cnet.co/1pKnbhn Would you drop $66,000 for the new Kia K900? CNET's Brian Cooley takes it for a ride and sees if it measures up to the Jaguar XJ and the Lexus LS.
Say all you want about Kias. I own a 2014 Cadenza and have no regrets. I have test driven the Quoris (K900) as it is called down and it was amazing. Would buy it in a heartbeat
+John Pov I think it should be a tiger, because that's the animal that represents South Korea. Kind of like how the bald eagle represents the U.S. Or a flower with five, symmetrical petals, like their coat of arms.
i don't know why people are saying that they copiedthe design from other manufacturers, I mean what do you want, do you want them to put the wheels on the roof so that they could be "distinctive "and not a copycat, grow up people.😒
I get it, who would pay 66000 on a Kia? But then you have to ask why does BMW charge 19 grand more for base 7 series? Their name. You might say "because they are proper luxury brand" but charging extra money solely for their brand name means that customers (us) might get a similar car--and I think that this K900 is very similar in terms of luxury and quality--but pay more for the BMW just because of a pair of badges.
The K900 (in Korea the K9 or Quoris) has exceeded all my expectations. It's equal to the best---I have owned BMW, Lexus, Saab 9000, and it's the best car I have owned so far.
One thing no one has mentioned is leasing this kind of a car. If you consider that a Mercedes or BMW has a much higher cost and you were to lease one of them they would probably still have a high lease payment... But say you lease one of these for a 2 year period it would be much more attainable and you won't have to worry about reliability down the road. I think the car looks pretty good and Kia has come a long way from when it started.
So much KIA hating....I own 2 Optimas and couldn't be happier. Dealer experience is excellent and our LX and EX are a joy. Traded in a Camry for the first one, came back a year or so later to get all the goodies. Guess I'm lucky to have found a great car at a great price!
This doesn't say 'I got more money than you' but it does its job nicely. No car worth 66K provides this much of smooth riding, substantial tech, cabin space and back seat comfort. Money well spent, it just doesn't say 'I am rich and I got more money than you
This Kia is nice and I applaud Kia for taking a step like this, but no one is going to spend 66k on a Kia... when spending that type of money they're going to have real luxury in mind I.e. BMW, Jag, Benz, Audi and Lexus... even Cadillac and Infiniti. Not a Kia.
La Tempesta Neither was Mercedes Benz before the luxury market was dominated by Cadillacs and Lincolns. Now Cadillacs and Lincolns are the laughing stock of the show.
"When you're in this class of car, there no right answer if it's worth the money. A lot of it has to do with image and prestige. That's a personal call." Cooley defined it right. End of discussion.
I would give it a try personally. Kia and Hyundai has come a long way and has made a bold move to enter the luxury space. Also surprised to find Brian using the term pound-feet. 😊
+Martin Smith The only way you'll get a Tesla for $66k is through their pre-owned program and it won't be the performance model either. You'll get the single motor car. For my money I would still buy the Hellcat over this car.
Everett Cox yeah but maintinence and repair costs will be alot more on the dodge so even though the k900 and hell cat are in similar price range you would have to set aside more money for the dodge
This car needs to be taken seriously... The sound system is the best I've ever heard.. period. I listened to a Mariah Carey song and it sounded like Mariah was sitting in the passenger seat, singing in my ear. Insane !!
Whenever I see a Kia, I think of a Family Guy scene when the Griffins are watching TV. A Commercial comes on and says: "Brought to you by Kia. Kia! Too bad it's a Kia."
These cars are a great value. you can find a new one for under 50k depending on your dealer even for the luxury trim. I like the cushy ride and the exterior isn't bad looking. it doesn't have as nearly many features as the ls but its an amazing value if this is your type of ride. Kia logo shouldn't matter in my opinion, and it's half the price as an s-class.
A lot of people are asking why this car exists. To be honest, it doesn't make a lot of sense in the North American market, but it makes a lot of sense in the Korean domestic market. In fact, it has been out in Korea for a couple of years now as the K9. The imported cars it is competing with are hit with massive duties / customs, so there is a real financial incentive for Koreans to buy domestic. There isn't much to choose from in this category though, pretty much just the Hyundai Equus. Kia and Hyundai also have more prestige in Korea than abroad, which helps. Of course, there is still a big market in Korea for Mercedes / BMW. Koreans are very status conscious, and those that can afford it will gladly pay tons of extra money for a prestigious badge.
Think of it like this. U r a rich guy going to a rich guys party. A guy asks u, what car do u drive? U say a Kia. U get a punch in the face. ON THE OTHER HAND we can have a Lexus. What car do u drive? U say Lexus, this guy will give u a lot of respect
You get almost all the Kia tech in the new Hellcat Charger PLUS that 707hp/650tq badass motor for about the same money or less. That's the way I would go.
lmao American fanboys. All the toys in the American cars came from the Italians at Fiat. Even when you guys make a "good car" you aren't really making it.
hmmm The Dodge Charger and Challenger are on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W211 chassis. The transmission is the W5A580 5-speed from Mercedes-Benz. The engine is developed by Chrysler. There are other Chrysler products that are rebadged Fiats, but the Charger and Challenger are not. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_LX_platform
Rick LeRoy The current Dodge Challenger is built on the Chrysler LC platform - which is a shortened version of the LX platform used for the Chrysler 300. While the LX used commodity bits from the Mercedes W211 platform to save on development costs, it was designed by and for Chrysler products so it isn't accurate to say that the LX is the same was the W211. Also, the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Challenger/Charger no longer use the Mercedes 5-speed transmission. They've been replaced by the 8-speed box from ZF.
Rick LeRoy What pisses me off more than the M-B crap still in the cars is the 3rd generation Hemis do not have the hemispherical combustion chambers any more. They have changed the engines so that they're not real Hemis now. As to that 5speed trans I own a 2006 300C with 87,000 miles on it and have had no work done on it at all so I can't complain about that. However, it's very slow to shift, both up and down and with only one overdrive speed gas mileage suffers compared to the new 8speed. If I find one in the junkyard I'm buyin that sucker right then and there!
No it's very much worth it on a Bmw 7 series you would pay 100k for all the features you will get STANDARD on a 60k Kia so would you really spend 40k more for a different brand
I like the fact that there is no touch-screen. I don't necessarily mind cars that have touch as an option but I hate cars that *require* you to touch the screen (i.e. they don't give an alternative for input) because most of those screens pick up fingerprints worse than untreated stainless-steel.
