Review: 2015 Kia K900 V8

Front end scares me a bit...looks cozy on the inside though!

Front end scares me a bit...looks cozy on the inside though!

That is the first time I have heard that (the scary front end).

Inside is very cozy. Perfect for the cold weather I was driving the K900 in.

nice write up.

Dr Who called. He wants his robot dog's name back. Master!

I prefer this car over the Genesis.  Though technically it is not a 1:1 comparison.  This car rides on the last gen Equus chassis rather than sharing the Genesis chassis.  If you look at it that way, you're getting a hell of a deal on a K900.

This model makes ZERO sense. Problem #1 is that the exterior design fails to elevate itself above the other very good full size sedan on Kia lots for half the price: the FWD Cadenza. If Kia had unveiled something that looked like an Optima-esque muscle car, you'd have people kicking down dealership doors just to see it, even if not to buy it. Flagship mission accomplished.

Once you break down the floundering chassis dynamics, nearly 14-second 1/4 mile acceleration with terrible fuel economy, and $60,000+ price tag, the demographic for this mediocre-looking pseudo luxury car simply Does. Not. Exist. The abysmal sales speak for themselves.

The trouble for both the Cadenza and the K900 is that they are decent cars, but better options exist at their price points.  $60k gets you a very very nicely equipped and better handling CTS or 5-series... and very soon a CT6. 

Above $60k is too much.  What made the first Genesis good was you could get a V8 for $42,000 and I think even the current Genesis is high $40s for a V8.  So if you'd like a V8 luxury sedan for under $50k it offers a good deal.  10 years ago there were Cadillacs, Lincolns, and Jaguars with V8s for $45-50K, those cars are gone the Lexus GS430 is gone, it is sort of sad that the V8 is pretty much dead in cars under $65k.

Chrysler 300C

People probably don't know what the K900 is standing 10 feet away in a dealership showroom, and that's the most fundamental failure as a flagship. In America, Kia is still overcoming the bargain basement garbage reputation, and they want to sell a $60,000 RWD "value" luxury sedan? The whole concept from top to bottom is a swing and a miss.

Now I've never been a fan of the Cadillac XTS, but the Vsport 3.6T/AWD starts at $63,000 and pretty much tops out just over $70k. It's faster, just as big and spacious, more fuel efficient, offers similar handling, and actually has a luxury badge on it. The Lexus LS also starts just north of $70k.

It can't be that bad CP. Sure the market may not exist, but it is a hidden jem in the segment. I like the car, it offers a lot, and it certainly beat both Lincoln and Cadillac to market as a flagship product offering. Though the CT6 will absolutely bury anything other than the S-Class.

People probably don't know what the K900 is standing 10 feet away in a dealership showroom, and that's the most fundamental failure as a flagship. In America, Kia is still overcoming the bargain basement garbage reputation, and they want to sell a $60,000 RWD "value" luxury sedan? The whole concept from top to bottom is a swing and a miss.

 

Now I've never been a fan of the Cadillac XTS, but the Vsport 3.6T/AWD starts at $63,000 and pretty much tops out just over $70k. It's faster, just as big and spacious, more fuel efficient, offers similar handling, and actually has a luxury badge on it. The Lexus LS also starts just north of $70k.

People probably don't know what the K900 is standing 10 feet away in a dealership showroom, and that's the most fundamental failure as a flagship. In America, Kia is still overcoming the bargain basement garbage reputation, and they want to sell a $60,000 RWD "value" luxury sedan? The whole concept from top to bottom is a swing and a miss.

 

Now I've never been a fan of the Cadillac XTS, but the Vsport 3.6T/AWD starts at $63,000 and pretty much tops out just over $70k. It's faster, just as big and spacious, more fuel efficient, offers similar handling, and actually has a luxury badge on it. The Lexus LS also starts just north of $70k.

This is my concern with it as well.  It may turn out to be an excellent vehicle, but until they've been on the road a few more years and we can better judge long-term reliability and resale value at a minimum, I just don't trust the vehicle and wouldn't consider it alongside the vehicles it is trying to compete with.  Kia doesn't have the experience with this class of vehicle, and though it may seem pretty decent now, I just don't have faith that they've made something that will stand up to the test of time.  Great write-up, though, it's a good read.