At the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show->ke211, Kia ->ke41 unveiled its new, rear-wheel-drive flagship. Aimed at German luxury vehicles such as the BMW 7 Series->ke323, the sedan went on sale in the first quarter of 2014.

The K900->ke4748 rides on the same platform as the Hyundai Equus, from which it also borrowed the powerful, 5.0-liter, V-8 engine that hooks up to an eight-speed transmission with three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport.

According to the company, the K900 "is the next logical progression for Kia. It demonstrates what Kia is capable of and will help redefine what the Kia brand stands for." The flagship went on sale just in time to celebrate Kia's 20th anniversary on the U.S. market.

Updated 11/25/2015: Kia announced details on the 2016 K900 - a model that adds a new V-6 engine. Unlike the 2015 model year, the 2016 K900 will be offered in three trim levels: V6 Premium, V6 Luxury and V8 Luxury, with prices ranging from $49,000 to $61,900.

Continue reading to learn more about the Kia K900.

2015 - 2016 Kia K900

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 - 2016 Kia K900
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 311 @ 6000
  • Torque: 293 @ 5000
  • Transmission: eight-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new K900 is defined by its impressive proportions that ensure a considerable road presence. It is not only an elegant car, but a sporty and muscular one too, thanks to the swept rake of the greenhouse, subdued cut lines along the doors and high rear deck. The car's front is dominated by Kia's signature grille with dark chrome inner elements and a chrome surround. The rear features trapezoidal taillights with defused LEDs for the brakes and bright LEDs for the turn signals. Kia chromed-out the rear deck lid and added fully integrated, dual chrome-tipped exhaust ports. A sporty rear bumper is the last piece that completes the puzzle.

New For 2016

For the 2016 model year, the K900 gained a revised front grille, an updated rear fascia with new exhaust pipes, taillights, and chrome trim. There's also a set of new 18-inch wheels for the V6 model and 19-inch rollers for the V8 version.

Exterior Dimensions

V6

V8

Wheelbase

119.9 in.

119.9 in.

Length

200.6 in.

200.6 in.

Width

74.8 in.

74.8 in.

Height

58.7 in.

58.7 in.

Track, front/rear

63.6 in. / 64.3 in.

63.8 in. / 64.1 in.

Curb weight

4,277 lbs.

4,555 lbs.

Fuel capacity

19.8 gal.

19.8 gal.


2015-2016 Kia K900 V8 - Standard Exterior Features

- 19" tires with chrome wheels

- LED headlights

- LED fog lights

- Smart Key remote keyless entry

- Auto rain sensing wipers

- Power-folding side mirrors

- Illuminated door scuff plates

- Panoramic sunroof with power shade

- Chrome tail-pipe finish

- LED taillamps

- Hydrophobic front side glass

2016 Kia K900 V6 - Standard Exterior Features

- 18" tires with alloy wheels

- HID headlights with adaptive front lighting system (AFLS)

- LED fog lights

- Smart Key remote keyless entry

- Auto rain sensing wipers

- Power-folding side mirrors

- Illuminated door scuff plates

- Chrome tail-pipe finish

- LED taillamps

Interior

While the exterior delicately balanced sport with luxury, the interior is all luxury. The sedan is offered with high-grade leather, while soft Nappa leather is available in black or white with contrasting piping. There is also a three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for audio, cruise, entertainment and vehicle information. The leather is combined with a white sycamore or dark charcoal poplar-wood trim sweeps across the dash and door panels, while an optional full-length panoramic roof completes the luxury features list.

Center Console Detail

Plenty of Rear Seat Controls Too

New For 2016

The sedan's interior has also been updated for the 2016 model year, gaining a new 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, paddle shifters for the eight-speed automatic transmission, and the new UVO Luxury Services. The latter features an embedded modem that can operate the start/stop, climate control and door locks from a smartphone app. Included in the app is a full suite of My Car Zone features, which includes Curfew, Speed and Geofence settings. New equipment also includes a hands-free trunk lid and optional autonomous braking system.

New For 2016

V6

V8

V6

V8

5 passenger

5 passenger

Seating capacity

40.2 in. / 37.6 in.

40.2 in. / 37.6 in.

Head room, front/rear

45.9 in. / 38.2 in.

45.9 in. / 38.2 in.

Leg room, front/rear)

59.1 in. / 57.2 in.

59.1 in. / 57.2 in.

Shoulder room, front/rear

110.8 cu. ft.

110.8 cu. ft.

Passenger volume

15.9 cu. ft

15.9 cu. ft

Cargo volume

126.7 cu. ft.

126.7 cu. ft.