It's a nice car, but it's still a KIA. The brand doesn't exude luxury. As I stated previously in the Hyundai Genesis review, they (KIA) should have just created a separate luxury brand for the K900. Think Lexus, Infiniti, etc. Also, why should anyone with $66,000 buy this car instead of, say, an Audi, BMW, or Benz? How reliable will the car be in three, four, or five years down the road? Is KIA still copying other manufacturers, or are they actually creating innovation that matters?
The mercs, audis, and bmws that you get at a price like this don't have boat loads of standard luxury features and a v8. Even though this is a kia , it is definitely a bargain for a luxury car.
migstechunboxings The OP made some good points. As Cooley correctly points out, customers aren't really looking for "value" at this price point or in this class of car. Secondly, Kias are still rated low on the reliability and quality scale, they're getting better, but still pretty sub-par.
migstechunboxings The only people who hate that saying are ones who can't afford the top brands. I personally wouldn't buy a Kia no matter how much of a good value they are. I won't lie they are a good value, but it's not worth it to me. They still remind me of those cheap pieces of junk from the 90s you see kids and ghetto people driving. They don't have the history of being a top quality brand like BMW or Mercedes have always had. Even old Mercs still have prestige to them. It's like if Casio came out with a watch that was priced a little less than a Rolex and had all of the same features. Why would anyone want to pay over $4,000 for a watch that said Casio? The same company that makes those G-Shocks that douchebag kids wear.
In a way, I feel like Kia has more brand loyalty than Mercedes or BMW. They DO provide good value and I'm sure they provide exceptional service to try to pull people away from top luxury brands. the thing is, Kia just doesn't say class. Sometimes I see a decent looking new car from a distance and when I go to look at it and see a Kia or Hyundai badge, I just shake my head and walk away. They aren't bad looking, but it just isn't the same as looking at a true luxury brand. I have an 11 year old Benz and it's still as classy as ever. An 11 year old Kia doesn't get any attention, except for maybe a short laugh. Bottom line is if you just want features for cheap, by all means get a Kia. If you want a timeless classic, buy a Merc. I'd buy a slightly used S Class before this new Kia. That's value. By the way, I'm really not a huge fan of BMW because I feel like it's the car that kids with their casino jobs buy to look cool. Same with Audis. Mercedes just has more class in my opinion.
Kia cars are made by the engineers of Hyundai Motor Company. The only differences are the design department and marketing team. Which means Kia = Hyundai in terms of reliability. Not yet in America, but in Korea, K900(k9 in Korea) and Hyundai Equus are considered as the most luxurious cars. They are mostly owned by company owners. They are mostly favored lineups for CEOs of Samsung. Their reliabilities and good qualities have already been proven long ago. It is no use worrying about the quality.
I heard nearly everyone in south korea drives either a Hyundai or KIA. I like the optima because it's not too pricey and looks nice but reliable? idk my parents got a kia and its junk now, only lasted 10 years.
+zalien6 K900's reliability, that's what I meant. Well, try another Optima. It will last more than the last one. Design isn't the only thing that is improving.
Tae-Ou Park Personally I'm sticking with the American, German, and Japanese manufacturers. I believe in the Koreans and what they can do but idk, nothing they sell makes me think it's cool or worth it but in 5 or 10 years that's a different story. They'll probably be luxury brands because the amount of tech South Koreans seem to integrate into everything.
+zalien6 As a pre-engineer going to work at Hyundai R&D center next month, I feel sorry about the last kia car your family had. Korean car makers' brand power seems weaker than other manufacturers, I agree. They seem unreliable and easy to break compared to Japanese cars. That is why Korean companies have to keep running. Hyundai-Kia group is keeping their 5th highest place in world market share since 2011. If cheapness should be the main reason, chinese companies should also do well, which is not.
+Tae-Ou Park Nice! An engineer huh? So I can file my complaints with you! haha kidding but yeah I'm sure the people who still buy them know what the brand is all about. It's all bang for your buck isn't it? My parents didn't pay much for the Kia they had and I guess 10 years is about right for what they paid.
It costs between 60-66k? Who decides pricing over at kia? Do they really think putting this car in competition with E class Mercs and 5 series BMWs are good for their sales? If they drop the price down to 45k-50k these cars will sell like crazy...but not a price like $66,000
***** The K900 competes with the S class and the 7 series and the Lexus LS and at 60-66k is a real good price plus you get a ten year 100,000 mile warranty the Germans cannot beat that. Think about it Kia just really started making hyper luxury cars and the Germans been doing luxury cars for decades.
This car will probably sell the equivalent to the Acura RLX. What Acura could have done was put a twin-scroll turbocharger on the 3.5 Liter engine with standard SH-AWD with the 9 speed automatic transmission.
Cooley puts it best that people who are looking at this class of car or have the money to dish out aren't really looking for the best value but their own identification of prestige and image. KIA is definitely making better cars as I can personally see more of them on the road these days, but when it comes to it, "man I've been working all my life and now I'm successful, time to get me a KIA!" The brand can't do that and it's been said multiple times by others that they just need to make their own luxury brand. Who want's to drive a luxury car with the same badge as a KIA Rio or Soul haha!
Kia needs to offer a "De-badged" edition... or thats the first thing I have to address once I get one. BTW, resale of the 2015 K900, at $60,000, in 2018 is only $15,000.. better to buy one slightly used.
What Kia and Hyundai should do before entering into luxury car market was to create a new brand line. Like Toyota brought Lexus or Nissan brought Infiniti as their luxury car line, that is what Koreans supposed do. Car looks, drives awesome but people hesitate to buy Kia brand name for over 60,000 but not hesitate to buy the car. So what I think is Koreans need to bring new luxury car brand.
I agree; in fact since Hyundai owns Kia already it is possiblethat Hyundai eventually becomes the luxury line over Kia, but that also heavily depends on the consumers
I'm very leery of all the electronics and understand that you need a 200-300 watt alternator to power the car. So I'm skeptical of the electric knick knacks and their reliability.
