2015 Kia K900 Detailed Review and Road Test Part 2 of 2

Part 2: • 2015 Kia K900 Detailed...
When Volkswagen brought their Phaeton to the US last decade, the automotive press lauded the vehicle's luxury attributes but the Phaeton failed to sell. While there have been many post-mortems done on the failed Phaeton, the most likely two answers were: it looked like a Passat and it was just as expensive as the luxury competition. Let's get one thing straight up front, the Kia K900 is not a "Kia Phaeton." The biggest difference isn't the design which looks very much like the rest of the Kia family, it's the pricing.
Selling between $60,000 and $66,000, the Kia K900 is a screaming deal when you compare it to the full-size luxury sedans from Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Jaguar. But is it real competition?
The K900's sheetmetal is assembled with the same precision you find on the Lexus LS and from certain angles you can see hints of the BMW 7-Series and Lexus LS in the design. Overall the design language is restrained and elegant. I wouldn't go so far as to say derivative, because let's be honest, there is no such thing as "daring design" in the full-size segment. Even the XJ and S550 which tie for the most exciting designs don't stray too far from the norm.
On the inside we find all the usual luxury trappings from soft-close doors, heated and cooled seats to an Alcantara headliner and rear reclining seats. Restrained quantities of real wood and the occasional hard plastic piece can be found to prove that you paid a whopping $60,000 less for your K900 than your neighbour's S550, but they are few, far-between and generally out of reach.
That's the thing about Kia these days: they know how to pinch a penny the right way. All cars are about cutting corners, the trick is cutting the right ones. Kia uses some hard plastics on the inside, limits the amount of real wood, limits color choices and keeps the inventory low by offering only one $6,000 option package. In doing so Kia was able to actually deliver a higher level of interior parts quality than base BMW, Lexus and even Audi models. Case in point: the stitched leather dashboard and upper panels on the doors. You generally don't find real cow hide on the competition without paying for expensive upgrades while Kia drops the stitched goodness into all K900 models.
2015 Kia K900 Exterior Rear
Under the hood we have the same 240 horsepower 5.0L V8 engine that you'll find in the Genesis and Equus sedans. The engine was co-developed with Hyundai and this latest version is the most powerful iteration yet. Mated to Hyundai/Kia 8-speed automatic transmission, the K900's luxury credential list is complete.
Out on the road the K900 is easily the dynamic equal of the Lexus LS. That may sound odd, but the LS is one of the better handling full-size luxury players. The A8 is slightly nose heavy due to the engine's position, the S550 is large and heavy, the latest 7-Series is chasing Mercedes in the large and heavy war and the Jaguar XJ's aluminium body makes it handle more like a BMW 5-Series than a full-size luxo barge. The only thing holding the K900 back from competing with the 7-Series in the slalom is Kia's odd tire choice. The Hankook Optimo H426 is not a low-rolling resistance tire as some have said, however Hankook says it was designed for smooth, quiet operation and low fuel consumption. That's kind of a pity because the fuel consumption on the K900 is already hungry (like the others in this segment) however it lacks the grip the rest of the big boys command. Is that a problem? Not really. You see, for the extra you would pay for a similarly equipped (but less powerful) BMW 740i, you could buy 10 sets of max performance summer tires and a few gas cards.
The K900's price difference is really what sets the K900 apart from the VW Phaeton. While the Phaeton delivered 100% of the luxury you expect in this category, it also came with a full-sized price tag. The Kia on the other hand isn't just significantly less expensive than the full-size luxury competitors, it is also about $10,000 less expensive than a comparably equipped E400, 550i, XF 3.0T, or S6. Perhaps more compelling, the K900 is less expensive than a comparable Cadillac XTS and only a hair more than a Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80 T6 or Acura RLX.
While I don't see many 7-Series, S-Class, A8, or XJ shoppers cross-shopping at the Kia dealer, if you're looking in the near-luxury segment or the mid-size luxury segment you'll get a great deal more car for your buck at the Kia dealer with a longer warranty. Now you need to ask yourself: just how much is that logo on your hood worth?
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[@__CJ__]

Bought one! It's great! Purchased mainly based on Alex on Autos review of the vehicle, with Alex stating it was his favorite pick. Glad I took his advice, since it's the best car I've ever owned. Looks great in titanium brown that I chose.

[@hoderharris]

3 years later and you can find this for low to mid 20s used. Just incredible the amount of depreciation these cars have.

