Kia is still interested in building a spiritual successor to the Stinger, but the brand says one major obstacle remains: the cost of creating a high-performance electric sedan. While the project has not been confirmed for production, Kia’s design leadership suggests the idea is very much alive.
The original Kia Stinger was one of the boldest cars the brand ever built. It arrived as a rear-wheel-drive, enthusiast-focused sports sedan at a time when many mainstream automakers were moving away from that segment. With available twin-turbocharged V6 power and a long, dramatic profile, it helped reshape perceptions of Kia as a performance-capable brand.
However, the Stinger lasted only one generation and went out of production in 2023. Despite that, Kia does not appear ready to abandon the idea of an emotional, driver-focused sedan. Instead, the company is considering what a new-generation version of that spirit could look like in the electric era.
In an interview with Autocar, Kia design boss Karim Habib said the company still values cars like the Stinger and does not want to give up on that part of its identity. This time, however, Kia’s vision points toward a fully electric performance sedan rather than another combustion-powered model.
Habib described Kia’s Meta Turismo concept as the brand’s idea of a “sports sedan for the gamer generation.” The concept was created to preview how Kia could approach future high-performance, stylish sedans, and it may influence the direction of a potential electric Stinger successor.
The Meta Turismo concept reflects Kia’s interest in building cars that go beyond pure practicality. While the brand sells a large number of SUVs, Kia also appears to understand that some customers still want vehicles with personality, emotion and a more engaging driving experience.
That matters in an industry increasingly focused on crossovers and utility vehicles. A low, dramatic electric sedan would give Kia a chance to offer something more distinctive than another electric SUV, while keeping the emotional character that made the Stinger stand out.
The main reason Kia has not already launched an electric Stinger replacement is cost. According to Habib, building a high-performance battery-electric vehicle at the right price point remains difficult. Performance EVs need powerful motors, advanced batteries and strong thermal management, all of which can make them expensive to develop and sell.
Habib said the project is currently a strategic question rather than a simple design decision. Kia is watching the EV market closely and appears to be waiting for broader acceptance of electric vehicles before committing to this type of model.
Electric powertrains can deliver huge acceleration, but creating an affordable, characterful performance sedan is more complicated than building a quick electric crossover. Kia would need to balance design, range, performance and price carefully if it wants a new Stinger-like EV to reach the right audience.
The challenge is especially important because the original Stinger appealed to buyers who wanted performance without paying premium German-brand prices. An electric successor would likely need a similar value-focused positioning to make sense.
The broader Hyundai-Kia group has already shown growing interest in enthusiast-focused electric vehicles. Hyundai’s N division has earned attention for its performance models, while concepts such as the Hyundai N Vision 74 have shown that the group is willing to explore emotional, design-led performance cars.
Kia’s interest in a new Stinger-style EV fits into that wider direction. The company may be best known today for SUVs, crossovers and practical electric models, but its design leadership clearly sees room for cars that create a stronger emotional connection with drivers.
For now, Kia has not confirmed a production version of an electric Stinger successor. Still, the fact that the brand is openly discussing the idea shows that the project has not been dismissed.
If EV demand continues to grow and the cost of building high-performance electric cars becomes easier to manage, Kia could eventually bring back the Stinger’s spirit in a new form. The next version may not use the Stinger name, but the idea of a fast, stylish and emotional Kia sedan is still on the table.