Kudos to Kia for stepping up their game, however I really think they need work in the styling department.. A $66,000 Kia shouldn't look like your neighbor's cadenza
Good luck Kia, I think they should have taken more time to putting a little bit extra to be competitive to an Audi 8L. I am not convinced yet, just like the Hyundai Equus. There are a lot of learning curve to come out and selling a 60K vehicle. KIA should be ready for some class criticism.
I look forward to the next generation K900. Right now they're just sort of copying the big boys. Sort of like what Lexus did when they first came out with the LS way back when.
I agree with what you say about KIA but Lexus actually revolutionized the luxury car industry when it came out and it showed people that you can have reliability luxury and standard features all in one car and they beat the price of ze Germans (I'm a die hard BMW fan tho lol)
copy.... hmm... wonder where you get that thought. They're going upscale by offering "an alternative", not a "copied variant" otherwise BMW, Benz or Audi would sue Kia for "copying". No lawsuits so far.... what kind of pot are you smoking? Let's smoke some and get high together!
$66k is sticker price, minus discounts and incentives, you can get one for high 50s... There is NOTHING you can get at that price that comes close to this. Near Lexus 460 for 40k less
I don't know why it is ok to sell a KIA for 66 000$ and not a VW Phaethon VW tryed it even if Bentley did Verry well with Continental GT made from the same platform. And they own lots of high end brand names.
I agree it might not sell well new. But like the Genesis and equis sedans, they will be real popular in the used market. Plus, many rental companies may lease the k900 for a couple years and then return to dealer and then eventually to the used market.
Why all the negativity? The looks are very subjective, I'm sure Kia's reliability is better than any German rivals. The infotainment interface looks much better and seems very logical to me. There are no adaptive suspension, no turbos for extra power, no dct transmission to deal with( at least not a cvt) plenty of power, premium materials and premium build quality so, what's left? This is not a cross platform model so it's a very specifically engineered vehicle.
People that want to buy a $66,000 vehicle usually want others to know how expensive (read, not cheap) their car is. That's not really attainable with the K900. It's still a Kia, and it will take some time for them to shake off that off reputation. Even Hyundai had the good sense to come out with the premier Equus. Not a Hyundai badge anywhere to be found.
hyundai/kia should have just created a luxury spinoff brand (much like toyota/lexus, honda/acura, nissan/infiniti) instead of adding the same luxury cars to both of their brands. the genesis badge should have became its own luxury brand. i like what their doing, they're starting off very humble like japans brands did, but now the japan brands have gotten "big heads" and prices are almost as inflamed as their german opposition for the same comforts these korean cars are offering.
I've seen one or maybe two people driving this car while out and about... I just don't get it. Why would anyone in their right mind spend $66K on a Kia. Yes, Kia has come a long way (the Optima's are pretty cool exterior cars, everyone has them, the interior is dull, but whatever) and they have the right to compete with the Euro cars, but it's ridiculous. Honestly, one could get a mid-line, maybe even top of the line, BMW, Audi, Mercedes or even a Volvo, what the heck. These a respectable brands known for their durability and luxury (yes, even Volvo). The point I'm trying to make is, I don't see someone who is wealthy enough to spend $66K on a car, going for a Kia. Like, why not go for a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge?
Kia is very reliable and they have amazing leather I forgot the name oh yea Nappa leather which is very expensive and the rear seats recline while the back window has an automatic privacy cover and the windows have an manual one but the point I'm making is all that stuff is standard on a Kia but an options on a BMW Jag and Mercedes which will end up making them 100k and up so would you really spend an extra 40k on a brand name
Sat in this at the Chicago Auto Show, then went and sat in a $80,000 Mercedes. There was nothing in that Mercedes worth $15K more. Sorry. Also, so much hate on Kia's other offerings when they are actually better than Japanese entries in most metrics. The Japanese still have a slight edge in reliability and build quality but Kia/Hyundai are definitely superior to VW, and all of the domestic brands. Kia/Hyundai also have the industry's highest customer loyalty, yes, even higher than Ford WITH the F-150 fanatics included.
That's because they are awesome cars. I had a 96 Hyundai Accent in college and it was the best car I ever had. And mind you before owning one I bashed them too until I had one of my own and loved it. Bought it from my uncle who never took care of it with 113K miles and after I flushed out the engine and transmission because my uncle never changed the oil on it and changed the timing belt it ran like brand new with no further issues. Then I traded it in for a Suzuki SX4 and it was the biggest mistake I could have made. ALWAYS with problems and recalls that stupid Suzuki. I ditched that car shortly before they pulled out of the US market. I may never get to buy an Equus but that little Accent was so great that I won't be overlooking a Hyundai Santa Fe the day I need a family vehicle.
Ford in the United States sell more than Korean cars..... compare a RIO to a Fiesta... Fiesta is prettier and has more technology and better comfort...
I've driven a fiesta. It's an awful car. It drives like shit and the car sounds like it's suffering when you go up hill. It's also extremely uncomfortable with little to no leg room in the passenger seat. The new Accent has plenty of power and is roomy enough to be comfortable. I also rented a 2013 Ford Escape which left me stranded on the highway in bumfucktown RI due to a failed transmission in which I had to spend 3 weeks fighting with Zipcar to get reimbursed for the $500 taxi ride I had to take back home because they wouldn't replace the car. I also have a friend whose fiance has the same car with the same exact problem. Yeah. My experience with Ford products have NOT been the best. Love their styling especially the latest designs from Lincolns. But until they improve their reliability you won't be seeing a Ford sitting in my driveway anytime soon.
For the price it should. But a car like a Lexus LS beats this car. Other than that, Acura doesn't make a car of this size, the RLX is about 60-65 max, not starting. And it depends on what benz you sat in. This car is top of the line for Kia in luxury, compared that to benz it means the S-class. The S-class is compared to a rolls-royce, this kia is no where near it.
hmmm I think this gives a Lexus LS a good run for it's money. Many reviewers have said that the K900 reminds them of the LS in it's mannerisms and driving particulars. I'd take this over an LS. Easily. I'd take the $12-15K I save and invest it.
transmission isnt quick - I have a 2013 Hyundai Genesis with the same 5.0 and transmission (though is about 300-400 lbs lighter and hits 60 in 5.0seconds flat or less). this car is an interesting value if you buy 3-5 years old, I would NEVER NEVER NEVER buy new. Same time I think the Hyundai Genesis models are much nicer and a better value
I don't know, i just can't spend that kind of money on a Kia. Plus i kinda like the Optima better. This one has a little bit of every other manufacturers in it.
