Doesn't carry the premium brand image as that of Mercedes or BMW
Class-leading warranty coverage on the Powertrain
Cabin quality not quite upscale as that of its German counterparts
Overview
When you muster up the courage, strength and pick up the necessary skills to make a better version of yourself, but the society thinks otherwise. That’s stereotyping! They judge you and label you for what you can be based on what you were. Kia is no exception and has become a victim of such stereotyping.
When the US dipped into recession, a lot of people moved out from the luxury car segment to mainstream brands. The company saw this as an opportunity to grow in the US. So they introduced Kia K900 for two reasons - to capture the luxury car market, to change its brand positioning in the US Market. 2020 Kia K900 is part of the second generation of its premium flagship sedan updated in the year 2018. But has it been successful in breaking the stereotype? Read our expert in-depth review to find out.
Buying Advice
You are left with no choice here! You have got the best deal there is. A fully loaded Kia K900 with VIP package and other options such as Wheel locks, Bumper Applique and Paint Protection package will cost you around 64755 USD. With such jaw-dropping features being offered as standard at a competitive price, this is a steal deal. You might want to seriously reconsider going for a BMW or Mercedes purchase. Except that it doesn't carry a premium branding badge, the Kia K900’s value proposition is too great to be true!
Trend change is inevitable. The market is continuously evolving every day. Back in the good olden days’, people preferred cars that came out of Ford’s assembly line than hand-built cars because the former was less expensive. Now hand-built cars are preferred because it offers quality, customization and near perfection of how you wanted your automobile to be. That’s how times change! The era we live in now, people look for strong value proposition and good customer experience in their purchase rather than just quality and low price. Kia K900 was introduced in the US Market keeping this in mind.
2020 Kia K900 is powered by a 3.3L V6 TwinTurbo engine that produces a power of 365 hp @6000rpm with a max torque of 376 lb-ft @ 1300rpm. Although its interior is not as posh as that of its German counterparts, it is decent enough for the price. The car is packed with so many advanced safety technologies, all of them being offered as standard. No major changes were made to its 2020 version. The brand made this premium luxury sedan to show the world that it has the potential to make a name for itself in the luxury car segment.
Going head to head against the K900 in this price bracket are Acura RLX P-AWS, Cadillac CT6 Luxury and Lexus GS 350. If super luxury is not your kind of thing and if you are looking for a good value proposition, then we would suggest you take the Kia K900 home.
Pricing and Features
7.0/10
The Kia doesn’t want you to get confused as to what features to choose and what to drop, so the purchase fits your budget. It went overboard and added every luxury and safety feature it can think of and made it into one complete package. The K900 is offered in only one trim - K900 Luxury priced at 59900 USD. It comes with premium elements such as the Lexicon Premium Audio system, Nappa Leather seating & three-zone Automatic Climate Controlto name a few. The list is so long that it looks like Kia left no stone unturned in equipping its K900. There is only one optional VIP package you can choose to upgrade your already loaded build a notch further. The VIP package which sets you back by another 4400 USD includes Power-adjustable Rear Passenger seat, Chamude Premium Headliner, a 12.3-inch Full Digital Instrument Cluster replacing 7 inch LCD Meter Display with Analog dials, Front-Passenger Chauffeur Seat Switch, Rear ventilation and Rear wireless phone charger.
Trims
K900 Luxury
MSRP (AWD)
59,900
Key Features
Navigation System with 12.3-inch Touch-Screen Display
Lexicon Premium Audio System
Wireless Phone Charger
Head-Up Display
Surround View Monitor
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
Blindspot view Monitor
Three-Zone Automatic Climate Control
Nappa Leather Seat Trim, Heated and Ventilated front seats
Lane Following Assist
Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go
Trim to choose?
You are left with no choice here! You have got the best deal there is. A fully loaded Kia K900 with VIP package and other options such as Wheel locks, Bumper Applique and Paint Protection package will cost you around 64755 USD. With such jaw dropping features being offered as standard at a competitive price, this is a steal deal. You might want to seriously reconsider going for a BMW or Mercedes purchase. Except that it doesn't carry a premium branding badge, the Kia K900’s value proposition is too great to be true!
Engine and Performance
8.0/10
The 2020 Kia K900 Luxury is powered by a potent and thirsty 3.3L V6 TwinTurbo engine that it shares with the new Kia Stinger GT, K900’s younger sibling. The throaty engine produces a max power output of 365 hp @6000rpm with a max torque of 376 lb-ft @ 1300rpm. The engine is coupled to an 8-Speed Automatic transmission and All-Wheel Drive is made standard. Kia’s driveline system comes with an electronically controlled transfer case that continuously analyzes road conditions so as to automatically adjust optimum power between the front and rear axles. The first generation K900 had a more powerful V8 engine which has been scrapped as a part of the 2019 refresh.
