One Week Drive: Kia K900

Kinja'd!!! "Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom" (will-alib)
09/11/2015 at 17:05 • Filed to: K900, Kia, Will Alibrandi, reviews

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Kia’s K900 represents the company’s move into the full-size luxury segment. The car shares a chassis and powertrain with Hyundai’s Equus, but that’s pretty much where the resemblance ends. One similarity is that neither car is selling particularly well - the Equus is outselling the K900, which moved just over 1,000 cars in its first 6 months. At issue is brand perception; Kia built its reputation on building economy cars so few consider it when shopping for a lux sedan.

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The Premium edition starts with an MSRP of $54,500 while the Luxury edition tested begins at $59,500. Kia’s VIP package added another $6,000 to the test car for a total MSRP of $66,400. That’s a lot of cheese, and that price segment is a busy one with lots of choices from established luxury automakers. Based on size and content, the K900 competes with Lexus’ LS starting at $72,520, BMW’s 7-series starting at $74k and Audi’s A8 at $77,400. (Dare I include the $94k S-Class?) Viewed through this metric, it is competitive but the sales numbers tell another story.

The best comparison may be to the Lexus LS. The K900 has the same quiet, floaty ride as the Lexus but with a boost in horsepower and just as heavy on the gadgets. Now that the LS is priced comparably to the Europeans, the Kia undercuts the Lexus by $18k for the base car. If Lincoln’s Town Car were still in production, the Kia might be an up-sell as the loaded Signature Edition topped out a few thousand below the K900’s base.

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The rear seat armrest controls power seat functions as well as heat, A/C, sunshade and audio system.

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The K900 has a comfortable cockpit, with all the electronic gizmos seen in more expensive cars. The driver’s LCD display can be configured several different ways, as the gauges are virtual. On the road wind noise is almost non-existent and the suspension soaks up bumps with aplomb. The ride is floaty and reminiscent of American luxury cars of the past. Pitching the car into a corner with anything resembling aggression results in a fair amount of body roll, but that’s not this car’s forte.

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Power comes from the 5 liter V8, rated at 420hp and 376lb-ft channeled to the rear wheels through a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic. This combination motivates the 4,254lb car from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. (Edmunds’ data) EPA rating is 15 city, 23 highway with 18mpg combined.

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Kia’s adaptive LED headlights: the outer cluster moves with the front wheels to better illuminate corners.

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The running lights have a TRON-like appearance. That alone earns cool points.

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The K900 is an impressive reach for Kia, and proof that the automaker can build a competitive luxury car. However it is still hampered by a negative association with a brand too closely associated with inexpensive compacts. Depreciation being what it is, it’s probably a safe bet that one of these could be bought in three years for 50% of its original MSRP which would be quite a deal for a used full-sized luxury car.


DISCUSSION (13)


Kinja'd!!! sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
01/23/2015 at 17:24

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I still prefer the Equus, but both cars are proof that people everywhere, here included, need to stop saying there's no such thing as a Korean luxury car and take these things seriously.


Kinja'd!!! If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
01/23/2015 at 17:35

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I think that interior is just way too shiny.


Kinja'd!!! E. Julius > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
01/23/2015 at 17:51

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I like the idea of this car, and I'm all for challenging established brands, but this steering wheel is rubbish. Looks like 90s Pontiac with more buttons to me.


Kinja'd!!! SlickMcRick > E. Julius
01/23/2015 at 18:10

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Thought it was just me that felt that way about the steering wheel


Kinja'd!!! SlickMcRick > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
01/23/2015 at 18:12

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Same here. I feel the Equus has a touch more class. At the rate they're selling they'll be in a Jalop budget in no time. They get no love like the Phaeton.


Kinja'd!!! sm70- why not Duesenberg? > SlickMcRick
01/23/2015 at 18:19

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That's because some people who claim to know all about cars still judge the Koreans based on what they made 15 years ago.


Kinja'd!!! 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
01/23/2015 at 18:29

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I rode in this car while on a test drive. It's amazing! You already went over the main points so I won't really explain, but this car is so nice and under rated. For what it is, very well priced to. My mom went from a 2012 Kia Optima SX to a Cadenza and it was quite a step up. I didn't think it would get to much better but the K900 wowed me. I was really impressed.


Kinja'd!!! Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > E. Julius
01/23/2015 at 18:47

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Yeah, they def could have done a better job with the wheel imho.


Kinja'd!!! Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
01/23/2015 at 18:48

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Maybe. They did go all in with the piano black, similar to some Jaguars I've seen.


Kinja'd!!! Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
01/23/2015 at 19:08

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Me too. While the content of both cars is pretty similar, I like the shape of the Hyundai better. Both cars will be exc values when they're 3 years old.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/ice-is-not-my-…


Kinja'd!!! BJ > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
01/23/2015 at 19:25

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Cons: Steering wheel from the 1990s and fake fender vents that are trying too hard.

Pros: from what I've heard, most everything else, including a very attractive price for those who are buying in this segment.

I wonder if they wouldn't be better off building positive brand recognition and momentum for their luxury cars in emerging markets instead?


Kinja'd!!! coelacanthist > E. Julius
01/23/2015 at 19:31

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They should really use a more classed up emblem on something like this. Nobody wants to see that on their 66 thousand dollar car.


Kinja'd!!! Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > BJ
01/23/2015 at 22:22

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Back in 1990 most folks thought nobody in their right mind would pay 40k for a fancy Toyota. Lexus proved them wrong.