Cars like the K900 and the Genesis are ominous signs for the Japanese marques that their days are numbered. German luxury will always retain its leading position but the likes of Lexus, Infiniti and Acura (the second-tier brands) will eventually succumb to Hyundai/Kia's assault on the premium segment. There must be some sleepless nights in Tokyo right now...
***** I got a 2012 750iL man soon as I got out of my warranty that car give me all kinds of trouble it was the worst car that I ever owned I traded it in on a 2013 Hyundai Genesis V8 it's one the best car I ever owned but I will by a another BMW I spent 105,000$ on a pile of junk.
Jack Thorpe Comparing used cars to new is hardly fair. Though I suppose you can't bring yourself to admit that in order to get an S-class comparably equipped to the K900 you'd have to spend something like $50,000 more. You're like the person trying to convince me that a Rolex watch tells better time than a Casio.
supersami100 You side-stepped my question (as I figured you would). What would you buy with a similar level of content at a similar price? Answer both parts. Though from your half-answer I find it interesting you'd pay $30K more to "step up" to an S-Class, or buy a 5-Series at $17K more to get all the features of the K900. (Unless you get a stripper 5-Series with close to nothing in it for $66K). Certainly it's your choice, but if it was my money I'd spend it smartly and get more features with 90% the car at a $15-30K discount.
supersami100 I would by it over the Germans unless it's an AMG or an S trim level of an Audi I'd never by a BMW and none of them offer a ten year 100,000 mile warranty.
Kia is trying to sell a luxury limo that's value orientated? When you're an executive looking to be driven around, chances are you have money and are looking for image and status that comes associated with price. Nobody is really envious of a Kia like people are over a Mercedes or BMW. And when you take it to get serviced, it will end up parking right next to a Kia forte or soul. You won't get the VIP service that comes with a German car.
Kia and Hyundai also provide a time=money=luxury argument. Luxury may be never going to the dealership and having your car picked up and dropped off for service. Luxury might be not driving an hour or two to a luxury dealership, Hyundai and Kia dealers are more widespread. My friend must drive an hour to a Volvo dealership because regular mechanics aren't used the the Volvo intricacies even for oil changes.
I don't understand why people like BMW and Benz so much. I had BMW 740il and then I bought Porsche Cayenne Turbo All these cars has maximum of 2 years maintenance free and after 5 year valued at 20% of the original price. I just paid down payment for KIA K9 fully loaded with 5 Year bumper to bumper warranty and 5 years service. That mean I got to drive this car free of maintenance for 5 years which is a great value and the CAR is as good as BMW or Benz.
LMFAO this car is such a half baked luxury car. first, this thing has hints of BMW, Lexus, Benz and Audi written all over it. then, how can you talk about "loaded with standard featured" and you forgot something as standard as paddle shifters! Kias efforts are good but i dont think any other company can make that initial jump off the way Lexus did
Say all you want about Kias. I own a 2014 Cadenza and have no regrets. I have test driven the Quoris (K900) as it is called down and it was amazing. Would buy it in a heartbeat
This car is a fantastic example of how hard it is for a company to try to change its branding.
kia just needs a new eye-catching logo
+John Pov I think a nice emblem with wings on each side should do it.
+John Pov I think it should be a tiger, because that's the animal that represents South Korea. Kind of like how the bald eagle represents the U.S. Or a flower with five, symmetrical petals, like their coat of arms.
I think they should keep it but for their higher class cars they should change it, Hyundai does this with the Genesis. I think it's a good idea
Welp…
i don't know why people are saying that they copiedthe design from other manufacturers, I mean what do you want, do you want them to put the wheels on the roof so that they could be "distinctive "and not a copycat, grow up people.😒
That's all they can say when they can't criticize the car itself.
***** good for you, you won a nobel prize 🏆
Mohammed Alsultan This thing screams "I am a Genesis."
V8+RWD+ Kia's awesome warranty= a win to me
I get it, who would pay 66000 on a Kia? But then you have to ask why does BMW charge 19 grand more for base 7 series? Their name. You might say "because they are proper luxury brand" but charging extra money solely for their brand name means that customers (us) might get a similar car--and I think that this K900 is very similar in terms of luxury and quality--but pay more for the BMW just because of a pair of badges.
thank god is cooley!!! The other guys really do try but its just not the same...
I love those headlights.
The K900 (in Korea the K9 or Quoris) has exceeded all my expectations. It's equal to the best---I have owned BMW, Lexus, Saab 9000, and it's the best car I have owned so far.
Good God, I remember seeing an ad for this car on tv for the first time. Literally fell off my chair once it said KIA.
One thing no one has mentioned is leasing this kind of a car. If you consider that a Mercedes or BMW has a much higher cost and you were to lease one of them they would probably still have a high lease payment... But say you lease one of these for a 2 year period it would be much more attainable and you won't have to worry about reliability down the road. I think the car looks pretty good and Kia has come a long way from when it started.
Yep
Kia's car designs are always stunning to me, they always looks slick and luxurious which I always assumed they weren't until now of course.
So much KIA hating....I own 2 Optimas and couldn't be happier. Dealer experience is excellent and our LX and EX are a joy. Traded in a Camry for the first one, came back a year or so later to get all the goodies. Guess I'm lucky to have found a great car at a great price!
This doesn't say 'I got more money than you' but it does its job nicely. No car worth 66K provides this much of smooth riding, substantial tech, cabin space and back seat comfort. Money well spent, it just doesn't say 'I am rich and I got more money than you
This Kia is nice and I applaud Kia for taking a step like this, but no one is going to spend 66k on a Kia... when spending that type of money they're going to have real luxury in mind I.e. BMW, Jag, Benz, Audi and Lexus... even Cadillac and Infiniti. Not a Kia.
Audi wasn't always seen as "Real luxury" Thats relatively recent, BMW wasn't seen that way until the 80's really. Everyone gets their start.
La Tempesta Neither was Mercedes Benz before the luxury market was dominated by Cadillacs and Lincolns. Now Cadillacs and Lincolns are the laughing stock of the show.
Those brands you just mentioned are not real luxury, lol. Bentley, Rolls Royce, and Bugatti are the real deal, not cheap merc, BMW and audi. Ewwww!