[@jeffpuha8187]

Excellent review, Alex. It's nice to see someone appreciate this fine car for what it is, rather than what the competition strives for. I would buy the K900 over all of the competition because I want a quiet cabin, very comfortable seats, and a plush ride in my large luxury sedan. I really like the looks, as well. A heads-up for your viewers; Kia now offers a beige Nappa leather interior and a Tuscan brown quilted Nappa leather interior for this car, in addition to the black or white Nappa leather interiors. I wrote a letter to them a few months ago saying that they should offer a brown-tone interior. It seems that they listened. :)

[@eugeneparkerson8110]

Nobody does it like you do, Alex. Very thorough and informative. Thank you.

[@prl08]

For me personally, one of the few (and biggest) sore spots is the lack of AWD.

[@joeguitargod]

Damn! That was an incredibly thorough review! Probably the most comprehensive, detailed, and exhaustive review of a car I've ever seen! This guy has done just about ALL of the comparison work for you, in just about every category imaginable(interior, exterior, powertrain, driving dynamics, options, pricing comparisons, etc.) when it comes to new-car buying. His speaking style can be a bit fast, but at least he speaks clearly. Besides, that's what pause and rewind are for. Good Job!

[@ianjung1164]

I own one and I love it

[@unkindguy88]

Very nice review and comparison from other competitors. Keep up the good work!

[@NavyOneKC]

We found a great deal on a2015 5.0. I'm just not sure what to do about the front camera being broken. The rear camera and all of the sensors work great...

[@sato4kaiba]

Fantastic part to the first. Thanks for your hard work and its greatly appreciated.

[@j.whiting7177]

Great review as always.

[@RemonaDRiley]

You're the BEST Reviewer! I own this and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!

[@tropicalvevo1094]

Alex is definitely the best Car Reviewer on KZbin

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Excellent review, and, so it seems, an excellent car.

[@ericc35]

Is it still a good choice for 2020?

[@raidalotaibi2315]

Which better the k900 or centennial?

[@tonemack2981]

Hey Alex how about a review at night every now and then if you can. Lights in and outside of a vehicle can also add to the overall emotion, feel and character.

[@DEADLY_HUMAN]

best car reviewer ever. better than saabkyle and reline

[@eXactiveQ]

not better to record from inside view ? i did hope to see this with dashboard :(

[@akshayd82]

I am surprised that you don't ride motorcycles, given your love for the twisties.

[@ThousanWhite]

I wouldn't mind getting this car if I was specifically in the market for a large, RWD luxury sedan. Too bad I'm in the midwest and I have no use for a car that size. I love Kias.

[@AirLancer]

Typo in the description, says 240 HP for the engine instead of 420.

[@Mercer1012]

Hey Alex, I got to sit in this at the Chicago Auto Show last year and I was quite shocked. I went over and sat in the loaded top of the line S-Class and I really didn't find anything in that S-Class that was worth $45,000 more. My question, as it usually is, is how are the headlights at night? Are they better than HID's or worse? Also how are the high beams? Where I live its very dark and there are few street lights in the country so headlights are important to me.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

The headlights were about a 9/10. Not the best out there but towards the top. I live in the forest about 20 miles from the nearest street light so I know what you mean.

[@Mercer1012]

Glad to hear! My friend from Atlanta can never believe how dark the streets are in the country! I have been hearing several people saying LED's are a step back from HID's in terms of intensity, but they are clearer so I am not sure how that would pan out in the real world and what would be more desirable.

[@PeterGregg]

I enjoy your videos. Why no link to your web site in the description box?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Well, the website is really just a bookend to the KZbin channel rather than a focal point on its own. I should drop in a few links however.

[@PeterGregg]

Thanks, I found the website pretty interesting :) The K900 is an interesting offering. You never said anything about your opinion (or someone else's) on the longevity of the car. You have a Jag that is holding up for quite a chunk of time. You think the K900 can be bought and held for 10 years? I also like the Chevy SS (2014/15) and encourage a review on that car someday by you :)

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

PeterGregg I think it should be fine in the long term. Remember that Kia does give it an incredibly long warranty. 10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles bumper to bumper, 5 years 60,000 miles roadside assistance. That's much better than many mainline players and slightly better than the 5/50K warranties you find on many luxury brands.

[@moneyneversaves9812]

Hi Alex, I love watching your reviews. Would it be possible for you to make a review on 2014-2015 Range rover sport and I have asked this before. Please make the review as soon as you can and when you do can compare the RR sport with the Range rover and other similar luxury suvs. Thanks....

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I am working hard on this however Jaguar/Land Rover thinks my channel may be too small still. I don't know what their requirements are really but hopefully next year the subscriber count will be high enough to get their attention.

