Shopping around for a Korean premium sedan with rear-wheel drive and V8 power, but not looking to spend much? Kia just might have what you need.
Motor Authority reports the brand recently dropped the price on its K900 sedan with the help of a new Premium trim that deletes niceties like LED headlights, chrome and Nappa leather. The price of admission, as a result, begins at $55,400. To get those back, consumers would have to upgrade to the Luxury trim, which begins at $59,500; the previous sole K900 model had an MSRP of $60,400.
No matter if your K900 is loaded or barely stripped, the sedan still has its 5-liter, 420-horsepower V8, and still costs less than similar machines from Lexus or Mercedes. That said, Kia may need all the help it can get to move its flagship out of the showroom, having sold just 1,330 units in 2014 in comparison to the brand’s other premium and near-premium models, the David Bowie-enhanced Cadenza (9,267), and the Jaguar XF-esque Optima (159,020).
The K900 gets great reviews, but I think the Cadenza is a better value.
The K900’s problem is that it’s kind of ugly, frankly.
The Optima so thoroughly nailed Kia’s design that I’m surprised the K900 wasn’t just a bigger version of the same. Instead, it looks like a just-close-enough-not-to-get-sued, half-baked copy of a BMW.
The K900 is ugly and derpy, and that wheel design is God awful.
From reading TTAC, I know that the problem with a (near) premium vehicle not selling is due to its gauge cluster.
Every time.
… and once in a while it’s true.
I didn’t take a second look at the GLK after a test drive because the !@$^& white-on-chrome speedo and gauges were glare-y and hard to read.
(That and the acre-of-cheap-chrome around each of the vents…)
First, this car has the tragic name of K900. Really, Kia ? Is this some sort of joke? Des one conceal their Kahr K9 9mm while driving their Kia K900 to a Korean restaurant to get some spicy K9 Bibimbap at their favorite authentic Korean restaurant? (Two of my better friends are Korean, and one said I can make dog meat jokes; I’ve also traveled to Korea 3x, and dog meat is still on old school menus).
Second, they obviously tried to crib Maserati looks with this 0, and not successfully, either. Why crib unsuccessfully when you are capable of cribbing well, Kia?
Third, who is going to pay anywhere NEAR 60k for a Kia sedan? I’ll tell you who; high ranking Kia executives who are offered this car for free to drive or lower level Kia executives down south who are able to purchase this K9 for about 45k, and who still swallow hard because it will STILL depreciate 50% in about 42 month.
This car is sold in the North America merely because it’s a hometown source of pride in South Korea, apparently (since it has so much in common with a proper rwd Lexus).
It, however, is no large V8 Lexus, Mercedes, BMW or Audi in terms of…anything. It’s a bad rock tribute band playing on .50 cent beer cup Tuesday night at the local dive bar.
It still, despite its warts, gives its owners something that Cadillac, Lincoln & Acura GAVE UP ON MANY YEARS AGO, though: A large sedan, with a proper V8 motor in RWD format, so at least cheers for that, Kia.
@DW
Acura never offered a RWD V8 at any time, I think the Vigor was it in terms of RWD.
Thanks 28. I can’t recall a rwd V8 Acura sedan now that you’ve mentioned it.
By the way, here’s a fun tip for all: If you want to get tweaker high, sit in a new or newish Hyundai Equus or Kia K900/Cadenza with the windows rolled up and car off, and inhale deeply.
Those Koreans use some powerful, industrial grade adhesives on their interior trim pieces. Major VOC action going on.
The only RWD Acura was the NSX. The Vigor had a 5cyl longitudinally mounted engine, but it was still FWD. The Japanese Audi 5000, though I don’t think they hung the engine out ahead of the front wheels the way Audi did. Other way around, IIRC.
Always thought it was a neat car, but they didn’t sell worth poop. Only sold here ’92-’94.
The Vigor didn’t seem to have great build quality from what I’ve seen. I believe it was also overpriced at the time.
And was certainly FWD as well.
