2015 Kia K900 [REVIEW]

Kia’s new K900 flagship sedan is literally the new kid on the block. With a full plate of formidable players, from the BMW 7-series to it’s own stable mate, the Hyundai Equus, the K900 really has to bring something different to the table, and luckily it does.

2015_Kia_K900_Review

Kia’s new K900 flagship sedan is literally the new kid on the block. With a full plate of formidable players, from the BMW 7-series to it’s own stable mate, the Hyundai Equus, the K900 really has to bring something different to the table, and luckily it does.

2015_Kia_K900_Review

From first glance most people are a little in awe, the Kia is really that good looking. During my week with the K900 I was questioned, at least, daily about the vehicle. Most wanting to know what is “it”, who makes it, and how much does it cost. The most common guess was that it’s a Maserati and costs over $100k, so the looks on their faces when they found out that it was a Kia were priceless.

2015_Kia_K900_Review

Related: 2015 Kia K900 V8 Starts at $59,500, 311-HP V6 Announced

Priceless is probably a great descriptor of the interior also. Coddled in leather everywhere, Alcantra headlining, accent lighting, wood and metal accents; it’s a stunning and posh place to be. From both a design and quality standpoint, it can easily keep up with the best in class, if not surpass them. Everything you could lay your eyes upon was perfectly aligned and soft to the touch. Plus, every available creature comfort from active cruise control, heated and ventilated seats, a heads up display, panoramic sunroof, reclining rear seats, and a 17-speaker Lexicon sound system, are available.

2015_Kia_K900_Review

On the road though is where you’ll really enjoy the cabin. While most of the K900’s competitors focus on road-going prowess, the Kia has a different mission… to coddle you to the point where you don’t hear or feel a thing. The suspension is soft and the steering has some kickback, but that’s not the point of this vehicle. It’s incredibly quiet, with only the faintest hint that something is going on in the outside world. Engaging the Sport mode does wonders to tame the float and bring some life to the powertrain. Even the dash gauges change design to communicate something is different.

2015_Kia_K900_Review

With 420-hp and 376 lb-ft. of torque on hand there is plenty of power to move the K900 with authority when called upon, including a pleasant distant growl. All of this power is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that is perfectly seamless to the point you forget it’s even doing anything. While this powertrain is shared with other Hyundai offerings, it’s tuned specifically for the K900. What was surprising was the fuel economy, rated at 15 city/23 highway. Over my week in mixed driving I achieved 21 mpg, not bad for a 4,555 lb luxury land-yacht.

2015_Kia_K900_Review

Yet in a field of established players, the luxury land-yacht is exactly where this new entry is playing. So how does it stack up against those imposing stalwarts? In many ways better than the competition, if your primarily mission isn’t status. That may be the Kia’s toughest challenge yet. While it may stack up on paper, and on the road, many may simply over look it for not having the right badge; which is disappointing. While the badge may be missing, the K900 more than makes up for it in looks, better than German reliability, and starting at just $54,500, the Kia K900 is a steal in this class.

2015_Kia_K900_Review