Kia has once again shattered its sales record in the United States, selling over 796,000 vehicles and setting a new benchmark for the second year in a row.
Substantial SUV and electric vehicle (EV) sales growth drove the automaker’s success. The following six models set new sales records in their respective classes, showcasing Kia’s robust product lineup: the EV9, Sportage, Carnival, K4 (formerly Forte), EV6, and Telluride.
EV sales skyrocketed by 74% compared to the previous year, while SUVs accounted for 76% of total sales, an 8% increase. Despite this impressive performance, one model remains special in enthusiasts’ hearts: the Stinger sports sedan.
Is a Stinger Comeback on the Horizon?
The Stinger’s legacy has left a lasting impression on car enthusiasts, and many are eager to see the model make a return. Digital automotive creators have taken to their platforms, sharing rendered images and speculating on the design of a potential new Stinger sports sedan. Dimas Ramadhan, the creative mind behind the YouTube channel Digimods DESIGN, unveiled his “Stinger Revival Project,” which imagines a modern reworking of the beloved sedan using Kia’s latest design language, as seen in models like the K4, Sportage, Sorento, and Carnival.
The project features bold front and rear updates and a side profile that aligns with Kia’s current family look. Despite being discontinued, the Stinger remains highly sought after in the used car market, maintaining its popularity among automotive enthusiasts. This has sparked a debate: should the Stinger make a comeback, or is it best to keep it as a cherished part of Kia’s history?
Could Kia Be Considering an Electrified Stinger?
Recent reports suggest that Kia is considering an electrified version of the Stinger. As the company accelerates its EV lineup expansion, there is speculation that the Stinger could reemerge as an EV.
Given the current market trends favoring SUVs and EVs, the sports sedan could return to an EV format.
Kia’s U.S. division reported record-breaking January sales last month, continuing its upward trajectory. Sales increased by 12% compared to the previous year’s period, with the K4 sedan surprisingly outperforming SUV models as the best-seller.
The K4 narrowly edged out the Sportage, selling 11,616 units compared to the SUV’s 11,357. This performance demonstrates Kia’s continued competitiveness in the sedan and SUV segments.
As Kia continues to succeed in the U.S. market, industry watchers are keenly awaiting any surprise announcements about the potential revival of the Stinger.
