed]

Isn't he on the Hyundia/Kia Payroll..??

So he should Know..

[au2xr85.0]

hes been asked this question numerous times and the answer is stout no.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by au2xr85.0

hes been asked this question numerous times and the answer is stout no.

Of course he’d say that.
Bloke has never done a positive video on Ford or Toyota....
but admits to owning a Triton.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by au2xr85.0

I'm sure punters here saw Auto-Expert JC's vid last week on the impending kill off of the Kia Stinger, if you didn't see it, check out the vid below.

Even though i don't own one, i have driven one and it was a great experience, not quite as hard hitting as my GT335, very linear but definately a well balanced performance car, great bfyb
I wonder whats next ?

https://youtu.be/O0QS8mkZDW0

Think ol mate Auto-Expert shouldn't drink before he films

[jpd80]

Hyundai/Kia also have the Tau 5.0 V8 (Korean Coyote) tucked away but really,
even if they could turn Stinger into a Korean four door version of the Mustang
there’s no guarantee that changing this or doing the other thing would result in
any measurable increase in sales; be that here in Aus or in the USA which let’s
face it, you could sell just about anything there except Stinger apparently…..

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Hyundai/Kia also have the Tau 5.0 V8 (Korean Coyote) tucked away but really,
even if they could turn Stinger into a Korean four door version of the Mustang
there’s no guarantee that changing this or doing the other thing would result in
any measurable increase in sales; be that here in Aus or in the USA which let’s
face it, you could sell just about anything there except Stinger apparently…..

I'm sure I read recently that the Hyundai V8 won't be around much longer. It's getting phased out.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I'm sure I read recently that the Hyundai V8 won't be around much longer. It's getting phased out.

Yeah, it’s a goner
Stinger gets lousy sales in US as does the Hyundai V7, they’ll probably give up soon.

[deesun]

Maybe the next one will be electric.

[au2xr85.0]

Originally Posted by deesun

Maybe the next one will be electric.

thats definately on the cards i think.

[Top_Ghia]

Originally Posted by deesun

Maybe the next one will be electric.

Google Kia EV6
This will replace the stinger and is coming to Australia. Some dealers are already advertising it.

[Big_Daz]

Right car, wrong time... Stinger is a great car, I've driven them on a fair few occasions and they deserve to sell a lot more than they actually do.. People just don't buy in that segment anymore, in this market at least.

[MercuryT]

Better to drive than a Mustang. (not that hard I know)

Wrong badge and far too expensive.

45K it would have sold well

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Better to drive than a Mustang. (not that hard I know)

Wrong badge and far too expensive.

45K it would have sold well

I never understand that logic as to why it needed to be so cheap? What other RWD performance sedans does it go against? Bit more expensive than the last of the commodore v8s but came with way more technology and is a touch faster

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

I never understand that logic as to why it needed to be so cheap? What other RWD performance sedans does it go against? Bit more expensive than the last of the commodore v8s but came with way more technology and is a touch faster

Three letters. K I A

I like them, but people just don’t view Kia as a performance brand for one, and certainly not a 60k option.

Kia, was the cheaper Hyundai, which was the cheaper alternative to Japanese offerings.

If the stinger was a Toyota or almost any of the more established brands it would have sold better.
Better enough to be considered a success?
Probably not, can’t hide the fact that the market is just not interested in sporty sedans unless they’re a prestige brand. Even then it’s a pretty small niche.

[DFB FGXR6]

The failure of the Stinger in Australia, and other markets too, is complex.

These comments are why I feel it failed in Australia in particular –

-The large sedan market has a limited appeal these days, with most private buyers heading towards large SUV’s.
-The desirable/performance-oriented Falcon and Commodore variants sold to people who aspired to own these cars, the performance and heritage of the respective brands were huge draw-cards. As were the low prices.
-Stinger arrived just as many who were expected to be interested in the car had gone out and bought their last Falcon or Commodore.