The K900 is lacking just two things:
#1 All Wheel Drive
#2 A badge that badgewh0res can love.
Genesis!
I think the first question in this article should be rephrased as “Looking to buy a $60K car with the same downmarket and goofy KIA stenciled on the steering wheel as what’s found in a $15K Rio?”
I’m not much of a brand snob, but even I have a problem with that and I’m not sure dropping the price to $56K fundamentally changes the equation.
At what point does one begin caring about the steering wheel emblem?
Rio
Forte
Optima
Cadenza
K900
I suppose if I cared, I’d feel better paying more for an Audi.
Given the huge gap between Avalon and Camry sales, I’d venture to guess you draw the line above the Optima. I mean, look at how well it works for Lexus.
I care about the steering wheel if it’s the same cheap version used throughout the product line. If 30-mile fetch is correct on that, it is a fail.
Unlike GM, they tend to use different steering wheels.
MotorTrend picture: http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadtests/oneyear/sedans/1407_2015_kia_k900_v8_arrival/73156597/2015-kia-k900-v-8-steering-wheel.jpg
I don’t think that’s the same *wheel* as a Rio, but it might possibly be the same Kia Logo.
It’s closest to the Forte and Sportage steering wheels. Most of the volume late-model Kias (Soul, Optima, Sorento, Sedona) have three-spoke, round-hub steering wheels, a la Audi.
I really don’t understand why they don’t use their KDM logo here:
http://imgur.com/ohwLGoU
It’s at least an option for some models (maybe per dealer). I’ve seen it here often enough to make me think it’s not individuals doing it.
Dealers may be changing, but it’s not an option.
Buyers can easily swap out by buying an entire KDM package from Amazon or Ebay.
I like how you can now pay less to get the premium model and still get less equipment.
I still feel like Hyundai/Kia should collaborate on a luxury brand. The Genesis and Equus are both solid vehicles, and the K900 is no slouch either. I know that on the high end of their lineups, the Cadenza and the Azera are both solid entries in the premium front-drive arena as well.
Having just bought a Santa Fe Limited, it’s a very solid entry in its segment as well. I’d wager its probably as good as any Lexus RX I’ve been in aside from the lack of leather on the dash and some silver painted plastic and fake wood rather than the real stuff that I assume the Lexus has. I’ve heard very good things about the new Sorento as well.
Collaboration would give them a good amount of working capital to try and build an actual premium brand; the engineering is already there. The issue they run into is all these models, especially the RWD flagships, are essentially Broughams to the general public – a very nice version of a normal person’s car. A true premium brand would fix this, and justify the prices they’re asking.
Hell, if they did that they could probably tack on $5k to the price of the front drivers and crossovers that they fleeted up and get it fairly easily.
On the flip side of that, I’m not entirely sure why Hyundai and Kia both need to exist in global markets. They really aren’t sufficiently differentiated from each other.
They would be better served with a Scion/Toyota/Lexus kind of split.
The issue there is (and someone correct me if I’m wrong, this is just my understanding) they are both separate companies, competing against one another, except for the fact that each entity owns something like 30% of the other. This would require an actual merger.
I don’t think they have the the lineup to try for 3 brands though, nor the equity to go compete in the big leagues luxury-wise. Something targeting Acura, Volvo, Lincoln, and Buick would probably work out well though.
At the same time they don’t want to make their mainstream cars too downmarket the way that Chevys have felt forever and fords ahve until their most recent revamp, and a not-quite-there luxury branding could have that kind of push effect. For the opposite, look at what run of the mill Fords being too good is doing to Lincoln.
If I had $60k to spend on a luxury sedan, I’d choose a CPO vehicle from one of the Euorpean automakers. Also personally I don’t like the Kia corprate grille at all.
This is the three year old used car you want for $25K. Look at all the cool stuff and a RWD V8 you got for the money
The Equus makes a good buy right now for those criteria.
Isn’t it basically the same car?
But Hyundai actually sold some of them new. It’s hard to buy a car used if nobody first bought it when it was new.