Total volume

- Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel with genuine wood

- Power tilt & telescopic steering column

- Leather-wrapped upper dash, center console, door panel insert

- AM/FM/CD/MP3/SiriusXM audio system

- Lexicon 2 Discrete Logic7 900-watt surround-sound audio with 17 speakers

- 9.2-inch Navigation system with rear-camera display

- UVO eServices

- Driver information system (DIS)

- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink and compass

- Push-button start with Smart key

- Premium Nappa leather seat trim

2015-2016 Kia K900 V8 - Standard Interior Features

- Steering wheel-mounted audio/Bluetooth® wireless technology/cruise-control buttons

- Leather-wrapped steering wheel

- Power tilt & telescopic steering column

- 12.3-inch full TFT LCD instrument cluster

- Leather-wrapped upper dash, center console, door panel insert

- AM/FM/CD/MP3/SiriusXM audio system

- Lexicon 2 Discrete Logic7 900-watt surround-sound audio with 17 speakers

- UVO eServicesDriver information system (DIS)

- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink® and compass

- Push-button start with Smart key

- Back-up warning system

- Leather seat trim

Drivetrain

Although it received two V-6 powerplants and a V-8 in certain markets, the U.S.-spec model is only equipped with the latter. The 5.0-liter Tau GDI unit cranks out 420 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, which are sent to the wheels through Kia's new, smooth-shifting, eight-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox comes with three modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. Each mode also adjusts the electric power steering’s sensitivity.

New For 2016

Previously available in the U.S. only with the V-8, the K900 received a 3.8-liter V-6 engine rated at 311 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque. The V-6 mates to the same eight-speed automatic transmission.

New For 2016

Engine

Premium V6

Luxury V6

Luxury V8

Type/layout

3.8L V6, DOHC Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI)

3.8L V6, DOHC Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI)

5.0L V8, DOHC Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI)

Displacement (cc)

3,778 (cc)

3,778 (cc)

5,038 (cc)

Bore x stroke (mm)

96.0 x 87.0 mm

96.0 x 87.0 mm

96.0 x 87.0 mm

Compression ratio

11.5:1

11.5:1

11.5:1

Horsepower

311 HP @ 6,000 RPM

311 HP @ 6,000 RPM

420 HP @ 6,400 RPM

Torque

293 LB-FT @ 5,000 RPM

293 LB-FT @ 5,000 RPM

376 LB-FT @ 5,000 RPM

Valve System

Double overhead camshaft Mechanical valve lash adjuster

Double overhead camshaft Mechanical valve lash adjuster

Double overhead camshaft Hydrauric valve lash adjuster

Cooling System

Liquid cooled circulation, centrifugal accessory belt driven water pump

Liquid cooled circulation, centrifugal accessory belt driven water pump

Liquid cooled circulation, centrifugal accessory belt driven water pump

City/Highway/Combined (mpg)

17/26/20

17/26/20

15/23/18


Suspension and Brakes

The K900 rides on an advanced, five-link, fully independent front and rear suspension. The front suspension features coaxial coil-spring shock absorbers and a new friction bearing in the steering column to enhance straight-line stability and steering precision. The rear suspension also houses the differential, while the coil springs and shock absorbers are separate units, allowing for negative camber for improved cornering ability.

Prices

The Kia K900 went on sale as the Luxury V8 during the first quarter of 2014 with a starting price of $59,500, not including the $900 destination charges. For 2016, the Luxury V8 sees a price increase to $61,900. The new V6 models are available as the Premium V6 from $49,000 and the Luxury V6 from $54,900.

2016 Kia K900 MSRP

Model

Description

MSRP

K900 Premium V6

3.8L GDI V6 - 8 A/T

$49,000.00

K900 Luxury V6

3.8L GDI V6 - 8 A/T

$54,900.00

K900 Luxury V8

5.0L GDI V8 - 8 A/T

$61,900.00


Competitors

Hyundai Equus

The 2014 Equus was updated with more than 30 new and enhanced features on the exterior and the interior, including higher-quality materials, tweaks to ride and handling, an updated driver information display and new safety features. Under its hood, the Equus gets a 5.0-liter, V-8 engine that delivers a total of 429 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 376 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm.

The Equus is priced from $61,000.

Read our full review on the Hyundai Equus here.

BMW 7 Series

Ever since Kia announced its plans to offer the K900 in the U.S., it claimed that the new model will offer the same equipment level as a BMW 7 Series at a 5 Series price. Of course, we can not confirm that just yet, since there are no pricing details available, but we are all in for a 7 Series competitor for a fraction of the price. BMW redesigned the 7 Series for the 2013 model year, with changes to the exterior and interior, as well as a new line of upgraded engines. The base model is powered by a 3.0-liter, straight-six engine that develops a total of 258 horsepower, while the top version gets a 4.4-liter, V-8 engine that delivers a total of 450 horsepower.

The BMW 7 Series is priced from $74k.

Read our full review on the BMW 7 Series here.

Conclusion

The new K900 is a very nice addition to Kia's lineup -- maybe the model it needed to boost sales on the American market. Its output puts it close to performance sedans currently available on the market, but with prices way under the German premium models.

Updated History

Updated 11/21/2013: This review was updated with the official details, images and specs.

Updated 02/11/2014: Kia announced today prices for the all new K900 luxury sedan. The model will go on sale during the first quarter of 2014 with a V-8 Luxury model starting at $59,500. A V-6 version will arrive at a later date.

Updated 01/23/2015: We've added a series of new images from the car's official presentation at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Check the new images in the "Pictures" tab.