So, a car aiming to be an aspiration purchase with a Kia badge on the front, a brand usually known for cheap and disposable cars. And aimed at traditional Ford/Holden consumers who were no longer in the market for a car of this type. And a vehicle with no brand heritage to draw people to buy, over and over again. Throw in it being more expensive than the locals, the Stinger just did not do what Kia expected.

Having said all that, I do admire Kia for having the balls to commit to a large, powerful RWD sedan. It's certainly a good car, just launched at the wrong time.

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Three letters. K I A

I like them, but people just don’t view Kia as a performance brand for one, and certainly not a 60k option.

Kia, was the cheaper Hyundai, which was the cheaper alternative to Japanese offerings.

If the stinger was a Toyota or almost any of the more established brands it would have sold better.
Better enough to be considered a success?
Probably not, can’t hide the fact that the market is just not interested in sporty sedans unless they’re a prestige brand. Even then it’s a pretty small niche.

I disagree. Plenty, in fact many buy the top of the line Sorrento no issue. That’s a $65k car.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

I disagree. Plenty, in fact many buy the top of the line Sorrento no issue. That’s a $65k car.

I would agree with that. As a functional, family oriented car, people have no problem spending that sort of money on a Kia.

This is where the aspiration aspect comes in. Not many people are going to lust over a Kia like generations did for Falcon's and FPV's, Holden's and HSV's.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

If the stinger was a Toyota or almost any of the more established brands it

Absolutely.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

I never understand that logic as to why it needed to be so cheap? What other RWD performance sedans does it go against? Bit more expensive than the last of the commodore v8s but came with way more technology and is a touch faster

It isn't a sedan.

[MercuryT]

Its a hatchback not a sedan ffs!

Agree on above though.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Its a hatchback not a sedan ffs!

Agree on above though.

Yes, but it is sedan shaped, so will be shopped as such.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Yes, but it is sedan shaped, so will be shopped as such.

If less than 45K it would have sold.

I can't afford either but I've driven a Mustang (twice) and a Stinger once.

The Stinger better in every way outside looks and engine sound.

American built cars are horrible but they sell as look great

[Top_Ghia]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

If less than 45K it would have sold.



I can't afford either but I've driven a Mustang (twice) and a Stinger once.



The Stinger better in every way outside looks and engine sound.



American built cars are horrible but they sell as look great

I’ve driven both quite a bit and now own a Mustang. The Stinger lacks X factor. It lacks presence on the road. It’s just dull. Sure it’s fast enough but not too many people want fast cars these days with our nanny state laws.
Driving a Mustang is an event. Weird stuff happens in Mustangs. People engage with the car and it’s driver. You get little notes handed to you in the drive through. Girls blow kisses at the car. Boys want you to rev it or skid it. It also has heritage and is quite nostalgic for many people.
The Stinger isn’t seen by the general public in the same way. Drive a Stinger and nothing happens. Nobody notices it. It also has no heritage to draw on.

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

I’ve driven both quite a bit and now own a Mustang. The Stinger lacks X factor. It lacks presence on the road. It’s just dull. Sure it’s fast enough but not too many people want fast cars these days with our nanny state laws.
Driving a Mustang is an event. Weird stuff happens in Mustangs. People engage with the car and it’s driver. You get little notes handed to you in the drive through. Girls blow kisses at the car. Boys want you to rev it or skid it. It also has heritage and is quite nostalgic for many people.
The Stinger isn’t seen by the general public in the same way. Drive a Stinger and nothing happens. Nobody notices it. It also has no heritage to draw on.

and thats what Id prefer, fly under the radar, still travel fast (not illegally ) and just go about being yourself.
Mustang draws attention, draws police attention. At my age not interested in chicky babes in my car.

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

I’ve driven both quite a bit and now own a Mustang. The Stinger lacks X factor. It lacks presence on the road. It’s just dull. Sure it’s fast enough but not too many people want fast cars these days with our nanny state laws.
Driving a Mustang is an event. Weird stuff happens in Mustangs. People engage with the car and it’s driver. You get little notes handed to you in the drive through. Girls blow kisses at the car. Boys want you to rev it or skid it. It also has heritage and is quite nostalgic for many people.
The Stinger isn’t seen by the general public in the same way. Drive a Stinger and nothing happens. Nobody notices it. It also has no heritage to draw on.

