Exclusive: Kia Has No Plans To Kill The Stinger

TheKia Stingerhas been one of our favorite sedans ever since it launched for the 2018 model year. The rear- or all-wheel-drive fastback sedan's 2021 update brought a minor nip/tuck front and rear and the new GT-Line trim with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine totaling 300 horsepower on tap. Of course, we're partial to the Stinger GT and its 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 with 368 hp.

Like most mainstream sedans these days, the Stinger does not sell in huge numbers. It never has. And every few months another rumor orvague reportcomes along claiming theStinger is on borrowed time(or mightlive on as an EV coupe) and could be gone following the 2022 or 2023 model years.

That won't be happening. Kia's VP of marketing for the US, Russell Wager, confirmed toCarBuzzat this year's LA Auto Show that "we're very happy with the Stinger's sales. It's not going anywhere. It's doing exactly what we want it to be doing and we see no reason for anything to change."

Pressed further about a potential discontinuation date, Wager refused to delve into specific details but wants potential customers to know they can "rest assured" there's no reason to panic. This does not mean the Stinger is guaranteed to see a second generation, but at least it's safe for the foreseeable future.