The 2019 Kia K900 is a True Luxury Sedan Experience | MotorWeek Road Test

The Kia brand has come a long way in a relatively short time here in America; and in recent years has worked hard to shed its economy car image, with a full range of high quality offerings, including the upscale K900 sedan. So will this 2nd generation K900 can polish the brand’s halo even more.
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[@ShaiyanHossain]

I feel like the people hating on the K900 today would have been the same people hating on the LS400 in 1989

[@jakp8777]

Shaiyan Hossain I hate on overpriced Toyota’s today. At least you buy your overpriced faux luxury Toyota at a much nicer dealer with better customer service. That’s something big that the Koreans haven’t figured out.

[@normt5463]

@japanwatchconnection Pay that "Toyota Tax" then.

[@kainedogg]

Not so sure Hoss. Toyota was cheap but dependable back then. I recall the Kia being crappy & cheap. That history still lingers for some.

[@michaelgrant5258]

How so? At least Lexus was on par and greater than the competition back then. Kia and Genesis still can't compete with luxury cars 10 years later in the US market.

[@michaelgrant5258]

@japanwatchconnection Higher running cost than Lexus?

[@tomwebber9377]

I feel like Kia is a solid manufacturer that deserves it's chance in the luxury field. The ideal that $61k for a car is now considered 'affordable luxury' just kills me!

[@joskjj3625]

Saw a black k900 2019 on the road Pretty nice

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

was it waiting for tow truck ?

[@joskjj3625]

@@BigEightiesNewWave Nope the guy sold his endless moneypit bmw 5 series for it ,nice guy he said no more to bmws

[@chocolatewheelchair]

Buff Barnaby k900 saw you as well. You just didn’t notice.

[@rj9617]

@@joskjj3625 lol exactly. BM trouble U.

[@ascott2168]

The K900 is huge af in person !

[@timw2083]

The K900 and Genesis G90 are on my list to checkout. I've been overall pleased with my Stinger.

[@andrewasp6043]

Timothy Weatherspoon yeah I was thinking getting the stinger also!

[@andrewasp6043]

I have a Kia Optima 2018 and every one who gets into my car can’t believe it’s a Kia ! Love it

[@ShaiyanHossain]

people are too obsessed with badges to give this car a proper chance

[@shartingfish5761]

They are too expensive, and don’t ride as nice as a used LS Lexus, which will have a guaranteed reliability..

[@normt5463]

@japanwatchconnection I'd take the Buick LaCrosses's better AWD system over the HTRAC stuff.

[@donaldhollums3278]

Everything anymore is only about symbolism. Mainly because that's all the substance society can produce.

[@ShaiyanHossain]

@@normt5463 how much better is the lacrosse AWD over HTRAC? isnt the lacross fwd based too? this is RWD based HTRAC got a comparison?

[@normt5463]

@@ShaiyanHossain the GM Active Twin Clutch offers torque vectoring and can swing the rear around with power-on slides just like a RWD car, with electronics turned off. The system can send 100% torque a single wheel while the other 3 slip. The pre-2014 LaCrosse had a Haldex AWD syatem with eLSD.

[@johnholst]

Considering this car is sized like and featured like an S class but priced like a fully loaded C class, it makes a compelling option. Badge snobs need not apply!

[@basshead.]

It also looks like an S-class. Especially the rear end.

[@johnholst]

@@basshead. Is that such a bad thing? Looks great, imo.

[@basshead.]

Looks pretty generic.

[@johnholst]

@@basshead. But that is what they were going for. They wanted a simple but beautiful design for this car; one that doesn't offend its' conservative customers. Remember, this car wasn't designed for Americans. It was made for Asia and the Middle East, where they sell tons of these.

[@basshead.]

+John Holst Do you have sales figures for the Kia K900 in the Middle East and Asia?

