2021 Kia Stinger refresh: changes and photos

[SKStinger]

It might not be typical but still happen often especially since car manufacturers extend their model to 6-8 years.
Stinger competitor recent examples:

BMW 3 series F30 335I (N55 engine) become a 340I (B58 engine) at the mid cycle refresh
Audi S5 B9 moved from 4.2L V8 to 3.0 V6 supercharged in 2013 during a mid cycle refresh


There is still hope but we should see in a few months from now.

You're right about the timing and the engine change but it was the B8.5 S5. The B9 is the current generation.

 

[Jayphil]

You're right about the timing and the engine change but it was the B8.5 S5. The B9 is the current generation.

Correct, typed too fast it was the B8 / B8.5. The B9 refresh coming next year is keeping the same new 3.0T engine.

 

[ecko04]

A handful of examples further proves the point that it’s not typical.

It’s also not going to happen with the Stinger, but there will be calibration updates to bring more power.

 

[SKStinger]

Correct, typed too fast it was the B8 / B8.5. The B9 refresh coming next year is keeping the same new 3.0T engine.

Off topic but I hope they clean-up the front end with the B9 refresh. I had a B8 A5 and I really liked the styling. The B8.5 refresh was ok but the B9 just looks weird to me. The ripples in the hood and the strange lower diffuser/fog light area looks out of place. I'm not holding out a lot of hope though because the new A4 looks horrific.

The wonky exterior styling of the B9 and the price is what drove me to the Stinger.

 

[YEH]

Mid cycle refreshes don’t typically get new engines. I wouldn’t expect to see the 3.5TT in the 1st generation Stinger. If there’s a 2nd generation then I’d expect to see a change.

Actually, it's fairly common.

Automakers typically either do it when the next gen model is launched or for the MCE - depending when the new engines are ready and the life-cycle timelines of particular models/nameplates.

For instance, the latest G80 gets the new engines as a new model, but the G70 is only due for a refresh (it's also a way for automakers to inject new life into a model that is aging).

Hyundai/Genesis has upgraded engines in the past (4.6L V8 to the 5.0L and adding the 3.3TT V6) within the same life-cycle.

 

[Pnbnationsbest]

I need those wheels!

 

[Waynerm002]

Maybe regular family cars don’t get new engines during the face lift cycle however, it’s done often enough across the industry to ensure products are not lagging behind the competition. It might be a tune for more power or better economy but it is done q lot more than we think. The Germans do this a lot in their 7 year life cycle. The Stinger will get the 2.5T and the 3.5T to help them improve the economy and decrease the number of vehicles they will have to fix with engine issue due to carbon build up. The 2.0T is shared across Korean brands and has it’s own set of issues, so they will be happy to retire that one.

 

[ecko04]

I agree. The Stinger will get the 2.5T and the 3.5TT, just not for the mid cycle refresh. If there’s a 2nd generation they will there, but from where I sit, there won’t likely be a 2nd generation.

I certainly hope I’m wrong, but I doubt it.

 

[Sabs]

These new photos show updated side mirrors. Looks very likely it will get the blind spot cameras (displayed in the gauge cluster after activating a turn signal) as the Telluride SX has.

This is another test mule with mesh in the hood's camouflage. Seems there's a good chance the hood vents will be functional. The fake vents were a complaint many reviewers had.

 

[Jayphil]

This is what I would like to see for the refreshed Stinger:

• Upgrated 2.5T instead of 2.0t this 2.0t need to go since it is under performing (acceleration / fuel economy). The base Stinger model should be maximum a mid 14s 1/4 mile car.
• Power bump on 3.3T or new 3.5T (3.3T is already a good engine but fuel economy could be better and hate to worry about carbon build-up)
• More consistant stock performance across model of the same engine (Shift by wire or not, AWD / RWD). Variance form 12.6 to 13.2 is not acceptable. Usually for Germans AWD version is slightly faster or equal in 1/4 mile but trap speed is a bit lower vs RWD.
• Manuel gate / possibility to change gears with shifter even in the Shift by wire cars (no override in sport)
• Upgraded transmission shift logic (sport+ mode with faster shifting, slightly more aggressive launch control)
• Sportier valved Exhaust
• Hood vent functional or removed
• Sportier and more luxury look seats
• Improved rear suspension tuning
• Addition of LFA (Lane follow assist) on top of LKA
• Digital Cluster with Blind spot monitor from 360 mirror Camera
• Upgraded Steering Wheel (especially the airbag cover need to be more soft / Matte finish)
• 10.25 Infotainment screen
• Door unlock without pressing a button
• Keyless / lighted rear door handles
• Rear seats more toe room
• Front parking sensor for us Canadian

