2019 Kia K900 Review | Edmunds

Edmunds Senior Writer Mark Takahashi traveled all the way to South Korea to check out the all-new 2019 Kia K900. The U.S.-spec version will show up in dealerships in the fall and will have some differences to the Korean-spec model in this video, but those differences should be minor. From initial impressions, comfort and how it drives, this review is a good indication of what we can expect.
Q: How much will the 2019 Kia K900 cost?
A: Prices will start somewhere around $55,000.
Q: When will the 2019 Kia K900 go on sale?
A: The on-sale date is sometime in September or October 2018.
Q: What kind of engine does it have?
A: The 2019 Kia K900 has the same 365-horsepower turbocharged V6 that's in the Kia Stinger.
Q: So, there's no V8?
A: No, there's no V8 and the V6 is powerful enough not to miss another two cylinders.
Q: What will the K900 compete against?
A: Primary rivals will include the Genesis G90, the Lincoln Continental and the Lexus LS 500.
Read our review here: www.edmunds.com/car-news/firs...
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[@SOBIsHobbies]

I'm not a badge snub. If I had a need for luxury sedan I would most definitely consider this K900. Good job KIA! At the end of the day whether it's KIA or Mercedes these luxury vehicles don't hold their value all that well anyways, so why would I pay twice as much when I can get same amount of car for a lesser price. Smart buyers would understand my approach.

[@theking5062]

Daniel Sobirov very correct 👍🏽

[@chrisak49]

The last K900 didn’t look prestigious on the outside. This new one has that prestige look now.

[@kristophercantu297]

They had the big V8 though.

[@ModernDayMixtapes]

That is a beautiful interior. Way nicer than anything Cadillac has ever done. Great job Kia & great review!

[@thelastconservative]

It's not touching the CT6 pump your brakes

[@jaredshelton4718]

@@thelastconservative Oh God, the CT6 is a laughing stock 😂

[@trilingualkid]

uh no...that CT6 is gorgeous, they got rid of CUE, their stock double but this is a nice car.

[@jaredshelton4718]

@@trilingualkid CT6 looks cheap....and it is, it's GM

[@trilingualkid]

thats your opinion, and coming from a guy that vouch for a KIA, thats not much... there was a point in time where you only buy KIA if you had absolutely no other choice, and the nearest isuzu dealership is close down.

[@bp83330]

"Champagne taste on a Soju budget!" Hahahaha brilliant!

[@BanBiofuels]

Good review of a well designed car. I sent Kia an email a week or two ago suggesting they change the name to something without the K-9 sound in it, because the name will always limit sales of an otherwise fine car. Today Kia called me and said they would forward my suggestion to the right people. Nice to know they listen to customers.

[@TuanNguyen107bvt]

Christopher Calder in my country it’s name is Kia Quoris.

[@ThinkBeFree99]

Maybe they will revive the Amanti name. I wish Genesis would use the Equus name for something. I have an Equus and I love it people always check it out and admire it

[@alliejr]

That interior: WOW!

[@badimpulses17]

KIA has come a long way. Can't say that much for domestic brands.

[@yurieu5872]

Domestic brands has gone a long way, all the way into China.

[@toddmediumwellingtoniii478]

what luxury looks like

[@back2back22]

Best in it’s class!! (Dollar for dollar)

[@CapELarry]

I don't know what you mean by saying all of its safety tech is standard across the class. It's not. Mercedes will make you pay thousands more on an S class to get what's standard on a Toyota Corolla.

[@iSOBigD]

I thought the same thing. Heated and cooled seats and a heated steering wheel or memory seats are optional on just about any car outside of the new Genesis/Kias. Same with apple carplay/android auto, 360 cameras, real leather/wood, etc. A lot of people forget that most MB/Audi/BMW owners don't have most of those things but still paid more than they would have for a non-luxury brand car with everything.

