Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2015 Kia K900 4-door sedan. Well, not to be outdone by its parent company Hyundai Equus, Kia has reached up and grabbed a star. All the great things you’ve heard about the Hyundai Equus you will find in this Kia K900.
What Kia does not have is as good a line up as does Hyundai. I can see myself in other Hyundai products and likely you will have your own list of cars you’d like to have in either company’s line up. I have driven them all but lean more to the lower price point cars (top down from Equus) than I am inclined to in the Kia family. But that’s just me and my needs and everyone has different wants and wishes and “Pocketbook”. I wouldn’t pop for either the K900 or the Equus because they are a bit too rich for my budget. If the circumstances were different I would opt for the Equus or K900 and quite frankly now that I have tested the K900 it would be a tough decision. I think I would flip a coin.
General Information:
Parts from the US / Canada data unavailable. Classification is Large cars. Cars from Kia: Cadenza, Forte, Forte Koup, K900, Optima, Rio, Rio5, Sedona, Soul and Sportage.
Handling & Performance:
Smoooooth comes to mind and faaaaast is right behind as you too will be impressed with how well it performs. I wish I had more time to take it through its paces but overall it is a great option to give great power and handling and comfort if the “Price is Right”.
Styling:
Beautifully crafted and a car you can be proud to own.
Fit and Finish:
Outstanding.
Cost:
Competitive with the best that more established brands have to offer. But keep in mind that you will pay for the badge big time and with those badges and $5 you can get a cup of Starbucks coffee.
Conveniences and comfort:
All the conveniences that are available in today’s world of luxury cars. I did appreciate the “Lane Assist” on the Hyundai better because it is more robust. In addition to signaling you that you are going out of lane, the Hyundai version steers the car back into lane if you have that feature turned on.
I have to say however that all these “Assist” features like smart cruise, lane assist, camera’s all around the car and blind spot warnings give the driver a false sense of security. I notice it more because I’m always changing cars and it’s easy to forget when the feature is not available. If I drove the car all the time it would not be an issue because the safety it affords the driver is fantastic.
Kia this year introduces UVO (“your voice”) eServices, which includes a suite of telematics tools to monitor your vehicle’s performance and help you stay current with factory maintenance schedules. UVO eServices also includes navigation and location based services that help monitor your car’s location — whether lost in a parking garage or keeping tabs on where your teen took it the night before.
UVO eServices adds a new telematics suite that will provide drivers with an in-vehicle connectivity experience that includes navigation, diagnostics capabilities and other convenience features.
There is not enough room here to explain it in detail, but if you want to learn more about it, this link will give you the whole story.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/2012/may12/05-16kiauvoeservices.aspx
Hydrophobic front door windows – is a coating process that sheds water.
Consumer Recommendation:
If you are in the market for a luxury car in the $125,000 range like the 7 series BMW dare to test drive the Kia 900 (and don’t miss the Hyundai Equus) both at half the price. Then ask others who did opt for the BMW what they have experienced at the BMW dealer for maintenance and repairs and the cost will stagger the imagination. Trust me I am well aware of current cost that has not changed since I owned a Foreign Car Repair facility for more than a decade.
Recognized Competition:
Kia K900 $59,000, Audi A8 $84,000, BMW 7-Series $132,000, Cadillac XTS $54,000, Hyundai Genesis $51,000, Infiniti Q70 $62,000, Jaguar XJ Series $74,000, Lexus LS 460 $72,000, Volvo S80 $45,000.
Good News:
Special in ride, performance and luxury appointments that promises to impress.
Bad News:
I have noticed none.
Standard Equipment:
5.0 liter 420 horsepower V8 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission with shift-by-wire, 19” Chrome Alloy Wheels, front side seat mounted and full length side curtain air bags, Stability management, traction control, ABS braking system with brake assist, driver blind spot detection alert, climate control with filtration, 7 Surround sound audio system, UVO eServices with telematics (see discussion above), Navigation system with 9.2” color display, Sirius XM satellite radio, Rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning system, front and rear camera displays and parking sensors, Nappa Leather seat and interior trim, genuine wood accent trim, heated seats all around and front ventilated seats, push button start, smart key and credit card valet key, power tilt and telescopic steering column, power closing trunk, power rear window and manual side sunshades, panoramic sunroof with power shade, adaptive front light system, LED positioning and fog lights, power folding auto dimming mirrors, hydrophobic front door windows,
Auto rain sensing wipers.
Gas Stats:
$3.99 / Gal avg. July 1, 2014
www.fueleconomy.gov
For more information.
15 City and 23 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $59,500.