I cannot (and probably will not) warm up to the Stinger.

"DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke)
09/26/2017 at 10:59 • Filed to: None

When the Stinger was revealed, I took to Oppo and made jokes that it looked like a warmed over Jag XFR-S. Those were mostly to be read in jest, as it obviously doesn’t look like such, but that still hasn’t changed the fact that I just do not like the way this thing looks. It’s too busy, almost gaudy, with too much going on in some areas and not nearly enough in others.

First off, those big front vents in the front seriously need to be toned down. One of the issues I have with this thing is that it looks like they designed a performance variant and that’s it (which, albeit, does make sense considering it’s a Stinger GT), and it feels just too loud and garish for no reason. It completely messes up the flow for me.

Coming around to the side and rear are where my biggest issues lie. That fender vent up there? That has to go. It’s ugly, it’s tacky, and it just does not fit on this car. When I saw it first, I thought, “afterthought,” and even if it isn’t, it could have been integrated better. The d-pillar(?) also feels too fat, and I don’t like that line tracing down it either, which feels like it cuts the entire thing in half.

Every time I see this car, however, I’m always drawn to one thing: that fucking tail light accent in the rear fenders. That is absurd, to say the least. It doesn’t flow into anything, it actually cuts off the body line, and looks like design flair for the sake of design flair. I used to dislike the tail lights themselves, I called them a Charger rip-off, but I suppose they’re alright, apart from that god-awful extra line.

The sad part is that through all of this, this thing has a really nice interior that looks like a swell place to be. I just would hate to get out of it, look back as I walk away, and see that.

I’m trying my hardest to deconstruct this thing and find something I like about it. It’s just proving to be impossible. It’s a shame, because I’m sure it’s brilliant to drive and beautifully spec’d. I want to like it. I just cannot.

DISCUSSION (47)

Nisman > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:02

I’m with you. The shape of the car is great, and I like the idea of it a lot but it’s horrendously over and understyled somehow at the same time.

For Sweden > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:03

But it is a Good Car

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:06

I need to see one in black. Black or dark cars have a way of toning down some of the things you take issue with. So far I can only find a white ones and red ones, which both seem to highlight all the vents and spoilers and details.

thebigbossyboss > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:07

My main issue is that it’s a Kia.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
09/26/2017 at 11:10

Kinja has fucked me twice with this comment.

I saw one last night in yellow, and it looked even worse.

TheHondaBro > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:10

So this is your favorite design then:

Kinja'd!!!

fintail > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:10

I think it isn’t differentiated enough style-wise from an Optima (prior)- to the point where I wonder if it shares any metal or glass parts.

It is just a little busy, too. I suspect we are now at roughly peak styling, and things will be toned down in another decade. This took some time to work up to.

Jayhawk Jake > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:11

I feel like all the details you’re suggesting Kia remove would just result in the blandest hunk of boring metal the world has ever seen with massive swaths of empty flat bodywork.

itschrome > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:13

I dunno. I normally shy away from the garish over the top performance mided bodied cars, but I like this. Not in red, hell no. But I’m definitely like, I wonder how the AWD version will be and can I work it in my budget?

Oh god, I want a kia.... fuck me..

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > TheHondaBro
09/26/2017 at 11:15

On the contrary. Here are some of my favorites.

Kinja'd!!!

I just like smooth, less complicated designs.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Jayhawk Jake
09/26/2017 at 11:20

I’m not asking for huge sheets of flat metal.

Kinja'd!!!

Jaguar manages to make it work without going overboard, why can’t Kia?

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
09/26/2017 at 11:22

I think blue looks the best of what I’ve seen so far...I would like to see a black one though

Kinja'd!!!

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:22

Yikes. Yellow would not be good. I’m really hoping black tones it all down a bit.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/26/2017 at 11:23

Yeah, I think black is the only color that has a shot making some of the more garish details stand out less. But damn, that chrome vent on the front quarter panel, ick!

AestheticsInMotion > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:25

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:25

You’re welcome.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
09/26/2017 at 11:28

I don’t think that vent is that bad...it could have been done better though. I hope it’s functional and not decorative. If it’s decorative they should have just left it out.

HammerheadFistpunch > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:29

I don’t disagree with any of this. I don’t think its a particularly well proportioned or attractive car. That being said I don’t really care what people buy and what they think looks great.