Good point, you only have 1330 chances on snagging a used K900. Talk about exclusivity
I looked up close at an Equus and was none impressed. Leather unsuitable for the class, and the seats had terrible tacky EQUUS embroidery.
K900s are starting to show up on rental lots.
@CoreyDL
Don’t look closely at a Genesis either then. Had another one recently from Hertz at IAD. As I said before – “it look like a Lexus ’til a real Lexus roll up”.
I have yet to lay eyes on a K900, so I reserve judgment on that one. I do like the Optima a lot. Only the TDI and stickshift would keep me in a Passat in that class.
Tell me about it. I looked into used 2nd-gen Saab 9-5 (because I hate my checking account and feeling rational) and the only ones out there were either clapped-out 100k+ mile salesman-mobiles or enthusiast-owned special snowflakes looking for a premium on the other side of the country.
@Lie2me
Exactly. I had a chance to spend some time with the K900 at the LA auto show. Really nice car, but not 50k nice. $25k nice being 3 yrs old? Yep!
They have to stop going after BMW and MB buyers. As mentioned in another article, these people tend to be brand snobs. Focus instead on the Cadillac and Lincoln buyers.
“Focus instead on the Cadillac and Lincoln buyers.”
I thought they were. The base MSRP of a 2011 Town Car was $47k.
Yep, this is Cadillac and Lincoln territory. Their similarly sized cars are in this price range. A spec’d out MKS is about 50k, so not entirely out of the ballpark. The XTS and CTS are in this range too.
Re: Focus instead on the Cadillac and Lincoln buyers
I feel like they’ve done a good job of that already; I have family in south Florida and Boca Raton was full of Geneses (Genesii?) the last time I was down there. I’m considering a used V6 model for my next vehicle actually, and I’m only 31.
Boca is full of Bentleys, Teslas, Maseratis and various AMGs. I see cars on my daily commute most people only see on Top Gear.
Well, that explains it right there. Commuters = new money.
You mean people with Bentleys don’t work 9-5? Must be part-timers
I didn’t mean to say those weren’t there. Just that I also saw a large concentration of Hyundai’s high-end stuff.
When we visit the wife’s family in Delray, I am always struck by the almost total lack of anything on the roads over five years old or with an MSRP under $40-50k. Her parents drive an ’12 Avalon and that seems to be among the more middle-of-the-road cars in their seniors-only gated community.
It took me a second to realize you meant Delray Beach, and not the semipostapocalyptic Delray neighborhood in Detroit. A bit of cognitive dissonance there :)
Hm. I see some 2015 models with 10k-15k miles on them for $40~ on cars.com…
Still fancy this than a brand new Acura RL.
Wow, admitting when you are wrong and lowering the MSRP. What a concept.
VeeDub should take notes, eh?
I was thinking Cadillac, but sure VAG USA too.
They’re not really lowering the price so much as decontenting it. Optioning it back up to the old base level gets you back to the old base price.
Only in marketing speak can the “Premium” label mean dropped content.
Ever look at the Subaru BRZ? The Premium trim is more limited in content, the Limited trim is more premium. Microsoft does the same thing with Windows. Paid for the Premium version? You cheapskate!
To quote the Firesign Theatre bit (as spoken by the “once-honorable Bosco Hearn”):
“You’re not paying more, dear friends, you’re getting less”.
I think the real solution for Kia here is to swallow their pride and go ahead and introduce the V6 version. Sure, it’ll see a lot of airport and other Town Car-replacement duty, but then again if it can hold up to those duties, that will provide just the type of word-of-mouth buzz Kia needs. It’s already certified, so what’s the hold up?
