2015 Kia K900 First Drive

Edmunds.com

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dfelix70

The positioning of this car (and the Equus) is getting a bit annoying. Saying that it's going head to head with the A8/7/S is such a fallacy. Comparably equipped Germans models will cost plenty more than just $10k or $20k difference. Folks don't buy full-size German cars to have stripped-down versions and they are very unlikely to cross-shop the Koreans. If anything, buyers of the A6/5/E will see the K900 and Equus as comparably-priced, roomier, and better-equipped alternatives. Just because a car is the same size as another and offers similar power, does not necessarily make it an automatic competitor.

dfelix70

The positioning of this car (and the Equus) is getting a bit annoying. Saying that it's going head to head with the A8/7/S is such a fallacy. Comparably equipped Germans models will cost plenty more than just $10k or $20k difference. Folks don't buy full-size German cars to have stripped-down versions and they are very unlikely to cross-shop the Koreans. If anything, buyers of the A6/5/E will see the K900 and Equus as comparably-priced, roomier, and better-equipped alternatives. Just because a car is the same size as another and offers similar power, does not necessarily make it an automatic competitor.

hank39

I like the car except for those gauges and the grill. I'm digging the side mirror turn signals. Another cool idea from the former Audi headlight guru.

hank39

I like the car except for those gauges and the grill. I'm digging the side mirror turn signals. Another cool idea from the former Audi headlight guru.

screwball71

It doesn't have the panache, opulence, pedigree, refinement, build quality, or the right country of origin to even pose the slightest risk to Germans.

I wish someone at Edmunds would answer me back when I ask this question:

Do y'all really believe this car is going to woo anyone from a Sonderklasse or 700 Series buyer? Do you think ANY Lexus LS owner would give up their supremely built Japanese sedan for this thing that is sold right next to a Forte?

All this Equus/Genesis/K900 mumbo jumbo is getting out of hand. Someone needs to remind Kyundai that they are NOT ready for the likes of Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes Benz, or even Volvo.

And anyone who says, OMG I really wanted a S550 but I think I just might settle for this K900, NEVER could really afford a S-Class to begin with. People who buy those kinds of cars AREN'T in the business of SETTLING.

screwball71

It doesn't have the panache, opulence, pedigree, refinement, build quality, or the right country of origin to even pose the slightest risk to Germans.

I wish someone at Edmunds would answer me back when I ask this question:

Do y'all really believe this car is going to woo anyone from a Sonderklasse or 700 Series buyer? Do you think ANY Lexus LS owner would give up their supremely built Japanese sedan for this thing that is sold right next to a Forte?

All this Equus/Genesis/K900 mumbo jumbo is getting out of hand. Someone needs to remind Kyundai that they are NOT ready for the likes of Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes Benz, or even Volvo.

And anyone who says, OMG I really wanted a S550 but I think I just might settle for this K900, NEVER could really afford a S-Class to begin with. People who buy those kinds of cars AREN'T in the business of SETTLING.

screwball71

But here is a good comment. This car does have the best looking interior doors, I've seen in a long long time. Probably since the 3G TL. I hate nice cars that have ugly door designs. Call me weird, but hey it's true.

screwball71

But here is a good comment. This car does have the best looking interior doors, I've seen in a long long time. Probably since the 3G TL. I hate nice cars that have ugly door designs. Call me weird, but hey it's true.

desmolicious

VW's badge has more panache than Kia's. And they couldn't sell the Phaeton. But I'm sure something called the canine hundred will sell just great.

desmolicious

VW's badge has more panache than Kia's. And they couldn't sell the Phaeton. But I'm sure something called the canine hundred will sell just great.

evodad

something about its proportions look strange to me, long front, short rear. The last shot (and don't shoot me for saying this) reminds me of a panamera.

Overall from most angles it's a generally good looking car, but I think hyundai/kia would have been better off forming a new brand under which to begin selling their 'luxury' cars as toyota and nissan have done. If you're prepared to drop $60k on a sedan, most people wouldn't even think to look at a kia or hyundai dealership because lets face it those that aren't car nuts will have no idea such a car exists.

evodad

something about its proportions look strange to me, long front, short rear. The last shot (and don't shoot me for saying this) reminds me of a panamera.