If I had the money I definitely would buy the Kia
Christ how did i miss this Cooley review phew lucky I've watched it now.
kia has made its mark on the luxury world
"When you're in this class of car, there no right answer if it's worth the money. A lot of it has to do with image and prestige. That's a personal call." Cooley defined it right. End of discussion.
I would give it a try personally. Kia and Hyundai has come a long way and has made a bold move to enter the luxury space.
Also surprised to find Brian using the term pound-feet. 😊
It's a beautiful vehicle. Not crazy about the engine and drive train choices though. For that kind of money I'm thinking Tesla S.
+Martin Smith The only way you'll get a Tesla for $66k is through their pre-owned program and it won't be the performance model either. You'll get the single motor car.
For my money I would still buy the Hellcat over this car.
+Everett Cox you're a few ways off of a hellcat, so much hype about it when the only redeeming feature is it's hp numbers
Everett Cox yeah but maintinence and repair costs will be alot more on the dodge so even though the k900 and hell cat are in similar price range you would have to set aside more money for the dodge
This car needs to be taken seriously... The sound system is the best I've ever heard.. period. I listened to a Mariah Carey song and it sounded like Mariah was sitting in the passenger seat, singing in my ear. Insane !!
Whenever I see a Kia, I think of a Family Guy scene when the Griffins are watching TV. A Commercial comes on and says:
"Brought to you by Kia. Kia! Too bad it's a Kia."
These cars are a great value. you can find a new one for under 50k depending on your dealer even for the luxury trim. I like the cushy ride and the exterior isn't bad looking. it doesn't have as nearly many features as the ls but its an amazing value if this is your type of ride. Kia logo shouldn't matter in my opinion, and it's half the price as an s-class.
You know you can start to take a car seriously if it makes Brian giggle.
A lot of people are asking why this car exists. To be honest, it doesn't make a lot of sense in the North American market, but it makes a lot of sense in the Korean domestic market. In fact, it has been out in Korea for a couple of years now as the K9.
The imported cars it is competing with are hit with massive duties / customs, so there is a real financial incentive for Koreans to buy domestic. There isn't much to choose from in this category though, pretty much just the Hyundai Equus. Kia and Hyundai also have more prestige in Korea than abroad, which helps. Of course, there is still a big market in Korea for Mercedes / BMW. Koreans are very status conscious, and those that can afford it will gladly pay tons of extra money for a prestigious badge.
it's an immitation of what luxury and power is from real car manufactors.
Think of it like this. U r a rich guy going to a rich guys party. A guy asks u, what car do u drive? U say a Kia. U get a punch in the face. ON THE OTHER HAND we can have a Lexus. What car do u drive? U say Lexus, this guy will give u a lot of respect
You get almost all the Kia tech in the new Hellcat Charger PLUS that 707hp/650tq badass motor for about the same money or less. That's the way I would go.
Two different cars that you can't compare to one another. You aren't going to get the luxury of the Kia in the hellcat...
lmao American fanboys. All the toys in the American cars came from the Italians at Fiat. Even when you guys make a "good car" you aren't really making it.
hmmm The Dodge Charger and Challenger are on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W211 chassis. The transmission is the W5A580 5-speed from Mercedes-Benz. The engine is developed by Chrysler. There are other Chrysler products that are rebadged Fiats, but the Charger and Challenger are not.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_LX_platform
Rick LeRoy
The current Dodge Challenger is built on the Chrysler LC platform - which is a shortened version of the LX platform used for the Chrysler 300.
While the LX used commodity bits from the Mercedes W211 platform to save on development costs, it was designed by and for Chrysler products so it isn't accurate to say that the LX is the same was the W211.
Also, the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Challenger/Charger no longer use the Mercedes 5-speed transmission. They've been replaced by the 8-speed box from ZF.
Rick LeRoy What pisses me off more than the M-B crap still in the cars is the 3rd generation Hemis do not have the hemispherical combustion chambers any more. They have changed the engines so that they're not real Hemis now.
As to that 5speed trans I own a 2006 300C with 87,000 miles on it and have had no work done on it at all so I can't complain about that. However, it's very slow to shift, both up and down and with only one overdrive speed gas mileage suffers compared to the new 8speed. If I find one in the junkyard I'm buyin that sucker right then and there!
This car my friend is a genesis in every way except the design.
Beautiful lines. Good on Kia.
Spending 60k on a Kia is like kissing your sister-it just isn't right
ur comment is moronic.
No it's very much worth it on a Bmw 7 series you would pay 100k for all the features you will get STANDARD on a 60k Kia so would you really spend 40k more for a different brand
prototypeglory That's less accurate than saying buying a BMW is sticking with a gold digger for "her personality"
+carpetbu5rn tthyu, 877 3
+carpetburn i give my oscar.
I like the fact that there is no touch-screen. I don't necessarily mind cars that have touch as an option but I hate cars that *require* you to touch the screen (i.e. they don't give an alternative for input) because most of those screens pick up fingerprints worse than untreated stainless-steel.
It's a nice car, but it's still a KIA. The brand doesn't exude luxury. As I stated previously in the Hyundai Genesis review, they (KIA) should have just created a separate luxury brand for the K900. Think Lexus, Infiniti, etc.
Also, why should anyone with $66,000 buy this car instead of, say, an Audi, BMW, or Benz? How reliable will the car be in three, four, or five years down the road? Is KIA still copying other manufacturers, or are they actually creating innovation that matters?
The mercs, audis, and bmws that you get at a price like this don't have boat loads of standard luxury features and a v8. Even though this is a kia , it is definitely a bargain for a luxury car.
migstechunboxings The OP made some good points. As Cooley correctly points out, customers aren't really looking for "value" at this price point or in this class of car. Secondly, Kias are still rated low on the reliability and quality scale, they're getting better, but still pretty sub-par.
migstechunboxings The only people who hate that saying are ones who can't afford the top brands. I personally wouldn't buy a Kia no matter how much of a good value they are. I won't lie they are a good value, but it's not worth it to me. They still remind me of those cheap pieces of junk from the 90s you see kids and ghetto people driving. They don't have the history of being a top quality brand like BMW or Mercedes have always had. Even old Mercs still have prestige to them. It's like if Casio came out with a watch that was priced a little less than a Rolex and had all of the same features. Why would anyone want to pay over $4,000 for a watch that said Casio? The same company that makes those G-Shocks that douchebag kids wear.
