Kia’s made a lot of interesting cars over the years, though it’s not the first brand that comes to mind when it comes to driving fun. The only car from the brand I’d consider owning right now is the EV6 GT, a sporty version of its electric crossover that actually handles wonderfully. And as of last year’s facelift, it even includes simulated gearshifts (a must-have for any performance-minded EV, in my mind).
I’d argue that the only fun gas-powered car built by Kia was the Stinger, a sleek, front-engine, rear-drive sedan that handled far better than anyone expected—including myself. That car was eventually discontinued in 2023, and now, it seems like Kia might finally be readying its replacement.
The company released a short teaser video on its social channels on Wednesday showing off a funky four-door concept. It has a bunch of distinct design cues that suggest it could be an EV.
What’s The Deal Here?
Well, no one outside of Kia actually knows yet. The company hasn’t said anything about this concept, so it’s unclear if this is a replacement for the Stinger or something totally different. It’s not even confirmed whether it’s actually an EV, though the cab-forward proportions seem to suggest that it will be.
The design itself feels almost Prius-like, at least from the side. The blocky widebody fenders made things more interesting, though, as does the unusual layout of the glass. I’m particularly fond of the side mirror cameras, which are each covered by a light strip that stretches forward onto the hood. It feels like a more streamlined, far less awkward version of Kia’s EV4 sedan.
InsideEVs seems to think it’s the Stinger’s successor, but suspects it won’t use the Stinger name:
Whatever Kia decides to call this new model—EV7 and EV8 are available—this will likely become the Kia equivalent of the Hyundai Ioniq 6. This means it will be built on the more expensive, 800-volt, rear-wheel-drive version of the E-GMP platform, so it will be a drift-ready machine with over 600 horsepower and a simulated combustion powertrain in its top GT trim.
As a reminder, the outgoing gas-powered Stinger made 365 horsepower from its twin-turbo V6. While that isn’t mindblowing, it was plenty to deliver smiles. If this new car is anywhere as fun as the EV6 GT, I’m sure it’ll be a worthy Stinger replacement. But it’ll also mean the Stinger will be solidified in history as the only truly fun gas-powered Kia.
As for when Kia plans to reveal more about this concept, that’s also a mystery right now. The company is planning to show off its long-awaited EV2 at the Brussels Motor Show in January, so this concept might appear alongside that car.
Aren’t You Forgetting Something(s)?
By now, you’re probably ready to scroll down to the comment section to yell at me about the Kia Elan. This was a full-on convertible sports car built by Kia in the 1990s, after all. The great David Tracy even got to see the original prototype in person a few years back. While I’m not arguing this was a fun-to-drive car with a Kia badge, there’s a strong case to be made about it not really being a Kia.
The Kia Elan’s story is a fascinating one. The company wanted to compete with cars like the Mazda MX-5 and the Toyota MR2, but instead of developing a sports car itself, it bought the tooling for the front-drive Elan—codenamed the M100—from Lotus after that car was discontinued in 1995. Kia added its own naturally aspirated engine to replace the turbocharged unit and changed some lighting, but didn’t do much else. To me, it’s still very much a Lotus, not a true Kia.
Honestly, a better argument for another fun gas-powered Kia might be the company’s supped-up, Euro-market Pro Cee’d GT hatch from the 2010s. Publications described that car as more of a “warm” hatchback than a true “hot” hatch that could compete with the likes of the Golf GTI or Focus ST, though, so that might not hold much water, either. Plus, like the Elan, it was never sold in America. As far as this market is concerned, the Stinger is the only truly exciting gas-powered Kia—and it might stay that way forever.
Top graphic image: Kia
You guys know the Kia Elan existed?
I feel like the Forte5 SX, while not at Stinger levels, would qualify, or at least come close. 200hp turbo hatchback seems at least like a fun car on paper, and I liked mine.
I liked the stinger. All I ever saw online were comments about people wanting to look at getting one when they were used which ment not that many were sold new.
Wasn’t the Forte GT also reasonably decent?
Some of it is also personal preference, David Tracy would probably have a lot of fun with the KM450
It’s certainly not a Civic SI or Jetta GLI but it’s a peppy little car with a DCT that offered a manual until fairly recently
What’s your definition of fun? Gobs of horsepowe? An older manual transmission Kia Soul is plenty fun to drive.