[@chocolatewheelchair]

You need the VIP package without question. Absolutely undeniable

[@goclunker]

As a bmw ( classic bmw) guy, I was very impressed driving the Stinger GT2, Honestly, I'd love a k900 too

[@johntyson]

I’ll pick up a 20k mile one next year for 30 grand.

[@horuslupercal3872]

There's a 2016 Kia 900 with 40k miles on it for 23k at a dealer near me, I would so get it if I didn't have a nice truck payment

[@johntyson]

japanwatchconnection Big deals on good used cars though.

[@normt5463]

@japanwatchconnection they also have up to $20K off MSRP so you have to factor that in too.

[@matty1053]

@japanwatchconnection they have gotten a lot better... easily.

[@signfang]

They have to actually sell the new ones first to make used cars. Kia sold 28 of them in July 2019. 28. Not 280 or 28 a day. 28.

[@rj9617]

Great looking car! I appreciate the restrained, classy styling. Great value too!

[@kanob6440]

The older cadenza and k900 are pretty cheap now and still well made

[@Sanpedranoazul]

And they look great too! 😍

[@velboone6041]

So true

[@iSlandeRon]

Yes I own a 2017 kia cadenza technology which is the mid trim. Awesome used car value! The car goes for about $40k new and i got mine one year old with 12400 miles on it for $25.5k! It has the 3.3 L 6 minus the turbo. So yeah the depreciation is pretty steep which sucks for whoever buys new but the Best deal I've ever made.

[@blakestebbe7937]

I so want this to do well here. It’s sad that sedans are on the way out here.

[@dohc1067]

I love that guage cluster. that is so smooth and very versatile. I think $ 60000 maybe the barrier though. A very nice package. It reminds me of a BMW on the inside and Mercedes/Bentley on the outside.

[@robosullivan704]

I think Kia is really making great cars now. But there are just a lot people saying..."but it's a KIA" .. I think that may change soon if they this up!

[@angelo24610]

Motor week is awesome 💯💪💯

[@ascott2168]

OMG !! Like seriously, stop with comparing every car with the German brands. If you want a German car, go get it. Genesis/Hyundai/Kia are their own successful brands with their own niche market. Not everyone wants a damn German car goodness !!!

[@davidm5707]

And the German cars will have you in the shop every month, if not week. But I guess you could send your secretary with it. 🙄

[@ascott2168]

@@davidm5707 or personal assistant !!!

[@ARentz07]

@@ascott2168 I agree that the Germans aren't the end-all-be-all of cars and shouldn't be brought up in every conversation. However, it makes sense to mention them in this video. If you want a rear-wheel-drive-based luxury sedan, your options are BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Infiniti, Genesis, and Cadillac. If you don't care so much about the orientation of the drivetrain, you could throw Volvo and Audi into the mix as well, and maybe Acura. Of those brands, the Germans take the cake in sales. I could see why Motorweek would assume, then, that those brands are the ones to beat. I for one am a big fan of what Hyundai/Kia have been up to lately. I drove a Stinger last week and was very impressed at how solid it felt and how fun it was to floor it. I kinda want one now, if I am being honest. But, I do acknowledge that going from my Lexus IS that I have now to a Kia means a downgrade in dealership experience. The IS and Stinger are comparably priced, with a similar target buyer, so bringing the Lexus brand into the conversation makes sense. Just to give you another example of the cross-cutting markets Kia is trying to go after.

[@PianoBlackTrimRep.]

Can't wait to buy this car in 3 years for $25K.

[@eric19875]

I remember when the original k900 was launched, media said this car was the closest to the spirit of an big american car on the market.

[@elcanbu5610]

ERIC K. And now they r comparing it to the germans

[@eric19875]

@@elcanbu5610 That's true

[@ARentz07]

@japanwatchconnection Have you driven either a German car or a K900? I've driven a couple German cars, and I do relate to what was said in this video about the "bank-vault-like serenity". However, I think the Genesis G80 5.0 Ultimate I rented on Turo still stands out to me as being exceptionally quiet and smooth, and easily has the best door-closing sound I've experienced in a while. That comparing it with cars like the Jaguar XF, BMW 3-series, Porsche Macan, and of course my own Lexus IS whose door I've closed thousands of times now. The Korean brands can make legitimately good cars. I was so impressed with that G80 that I briefly considered making one my next car. Decided it was a little too big and not sporty enough, but if I wanted a pure cruiser, it'd be hard to do better for the money.