Overall from most angles it's a generally good looking car, but I think hyundai/kia would have been better off forming a new brand under which to begin selling their 'luxury' cars as toyota and nissan have done. If you're prepared to drop $60k on a sedan, most people wouldn't even think to look at a kia or hyundai dealership because lets face it those that aren't car nuts will have no idea such a car exists.

greg128

From the front this looks pretentious and borderline ugly. It looks best from the side and the rear looks like 10-15 odd ot her cars.
I guess it could be considered a good value but I see alot of orange peel in the close-up picture of the badge. More than I would consider acceptable in a midsize, let alone a luxury model.

greg128

From the front this looks pretentious and borderline ugly. It looks best from the side and the rear looks like 10-15 odd ot her cars.
I guess it could be considered a good value but I see alot of orange peel in the close-up picture of the badge. More than I would consider acceptable in a midsize, let alone a luxury model.

330i_zhp

I completely agree with Evodad - they shouldn't created another luxury brand and positioned this car differently. Also "K900" sounds more like a code name for a car in development. It doesn't fit their current naming scheme.

330i_zhp

I completely agree with Evodad - they shouldn't created another luxury brand and positioned this car differently. Also "K900" sounds more like a code name for a car in development. It doesn't fit their current naming scheme.

henry4hire

Yeah what a terrible name. What genius thought of that one?

henry4hire

Yeah what a terrible name. What genius thought of that one?

tomsjay

There are enough 'luxury' cars already in the market. when will these Koreans end the imitation business and start building something unique and stop comparing these to Germans or Japanese or whatever. Aren't they listening to these criticism all over the place. just look at the captions of the photos in this article . most them carry a reference of resemblance to a German or Japanese make. Are they building these to make some profit or elevate their brand image?

tomsjay

There are enough 'luxury' cars already in the market. when will these Koreans end the imitation business and start building something unique and stop comparing these to Germans or Japanese or whatever. Aren't they listening to these criticism all over the place. just look at the captions of the photos in this article . most them carry a reference of resemblance to a German or Japanese make. Are they building these to make some profit or elevate their brand image?

tomsjay

The only way for Hyundai or Kia to be recognized in the Luxury or any segment is to be unique and deliver high quality but not try the same flavor others offer. As an analogy there is an electronic company OPPO which is Chinese or some unknown origin but their blue ray players and receivers are highly regarded In the market and high quality build, competing with the giants like Samsung, Sony, Panasonic.
So the number one priority should be to deliver very unique high quality design language but not try to imitate any existing model no matter how good the car Is the resemblance will make it look like a cheap imitation. That is the one and only way . Don't compare . be unique. There will be takers even if it I Kia.
other hand who wants a BMwish or Lexusque unonymous sedan?.

tomsjay

The only way for Hyundai or Kia to be recognized in the Luxury or any segment is to be unique and deliver high quality but not try the same flavor others offer. As an analogy there is an electronic company OPPO which is Chinese or some unknown origin but their blue ray players and receivers are highly regarded In the market and high quality build, competing with the giants like Samsung, Sony, Panasonic.
So the number one priority should be to deliver very unique high quality design language but not try to imitate any existing model no matter how good the car Is the resemblance will make it look like a cheap imitation. That is the one and only way . Don't compare . be unique. There will be takers even if it I Kia.
other hand who wants a BMwish or Lexusque unonymous sedan?.

tomsjay

who could have approved a smiley grill and a bug eye head light for a luxury sedan. that is a big fail. This a combination suitable for a sub compact or economy hatch backs. Flagships should look serious , mature , substantial and elegant

marvinlee1

Testing the upscale Korean cars has been an ongoing challenge for automotive journalists. Most follow this report's path: comparing the Korean car against similar sized, more costly, cars. As a car buyer, I think the journalists are making a mistake. When I see a car of any price, my first thought is: What will the same amount of money buy elsewhere? And that is what the journalists should do: Evaluate the car against the cost. On that commonsense, real-life basis, the new Kia K900 is outstanding. The same amount of money will buy only a lesser-equipped Mecedes E550 4Matic sedan with a lower horsepower V8 engine. I know that firsthand. The Mercedes offers less room, fewer transmission ratios, fewer features, and comes from an older styling generation. I expect the Kia K900 to sell well for the Kia company.

marvinlee1

Testing the upscale Korean cars has been an ongoing challenge for automotive journalists. Most follow this report's path: comparing the Korean car against similar sized, more costly, cars. As a car buyer, I think the journalists are making a mistake. When I see a car of any price, my first thought is: What will the same amount of money buy elsewhere? And that is what the journalists should do: Evaluate the car against the cost. On that commonsense, real-life basis, the new Kia K900 is outstanding. The same amount of money will buy only a lesser-equipped Mecedes E550 4Matic sedan with a lower horsepower V8 engine. I know that firsthand. The Mercedes offers less room, fewer transmission ratios, fewer features, and comes from an older styling generation. I expect the Kia K900 to sell well for the Kia company.