What’s your definition of fun? Gobs of horsepowe? An older manual transmission Kia Soul is plenty fun to drive.
Jesus this thing is absolutely hideous. I get that the Korean manufacturers rely on a “more is more” design approach to make their vehicles stand out in crowded segments, and if sales are any indicator it seems to be working…but this design is just ridiculously busy even by their standards and it’s giving “Cybertruck but make it a liftback sedan” vibes.
Anyway it’s almost assuredly an EV. I don’t see how they could make this design functional with an ICE powertrain and if they want to sell cars outside of the US electrification is going to be a better bet. Here in yee haw land we have an insatiable thirst for gas but the majority of the first world is quickly moving away from it.
They will sell maybe 3 of them here, but globally and in Europe in particular this could do well. There aren’t very many EV sedans outside of Tesla and luxury manufacturers, and given how much Elon has done to ruin Tesla’s reputation a Model 3 alternative just might sell pretty well.
If Kia doesn’t name this car Stinger 2: Electric Boogaloo, then what are we even doing?
The Festiva? Don’t forget that one’s a Kia too
Australia got the Rio Sports Pac, which sadly ddidn’t make it over here 🙁
It’s a Ford. It’s a Festiva.
Rent free in my head for decades.
I think the assumption that new ICE cars, including fun ones, won’t be developed anymore is highly dubious.
If this sells poorly, it’s certainly plausible that Kia could bring back ICE power for a subsequent generation.
I think Kia will develop and sell more ICE cars in the USA (for one reason or another), but I don’t think they will be “fun” cars like the Stinger. I think the market is too small and it’s a shock to me that they made Stinger at all.
I think the average buyer in the coming years will not care about gas vs electric. Since the majority of people are deathly allergic to inconvenience, the will inevitably pick whichever makes their life easier.
Right now, charging infrastructure is pretty lousy outside of large cities. However, as that changes, so will buying habits.
I would be really surprised if we saw a return to ICE in the era of electrics. Besides, the manufacturers can charge more for an electric and brand it as some sort of premium feature. Clearly, that’s what they do anyway, this is just another excuse to go harder.
Once insurance companies are gently persuaded by outside forces that gas cars are a higher liability, they’ll raise rates on ICE powered cars accordingly. Win-win for them, they can charge more and their automaker buddies can charge more. The hell with the customer, they can suck it. They can all drive anonymous software-controlled CUV blobs that present as rugged, and can be monitored and controlled by the manufacturer, while they sell the data off to any 3rd party with two nickles to rub together.
I think hybrids need to have their day as the majority of new car sales before we see EVs begin to move the needle significantly more than they are now.
I think where we are going to differ is I don’t see there being an “era of electrics” for decades, barring a major breakthrough in battery technology.
I mean within the next decade there’s a very real chance that the only places new ICE vehicles will be sold as personal transportation (commercial applications are a different story) will be the US and the developing world. A lot of the early adopter concerns for EVs are rapidly being addressed and a lot of the second generation EVs that are set to come out soon (the iX3, Rivian R2, Toyota’s new and improved BX/CHR, etc) just won’t come with the same concerns the early ones did. The rest of the world is moving towards large scale adoption quite rapidly.
Do I think American manufacturers will still be shoving V8s in cars until the heat death of the universe? Almost certainly, but when it comes to companies with bigger international footprints like Hyundai/Kia we’re nearing the inflection point for a lot of this stuff, and it’s no longer going to be a wise financial decision to develop big, loud, inefficient ICE vehicles for a singular market.
Hell the Koreans have basically stopped new ICE development entirely and they’re still absolutely printing money right now.
This may be a controversial take, but I feel like Hyundai/Kia is starting to lose the plot a little bit with their hybrids and EVs. They’re falling into the same “ballistic performance at all costs” trap that so many before them have.
There’s room in their lineup for a Prius competitor and this design language would work well for that kind of a car, IMO – give it a sportier version if you want, but the actual market for 12,000 horsepower RWD EVs has got to be microscopically small.
I’ve got a ‘19 Stinger, and even though I bought it new, I still love it. Putting it in sport mode really livens things up. The only thing I don’t like is that it’s an auto. There was a Genesis version with a stick, but that was unobtainium.