[@hkerry31]

It is. I own a 2015 VIP V8, and love this car. Drives like butter.

[@oliverroo59]

Love the gauge cluster, and the interior looks like what I'd like a benz to look like. Merc's interiors these days are too techy for me - there's such a thing as too much screen.

[@chocolatewheelchair]

Guys, what it’s missing from other luxury cars is the brand appeal. It just makes no sense to me to get this car when other cars in price range lease so much better and have the allure. I bet this car is comfortable but it’s going the way of the VW Phaeton it won’t sell. Who wouldn’t want to get a 7 series or S class over this?

[@kostinarain7373]

Everybody's not like you..

[@edgarruiz8504]

Love the look of the rear and the camera on the dash when changing lanes.

[@Wasabi9111]

I’m looking for an ultra quiet hwy car and other publications claim the k900 to be ultra quiet, so I’m surprised MW claims otherwise. I recently test drove one. But the Kia dealer experience was horrible. They would only allow me to drive it a couple of blocks and wouldn’t let me take it on the hwy. it was the mgr car, and the car felt surprisingly tired and used with only a couple of thousands miles on it.

[@HWolfeIII]

Very impressive, Kia has come a long way!

[@carwrtr1]

I have drove a Hyundai Equus, and it was a wonderful car. The K900 is a beauty, and it’s something you’d see me drive. I love rear wheel drive on big cars, for the ride is more comfortable, controlled, and more stable than front wheel drive.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

But is it Corinthian leather ?

[@kingk7623]

People need to stop hating on Kia the k900 is a real good car my cousin works for Kia and put me on to this beauty when it first came out since 2015 and I feel in love since then I leased the 2015, 2017 now I have the 2020 amazing vechiele theres just no more v8 anymore but still runs like a beauty

[@dan_6915]

A career from presenting cars! Keep it up, Mr. John Davis!

[@majicogarcia8417]

The front end looks awesome as hell.

[@Soh90]

I’ve been in this car and it’s G90 cousin. This car has a better interior (material & fit and finish) than the current Mercedes Benz S Class. And I’m not trying to be facetious, it’s that good - or maybe MB dropped the ball a little. The K900 feels very substantial with no cheap surfaces anywhere. Meanwhile if you poke around the Merc you can actually find some pretty jarring plastic which surprised the hell out of me. German Luxury cats are not worth the money and this is proof. And if it wasn’t for Lexus’ obsession with quality, I would argue that the $76,000 LS500 isn’t worth the money either, but at least that car has the backing of a company that priorities dependability over all else.

[@Peter-ev2kr]

Interior is gorgeous

[@NSH_2814]

A true luxury car! Sadly, it may end up with the same fate as the VW Phaeton

[@andrewasp6043]

Been watching motor week since the mid 80s is there any car they love

[@geriko1]

Look at the 2019 Audi A8 steering wheel and interior and the 2019 Kia K900 steering wheel and interior side by side. They look almost the same except for the placement of the media screen on both cars.

[@turnne]

I have yet to see one of these one the road. I wonder how the resale is going to be on this car

[@TheKacper2001]

I think I'd go with Lincoln Continental for that price.

[@normt5463]

XTS Vsport 3.6tt is quicker for sure!

[@LearnAboutFlow]

Nobody in America wants these, so you can get killer deals. My only caveat would be why buy this over a similar Genesis that has its own brand AND luxury service (such as free maintenance complete with pickup/return of serviced vehicle from your doorstep).

[@andrewsmactips]

Woah. Back up there. I much prefer the look of the older one at the beginning.