[@paintedbird6791]

I don't have a badge problem. Soon as it hits the showroom in the stateside, I am there. 50k for this luxury!!! I am turning fifty. Like a lot of things in my life, I am done trying to impressing others. This comfort vehicle at 50k, I will bring my checkbook. As a immigrant that started poor, I can't imagine driving a car priced at 100k. Any and all trust fund kids gotten older can drive what they want but, even with money I have, 50k to 60k would be maximum I would spend on a device that takes you from point A to Point B. I like the fact that exterior doesn't stand out Going around in my neighborhood and be very happy with what I have is all I need. I bet you this will be a hit in Florida, palm Springs and Arizona. Oh, and being used as limo in Dubai because with a touch of button front seat gets moved to provide more leg room for rear passenger. All Indians and Pakistanis limo operators will appreciate this feature. And Mr. Takahashi, a great review.

[@Sullywins]

IMO wait a year or 2 for depreciation and you will get this for 25k Certified. Amazing value for that price. Same with the Genesis, if you want a slightly better luxury without big badge name that depreciates quite a bit.

[@user-bn8xs6tc1w]

Seeing this, I will never buy a bmw again. Unbelievable! You have won a new customer Kia!

[@shopwithaaron]

Just got back from a 3 day (2 night) 1,000 mile road trip in my 2017 Optima SXL and love the smart cruise and lane departure features...both were unobtrusive and effective in keeping me alert. Also the 2.0 turbo was perfect for passing on a two lane highway without doubting if I could make it! Nappe interior proved comfy and supportive. Only wish I could have ridden the trip in the back seat!!

[@forcelegend4526]

How's the mileage ?

[@shopwithaaron]

force legend Averaged 34 mpg!😎! 20 around town..

[@larrysmith6797]

Nappe interior? Does it have kinky hair and dreadlocks? Nappa leather.

[@xanaduzu5150]

Did Edmunds ever produce a video review of the US spec version? I can't find it.

[@samhansen7303]

Casually driving by a Rolls Royce at 4:15

[@Aaronaitor]

That's a Toyota Century: Toyota's Rolls Royce.

[@Bobbly_bobbby]

thats the 1st gen Hyundai Equus.

[@Aaronaitor]

kangster Oh. You’re right.

[@akashnijjar89]

Thats a first generation Hyundai Equus. Check out Doug DeMuro's video on that. Its pretty neat.

[@homeremote8311]

tis a Hyundai Equus. I also saw the Doug video. I think its pretty dumb that when the front seat moves forward for rear seat comfort, the entertainment screen becomes unusable.

[@mrknowmyself]

Great car, Great review! Thank you!

[@nwbasson]

Lanewatch camera is super useful for spotting cars sitting in your blind spot when it's raining at night when headlight glare in traffic makes a shoulder check harder to execute quickly.

[@GaryKetchum808]

People say the exterior is boring, but I think it looks clean and stately, it’ll age well no doubt. I’d say this is the best looking in its price range for large sedans.

[@dylanw890]

Wow.... Kia really knocked it out of the park with this one. Especially in that dark navy blue, it makes this car look so seductive and elegant. For some reason I get an aquatic theme when looking at this car but this is an amazing alternative to the BMW 5 series or E Class

[@vincentlee9638]

Am i the only one who love the exterior? I mean they get it damn right for the segment. Tamed, normal(or boring) exterior and a posh interior.

[@swanblake]

I really love this vehicle. The the interior is gorgeous. Say better than a Cadillac interior. Rear wheel drive as a proper luxury car should be. Great vehicle

[@christopheradams5607]

You obviously haven't seen a Cadillac have you?

[@LulaPlays]

@@christopheradams5607 lol what? This is loads better than the shit caddy interior plus caddies are some of the most unreliable cars nowadays! TRASH.

