2019 Kia K900: Luxury Has A New Name

When it’s time to start thinking about purchasing a luxury sedan, certain names come to mind, many of which are German, maybe even American. Few people contemplating performance luxury are thinking about Korea—but maybe they should be. Performance-minded and affordable, the 2019 Kia K900 gets an all-new look for next year. And this ride is ready to shake up the market segment with its practicality and innovation.

The cruel fact of the matter is that luxury is not what Kia is known for in the States. Tell that to the Stinger, we know. The badge invokes thoughts of moderate performance at a bargain price point. But the 2019 Kia K900 is ready to change things. Broaden the brand’s American horizons. Shown at SEMA and available later this year, the K900 has gone through a full reinterpretation, kicking off the model’s second generation. And it is poised to change some minds about what Kia can bring to the luxury segment… even when giants like Ford plan to kill off theirs.

The Second Generation

Still a relatively new model, the Kia K900’s first generation only dates back to 2015. And even in the beginning, Kia was beginning to lay the groundwork to change perceptions of its brand. Remember the ad campaign featuring Lebron James? It tackled the Kia stereotypes head on: people simply did not believe that Lebron was driving around town in a Kia.

Is that Lebron?” “No way, Lebron wouldn’t drive a Kia!

But he insisted that he was, and that he loved it. He actually drives one off-screen as well. The commercials showcased a ride with enough roominess for his 6’9” frame, even in the back seat. And enough upper-crust style and interior luxury that a mega-celebrity multi-millionaire was not out of place rolling around town in one.

The next generation of the Kia K900 hopes to knock down the wall of doubt that these commercials first poked holes in. To completely normalize the notion that Kia is a legitimate competitor to the Mercedes and Lincoln sedans that are so representative of the segment.

On A New Platform

All things considered, the redesigned K900 doesn’t carry all that much of it’s predecessor’s persona into the next generation. Rather, it seeks to build on the notion that Kia belongs in the conversation. Available this Fall, the 2019 Kia K900 now shares a platform with the Genesis G80 and G90, a fact that will do much to improve its standing in the luxury universe. The new K900 is larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase. Similarly, its look has been thoroughly updated inside and out. Some even note the design cues it takes from the Mercedes E-Class. Throw in improved steering and more power than a luxury sedan really needs, on top of the aforementioned affordability, and we now have a worthy competitor in the full-size luxury sedan segment. And true to Kia form—at a mid-size price point.

All things considered, the redesigned K900 doesn’t carry all that much of it’s predecessor’s persona into the next generation. Rather, it seeks to build on the notion that Kia belongs in the conversation.

Outside, the 2019 Kia K900 looks vastly different from the one that came before it. The new Quadric pattern grille and double-bar headlights help to make its appearance more distinct. New lines on the hood add a sportiness to the front of the car, while ample chrome details and brightwork around the windows round out the classy appearance.

Under the hood, the new Kia is bringing some capability to the table. Some may be disappointed to hear that a V-8 option will no longer be offered. However, the twin-turbo V-6 making 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque makes the new model more than able against other four-door luxury sedans. Every K900 pairs to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive with torque vectoring (in Normal and Sport modes) is standard. The ride has been substantially improved by a new electronically controlled suspension system.

A New Level Of Comfort

The interior of the 2019 model is where the Kia K900 really feels like a luxury ride, making great strides since the first-gen models. A floating 12.3″ touchscreen anchors the amenities. The infotainment system lets the driver remote start, control the temperature, and even locate their forgotten parking space from a mobile device. Leather upholstery is standard, and there are several colors to choose from (as well as a choice of four types of open-pore wood trim.)

There are standard heated and ventilated front seats, with 20-way adjustability for the driver. And the back row pulls it weight, too. You can even opt for rear-row seating with 12 and 14 way adjustability for the driver and passenger side, respectively. Multi-zone climate control allows everybody to get to their own comfortable temperature. Seriously, calling shotgun has never been less important.

Modern Day Safety, A Timeless Concern

As one would expect, driver assistance features on the 2019 Kia K900 are also at an all-time high. Lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection are just a few of the life saving bells and whistles providing peace of mind. A 360-degree camera will be an available upgrade, as well. There’s also new-age tech like rear automatic emergency braking, and exit assist technology. And the blind spot warning system is second to none, showing the driver rear-view camera feed whenever a turn signal is blinking.

Kia’s hopes to make waves in the luxury market are bold, to say the least. As are its plans to make it happen. It’s no secret, one of the biggest enticements for consumers to leave their traditional, highfalutin models is the price tag. Beautifully equipped, the asking price for a new 2019 Kia K900 is $51,850. That is a full-size luxury car at a mid-size luxury price. And though this discount may be what initially helps drivers to consider Kia when they’re looking for luxury, once they’ve made the leap, they may discover that the real draw isn’t just the cost, but the Kia itself.

Beautifully equipped, the asking price for a new 2019 Kia K900 is $51,850. That is a full-size luxury car at a mid-size luxury price. And though this discount may be what initially helps drivers to consider Kia when they’re looking for luxury, once they’ve made the leap, they may discover that the real draw isn’t just the cost, but the Kia itself.

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