By Barbara & Bill Schaffer

Remember how we have often been told that ?when something seems too good to be true, it probably is??
The 2015 Kia K900 might one of the few exceptions to that rule.

Think about the full-size luxury cars you know and perhaps covet. They are generally a rear-wheel drive and powered by a 400+ horsepower V-8 engine. The interior is dripping with soft leather, there?s a large screen navigation system and all the high tech bells and whistles known to the auto industry. These cars are beautiful, fun to drive and cost from $80,000 to $100,000 or more.

The 2015 Kia K900 has?all of that for about $20,000 to $35,000 less.

The K900 is Kia?s first foray into the rear-wheel drive luxury segment in the U.S. and it now ranks as the brand?s flagship vehicle. The long low look is accented by a sweeping coupe-like roof line which flows back to the short rear deck. Beneath the powered trunk lid deck is a 15.9 cubic foot trunk. The rear fa?ade includes large LED powered taillights, which wrap well into the rear fenders.

The K900 is fronted by a modified form of the Kia signature ?tiger nose? grille with a striking chrome inset pattern. At first glance it has a strong resemblance to Jaguar?s XF sedan, which might explain the many heads the car turns. There are distinctive vents on the front fenders at the beltline. Large headlight pods wrap around the front end from near the grille back and over part of the front wheel opening. Each pod contains two sets of unique square light enclosures with four LED lights which combine to flood the road ahead with light. The headlights also turn with the steering wheel to illuminate where the car is turning.

The plush interior has large comfortable heated and cooled front seats, and an attractive, well-designed dash. Like most upscale models, the K900 is filled with soft leathers and real wood. The walnut trim extends from the dash to the center console and on the doors. There?s even an optional heated walnut trimmed steering wheel. We were particularly impressed by the large array of well-marked control buttons for all the vehicle functions. A second available interior design scheme uses white Nappa leather and poplar trim.

The interior is illuminated with LED lighting. The rear passenger compartment has a fold-down center armrest with a covered control panel for the passenger to operate the rear sunshades and the rear climate controls. The K900 rear seats also recline independently and offer a power lumbar support and headrest.

Centered at the top of the control-filled center stack is a standard 9.2-inch (12.3 inch on VIP models) color screen, which is controlled by a large knob and buttons conveniently located just in front of the center armrest — just where the driver?s hand rests. The screen is used for functions like the climate, audio, navigation and UVO telematics controls.
The available 900-watt Lexicon audio system is driven by a trunk-mounted 12-channel digital amp, 17 speakers and a subwoofer in the trunk. It?s a great audiophile system, but overkill for passengers like us. Of course, there is a full complement of audio support systems like Bluetooth?, HD radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, along with AUX and USB ports accessed beneath a wood-covered center console panel.

 

Kia planners added all the latest and greatest safety and driver aids to the K900 with available features including Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning and Smart Cruise Control. It also has rear cross traffic alert, front and rear park assist cameras along with a Surround View Monitor which shows a 360 view around the car.

The K900?s electronic safety arsenal includes an Advanced Vehicle Safety Management System which monitors the car through the Electronic Stability Control and a variety of other sensors to aid the driver by pre-pressurizing the brakes, activating the Pre-Safe Belt system or warning the driver through a series of alarms and warnings if a crash appears eminent.

Under the hood is Kia?s new 420-hp Tau DOHC all-aluminum 5.0-liter V-8 engine with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and continuous dual variable valve timing (CVVT) on both intake and exhaust sides. The engine drives the rear wheels through a new eight-speed automatic transmission which can be set for Eco, Normal or Sport driving. The settings also alter the electric steering sensitivity. The V-8 pushes the big sedan to a very respectable 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 5.5 seconds according to buff magazine test numbers. Fuel economy is rated at 15 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. We averaged 18.4 mpg in combination driving.

The stiff body structure incorporates 75 percent high and ultra-high tensile strength steel which is then fitted with a sophisticated five-link fully independent front and rear suspension. The low profile tires are wider in the rear than the front to increase traction and handling prowess.

The big Kia performed admirably on a spirited drive through the winding mountain roads near our Southern Washington home. It?s not quite at the same level as the German competitors, but it still very impressive. Even more striking is good ride quality and quiet cabin.

The 2015 Kia K900 pricing starts at $55,400, including the destination charge, for the well-equipped Premium model. The top of the line Luxury starts at $60,400. The $6,000 VIP package adds a surround view monitor, active cruise control, 12.3-inch display, head-up display, and upgraded seats.

In addition to Kia?s industry best warranty program, the K900 also has a three-year 37,500 mile complementary scheduled maintenance program.

Perhaps the Kia K900 is not quite at the same level as the big-name German luxury sport sedans but it?s darn close and for tens of thousands of dollars less.

We?ve seen how well all the other Kia models have compared with the competition, and the K900 does too, at nearly every level and it beats the competition in pricing enough to be able to buy a second run-around car with the difference.
We think the Kia is a perfect example of something that seems like a good deal and it is a great deal, unless the shopper is hung up on a name.