Chariotoflove > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:29

I agree it has some busy-ness going on. However, those vents in the front and at the wheels are functional (but the hood ones aren’t).

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:29

I’ve seen one at a Kia dealer - red on red - and it’s beautiful to me.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/26/2017 at 11:30

Yeah and overall the side profile like you posted above doesn’t bother me, it’s the front where I agree Daft that it’s just too much.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > AestheticsInMotion
09/26/2017 at 11:31

If you actually think the Stinger looks better than that Jag I don’t know what to make of you.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:38

It looks like they’re trying to make an A7. Which is terrible because the A7 is a hideous car.

Jayhawk Jake > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:41

I would argue that the Jag taillights are far worse than the Kias, and the fake vent on the fender is a worse offender than Kia’s because it’s bland. The Jag looks huge because there’s so little going on.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
09/26/2017 at 11:42

I disagree, I like the A7.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Jayhawk Jake
09/26/2017 at 11:45

The Jag looks huge because there’s so little going on.

Well, it is the largest one in the lineup.

But I disagree, the vent on the Jag is a little more restricted and flows with the way the eye trails from front to back, it’s more coherent. I like the tail lights, but I can see why some might dislike them, so you can probably use the XF as a better example.

gettingoldercarguy > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:49

I don’t mind it, but can see how it’ll turn off some. I get a hearty chuckle out of the last part of your name, “Aztek Appreciator” when commenting on pre design language.

spanfucker retire bitch > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
09/26/2017 at 11:50

You’re a hideous car!

AestheticsInMotion > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:52

I don’t know if I’d say that.... But I can’t the styling on that jag. Taillights, the roof, the chrome side thing... Yuck

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 11:53

It’s the car for when you want an A8 but can’t afford one.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > spanfucker retire bitch
09/26/2017 at 11:54

I mean yeah. I’m not a car.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > gettingoldercarguy
09/26/2017 at 11:54

I like a thick slice of irony with my morning posts.

gettingoldercarguy > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
09/26/2017 at 11:56

https://www.kia.com/us/en/content/vehicles/upcoming-vehicles/2018-stinger . Couple pics in Black. Looks good.

awmaster10 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 12:18

I’m not super into the stinger but the jag is just weirdly proportioned to me. Whale like is an understatement, especially the rear.

Vítor > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/26/2017 at 12:22

It’s functional, according to the Motor Trend video. The ones in the hood are just for show, however

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > gettingoldercarguy
09/26/2017 at 12:31

Thanks! Yes it does.

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 12:55

The 2.0T has a toned down front

Kinja'd!!!

My bird IS the word > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 12:57

Looks, ehhhhhh I feel ya. But Kia is making an honest to god sports sedan! Kia! This is a Good Thing!(tm)

I am mainly excited because kia, purveyor of mediocrity and good warranties, has realized the necessity of fun and performance as a way to drive brand equity. It’s something honda and mitsubishi forgot, and toyota is slowly forgetting. Regardless of your like for the actual car, you should like the stinger because it shows a major player making a shift in a positive direction for us enthusiasts.

Chinny Raccoon > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough
09/26/2017 at 13:25

The real world photos make it look worse. It looks like the lights have been taken from another car.

Textured Soy Protein > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 13:50

“This car looks like this other car but I’m not going to post a picture of the other car.”

Kinja'd!!!

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Textured Soy Protein
09/26/2017 at 14:01

Already did that on the old post I’m just too lazy to find it

Saracen > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
09/26/2017 at 19:27

Two things.

- A7 is beautiful

- It’s the car for when you want an A6 Avant but Audi USA won’t fucking sell it to you.

Saracen > Jayhawk Jake
09/26/2017 at 19:28

The Jag looks huge because it’s HUGE.

Saracen > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/26/2017 at 19:29

Agreed. Great interior, exterior has an overall nice shape, but the details are a mess of fiddly bits.

And those taillight extensions. Gag.

Nauraushaun > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
10/01/2017 at 03:33

Do you feel this way about all the other cars these days? With 3 or 4 character lines on the side of the car?

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Nauraushaun
10/01/2017 at 11:07

Depends on the car in question. Some do it better than others.

Nauraushaun > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
10/01/2017 at 17:10

It’s true. In this case I find the relatively flat side refreshing. Compared to the random swoops we’ve been getting in car doors lately

Kinja'd!!!