[@MrRomo54]

Wow, love KIA, you can actually see the Auidi designer that currently is with Kia

[@Bluewhale123456]

What's written in the rear beside k9? And what does it mean?????????.?????? 00:16

[@lakmalantony8505]

Great job Mark

[@iSOBigD]

I love the car and it's an amazing value but I'm confused about a couple of minor things. The G90 has automatic side window shades, but no more rear displays, foot rest and fridge (despite the previous Equus having them), but the K900 has rear displays and arguably even nicer materials but manual sun shades...and the G90 was made to be one of the quietest cars money can buy, but the K900 is somehow louder inside than the previous one? I wonder how much of that is due to the tires and harder suspension because I can't imagine KIA stepped up the interior materials so much only to then use less sound dampening material.

[@armaan78645]

I think that the reviewer is justifying the "price" of an S class or a 7 series. Is the badge really worth 50K+? That is up to you and your money. It is important to note that the Korean market version always gets the extra bells and whistles. The powered window shades is for sure a cost cutting tactic considering that this car starts at 50K, and a G90 is like 65k-70k. I guess we will find out more when it hits North America. I think this car would look so much better in person. The interior looks seriously expensive. Also, isn't the "magic" ride on an S class some sort of air suspension? Aren't those extremely unreliable? I am sure Kia didn't want to deal with the headache of an air suspensions reliability issues(I could be wrong, don't know everything about the air suspension in a Merc). I think it is worth waiting for the NA tuned K900.

[@iSOBigD]

Yeah unfortunately they tend to spec them differently for some reason. The S class does have (optional and pricey) adaptive air suspension, but the model without it rides as rough as cheaper cars. The Equus and even Genesis sedans in Korea had optional air suspensions too but I think the K900 always had a "regular" comfortable suspension so they probably stuck to it. I'm still very impressed with the interior at any price, let alone 50k. Imagine this as a used car purchase with the heated and cooled reclining rear seats at half or one third of the competition...

[@NA-du5vm]

You can get rear entertainment in the G90 if you get the 5.0 model.

[@iSOBigD]

In Canada, it comes with rear heated/cooled memory seats, but not the displays like this Korean K900. Another reviewer said the North American K900 will only have analog gauges where as this and the G90/Equus have digital gauges. I just don't understand why they make these weird choices.

[@NA-du5vm]

Daniel Draghici I don't understand why the Korean specs are always far better than the US.?

[@chriscybulski3579]

Is there a v8 option available?

[@saewonyi]

Really love the headlight design

[@josephesposito70]

Beautiful car amazing power train. E class money for s class size. You will definitely see more of these on the road. I would buy one used. Good value.

[@keenedgedesigns]

Reviewer is a very good speaker. Very concise.

[@justmy2cents_]

Kia & Hyundai are proving themselves to be considered worthy with their latest attempts! Coming from where they came from in just a few short years is very Commendable! They've stepped up their game & are shaking things up for thousands less. Watch your back Cadillac there in your side view mirror with blinkers on!!

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

That blue is insane

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Psy is reviewing cars now? Gangnam Style!!!

[@blexy350]

Probably should throw a "S450" badge on the rear end. wow.

[@lucasjohnstone101]

It looks good too. I am not a fan of Kia at all but it seems like their sedan choices have really picked up their game.

[@robyoungquist5803]

So when can I get my hands on one here in the States? Great car! Great value 👍

[@nickgee7291]

My new fave sedan for sure

[@yessevenedge6850]

The front reminds me of the swift dzire. But it looks good

[@jaredshelton4718]

I'm looking to get a 2015 model for now, then hopefully in the future I can trade it for the newer model.

[@manfelix6820]

love this car!

[@jeffsong5653]

A campaign taste on a soju budget. haha. I'll use that line someday.

[@namoudany]

I didn't like it at first, but the exterior is growing on me, especially the back.

[@jaffarbaqi]

A grainy ride should not be part of a luxury sedan portfolio. Add a more than expected cabin noise level, and the chances for the K900 success drop drastically.