Just so many strikes against it, it’s no wonder it hasn’t sold:
-Kia brand
-$59,000
-Rear wheel drive with no AWD option
-V8 only
-epic depreciation (look at what 2014 $40k Cadenzas go for used)
At least when Hyundai launched the Genesis it started at $33k for the V6, so the other concerns were much less of an issue. Still, by 2014 you could get a new Genesis for up to $10k off MSRP. I don’t know what Kia was thinking…
2WD is really the only knock I have against the K900 and Equus. I don’t understand the discord on their looks, since I find both of them beautiful. I’m still waiting for my LS430 to die, and it looks like I might wait a while.
Neither the K900 nor the Equus have the build quality or materials of your LS. You need to replace your LS with another LS.
You’re not kidding about that depreciation! Quick Carmax search revealed a bevy of 2014 model under $25k, some with less than 5k miles.
Then again, is it really much more car than a $25k Optima?
I’ll be keeping the K900, Cadenza, and Azera on my watchlist for outrageous CL bargains in 2-3 years, regardless.
Crazy pricing and a little ugly…the cadenza is a sharper looking car and so is the optima. Chrysler 300 and Genesis both start so much further under this vehicle and offer awd models that it makes little sense to even consider this kia.
I’ve yet to see a single one of these on the road and that comes from a car guy that is always paying attention.
Kia is owned by Hyundai. Hyundai should stick with thier efforts to upscale and leave the cheaper stuff to Kia. Kia, in my mind, already has the cheaper reputation and image, just leave it that way.
Kia’s Sedona minivan is really nice. Hyundai/Kia have done a really good job with interior design and switchgear. Very nice for what is essentially a 10-20% discount off similarly equipped Honda and Toyota minivans.
Yes, I am ashamed to know this about minivans.
Hyundai only owns 30% of Kia. It can’t control what it does.
~34% — which may effectively be a controlling interest, if Korean corporations work the way Japanese ones do. Ford controlled Mazda with a 34% stake.
“$55,400.”
Isn’t this the price of the Genesis? Which I was thinking is about the same size as the underwhelming K900. The cheapo styling at 165% doesn’t work at all for me. And the wheels belong on a Forte or something.
Yeah look at this. The Genesis starts at 20K less than the base on the K900, and is 98% the same size, save for length where the K900 wins at 4″ additional. In all other ways, the Genesis wins.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/car-compare-results/hyundai_genesis_2014-vs-kia_k900_2015
Even when you add the V8 version and get the R-Spec, it’s still $7k less.
That 4″ extra is what people who want a 7 instead of a 5 are paying for. Because you are rich enough to get driven in a car like that, at least in theory.
Oh God what an arrival. Turning up with your chauffeur at the 5* restaurant, with the big LWB Optima.
LMAO. Unacceptable.
Do Kia still have the steering problems(pulling constantly to left or right) and the chronic stalling problems associated with ALL their models?
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
My H/K cars have been:
01 Elantra
09 Sedona
11 Sonata
13 Optima Hybrid
None exhibit the problems you mention.
So to answer your question, I’ll ask another: Have you always been a troll, or is this something new?
In fairness to him, the Internet suggests that Sorentos had a stalling problem recall (’11-’13), and old (2004-era?) Sedonas at least sometimes did.
And some problems with “stalling I can’t figure out by myself” on some 8 or 10 year old ones, that I would tend to attribute to aging, not design.
Similarly, at least a few models had a camber issue [not omnipresent but not exactly rare] that they had a repair kit for.
“ALL their models” is trolly or vastly ignorant, as far as I can tell, though.
In fairness to Kia, the pre-2006 Sedonas were actually rebadged Fords.
Unbelievably, they were mechanically unrelated. Just really bad copies. Why, I have no idea.
They absolutely were not.
I can’t believe you stated this SCE!
Chronic stalling? Please tell.
SCE to Aux and Sigivald before you start mouthing off about me being atroll or ignorant, Check out Phil Edmonston’s Lemon Aid for cars 1999-2013 and Consumer reports 2012 as well as many Kia owners complaints,they cover alot of problems.
Don’t take it to heart , they’re just cars, just not very good ones.
Sorry Brian, but you do come off as troll-ish. We’re quite civilized about it though, so it helps to cite your sources early on.