In a way, I feel like Kia has more brand loyalty than Mercedes or BMW. They DO provide good value and I'm sure they provide exceptional service to try to pull people away from top luxury brands. the thing is, Kia just doesn't say class. Sometimes I see a decent looking new car from a distance and when I go to look at it and see a Kia or Hyundai badge, I just shake my head and walk away. They aren't bad looking, but it just isn't the same as looking at a true luxury brand. I have an 11 year old Benz and it's still as classy as ever. An 11 year old Kia doesn't get any attention, except for maybe a short laugh. Bottom line is if you just want features for cheap, by all means get a Kia. If you want a timeless classic, buy a Merc. I'd buy a slightly used S Class before this new Kia. That's value. By the way, I'm really not a huge fan of BMW because I feel like it's the car that kids with their casino jobs buy to look cool. Same with Audis. Mercedes just has more class in my opinion.
but the german luxury brands nickel dime you with options plus their maintenance, i think the kia k900 and hyundai equus are a fair deal
Kia cars are made by the engineers of Hyundai Motor Company.
The only differences are the design department and marketing team.
Which means Kia = Hyundai in terms of reliability.
Not yet in America, but in Korea, K900(k9 in Korea) and Hyundai Equus are considered as the most luxurious cars. They are mostly owned by company owners. They are mostly favored lineups for CEOs of Samsung. Their reliabilities and good qualities have already been proven long ago. It is no use worrying about the quality.
I heard nearly everyone in south korea drives either a Hyundai or KIA. I like the optima because it's not too pricey and looks nice but reliable? idk my parents got a kia and its junk now, only lasted 10 years.
+zalien6 K900's reliability, that's what I meant. Well, try another Optima. It will last more than the last one. Design isn't the only thing that is improving.
Tae-Ou Park Personally I'm sticking with the American, German, and Japanese manufacturers. I believe in the Koreans and what they can do but idk, nothing they sell makes me think it's cool or worth it but in 5 or 10 years that's a different story. They'll probably be luxury brands because the amount of tech South Koreans seem to integrate into everything.
+zalien6 As a pre-engineer going to work at Hyundai R&D center next month, I feel sorry about the last kia car your family had. Korean car makers' brand power seems weaker than other manufacturers, I agree. They seem unreliable and easy to break compared to Japanese cars. That is why Korean companies have to keep running. Hyundai-Kia group is keeping their 5th highest place in world market share since 2011. If cheapness should be the main reason, chinese companies should also do well, which is not.
+Tae-Ou Park Nice! An engineer huh? So I can file my complaints with you! haha kidding but yeah I'm sure the people who still buy them know what the brand is all about. It's all bang for your buck isn't it? My parents didn't pay much for the Kia they had and I guess 10 years is about right for what they paid.
It costs between 60-66k? Who decides pricing over at kia? Do they really think putting this car in competition with E class Mercs and 5 series BMWs are good for their sales? If they drop the price down to 45k-50k these cars will sell like crazy...but not a price like $66,000
***** The K900 competes with the S class and the 7 series and the Lexus LS and at 60-66k is a real good price plus you get a ten year 100,000 mile warranty the Germans cannot beat that. Think about it Kia just really started making hyper luxury cars and the Germans been doing luxury cars for decades.
Are those headlight missiles included?
This car will probably sell the equivalent to the Acura RLX. What Acura could have done was put a twin-scroll turbocharger on the 3.5 Liter engine with standard SH-AWD with the 9 speed automatic transmission.
yeah, I guess Honda doesn't off a v8 it its lineup
Lou Pus Honda doesn't make a V8 at all.
*****
Except for their racing division.
Cooley puts it best that people who are looking at this class of car or have the money to dish out aren't really looking for the best value but their own identification of prestige and image. KIA is definitely making better cars as I can personally see more of them on the road these days, but when it comes to it, "man I've been working all my life and now I'm successful, time to get me a KIA!" The brand can't do that and it's been said multiple times by others that they just need to make their own luxury brand. Who want's to drive a luxury car with the same badge as a KIA Rio or Soul haha!
I would love to see Porsche Spyder 918 tech. Thanks for the great work
Kia needs to offer a "De-badged" edition... or thats the first thing I have to address once I get one. BTW, resale of the 2015 K900, at $60,000, in 2018 is only $15,000.. better to buy one slightly used.
WELL worth the price of $66 grand, Mercedes/BMW are double or more!
What Kia and Hyundai should do before entering into luxury car market was to create a new brand line. Like Toyota brought Lexus or Nissan brought Infiniti as their luxury car line, that is what Koreans supposed do. Car looks, drives awesome but people hesitate to buy Kia brand name for over 60,000 but not hesitate to buy the car. So what I think is Koreans need to bring new luxury car brand.
I agree; in fact since Hyundai owns Kia already it is possiblethat Hyundai eventually becomes the luxury line over Kia, but that also heavily depends on the consumers
7:15 "plow" and "oversteer" are actually opposing qualities.
I hate how people hate Kia, it's a great company
loves this car going to buy it tomorrow first thing.... need to have.
I'm very leery of all the electronics and understand that you need a 200-300 watt alternator to power the car. So I'm skeptical of the electric knick knacks and their reliability.
Kudos to Kia for stepping up their game, however I really think they need work in the styling department.. A $66,000 Kia shouldn't look like your neighbor's cadenza
Good luck Kia, I think they should have taken more time to putting a little bit extra to be competitive to an Audi 8L. I am not convinced yet, just like the Hyundai Equus. There are a lot of learning curve to come out and selling a 60K vehicle. KIA should be ready for some class criticism.
I look forward to the next generation K900. Right now they're just sort of copying the big boys. Sort of like what Lexus did when they first came out with the LS way back when.
Thats what i was thinking too!!!!
They need to start somewhere. I'm looking forward to the next gen hyndai equis as well.
I agree with what you say about KIA but Lexus actually revolutionized the luxury car industry when it came out and it showed people that you can have reliability luxury and standard features all in one car and they beat the price of ze Germans (I'm a die hard BMW fan tho lol)
copy.... hmm... wonder where you get that thought. They're going upscale by offering "an alternative", not a "copied variant" otherwise BMW, Benz or Audi would sue Kia for "copying".