[@samsonokoro5036]

You haven't seen any other car that adjusts the side bolstering with a button? other cars do it automatically depending on driving mode to mention one example. The Lexus LS 500 adjusts the side bolstering automatically once u sit in the car and start it, it collapses when you turn off the engine as well. The Ls 500 also raises up the seat belt latch from the bottom for ease buckling when u get in and lowers it down after you remove the seat belt. This is all automatically done, this K900 is great for what it is but it's far in technological advancement and luxury features compared to the Ls 500, 7 series and s class.

[@mo4everable]

I like the new look way better then old version

[@htainlin]

Beautiful and attractive inside-out with many adjustments available. There's only 2 downside: all available sunshades should be mortorized, and more power baby! (because it needs to have a more powerful engine option available) ,overall,well done Kia!

[@ypwpat]

pretty sure BMW M5 E60 have the feature if pressing the M button the side bolster will tighten up to give you more Hug feeling seats.

[@hughn1]

My BMW 530e does it too.

[@imaldon1]

An amazing value! Would love having one. Dismiss the MB S-Class and save the other $50k in your bank account.

[@xxthehuskycaboosexx]

Iván Maldonado anyone who wants an S class will never cross shop a KIA, ever. Only people who want an S class, but can’t afford it will consider this Kia.

[@GummyRiches]

Buy a second one for your parents and still have money left.

[@hbk92701]

I used to sell MB and was around the cars all day, so familiar with them and while I think personally think they are the nicest looking cars for the luxury segment, they didn't drive that amazing and was always so confused as to how where the extra 50 to 60 thousand dollars over the E-Class went into the S-Class. And the engineering on MB engines was never impressive, those had the worst turbo lag of any car I ever drove. The AMG cars were impressive but I wouldn't take a C63 over an M3 either.

[@phuckhugh2698]

Its too bad they are no longer selling the 420HP V8 engine in the US.

[@jaredshelton4718]

I'm sure you could have them import one for an extra charge

[@gsxellence]

I guess no more V8 :(

[@user-jj7lo3sp2n]

The korean version gets the V8 still, but we get the turbo V6 :/

[@megaswenson]

Great review! And I think that the exterior is PERFECT, just as it is. Makes the new Lexus LS look like a pimpmobile. The K900 is DIGNIFIED AND REFINED - something that KIA has excelled at producing, and a Korean advantage over Japanese design, which, except for Lexus from '07 through '12, always looks cheap and gimmicky. And, FINALLY, they're being offered in good colors!!! That blue is as good as it gets, in my opinion. Not even Rolls Royce offers a better blue.

[@wholeNwon]

I've driven the same '98 LS400 for 20 years and see no reason to change, but thought I'd stop by the dealer to look at the new LS500 just in case. Then it came out and I saw the "styling". It's hideous. Your description of it is on target. Lexus has lost its way.

[@TV-gz1ci]

What a awesome car KIA

[@hcwollaston]

Kia, please do not discontinue the V8 option.

[@jaredshelton4718]

You can pay an extra charge and have one imported

[@East17A]

the consumer pay for any sophistication design down the road especially for suspension. all that will reflect to value of the car when its used. due to complicated system few buyers will consider it. because of maintenance cost . so i respect design simplicity a lot . i'm planning on buying this one .. one day i will have enough AWD standard better than rear wheel drive

[@gregsullivan7408]

I wish they'd make it in RHD and bring it here to Australia. With the demise of our locally produced Holden Caprice, limo drivers are desperate for alternative affordable limos.

[@juliantavarez8858]

I like, the kia k900.

[@jaredshelton4718]

My dream

[@easternskyy]

Would love to know the prize in Thailand .

