“2019 Kia K900 Luxury”
Second Generation Flagship Completely Redesigned
The 2015 Kia K900 answered the dealer’s call for an upscale luxury vehicle in the model lineup. Now the 2019 Kia K900 ups the ante marking the second generation as the pinnacle for an all-new four-door luxury sedan of flagship status with first class seating for five.
OVERVIEW
The 2019 Kia K900 is superlative to some other more familiar luxury brands that are currently available in today’s world marketplace. Its continued purpose is to elevate the brand, and it is recognized as one of the Top 100 brands in the spectrum of product rankings. The second generation K900 is the most advanced Kia ever.
STATELY AND ELEGANT STYLING
“The all-new 2019 K900 is much more than a generational redesign, as it takes on a whole new look, feel and character over its predecessor. Only its name – K900 – is carried over,” said Orth Hedrick, executive director, Car Product and Telematics KMA. “Our designers and engineers have done an extraordinary job of reimagining the K900 to fully meet the needs and desires of consumers shopping in the luxury sedan segment with the promise of a tremendous value proposition that only Kia can deliver. The all-new K900 is a push into new territory and serves as further evidence this brand is moving in a forward direction.”
Based conceptually on the ever changing shape of condensed energy, a new ‘Quadric pattern’ signature grille is the focal point of the K900. There are 176 jewel-like ‘cells’ within the grille, suggestive of released energy accelerating away from its center in the way ripples in water move away from the impact of a splash. Natural flowing lines emanate from this frontal area, rise over the hood, sweep through the flanks and culminate at the rear.
The design of the duplex headlamps provides the K900 with a visually progressive image. Above the light housings, a floating hood design emphasizes the length, volume and balanced proportions of the car.
In profile, a satin chrome flash adds depth to the smooth bodywork, running along the base of the doors and around the lower rear section of the K900 to pull your eyes downward to the car’s large and detailed 19-inch wheels. The brightwork along the window-line adds a degree of structure to the rich and exaggerated C-pillar design before it merges with the rear deck.
The rear of the K900 displays a wide stance decorated with eye-catching details. The duplex rear combi lights echo the design language of the headlights and the integrated exhaust housings are finished off with chrome. The car rides closely over the 19-inch wheels and tires, adding to its sporty persona.
EFFICIENT POWER SOURCE
The K900 is powered by a 3.3-liter twin turbo V6, the same engine found in the automaker’s highly acclaimed Stinger fastback sport sedan. The engine is world-class and pumps out 365 horsepower along with 376 lb.-ft. of torque. The twin Honeywell turbos are integrated into the exhaust manifold for enhanced durability and quicker response. Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) works seamlessly in tandem, resulting in optimal and instant power delivery.
The longitudinally mounted front engine pairs with a second-generation in-house engineered and built 8-speed automatic transmission to manage its smoothly and the Shift-by-Wire gear selector is standard with no required scheduled maintenance under normal conditions.
For enhanced performance, improved handling, stability and agility, the K900 comes with a standard full-time electronically controlled, rear biased Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control all-wheel drive system with its function based on road conditions.
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
Despite its minimalist layout, the cabin of the new K900 is elegant by design providing occupants with a simple, modern, comfortable and peaceful retreat. A virtually uninterrupted line between the doors and the instrument panel creates a sense of continuity. Flowing from the center of the dash and outward to the doors, surfaces are trimmed in a sophisticated combination of materials, with metal veneers and a choice of four open pore matte wood selections. Soft leather balances the cabin’s harder natural surfaces.
Ease of operation has been improved, with interior switches and controls being reduced to 73 from 91 on the outgoing model. A heated leather steering wheel and matching center console-mounted electronic gear shift knob. The greenhouse has been enlarged, improving outward visibility and interior brightness. Premium quilted Nappa leather trim is standard. The seats are well contoured and shaped to deliver maximum support and comfort while minimizing fatigue, and the front seats are heated and ventilated. The standard 20-way adjustable driver seat is equipped with width-adjusting bolsters and lumbar support with power air cells and shoulder adjustments for ultimate comfort. The front passenger seat is equipped with 16-way adjusters to find the ideal position.