[@nathanbrazina497]

Alex on Autos ni

[@jdfuller1971]

So Alex, is the k900 a better car than Hyundai's Equus?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

The theme is very similar but yes the K900 is the better car at the moment. They are related of course so the new Equus which will share substantially from this generation K900 should be out in about a year and then it will likely be a closer call.

[@trilingualkid]

Alex on Autos the Mercedes S500 have Air suspension, you are saying this car is more comfortable than the S500?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I would call them about equal. I find that air suspensions can often feel a bit too "floaty". So while the K900 is firmer than the S-Class it isn't floaty and while the S-Class is a little softer there is certainly a disconnected feeling.

[@trilingualkid]

Alex on Autos would you say the 2015 genesis is firmer? I enjoy the floaty ride of the S500, but I may go for a Equus.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

trilingualkid Yes the Genesis is firmer.

[@3litepker]

Alex on Autos The Quoris also has air suspension... >_

[@eyeswideopen23]

I want that

[@Edward-ns2qv]

I wanted to point out that you can no longer purchase the E class with a V8. Its being replaced with the twin turbo V6 found in the C400. The E400 is about the same price as the outgoing V8 model

[@TassieLorenzo]

Is this vehicle better than the Infiniti Q70 V8?

[@jaredshelton4718]

Yes

[@jamescraig4479]

Typo in the video description, the horsepower is 420 hp, not 240 hp...

[@Researcher_YouTube]

Any dates set for a review of the new 2015 Honda CR-V ?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Not yet but hopefully by November.

[@highwaycruiser6486]

Hey Alex, thanks for the video first of all, how do you count 0-60 and breaking distance, your numbers are quite different than other sources announced, for example, numbers from TLF cars or Everyman driver. Your numbers are closer to the true, IMHO, but you are just saying them and we don't know details of your measurement aspects.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Everyman Driver as I recall uses manufacturer estimates. I know that TFL car 0-60 tests their own, but they are at high elevation and that has a big impact on naturally aspirated engines like the K900. I use a 20Hz GPS based accelerometer which is accurate within 1/10th of a MPH. Keep in mind that you should never compare one publication’s 0-60 times to another. Every publication has a different method, different equipment, climate, track conditions, elevation, etc. So in order to be meaningful you should compare car A to car B’s times only from within a publication. For instance, compare my time in a Ford Fusion to my time in a Honda Accord. You’ll find the delta between two cars is fairly stable across publications while the raw number isn’t. This is because some numbers include one foot of rollout as if you were testing on a drag strip while some do not, road surface plays a huge role in two-wheel drive performance cars and temperature and humidity can play a role in turbo and supercharged vehicles.

[@navarro543]

what about wen you get into a univen surface,those the sterringweel move or chakes,or even move?

[@jacure123]

I will be trading my m5 for this!:)

[@mackfar27]

Did you ever go through with the purchase, and if so, how was it?

[@stephanematis]

I can see limo services looking at this. Frankly, visually, I would debage it and in a somber colour it would look epic.

[@principeraphael4859]

cadsux Hopefully James' version will come in a nice red color. The color choices for Kia/Hyundai's luxury cars is quite poor.

[@MarimbaNation]

All I know is that this and the Chevy SS will be phenomenal preowned buys. Too expensive for first owners to mess up, too little market to command even average resale values. Especially since everything about them will be irrelevant in two years.

[@MrFrozenCanuck]

So, Kia is considered more prestigious than Hyundai?

[@kc5077]

Hyundai and Kia are financially tied sharing development of engines and platforms but compete against each other for sales. They have a joint product planning board and then individual company boards and separate factories. It's great to see them leap frog each other.

[@darksideofmind91]

I think this car is expensive for what it offers, but we havo to consider this is the first "luxury" car from Kia, so it's quite understandable... Probably next ones will give better offerings

[@navarro543]

talk about the ffeling wen come to the steringweel

[@Noah_E]

The Koreans need a separate, luxury brand like Toyota has Lexus and Honda has Acura. A $60K K900 with design queues shared with a $15K Rio doesn't project luxury or exclusivity.

[@dtester]

Might be a good thing for them to do. Hyundai has been hiding the H badge and giving the higher end cars their own badges except for the rear. Its a good middle ground

[@navarro543]

resale value is a joke.stop taking about money.makes no sence.you loose thath money when you seell it.

[@navarro543]

this is a car for old people with no idea wath a car should drive.

[@navarro543]

this car is a crap from kia,as an honor very disappoint it.

[@LulaPlays]

you obviously know nothing about cars.

[@sprague49]

@@LulaPlays ...or English

[@navarro543]

do not compare with the luxury industry,is a chip car thath pretends to be somethin thath is not.tell the truth.