No lawsuits so far.... what kind of pot are you smoking? Let's smoke some and get high together!
the kia's 5.0 v8 makes 10 less horsepower then FORDS 5.0 mustang,435-425,so the Koreans aint slacking at all
+DANIEL RUSSO Yeah, but this car is heavier.
+WuWei Xu
It's meant to be a full-size luxury sedan.
Khalid Ibrahim I know that. What's your point?
Prob tuned for more mid-range as the car is pretty Heavy, the lighter mustang would be fine with a screaming top end tune.
$66k is sticker price, minus discounts and incentives, you can get one for high 50s... There is NOTHING you can get at that price that comes close to this. Near Lexus 460 for 40k less
6:05 "This vehicle is aimed at the Lexus LS"
_LS400 in the background_
no idea if that was intentional...
I don't know why it is ok to sell a KIA for 66 000$ and not a VW Phaethon VW tryed it even if Bentley did Verry well with Continental GT made from the same platform. And they own lots of high end brand names.
The font of the switchgear/infotainment screens kinda looms out of place in a luxury car
i love brian cooley
he is best driver and best criticizer
I am trying to decide between this 2015 K900 VIP plus and the 2015 Hyundai Equus Ultimate. Any input??
He does an excellent review!
Great video cooley
I think the K900 is like a Genesis with more tech targeting at the younger buyers.
Laurence Chen No, the Cadenza is Kia's Genesis.
***** Hm, that seems about right. Nonetheless, Hyundai should maybe kill off the Azera, though it is a very handsome car.
+Leo .. you eman Hyundai Equus
+Leo Sorry... you mean Hyundai Equus
even morpheus can't get people to buy a 60k KIA. challenge the luxury you know indeed.
I agree it might not sell well new. But like the Genesis and equis sedans, they will be real popular in the used market. Plus, many rental companies may lease the k900 for a couple years and then return to dealer and then eventually to the used market.
Why all the negativity? The looks are very subjective, I'm sure Kia's reliability is better than any German rivals. The infotainment interface looks much better and seems very logical to me. There are no adaptive suspension, no turbos for extra power, no dct transmission to deal with( at least not a cvt) plenty of power, premium materials and premium build quality so, what's left? This is not a cross platform model so it's a very specifically engineered vehicle.
STFU already Joe, is not even funny
+joe black You're probably a big time loner.
+joe black You're probably a big time loner.
***** That's it, let out all your denial. It's healthy for you.
People that want to buy a $66,000 vehicle usually want others to know how expensive (read, not cheap) their car is. That's not really attainable with the K900. It's still a Kia, and it will take some time for them to shake off that off reputation. Even Hyundai had the good sense to come out with the premier Equus. Not a Hyundai badge anywhere to be found.
Its the awesome Hyundai UI.
This is a great car. Why would anyone want to shell out more money just to be uncomfortable?
At least if all the badges said K9 or something else, rather than KIA. I think that would help quite a lot
Where's the 1080p?
It's 2014 c'mon.
Looks a lot like my Cadenza. At least give it unique badges. That KIA badge needs to go at that price.
Hell! They lost me at $60,000 I buy a Chrysler 300 or that new chevy SS even a charger it's a nice car just knocking the price
hyundai/kia should have just created a luxury spinoff brand (much like toyota/lexus, honda/acura, nissan/infiniti) instead of adding the same luxury cars to both of their brands. the genesis badge should have became its own luxury brand. i like what their doing, they're starting off very humble like japans brands did, but now the japan brands have gotten "big heads" and prices are almost as inflamed as their german opposition for the same comforts these korean cars are offering.
I've seen one or maybe two people driving this car while out and about... I just don't get it. Why would anyone in their right mind spend $66K on a Kia. Yes, Kia has come a long way (the Optima's are pretty cool exterior cars, everyone has them, the interior is dull, but whatever) and they have the right to compete with the Euro cars, but it's ridiculous. Honestly, one could get a mid-line, maybe even top of the line, BMW, Audi, Mercedes or even a Volvo, what the heck. These a respectable brands known for their durability and luxury (yes, even Volvo). The point I'm trying to make is, I don't see someone who is wealthy enough to spend $66K on a car, going for a Kia. Like, why not go for a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge?
Kia is very reliable and they have amazing leather I forgot the name oh yea Nappa leather which is very expensive and the rear seats recline while the back window has an automatic privacy cover and the windows have an manual one but the point I'm making is all that stuff is standard on a Kia but an options on a BMW Jag and Mercedes which will end up making them 100k and up so would you really spend an extra 40k on a brand name
Sat in this at the Chicago Auto Show, then went and sat in a $80,000 Mercedes. There was nothing in that Mercedes worth $15K more. Sorry. Also, so much hate on Kia's other offerings when they are actually better than Japanese entries in most metrics. The Japanese still have a slight edge in reliability and build quality but Kia/Hyundai are definitely superior to VW, and all of the domestic brands. Kia/Hyundai also have the industry's highest customer loyalty, yes, even higher than Ford WITH the F-150 fanatics included.
That's because they are awesome cars. I had a 96 Hyundai Accent in college and it was the best car I ever had. And mind you before owning one I bashed them too until I had one of my own and loved it. Bought it from my uncle who never took care of it with 113K miles and after I flushed out the engine and transmission because my uncle never changed the oil on it and changed the timing belt it ran like brand new with no further issues. Then I traded it in for a Suzuki SX4 and it was the biggest mistake I could have made. ALWAYS with problems and recalls that stupid Suzuki. I ditched that car shortly before they pulled out of the US market. I may never get to buy an Equus but that little Accent was so great that I won't be overlooking a Hyundai Santa Fe the day I need a family vehicle.
Ford in the United States sell more than Korean cars..... compare a RIO to a Fiesta... Fiesta is prettier and has more technology and better comfort...
I've driven a fiesta. It's an awful car. It drives like shit and the car sounds like it's suffering when you go up hill. It's also extremely uncomfortable with little to no leg room in the passenger seat. The new Accent has plenty of power and is roomy enough to be comfortable. I also rented a 2013 Ford Escape which left me stranded on the highway in bumfucktown RI due to a failed transmission in which I had to spend 3 weeks fighting with Zipcar to get reimbursed for the $500 taxi ride I had to take back home because they wouldn't replace the car. I also have a friend whose fiance has the same car with the same exact problem. Yeah. My experience with Ford products have NOT been the best. Love their styling especially the latest designs from Lincolns. But until they improve their reliability you won't be seeing a Ford sitting in my driveway anytime soon.
