After the recent news that was shared during the LA Autoshow, the Kia Stinger’s future is making headlines once again and we want to clarify things a little.
As some of you, our readers, know very well we were the first site who commented about the fate of the Kia Stinger and who said it will be axed after the 2nd quarter of 2022.
One thing first, a big disclaimer, we love the Kia Stinger and to discover that it will be discontinued made us all very sad. After the big buzz of the K5, RIP Optima, the Stinger was the second big buzz Kia needed to upscale the brand.
Some of you have probably read the two different reports from Motor1.com and CarBuzz who interviewed or quoted some words from Design Chief, Karim Habib and VP Marketing at Kia America, Russell Wager.
While Mr. Habib implied that the EV6 indirectly replaces the Stinger, Mr. Wager said “that won’t be happening” to the question if the Stinger will be axed. You need to know that both of these executives are doing their job answering the question the best they can knowing the Kia Stinger still, as of today, is on production and on sale. If they admitted that it will be axed, sales could drop. Similarly, Kia America never directly said that K900 or Cadenza would be discontinued until they were forced to admit it by journalists.
You can be the judge of the most recent response but one thing we want to clarify is, what we reported about the production of the Kia Stinger, based on many credible reports and comments we have received from numerous inside sources (many of them we need to keep as secret), will end in Q2 2022 and from that point Sohari plant will be transformed to focus on electrified vehicles only. This, unfortunately, is the truth. We can all agree that the sales of the Stinger will still live on until stock run out, and that might last until the end of 2022 or possibly into 2023, likely as a 2023 model year car.
One thing we were told is that it is possible the name Stinger might live on through the EV line-up because Kia recognizes the model (and its name) did really well for their marketing and raised expectations for the brand, but we don’t know for certainty if the name will continue, or die along with the car.
What do you think about the fate of the Kia Stinger? Is it too soon sto discontinue the Kia Stinger? Did EV6 kill the Stinger? Do you think Kia needs to keep the Stinger name?
I wouldn’t be surprised if we find out that the stinger simply becomes the K6 for 2023 or something. I feel a bit like this is a big publicity stunt (that’s working) to get sales up and overall news coverage about the brand stewing. But who knows.
The problem with the Stinger is the price go up, I love the Stinger, but I can’t get new. I hear people $56,000 is too much money. I remember when the first Stinger get out, in $30,000 I say to me in near future I can change my Forte GT for a Stinger GT, but now I decided stay with the little Stinger brother, Kia Forte GT, maybe I try to make a little mod to get 30hp more. I get 42.2 MPG in highway
Soy dueño de un STINGER GT 2020. En PR, ese vehículo tiene un costo entre 60 a 62,000 dólares. Desde que apareció la 1ra versión en 2018, me interesó muchísimo, pero esperé a ver su desempeño y los reportajes de este, por las pruebas hechas por profesionales.
Como dicen, es el auto “Insignea” de la KIA.
En lugar de elim su producción, sería recomendable, una nueva generación, pero con un motor más grande y potente. Algo como un 3.7 y las turbinas también de más tamaño. Que pudiese arrojar entre 450 a 500 cab/fuerza.
Les garantizo que sería uno de los primeros en comprarlo.
Todo lo anterior sin mencionar, que ese auto se roba las miradas y elogios donde quiera que va.
Good now people can stop making up lies for no reason
I love the design of the Kia Stinger GT, the cost is a little steep for me. Perhaps the problem with sales are several areas such as the sloping rear roofline that restricts taller occupants. If Kia decided to make the Stinger GT into a true 4 door by removing the hatchback thus enabling the rear roofline to be raise a little. Wish I could get $56,000 so I could purchase one today, a white one with black accents looks fantastic. Law Enforcement Agencies who use the Stinger GT as interceptors are now starting to worry which vehicle will replace the stinger. Some Australia states use BMW’s but these have a hefty price tag even before all the Police gear gets installed into the vehicles, looking at $200,000 per unit….too expensive.
Great car when it debuted, upscaled Kia brand to a different level. At this point, the platform is getting old and falling behind european segment competition. Although, current updates have kept the car true to its identity, fan base would love to see a totally redesign new stinger for the next generation. It’s gonna be a shame for Kia not to keep producing this particular model if they want to keep their position as a leader emerging brand