2017 Kia Stinger V6 pricing confirmed

Kia Australia has revealed pricing for V6 variants of its Stinger liftback due in October, with the three-tier, high-performance line-up to start from $48,990 before on-road costs for the S model grade.

The mid-spec variant – dubbed Si – will cost $55,990, while the range-topping GT is set to command a $59,990 asking price, but should come loaded with all the bells and whistles.

Kia claims "the Stinger brings the style, the refinement and the power usually available only to owners with substantially deeper pockets".

Comparatively, the outgoing V8-powered Holden Commodore checks in at $47,490 in base SS form and $54,990 in top-spec SS-V Redline guise.

Hence, the V6 Stinger is a more expensive proposition than the home-grown bruiser, with an entry-level cost $1500 dearer, and a flagship model grade that charges a $5000 premium over its Holden competitor.

However, full specification details for the Stinger have not been released yet, meaning a fair comparison between it and the bent-eight Commodore will have to wait.

Prices for four-cylinder Stinger variants are yet to be finalised, but the Korean carmaker's local arm promises they will be released as soon as possible.

Four-cylinder variants will be motivated by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit that produces 190kW/353Nm, while European markets will also have access to diesel powerplants.

All Australian model grades will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which puts power down to the ground via a rear-wheel drive set-up.

According to Kia Motors Australia chief operating officer Damien Meredith, sharp pricing will be key if the Stinger is to become a local sales success for the company.

"It was critical for us to bring this car to as wide an audience as possible… something I believe we have achieved with the pricing we have been able to settle on," he said.

"From the outset, it was a goal to get a bi-turbo V6 into the market under $50,000. We have done that with room to spare."

A "substantial number" of Aussie customers have already put down deposits for the Stinger without knowing its final asking price, with this factoring into Kia's decision to release pricing ahead of the new model's official launch.

"Almost all of the confirmed orders are for the 3.3-litre (V6), so it makes sense to provide those customers with as much clarity as we can while they wait to take possession of their new cars," Mr Meredith said.

Further details on the local Kia Stinger range – including full specification – are likely to release at its national launch in October.

Has Kia priced the Stinger sharply enough to make it a contender for high-performance buyers? Tell us what you think in the comments below.