2021 Kia Stinger refresh: changes and photos

[norinse]

Actually, it's fairly common.

Automakers typically either do it when the next gen model is launched or for the MCE -

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).
.

The G80 also got a new engine at its mid-cycle refresh; the 3.3T in 2018.

 

[Waynerm002]

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).

Some sites are reporting that the 3.5TT is being tested in the Stinger. I think it would be a good idea to give the 420hp or some more power and torque, to a Stinger, with a tightened up suspension and tuned to compete with the RS5 Sportback.

 

[ecko04]

I know I’m saying some fairly critical things and people don’t want to hear it. They’re shaking their fists furiously at me, but it is what it is.

There’s a lot of money invested in the Genesis brand and it has been a somewhat rocky start. Only Hyundai and KIA know how much the Stinger is cannibalizing the Genesis G70 sales. To further justify the “upmarket” marketability of the G70, it needs to distinguish itself from the Stinger. It’ll get the 3.5TT to accomplish just that. The buying experience and the service experience for Genesis is something that they’re working out to be a key differentiator.

The Stinger will solider on with the 3.3TT. What’s worth mentioning here is that the 3.3TT has been a stout power plant. There aren’t many horror stories about it and I’m sure the internal service records bear this out. There’s something to be said about retaining it a while longer while introducing a new engine in another car.

People are correct to point out that mid-cycle refreshes have gotten newer power plants. I’m also correct in saying it’s still not something that’s frequently done meaning the vast majority of the time it doesn’t happen.

I had a 2011 335i (midcycle refresh) that got the N55 when previous years got the N54. Still that’s a car that if no one bought a single one there would’ve been another 3-series. The Stinger doesn’t live in that space.

While we all want to see the 3.5TT in the current generation Stinger, I just don’t think it’s going to happen. There are too many market forces against that happening with the primary one being the G70.

And yet everything I’m saying is the total opposite of what I submitted for the STINGER IPSOS Market Research Survey that I was invited to complete. But in that survey I can say all the things I love and wish they would do for the Stinger without any regard for the reality of sales.

As someone that changes vehicles often, it says something that I still have my Stinger. My Dad even asked me yesterday, “so what are you driving now?” And was shocked when I told him I still had the Stinger. My wife has the Telluride, my Mom has the G70, and my sister has the Sonata. I’m as invested here as anyone but I can also see the writing on the wall.

For me, the discussion shouldn’t even be about whether the refresh gets a 3.5TT or not, but whether the 2.5T will come to the Stinger for the midcycle and if there will be a 2nd gen.

 

[BlueByYouGT]

Some sites are reporting that the 3.5TT is being tested in the Stinger. I think it would be a good idea to give the 420hp or some more power and torque, to a Stinger, with a tightened up suspension and tuned to compete with the RS5 Sportback.

They're going to need more than 420hp, a new set of wheels, and a larger infotainment screen to compete with the RS5. Kia would be wise to keep their sites set on the S5 with the Stinger.

 

[YEH]

The G80 also got a new engine at its mid-cycle refresh; the 3.3T in 2018.

Yes, and prior to that, the Tau V8 in the Genesis sedan got upgraded from the 4.6L to the 5.0L.

Some sites are reporting that the 3.5TT is being tested in the Stinger. I think it would be a good idea to give the 420hp or some more power and torque, to a Stinger, with a tightened up suspension and tuned to compete with the RS5 Sportback.

But nothing confirmed like what we have seen for the 2.5T (spyshots of the 2.5T testing); but whatever the time-table happens to be, can't but see the 3.5TT eventually making its way into the Stinger (and G70).

There’s a lot of money invested in the Genesis brand and it has been a somewhat rocky start. Only Hyundai and KIA know how much the Stinger is cannibalizing the Genesis G70 sales. To further justify the “upmarket” marketability of the G70, it needs to distinguish itself from the Stinger. It’ll get the 3.5TT to accomplish just that. The buying experience and the service experience for Genesis is something that they’re working out to be a key differentiator.

Don't think the Stinger is cannibalizing G70 too much (probably less than what the 4 Series GC does in relation to the 3 Series).

Generally, people who are looking at 4-door sedans aren't looking for a liftback, plus, the Stinger arrived about a year and half earlier than the G70 for the US market.

If there were no Stinger, would not expect to see G70 sales rise, incorporating what the sales of the Stinger have been.

The major impediment to better G70 sales has been its cramped interior and buyers are just seeking out competitors w/ more room - 3 Series, C Class, A4, Q50, CT5, etc.