This was my general feeling about the Stinger too. If I was a businessman on the road a fair bit I think it would make an excellent daily driver.. but it doesn't quite have the soul that makes you want to take it out on a weekend and show it off.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

I’ve driven both quite a bit and now own a Mustang. The Stinger lacks X factor. It lacks presence on the road. It’s just dull. Sure it’s fast enough but not too many people want fast cars these days with our nanny state laws.
Driving a Mustang is an event. Weird stuff happens in Mustangs. People engage with the car and it’s driver. You get little notes handed to you in the drive through. Girls blow kisses at the car. Boys want you to rev it or skid it. It also has heritage and is quite nostalgic for many people.
The Stinger isn’t seen by the general public in the same way. Drive a Stinger and nothing happens. Nobody notices it. It also has no heritage to draw on.

And here was me thinking people were engaging with me due to my boyish good looks when all along they were just interested in the car!

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

I’ve driven both quite a bit and now own a Mustang. The Stinger lacks X factor. It lacks presence on the road. It’s just dull. Sure it’s fast enough but not too many people want fast cars these days with our nanny state laws.
Driving a Mustang is an event. Weird stuff happens in Mustangs. People engage with the car and it’s driver. You get little notes handed to you in the drive through. Girls blow kisses at the car. Boys want you to rev it or skid it. It also has heritage and is quite nostalgic for many people.
The Stinger isn’t seen by the general public in the same way. Drive a Stinger and nothing happens. Nobody notices it. It also has no heritage to draw on.

Excellent post and in many ways I agree with you.

Absolutely no doubt the Mustang is more of an event and I'd definitely buy one over a Stinger. I've always loved Mustangs but I maintain American built cars are a fair way behind in quality inside and out.

I'd say the Stinger is the better car overall but for the reasons you say it isn't anywhere near as desirable hence it's awful sales.

[Late braker]

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

I’ve driven both quite a bit and now own a Mustang. The Stinger lacks X factor. It lacks presence on the road. It’s just dull. Sure it’s fast enough but not too many people want fast cars these days with our nanny state laws.
Driving a Mustang is an event. Weird stuff happens in Mustangs. People engage with the car and it’s driver. You get little notes handed to you in the drive through. Girls blow kisses at the car. Boys want you to rev it or skid it. It also has heritage and is quite nostalgic for many people.
The Stinger isn’t seen by the general public in the same way. Drive a Stinger and nothing happens. Nobody notices it. It also has no heritage to draw on.

Couldn’t agree with you more. It’s hard to get excited about a car especially a purportedly premium performance car that has no
(a) street cred borne out of race heritage particularly in Australia
(b) a brand that is frankly not aspirational- it just isn’t. It’s a brand but it has no “ brand”.
I haven’t driven one but it would surely go like hell but it has to make you feel something inside knowing others want the car you’re in.
I’ll stick with my BF XR6- it goes hard still after all these years and you don’t see that many around anymore which is satisfying in a way.

[au2xr85.0]

Originally Posted by Top_Ghia

I’ve driven both quite a bit and now own a Mustang. The Stinger lacks X factor. It lacks presence on the road. It’s just dull. Sure it’s fast enough but not too many people want fast cars these days with our nanny state laws.
Driving a Mustang is an event. Weird stuff happens in Mustangs. People engage with the car and it’s driver. You get little notes handed to you in the drive through. Girls blow kisses at the car. Boys want you to rev it or skid it. It also has heritage and is quite nostalgic for many people.
The Stinger isn’t seen by the general public in the same way. Drive a Stinger and nothing happens. Nobody notices it. It also has no heritage to draw on.

I can tell you the list of things i dont like about the stinger is a lot less than the mustang, but i wouldn't own either of them.