HALLOWEEN DEATH WAR! REVIEW: NEW 2021 Kia Stinger vs. The NEW Genesis G70. WHO Get's YOUR Vote?

Given that they are the same car, I'd take the better looking one: Stinger.

Stinger would have been a home run since day one (ala Telluride) if they brains at Hyundai/Kia had priced it just above every other bland sedan from Japan and Korea

Indeed. AND they should have priced and equipped it like a Mustang. The Stinger GT should have been a V8 for $35K.

Tough call. Both very distinctive and attractive designs. I'd have to see them both in the flesh to make a call. Genesis has a more premium brand perception than Kia, which might tip the scales. Sad that the American brands have nothing that competes with either one.

There's zero difference between them in fit, finish, and interior quality. The G70 isn't "more premium" it just wears a wannabe premium brand name. Both can be secured as a deal.

@MDarringer

'The G70 isn't "more premium" it just wears a wannabe premium brand name.'

MDarringer, that's why I wrote "Genesis has a more premium brand perception than Kia". If you're going to quote someone, do it accurately.

It is NOT "a more premium brand perception than Kia" because literally NO ONE sees Genesis other than a pricey Hyundai. THAT is the issues that Hyundai cannot overcome.

@MDarringer

"It is NOT "a more premium brand perception than Kia"

I'm sure you said the same thing about Lexus years ago. Though early in its existence, and currently with low recognition, Genesis is indeed perceived to be more premium than Kia and that gap will widen with new model introductions like the GV80.

Stinger has more room inside and is a hatch, so I'd go with that.

I feel like the difference between the Stinger GT and the G70 is the similar difference between my previous S5 and 435i GC. Like the S5, the Stinger is a quick, solid, good handling car. Its reflexes are good, but not quick and it feels like an American muscle car in ways. Like the 435i GC, the G70 feels lighter on its feet, more playful with quick reflexes and fast.

From a styling perspective, the Stinger looks too close to the Optima, but it gets stares still. The G70 is outright bland and nondescript. The new refresh gives it a pretty attractive nose, but the rest is still forgettable. It's kind of a draw between the two but I'd choose the new G70 because I do love the front-end.

Genesis should let Kia design them. Out of the 3, Kia models are the best looking.
Genesis greenhouses are plain and simple for the price they asking for.

Hyundai/Kia should not have wasted time with Genesis. They should have elevated Kia to the Buick/Acura level of near-premium. At least then there would have been a dealer channel. Then again Hyundai is trying to alienate dealers by demanding rather costly dealer renovations, which--if done--bring the promise of more profits to the dealer based on a sales incentive that only the renovated dealers can have. So you get the incentive not by volume but by renovating your building on your own dime. Hyundai will drive some of its own dealers out of business.

One issue is Kia and Genesis has too many sedans. They act like sedans are in high demand.

I just want to add that the devil is in the details. While Kia, on paper, wants you to think they're premium they are not. On the surface, there are premium elements about them or at least there appear to be. But on the Stinger GT, there are many very non-premiums items: crunchy door handles, poor quality exterior trim, low quality interior trims, economy-car quality switchgear. Overall, it misses on the overall refinement of the Germans when you have to live with it day to day.