already impressive what they have achieve with a first generation car.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

oh the blind spot cameras will be AWESOME... I hate it when people point the side mirrors behind the car, duplicating the rearview mirror's view and leaving the blind spots blind. If these could become standard equipment on all vehicles it would be a godsend.

 

[343BlueR32]

So far I'll keep mine. Hope that new infotainment screen will be a drop in to ours though. That's the only thing id like out of the 2021 so far.

 

[YEH]

AutoDaum (Korean source) is confirming the 3.5TT engine upgrade (didn't make sense for them not to do it), at least for LHD markets.

The new rims look better as well.

 

[Sabs]

AutoDaum (Korean source) is confirming the 3.5TT engine upgrade

Not sure why they used the word "confirmed" other than clickbait. The source article doesn't confirm anything. The 3.5L isn't confirmed until Kia says it's happening. I do still think there's a good chance of the 3.5L happening, but so far there aren't even any spy shots of it in the Stinger.

 

[YEH]

^ So they just stated it based on nothing of substance? (Doesn't need affirmation from Kia for it to be "confirmed", but there should be a spy shot or something).

 

[Sabs]

^ So they just stated it based on nothing of substance? (Doesn't need affirmation from Kia for it to be "confirmed", but there should be a spy shot or something).

Yep, the translated source article has nothing of substance. Just statements without a source as we keep seeing from different blogs.

IMO spy shots of a test vehicle with the 3.5L would make the engine's inclusion a near-certainty, but not confirm it. We've seen some testers with new wheels, blind spot cameras in the mirrors, etc. but that just means they're being tested. Kia will likely go ahead with those features if they pass. If problems arise, they could pull certain options. Or, as another example, if everyone hated the wheels seen in the spy shots and raised a big stink on social media, Kia could opt to go back to the original wheels before finalizing the new model.

 

[143GovernaleBobo]

Those wheels are pretty ugly. But who the hell leaves stock wheels on a car anyway?

 

[YEH]

IMO spy shots of a test vehicle with the 3.5L would make the engine's inclusion a near-certainty, but not confirm it.

So basically nothing new...

Sometimes there are prototypes testing w/ the engine marked.

Anyhow, as had stated earlier that if Kia does discontinue the Stinger after this gen, that they may very well replace w/ another model - most likely a sport CUV thing.

Wasn't thinking of the production version of the Imagine concept (the design threw me off - not appealing), but it could very well be that (would rather it be a diff. design/model if they don't go ahead and make significant changes to the concept).

Brit pub, AE, is reporting that it will get the same 800-volt technology as the Porsche Taycan.

The Kia is also plotting a hot version of the EV, which is set to rival the Taycan on a performance level. Kia Motors Europe COO Emilio Herrera told Auto Express: “We will have in the new EV a high performance vehicle like an e-GT.” This model will deliver Taycan-rivaling pace with a 0-62mph time of under 3s targeted, a level of performance that's completely new for the Korean brand.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kia/1...-kia-suv-offer-porsche-taycan-pace-0-62mph-3s


May not appeal to traditionalists, but can't argue w/ that level of performance.

 

[Waynerm002]

The Stinger's front end is pretty unique in KIA's lineup in the US, the Ceed and Proceed in Europe gets a similar look, was hoping they would have gone a similar route for the Optima. I wouldn't mind a Sport Coupe CUV with Stinger like performance. As I get older, it's nice to slide into a seat instead of dropping into one. lol!

 

[YEH]

A possible reason why we haven't heard/seen an upgrade for the TTV6 for the MCE (like we have for the T4) is that we may be only getting a slight boost in power (via a new exhaust system) w/ the 3.3TT for the time being.

The upgrade to the 3.5TT not happening til a later date; after the Genesis G80 Sport launches w/ reportedly around 420 HP.

Would be quite the performance boost, but likely at the expense of increased fuel efficiency (over the power output of the standard 3.5TT).