The driver side rear seat and the passenger side rear seat features available 12-way and 14-way adjusters. Rear seat heaters are standard, with optional ventilation for the outboard rear seats.
The all-new K900 delivers a host of advanced technology, connectivity and infotainment features. The center console houses a 12.3-inch Human Machine Interface touchscreen that displays maps, trip information, audio sources, climate controls and more. A newly designed, modem-based Premium Navigation6 system comes equipped with enhanced user-friendly features accessible via Kia’s UVO luxe1 sub-brand, dedicated exclusively to K900 owners, offering a full suite of remote features through an embedded modem in the vehicle and accessible once the UVO account is created on the myUVO.com website and the vehicle is enrolled. K900 owners are provided with a dedicated service representative reachable through a VIP phone line. There’s also full connectivity via Apple CarPlay8 and Android Auto, and additional convenience comes from a wireless cell phone charger.
As part of Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, the K900’s Surround View Monitor utilizes four cameras providing a 360-degree perspective with stitched images that provide a seamless view of lane markings and radar-based front vehicle information that it detects.
The K900 delivers premium sound through a 900-watt 17-speaker Lexicon system, Kia’s most powerful audio system, featuring QuantumLogic Surround Sound technology and Clari-Fi technology.
AS TESTED
My test 2019 Kia K900 came in Luxury trim with the extensively equipped VIP Package. The exterior wore a Panthera Metal metallic finish, with the interior executed in Black, highlighted by natural finished wood trim elements. The base price was $59,900., with optional features and inland freight and handling bringing the final tally to $64,895.
PERFORMANCE
The 2015 Kia K900 Luxury is essentially a luxury dream machine, ranking at the top of Kia stable. It is totally capable of competing admirably on the playing field with a host of competitive vehicles from other producers of luxury vehicles.
Given a chance through an actual driving experience, it is bound to impress. It is not only sleek and elegant in its appearance from virtually every angle, but is equally appealing on the inside with comfort and convenience features in abundance.
Acceleration readily answers the driver’s call, with handling attributes or par with or superior to more expensive luxury sport sedans. The ride quality is smooth and stable with a solid, but not harsh road feel. Steering is precise with a pleasing on-center feedback. The longer wheelbase and a wider stance provide greater control and stability. The chassis’s torsional stiffness is increased by 33 percent over the outgoing K900.
The 8-speed automatic transmission may be shifted manually at the console with the shift stalk placed in the manual mode position, and it responds nicely, but the addition of the paddle shifters add favorably to the car’s sporty feel.
THE FINAL TAKE
In the final analysis, put aside any misgivings about the nameplate and actually experience seat and wheel time in this latest iteration Kia K900 Luxury sedan and it is sure to impress favorably.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2019 Kia K900 Luxury V6
Base Price: $59,900.
Price as Tested: $64,895.
Engine Type and Size: 3.3-liter, DOHC, D-CVVT 24-valve, Twin-turbocharged V-6 with Gasoline Direct Injection.
Horsepower (bhp): 365 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque (ft./ lbs.): 376 @ 1,300-4,500 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic – shift by cable with paddle shifters.
Drive Train: Longitudinally mounted front engine / All wheel drive.
Suspension: Front – Multi-link type with electronic shock absorbers.
Rear – Multi-link type (5-link). with electronic shock absorbers.
Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel discs with 4-wheel ABS, ESC, TCS, BAS and TPMS.
Tires: Michelin Primacy MXM4-245/45 R19 front / 275/40 R19 rear mounted on 15-spoke chrome alloy wheels.
Wheelbase: 122.2 inches
Length Overall: 201.6 inches
Width: 75.4 inches
Height: 58.7 inches
Curb Weight: 4,555 lbs.
Turning Circle: 39.2 ft.
Fuel Capacity: 19.8 gallons
EPA Mileage Estimates: 18 mpg city / 25 mpg highway
Drag Coefficient: Not listed. 0 – 60 mph: Not Tested.
Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles and unusual wheeled vehicles as well.
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