[@normt5463]

This looks like a Kia Sephia that grew up!

[@swanblake]

Was so impressed woth this car during my test drive. Way nicer and better tech than the Lexus LS500. The Teak wood option is so gorgeous for this car. Such a great deal. Only issue is the horrible dealerships

[@nfamousonline]

That's what Carvana is for, you don't have to go to a dealership to buy cars nowadays.

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

Motorweek the original

[@jermichaelkirkland2446]

The used prices on these cars are tempting.

[@benjochs]

Kia and Hyundai need to knock the prices of their luxury models down by $10k to actually be competitive. Who in their right mind wants to spend $60k+ on a Kia, no matter how nice it is. The new Lexus ES is around $40k, plenty big, V6 power, better styling, better reputation?? I never see any pricier offerings by Kia / Hyundai on the road.

[@johnholst]

Ben...I'm not sure you're in touch with how expensive cars are these days. The Lexus ES is 55K with options and still not even half the car this K9 is. But you're right. For some people, they only want the badge. I'd rather have the awesome car.

[@johnholst]

@japanwatchconnection You simply don't know what you're talking about.

[@sharvan456]

It doesn't have rear entertainment screens

[@LouieGMDesign]

I'm glad Kia is making it in the luxury market. It looks great and seems on par with the big German luxury automakers

[@shartingfish5761]

I really like these cars, and the older equus, but honestly they are too expensive, when Lexus hit the market they were half the cost of a loaded Mercedes E class, it took time to prove they were worth the added cost, these cars are way to expensive for a brand that started with cars that were throw away cars.. i know times change, but they really haven’t proven 500k mile reliability yet to charge that kind of money..

[@michaelgrant5258]

It says something when dealers are selling the car the same model year as release for 12k off MSRP with no incentives or deals. I don't know why they bother seeing how the previous K900 sales were terrible and they think this will be any different! They can give the car away, yet the buying public won't bother looking. Kia and Hyundai still suffer from the unproven reliability and poor resale value making consumers look the other way and go Toyota or Lexus.

[@dflet03]

The main reason not to buy this is resale value

[@2steaksandwiches665]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen this body style on the roads

[@pcFOREVER89100]

Motor Week hasn't changed

[@lidsman2221]

I must have the worst ETV station. I cannot get Motor Week anymore.

[@davidm5707]

It's available online; full shows, not just these clips.

[@lidsman2221]

@@davidm5707 Thank you! I will check it out.

[@mercury-gt1js]

John Davis be like... Scotty WHO? Scotty WHAT? Davis is the OG

[@kacekace3676]

I have a VIP 2016. my lease is up this year. I may swapover to this. just not sure

[@77chatham]

Should have went with a TT V8 for the torque . 👌🏻

[@AM4project]

Safety features? Autonomous driving?

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

5.5 for a big heavy car is great.

[@jbiley]

Looks about as luxurious and tasteful as his suit.👌

[@DoctorChange106]

Excellent review KUDOS.

[@gcash2074]

Wait a year or two and get it for half price. Good car but depreciates too fast.

[@kanamekuran23]

Not really. Since the Stinger and 2015 Hyundai Genesis, the upper level Kia and Hyundai's have held their valur

[@michaelgrant5258]

@@kanamekuran23 You wish!

[@kanamekuran23]

MICHAEL GRANT check the used market for these cars.

[@rickstylus9157]

Somehow it looks and resembles to the original Hyundai Equus (which is good thing)

[@majicogarcia8417]

Nope, this looks way better than the Equus.

[@joec.5009]

truly the best deal you can have 3 years later.

[@aurorajones8481]

I dont have a problem with Kia im not a brand snob, that said the exterior design sucks on this thing. The front, the lights the side and definitely the rear. Thats my biggest complaint. The interior is very well done. Im impressed w/ that. They need a new exterior designer, TIP: Go long and wide not long and tall. Tall for a car is just not a good look. Spread the lights out the length of the rear end to promote the width, shorten the front and rear overhangs and make the wheel to A-pillar longer to emphasize power. This all should have been discussed at the design phase and clearly was not.