The Stinger will solider on with the 3.3TT. What’s worth mentioning here is that the 3.3TT has been a stout power plant. There aren’t many horror stories about it and I’m sure the internal service records bear this out. There’s something to be said about retaining it a while longer while introducing a new engine in another car.

While we all want to see the 3.5TT in the current generation Stinger, I just don’t think it’s going to happen. There are too many market forces against that happening with the primary one being the G70.

While that appears true for RHD markets like Australia, can't see that happening for LHD markets, esp. if Kia wants to keep selling the TTV6 in Europe w/ the upcoming onerous emissions penalties.

The 3.5TT is not only more fuel efficient, it's cleaner.

If the Stinger is indeed getting the 420 HP tuned 3.5TT instead of the lower rated engine, it wouldn't be until after the G80 Sport launches.

 

[turboAWD]

Yes, and prior to that, the Tau V8 in the Genesis sedan got upgraded from the 4.6L to the 5.0L.

...

Don't think the Stinger is cannibalizing G70 too much (probably less than what the 4 Series GC does in relation to the 3 Series).

Generally, people who are looking at 4-door sedans aren't looking for a liftback, plus, the Stinger arrived about a year and half earlier than the G70 for the US market.

If there were no Stinger, would not expect to see G70 sales rise, incorporating what the sales of the Stinger have been.

The major impediment to better G70 sales has been its cramped interior and buyers are just seeking out competitors w/ more room - 3 Series, C Class, A4, Q50, CT5, etc.

Agree with this, more or less. Stinger was *JUST* barely big enough in the back for my kids. G70 wasn't going to cut it. G80 would have worked, but the dash was really bad (way too high, felt like someone stuck extra 3-4 inches of trim on top of the Stinger's dash. Just didn't feel good.

If they release a G80 Sport with more visibility and the 3.5TT - especially in wagon form - I'm all over it.

 

[Waynerm002]

Knowing how the Koreans have been with their interior, I was really surprised to see the G70 have less room than cars it is supposed to compete with. It was the same sort of thing with Lexus with the first IS however, folks were still flocking to that car as it was a good performer. Even up until now, it is still on the small side when compared to the European. I think that is what is affecting the G70 sales. I'm hoping that will do like Volvo did with the S60 and drop in a longer wheelbase version to solve that rear space issue. For those that don't care about the back seat space, they can go with the regular version.

Watching the video of the Stinger at the Ring, it seems to be a similar softer suspension setup as the current car. That Z4 ahead a really tight suspension setup and didn't show much lean compared to the Stinger. While I would like for KIA to make it Sportier, I don't see them doing that. What i find interesting though is that they keep adding more "N" cars but Genesis haven't got any true sporty model in their lineup yet.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

But who the hell leaves stock wheels on a car anyway?

The vast majority of car buyers. I always leave the stock wheels on modern cars. On muscle cars though I replace the steel crap with alloy wheels, originality be damned.

 

[YEH]

Agree with this, more or less. Stinger was *JUST* barely big enough in the back for my kids. G70 wasn't going to cut it. G80 would have worked, but the dash was really bad (way too high, felt like someone stuck extra 3-4 inches of trim on top of the Stinger's dash. Just didn't feel good.

If they release a G80 Sport with more visibility and the 3.5TT - especially in wagon form - I'm all over it.

Like I've been saying, that's the advantage of having a tablet-style nav screen - allows for a lower dash.

If you haven't done so, should check out the dash/interior of the new G80 (both the design and materials are way nicer).

Knowing how the Koreans have been with their interior, I was really surprised to see the G70 have less room than cars it is supposed to compete with. It was the same sort of thing with Lexus with the first IS however, folks were still flocking to that car as it was a good performer. Even up until now, it is still on the small side when compared to the European. I think that is what is affecting the G70 sales. I'm hoping that will do like Volvo did with the S60 and drop in a longer wheelbase version to solve that rear space issue. For those that don't care about the back seat space, they can go with the regular version.

Watching the video of the Stinger at the Ring, it seems to be a similar softer suspension setup as the current car. That Z4 ahead a really tight suspension setup and didn't show much lean compared to the Stinger. While I would like for KIA to make it Sportier, I don't see them doing that. What i find interesting though is that they keep adding more "N" cars but Genesis haven't got any true sporty model in their lineup yet.

Genesis made the same mistake that Cadillac did w/ the ATS and sacrificed interior/trunk space for optimal handling.