[@deedavao2627]

Better than average review. Also look up Chad Haire's KZbin reviews. 1) weak resale so never pay full sticker for this or Hyundai's slow-selling Genesis brand. Consider buying used. 2) tone-deaf KIA stubbornly refuses to quit calling this excellent car a Kia. Owners in this price range buy the brand as much as the car which really helps BMW. 3) Caution! German luxury brands under never-ending financial pressure. A 2004 Mercedes brochure had an additional list attached to the back cover listing about a dozen changes decontenting/cheapening the E class.

[@AlvaroFierroBeyou]

Considered

[@ya55er4008]

I just think Kia-Hyundai group are not focusing their efforts . I think they must keep their new Brand (Genesis) for luxury cars and brovide customers with better services and keep Kia and Hyundai for regular consumers cars. As toyota did with lexus and nissan with infinity

[@telliesmith9825]

The interior is on point the exterior not doing to much for me

[@megaswenson]

I LOVE the exterior! It says "Person of Importance", to me. The grille could look a bit less Ford-like. But otherwise, the exterior is great. Of course, that blue would make anything look good. Maybe I need to see it in a cheap-looking gray.

[@titaniumduck]

The concept of this car is a comfort car. They designed it to look like a suit. like a noble

[@megaswenson]

Se Hyun Um, I agree. The car looks dignified and comfortable, like an expensive suit.

[@nesarsultani1446]

Good Job Kia! Better looking than Nissan and Infinity.

[@alextogo8367]

Beautiful car looks like an s class till you see the Kia logo.

[@Acc0rd79]

The interior is very nice but the exterior looks so boring. I think I would suggest someone buy a Genesis instead, they just look better.

[@the_judge9771]

This should be less expensive than the Genesis by around $10K.

[@toiletjunpaper]

interior is way better than the genesis tho. I am not fan of genesis' interior (exterior is sick tho).

[@rviciouz]

I agree the exterior is a little boring to look at only thing I like is the lighting

[@vincentlee9638]

The interior of this is a generation ahead g80

[@vincentlee9638]

G80 looks good but the g90 is worse than this imo.

[@yahshaunyahu]

I like the head lights but they really gotta change the grill. It doesn't make the car look luxurious

[@johnjohnson4610]

Wow! Honestly I don't know why the thumbnail made the bushes look like weed💯😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Nycholas1998]

i love thats its a kia. Because then if people see the badge they assume its shit, but they get in and see that they spent way to much on their mercedes.

[@rockerjock79]

No more panoramic moonroof?

[@jaredshelton4718]

To increase structural ridgidity and increase handling

[@DanRichter]

I mean this is nice and all, but isn't this an economy car company? Just seeing the Kia tag reminds me of your everyday Chevy or Ford. If I'm spending $50,000+ I'm not sure I'd want to buy a polished economy brand when I could instead go for the big names like BMW or MB

[@grow1820]

not economy brand anymore, it is luxury car without the luxury brand badge.

[@shawnlee664]

But to get similar features, you have to pay double at half the warranty.

[@mov744]

I think I’d still get a Genesis G80 or G90 before a Kia K900.

[@iSOBigD]

The G90 would be more comparable, but they're all great cars.

[@user-jj7lo3sp2n]

Its like 10k cheaper then the G90 so it's for someone how wants to save a bit

[@jaredshelton4718]

I'd get the K900, better imo

[@EnfantTerrible7]

Kia needs a different brand for their luxury line ups just like Hyundai did with Genesis

[@jaredshelton4718]

No

[@aaronyoung6937]

No need as Kia/Hyundai are one company, Genesis is their luxury brand, they just make nicer Kia's to give buyers an alternative to not only the competitions cars but theirs as well

[@jaredshelton4718]

@@aaronyoung6937 Genesis is the Luxury brand to Hyundai Not Kia

[@aaronyoung6937]

@@jaredshelton4718 my comment must've completely flew over your airport.