[@aurorajones8481]

And design new headlights these are awful.

[@quentinwooten30]

Giving off a Buick vibe

[@quentinwooten30]

@japanwatchconnection I'm sure they aren't.

[@vazquezwilfredo]

I think you can find them for $50k in some dealerships

[@RichieRouge206]

I’d have one of these anyday. People through the nose for German badges which let’s face it are no longer the leaders. The likes of Kia have caught up and in many cases surpassed the German brands. It is literally the badge that sells them new, despite endless protests from the fans 😂

[@ianjung1164]

I own K900 and it is a great car

[@JJM956]

How is it doing? Do you still have it?

[@RJ6AV6]

That interior looks nice 👍

[@BIGGIEDEVIL]

Front/rear lights looks like Benz from the early 2000's, never really been impressed enough to buy a Kia for the price

[@sierre00]

Ladys and gentlemen, this is the new ls430!

[@wallybeegone]

The problem with that car isn’t sound. It’s the name on it. “Kia” they’re hard to sell as luxury vehicles. Most people associate their cars with cheaper economy cars like the soul, and optimas. But, it’s really a shame to overlook this car for that reason.

[@shanet7511]

How does that not have a panoramic sunroof at that price?

[@jasonsmith1143]

body style??? interior style is 👌

[@RealAnthonyJones]

Front end from some angles looks like an older q45, rear end is current mercedes-esque.

[@davidaubin3902]

Looks wonderful

[@Sanpedranoazul]

This looks so nice!!!

[@magneto8002]

80k in Canada.

[@GodsloveMuzik]

I’d consider Kia/Hyundai, Genesis before I consider Toyota/Scion/Lexus. In terms of style and features, Korean vehicles have the Japanese beat

[@michaelgrant5258]

But reliability? Unproven tech?

[@glovedcop69]

Who the hell is going to want to buy this good looking upscale 61k "KIA" next to a 17k kia Rio. Not a great look for it.

[@MrEpicface97]

If people are willing to pay 50k for a new Supra in a dealership where they sell a 14k Corolla then they're willing to buy this one if it fits their needs

[@MrEpicface97]

@japanwatchconnection Mercedes maybe a luxury brand in America because of what they sell but elsewhere it's pretty much the Ford of Europe I don't get what point you're trying to make is any brand can sell a luxury car

[@deanspanos8210]

Bit of Ford Scorpio in the front.

[@detonater1348]

The stealth wealth king. South Koreans are blessing us with quality consumer items left and right. Imagine if North Koreans werent held up by dumb and selfish leaders…we wouldve had cars coming out from the north. But in the mean time, thank you S.Korea for giving us quality stuff for a good price.

[@magicszajnert]

Why does it sound like this video was made in the 80s?

[@noamzacks3315]

Funny thing,in Israel,K900 is a name of a product..a house hold bugg spray

[@matthewmelton7831]

It's a shame it's not reliable. All that beautiful interior means nothing when the engine locks up😅

[@arcticthundergamer113]

Sadly still v6 they need to go to a competitive V8, Even though it's a TT it's not a V8 !.

[@johnholst]

@osp80 No, we still get that one, plus another NA V6 in other markets. The US will not be getting that one.

[@cbnboy34]

She is truly TRICKED OUT!

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

Luxury is a relative term when it comes to KIA. Just saying.

[@a.kblur04]

Okay fine, but you're ignoring the fact that this is damn near the same quality as brand name Bimmers and Mercs. Just saying.

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

@@a.kblur04 eh not really. It may have luxury styling and it may have luxury features. But does it handle the same way as a BMW or Mercedes or an Audi?

[@a.kblur04]

@@Andrew-zv4fm Probably not but I'll bet it rides nicer. Kia/Hyundai understand that you can't realistically do sport and comfort like the Germans think. So it will handle fine for people who want a *luxury* car and ride like a cloud.