WB -
111.6" - G70
114.4" - Stinger
118.5" - G80

The G70 should have kept another inch (even another 1.5") at the WB; but part of the problem is the footwell - there's no space for feet underneath the front seat.

The majority of buyers in the segment would rather have interior/trunk space and sacrifice some of the tossabiity.

It's the same reason why the roomier Infiniti G/Q50 has outsold the IS most of the time despite Lexus being the stronger brand.

Not being able to fit a backwards facing child seat pretty much deletes an entire group of potential buyers (a couple w/ an infant/toddler).

 

[Silvermanor]

I know I’m saying some fairly critical things and people don’t want to hear it. They’re shaking their fists furiously at me, but it is what it is.

There’s a lot of money invested in the Genesis brand and it has been a somewhat rocky start. Only Hyundai and KIA know how much the Stinger is cannibalizing the Genesis G70 sales. To further justify the “upmarket” marketability of the G70, it needs to distinguish itself from the Stinger. It’ll get the 3.5TT to accomplish just that. The buying experience and the service experience for Genesis is something that they’re working out to be a key differentiator.

The Stinger will solider on with the 3.3TT. What’s worth mentioning here is that the 3.3TT has been a stout power plant. There aren’t many horror stories about it and I’m sure the internal service records bear this out. There’s something to be said about retaining it a while longer while introducing a new engine in another car.

People are correct to point out that mid-cycle refreshes have gotten newer power plants. I’m also correct in saying it’s still not something that’s frequently done meaning the vast majority of the time it doesn’t happen.

I had a 2011 335i (midcycle refresh) that got the N55 when previous years got the N54. Still that’s a car that if no one bought a single one there would’ve been another 3-series. The Stinger doesn’t live in that space.

While we all want to see the 3.5TT in the current generation Stinger, I just don’t think it’s going to happen. There are too many market forces against that happening with the primary one being the G70.

And yet everything I’m saying is the total opposite of what I submitted for the STINGER IPSOS Market Research Survey that I was invited to complete. But in that survey I can say all the things I love and wish they would do for the Stinger without any regard for the reality of sales.

As someone that changes vehicles often, it says something that I still have my Stinger. My Dad even asked me yesterday, “so what are you driving now?” And was shocked when I told him I still had the Stinger. My wife has the Telluride, my Mom has the G70, and my sister has the Sonata. I’m as invested here as anyone but I can also see the writing on the wall.

For me, the discussion shouldn’t even be about whether the refresh gets a 3.5TT or not, but whether the 2.5T will come to the Stinger for the midcycle and if there will be a 2nd gen.

What other models does the 3.3L go into? If it's none then it makes zero operational and financial sense to manufacture two separate engines for the Stinger and the G70.

 

[143GovernaleBobo]

What other models does the 3.3L go into? If it's none then it makes zero operational and financial sense to manufacture two separate engines for the Stinger and the G70.

Isn't the 3.3tt the same engine as Hyundai/Kia's naturally aspirated 3.3l (minus the turbos)? If so, the 3.3l is in a lot of different models and has been around for over a decade.

 

[westcoastGT]

Isn't the 3.3tt the same engine as Hyundai/Kia's naturally aspirated 3.3l (minus the turbos)? If so, the 3.3l is in a lot of different models and has been around for over a decade.

I recall a member thinking the same thing but when he went to change the oil on his Stinger found that the engine was quite different to his Sorento with the 3.3l no turbo

 

[ecko04]

What other models does the 3.3L go into? If it's none then it makes zero operational and financial sense to manufacture two separate engines for the Stinger and the G70.

...OK.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

It can make a lot of sense if they've got thousands of engines sitting around in crates, where only a few hundred will be sold as replacement engines or outright as crate engines and they've got to unload the stock, or recycle it all.

 

[brunosquito]

This seems the most definitive answer I’ve seen about the Stinger GT engine.

New 2021 Kia Stinger facelift starts testing at the Nürburgring | Cars News

 

[Chark]

This seems the most definitive answer I’ve seen about the Stinger GT engine.

New 2021 Kia Stinger facelift starts testing at the Nürburgring | Cars News

Europe specific.

 

[brunosquito]

Europe specific.

was it saloon or mule that caught your eye?

 

[brunosquito]

was it saloon or mule that caught your eye?

What else beside that indicates Europe specific?

 

[westcoastGT]

What else beside that indicates Europe specific?

they had me at "bonnet "

 

[brunosquito]

they had me at "bonnet "

when I looked back at it I thought it was the tacky colors haha