[@jaredshelton4718]

@@aaronyoung6937 Your comment makes zero sense. While Hyundai and Kia are one company.... Hyundai only owns 33% of Kia. They share platforms and engines but they do things their own ways. Genesis is the Luxury brand to Hyundai only. Not Kia. Kia may start a luxury brand some day but that would require a lot of funding

[@ricardopaesdebarros8996]

Great car but it's just not exquisite enough. Feels so... normal (for a luxury car). I had to google to remind how the old gen looked like...

[@tyronebranch2946]

I'm going to wait for an after leased 2019 model and get it for 25k. 👍👍👍👍

[@samsungaccount1560]

Хочу такую коляску. Корейцы МОЛОДЦЫ. ЩАС мерседес БМВ отдыхает

[@yurieu5872]

I have a cadenza imagine this with a v8

[@sekhemel326]

No V8??? 😢😢😢😢

[@jaredshelton4718]

You can pay an extra charge and have one imported

[@JTL-uv6cm]

When you realize that a Kia has a better interior than than genesis, Cadillac, and Lincoln.

[@carmageddon1886]

Front looks like a Mercedes and Kia mix and the back looks like a straight up Bentley vehicle with Kia badges

[@aggt9266]

If it looked any more like the Mercedes S class they would get sued

[@GhostSlayer81]

FFS the badge, CHNGHE IT OMGGGGG....

[@napassacholkulkittisawat4141]

In my opinion ,King of luxury car is Lexus LS 500 and the queen of luxury car is Kia K900

[@xavierrobinson200]

The front or back end isn't distinctive enough. However it's still a very nice car

[@therankingworld7627]

Its seems as if the narrator is lip syncing his own voice

[@alexsmba]

david chizi happens in TV and movie production all the time. It’s called ADR.

[@mr5stars254]

Hi Folks . Very nice looking car, too bad it’s a Kia....... what you think of buying it used and removing ALL Kia badges :-) probably just leave. “K” to mess around..... or what about getting a custom badge with custom name like “BIG BOY K”.......... “NOT A LEXUS” ......is it ok to change a cars badge???

[@luisescobedo790]

😎

[@juliusjones1154]

Fastest sedan on earth

[@MDDeGrande1994]

Nope. Brabus Rocket is still the fastest (370-something km/h).

[@justmy2cents_]

Sadly Cadillac vehicles has nothing near this well executed on the inside! & for as long as Kia's been around compared to them it's downright embarrassing! Great job Kia I maybe paying you guys an interesting visit!!

[@choklat85]

The name sounds like it's a super robot dog

[@painnomore]

Охуенная тачка, в следующем году возьму

[@NAVnik52]

Да крутяк 👍🏻👍🏻🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@Aurora_v_cali]

I like it. And I’m a big body benz type of bitch..... not a benz... but its sooo nice looking. Un like the bummy lexus looking cadenza

[@ruzzelladrian907]

It actually looks stately in black. The K900 looked really dull in white. The previous generation looked like a techy futuristic Jaguar XF.

[@asrockrpg]

K900 is a combination of a Mercedes-Benz exterior and a BMW interior.

[@aaronyoung6937]

I see bmw inside and out

[@wholeNwon]

Hopefully with MUCH better reliability than either.

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Those taillights are more Bentley than Mercedes

[@chaffeyman]

They sold all of 7 of these in Canada in 2017

[@Omgiamsotriggered]

Ventilated seats as standard? Thats insane wow, not even 400.000$ rolls has that as standard, and yet you have it in a 50k$ kia?

[@waeljbaraalbargouthi]

💙👁️🖖

[@pd5156]

KIA needs to redesign badge. Something like Mercedes or Audi (not similar tho). Almost every brand outhere have a logo.

[@jaredshelton4718]

No

[@dun859]

ZOO MO~~~~!!!!!

[@user-ho9pj8ep7t]

조용히해

[@toyotaprius79]

That thing needs some batteries in it! If it did, it could be class leading!

[@HalloNewman]

I'm sure you can put some batteries in KIA. AAA fit in every seat pocket.