[@Andrew-zv4fm]

In a Mercedes you can not only have a sport ride but have a comfy ride like you are riding on a cloud. Here is the real question. Ok yes can get the same features on a K900 that is the same as an E or S Class. But in addition to how it handles, how is the product support? Especially on the used market? Or product support when new? So if I were to get into a KIA, Hyundai or a Genesis and I bring my car in for a service, will said company offer me a loaner car for me to use? Or is a dealer by dealer type of thing?

[@a.kblur04]

@@Andrew-zv4fm Not only in reliability, but in parts availability, warranty and product support KIA has the Germans beat.

[@cbnboy34]

And i thought i loved my Optima Turbo

[@michaelgrant5258]

Slap a Buick badge on this and it'll sell like hot cakes!

[@my95buick]

Pretty much a hyundai g90/eqqus

[@metetuncay5165]

Upgrade to 4K cameras

[@josuegonzalez9886]

Gorgeous car

[@theconfused_fisherman]

I wonder if in 20 years this video will seem as outdated as stuff motorweek was putting out in the 90s

[@grabir01]

Not hard to Challenge BMW Mercedes and Audi for quality as they are all bad.

[@Techjunkiero]

grabir01 Nice try.

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

Canine Hundred?

[@JoeUrbanYYC]

It's actually the K9 in South Korea but was branded as the K900 for Canada/USA for obvious reasons lol

[@XZAKLY99]

this is like... such... a good fucking car.

[@MiguelLopez-fh7vx]

This looks good and all but it’s cousin outdid him, have you seen the freaking new genesis g90 like oof I love that car

[@iSlandeRon]

Miguel López for me the G80 is the sweet spot! Not as small as the G70 and not as expensive as the G90. All great cars regardless

[@majicogarcia8417]

Yea but the G90 is a lot more expensive. And that G90 grille is just too much.

[@gsxellence]

God Just Change the name to K9

[@Littleathquakes]

gsxellence so it could sound like “canine”?

[@ParissaKhoury]

Wowww this is an amazing car

[@BrownBomber92181]

What, no more 5.0 V-8? 😩

[@jjg2372]

If you thinking about environment, it is enough only 3.3 and 3.8 even 3.0

[@BrownBomber92181]

Nah, I want the torque & sound of that V-8. Wouldn't be my daily driver anyway, my daily driver gets up to 38 mpg on the highway

[@jjg2372]

@@BrownBomber92181 what is your car?

[@BrownBomber92181]

@@jjg2372 my daily driver is a 2010 Kia Forte SX 6sp manual

[@jjg2372]

@@BrownBomber92181 amazing! My car is 2018 kia forte too. Why did you bought kia? I heard that kia is not good brand in US.

[@siamiam]

all they need to do is to change their dated emblems

[@kingdingaling781]

Not dated. You just have a Kia bias you can't shake. Nothing wrong with the badge

[@siamiam]

@@kingdingaling781 i like kia a lot, if i was in the market id get one, but the very first thing i would do is change the all the badges i could with the aftermarket ones because i think the factory ones are very generic looking

[@kingdingaling781]

@@siamiam Nissan spells their name out. Ford does. Basically you don't want anyone to know you are in a "budget" car.

[@siamiam]

@@kingdingaling781 and i dont care for the nissan and ford badges either, the 3.0k , the E badge and genesis badges look much better. quit trying to make this about a budget thing when its about the actual badge design

[@kingdingaling781]

@@siamiam you aren't fooling anyone. Take the badges off and you'll fool enough people to make yourself feel better. Real car guys will know you are ballin on a budget.

[@SWRadioConcepts]

LOL $61K for a Kia? I'll wait 3 years and buy a used one for less than $20K.

[@marc2583]

Always have to remember to stop the video before the annoying outro starts

[@marc2583]

@@audiwankenobi361 Nothing wrong with change. The companies that change with the times last the longest