BEAR-AvHistory

Not an MB fan but the 45 is a hot performer. That said I would think the basic CLA is soaking up a chunk of sales that used to go to the TL/TLX. Pretentious it is but the higher level MB's cache' does trickle down & its still an MB. BMW sells a lot of 320's on the same basis. For Acura the TLX is effectively the top of the line & has to stand on its own.

I think this was to be expected when the big 3 Germans started to put out cars in the $35K range into the USA market. Thing to remember or think about is in the home market all the German product lines go down into the sub 2.0L's due to the European car tax structure being based on big ramps up on anything over 2.0. Thousands of mid level company cars are in the 1.5L/1.8L range over there.

All they had to do was get EPA certification on existing product, no big investment to get into the USA market. Smart marketing move.

nore03

Had that happen to me when I went through a security check point. Guard went on his walkie talkie and said "The Kia is good to go through". I stopped and said "wait what??? Where do you see a Kia?" He looked again and apologized and said "I thought it was a Kia from the side man, sorry."

reddogTL

Even after owning my TLX for 2 and a half years now, I myself mistake Optima's and TLX on the highway from a distance. The rear and 3/4 views are REMARKABLY similar from a distance. There have been times I would have bet money that it was a TLX and just because I THOUGHT it was a TLX, I'd try to catch up to them just to realize it was an Optima. I only have this issue with the Black and White colors, all other colors I can tell what they are from a distance. Its something about the styling I guess.

The refreshed 2018 models I dont have this issue with though. Ever since they put exhaust tips back on and changed the rear bumper, Ive yet to mistake one on the road for a Kia.

BEAR-AvHistory

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2018 Kia Stinger GT 3.3T RWD One Week Review | Automobile Magazine