For the price it should. But a car like a Lexus LS beats this car. Other than that, Acura doesn't make a car of this size, the RLX is about 60-65 max, not starting. And it depends on what benz you sat in. This car is top of the line for Kia in luxury, compared that to benz it means the S-class. The S-class is compared to a rolls-royce, this kia is no where near it.
hmmm I think this gives a Lexus LS a good run for it's money. Many reviewers have said that the K900 reminds them of the LS in it's mannerisms and driving particulars. I'd take this over an LS. Easily. I'd take the $12-15K I save and invest it.
60k seems pretty steep even without the kia bias
Are you telling me they only managed to achieve a 0-60 of 5.5 with that big 5.0 in the front ?!?
transmission isnt quick - I have a 2013 Hyundai Genesis with the same 5.0 and transmission (though is about 300-400 lbs lighter and hits 60 in 5.0seconds flat or less).
this car is an interesting value if you buy 3-5 years old, I would NEVER NEVER NEVER buy new. Same time I think the Hyundai Genesis models are much nicer and a better value
I don't know, i just can't spend that kind of money on a Kia. Plus i kinda like the Optima better. This one has a little bit of every other manufacturers in it.
This car should a rear seat entertainment system.
Cars like the K900 and the Genesis are ominous signs for the Japanese marques that their days are numbered. German luxury will always retain its leading position but the likes of Lexus, Infiniti and Acura (the second-tier brands) will eventually succumb to Hyundai/Kia's assault on the premium segment.
There must be some sleepless nights in Tokyo right now...
***** I got a 2012 750iL man soon as I got out of my warranty that car give me all kinds of trouble it was the worst car that I ever owned I traded it in on a 2013 Hyundai Genesis V8 it's one the best car I ever owned but I will by a another BMW I spent 105,000$ on a pile of junk.
Did i just hear brian say "pound feet" instead of his usual "foot pounds"?! Hahaha id take an a6 for 60k instead please!
So GM is the Japanese Nissan? I guess Ford is Toyota and Honda is Chrysler for the big 3...
It's going to have a hard time with the already successful competition.
this looks like a nice car
they lost $40,000 in depreciation in 3 years!
At the end of the day, you still have to say you own a kia....
Really Cnet? 480p?
Sweet! I want one!!!!
1:28 lol, Stacy's Mom
Those LED headlights are creepy looking.
yeah i dont think somebody is going to pay 60k for a KIA... YOU'D HAVE TO BE CRAZY, ID RATHER HAVE A USED GERMAN CAR
Good luck paying the maintenance and insurance
how much...would have figured 30 max saw a black one paint needed to be color sanded or something crap factory quality
I wish this was AWD with DCT
wow, did they just steal the BMW shift knob?
Im really unimpressed with this car. Alot of money decent tech and ugly looks. Plus kia and $60,000 don't add up. This will not sell well
Ok, but still not paying more than like $40K for Kia/Hyundai.
For over 60k you could get a used Mercedes S class, not even that old, 4 years maybe. Then you get real luxury!!
Jack Thorpe Real big maintenance costs too...
Jack Thorpe
Comparing used cars to new is hardly fair.
Though I suppose you can't bring yourself to admit that in order to get an S-class comparably equipped to the K900 you'd have to spend something like $50,000 more.
You're like the person trying to convince me that a Rolex watch tells better time than a Casio.
Jack Thorpe This is real luxury dumbass that's why it's so expensive...
"Real luxury" is overrrated
Jack Thorpe Yes, all the people who can afford these cars are totally going to buy a used car lol.
whichever way you put it you will be spending 66k and it's a KIA and you can't forget it, it says "KIA" in big fat letters on the wheel!
supersami100 What would you buy instead with similar content for a similar price? I'd like to know.
supersami100 You side-stepped my question (as I figured you would). What would you buy with a similar level of content at a similar price? Answer both parts.
Though from your half-answer I find it interesting you'd pay $30K more to "step up" to an S-Class, or buy a 5-Series at $17K more to get all the features of the K900. (Unless you get a stripper 5-Series with close to nothing in it for $66K). Certainly it's your choice, but if it was my money I'd spend it smartly and get more features with 90% the car at a $15-30K discount.
La Tempesta Yeah I would buy it I'd buy it before I'd by an Mercedes Benz I wouldn't buy a BMW at all.
supersami100 I would by it over the Germans unless it's an AMG or an S trim level of an Audi I'd never by a BMW and none of them offer a ten year 100,000 mile warranty.
The front looks like the new ford fusion!
Kia is trying to sell a luxury limo that's value orientated? When you're an executive looking to be driven around, chances are you have money and are looking for image and status that comes associated with price. Nobody is really envious of a Kia like people are over a Mercedes or BMW. And when you take it to get serviced, it will end up parking right next to a Kia forte or soul. You won't get the VIP service that comes with a German car.
Kia and Hyundai also provide a time=money=luxury argument. Luxury may be never going to the dealership and having your car picked up and dropped off for service. Luxury might be not driving an hour or two to a luxury dealership, Hyundai and Kia dealers are more widespread. My friend must drive an hour to a Volvo dealership because regular mechanics aren't used the the Volvo intricacies even for oil changes.
I don't understand why people like BMW and Benz so much. I had BMW 740il and then I bought Porsche Cayenne Turbo All these cars has maximum of 2 years maintenance free and after 5 year valued at 20% of the original price. I just paid down payment for KIA K9 fully loaded with 5 Year bumper to bumper warranty and 5 years service. That mean I got to drive this car free of maintenance for 5 years which is a great value and the CAR is as good as BMW or Benz.
nice looking first gen car, but the resell value is gonna be horrible...
yeah, would be your best bet to by second hand. 2015 Genesis here in Canada cost around 30k here used.
LMFAO this car is such a half baked luxury car. first, this thing has hints of BMW, Lexus, Benz and Audi written all over it. then, how can you talk about "loaded with standard featured" and you forgot something as standard as paddle shifters! Kias efforts are good but i dont think any other company can make that initial jump off the way Lexus did