2020 Kia K900 Sedan Has a 3.3L V6 TwinTurbo Engine
Models
2020 Kia K900 Luxury
2020 Acura RLX P-AWS
2020 Cadillac CT6 Luxury
2020 Lexus GS 350
MSRP
59,900
54,900
58,995
51,065
Engine
3.3L TwinTurbo V6
3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6
3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6
3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
AWD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
10-Speed Automatic
10-Speed Automatic
6-Speed Automatic
Power
365hp@6,000rpm
310hp@6,500rpm
335hp@6,800rpm
311hp@6,400rpm
Torque
376lb-ft@1,300rpm
272lb-ft@4,500rpm
285lb-ft@5,300rpm
280lb-ft@4,800rpm
From the above table, you can observe that the K900 is the most expensive choice of all and it has the smallest engine too at 3.3 liters. Its rivals sport a 3.5-3.6L V6 engine but they are all naturally aspirated. The K900’s twin turbo boost skyrockets the power from its smaller 3.3L engine off the charts. The Korean is closely followed by Cadillac CT6 in terms of performance figures at 335hp @6800 rpm which is close to the redline. It is followed by the Acura RLX and Lexus GS 350 which produce similar power and torque almost expect that the former is FWD while the latter is AWD. No matter how you look at it, K900 is the clear winner here despite its higher price which is totally acceptable for the other standard features it offers.
Acceleration - Nothing is rational about it! Oh boy! How do they do it?
The Kia K900 is quick on the 0-60MPH line in just 5 seconds. Much credit to its lightning quick dash goes to the twinturbo which its competitors lack. It can reach a top speed of 149 MPH limited electronically by the speed governor in compliance with US Federal laws.
2020 Kia K900 Sedan 0-60 MPH In Just 5.0 sec
Models
2020 Kia K900 Luxury
2020 Acura RLX P-AWS
2020 Cadillac CT6 Luxury
2020 Lexus GS 350
0-60 MPH
5 sec
5.6 sec
5.4 sec*
5.8 sec
Quarter Mile
13.6 sec
14.6 sec
13.9 sec*
14.5 sec
Top Speed
149 MPH
155 MPH(est)
NA
130 MPH
Engine
3.3L TwinTurbo V6
3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6
3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6
3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6
*2019 values used for reference purposes only
Standing at over 4700 lbs, it is the heaviest of the lot. But still,it tops the table with flying colors. The Cadillac 2020 version of CT6 dropped the 2.0L inline and 3.0L twin turbo V6 which leaves us with the less powerful 3.6L naturally aspirated engine that makes a 5.4 second run on the 0-60MPH line. The Acura RLX and Lexus GS 350 are sluggish in terms of acceleration and finish last in the table. In terms of emissions, not much difference can be seen between the cars except Acura which managed to do a better job of being more environmentally friendly. The primary reason can be that the RLX is FWD, unlike its competition. For your information, FWD based vehicles burn less fuel than AWD because the latter is heavier and needs to send power to all of its four wheels which the former does not.
Ride and Handling
The K900 offers an exceptionally quiet ride thanks to its sound-absorbing laminated glass and underbody cover design which insulates the cabin from ambient noise. The engine itself is ultra quiet producing a sound less than 75 decibels even with the throttle open to hit the 149MPH speed governor. The vehicle comes with Active Air Flap technology which automatically cuts off the airflow through the Front grille to improve aerodynamics. While the car is designed to be marketed as a premium luxury sedan, it also handles corners exceptionally well to our surprise. The vehicle’s electronically controlled Transfer case tech continuously monitors the road conditions to automatically adjust optimum power delivery to the front and rear axles so that the vehicle stays planted to the road at all times. In addition to that, Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control system monitors both driver input and road conditions and if it detects an anomaly, the power delivery and braking force are automatically adjusted to keep stable even in adverse conditions.
2020 Kia K900 Sedan Front View
The K900 comes with a Drive mode select feature that allows you to customize your steering weight, engine responsiveness thereby tailoring your ride quality and handling according to your taste. The electronically controlled suspension system continuously adjusts the suspension responsiveness based on its digital projection of road conditions. Overall, you can say that it is not sporty but still it provides a comfortable and composed ride ironing out hard bumps and also jacking up the suspension on those stiff corners.
Braking - No reeks of burnt pads
The braking system on the Kia is the standard ABS with Cornering Brake Control and Brake Fade Compensation. The K900 has the biggest rotors among its competition. However, it does a decent job on the braking surging just four feet ahead of the Lexus GS 350 before coming to a complete stop from 60MPH. It is to be noted that the K900 pulled this amazing feat while being 800 lbs heavier than the Lexus 350.
2020 Kia K900 Sedan Front Brake is 14.2 in.
Models
2020 Kia K900 Luxury
2020 Acura RLX P-AWS
2020 Cadillac CT6 Luxury
2020 Lexus GS 350
Brake Rotors Front
14.2"
12.3"
13.6"
13.1"
Brake Rotors Rear
13.4"
12.2"
12.4"
12.2"
Curb Weight
4733 lbs
3977 lbs
4063 lbs
3891 lbs
60-0 MPH
117 ft
126 ft
NA
113 ft
The lightest among them is the Acura RLX and it took a staggering 126 feet before coming to a standstill. Unfortunately, braking performance data on CT6 is not currently available at the moment. While the K900 doesn’t retain the crown in this test, suffice it to say K900 deserved the title when you take into account its weight to braking performance ratio.
Fuel Economy
6.0/10
The Kia K900 chugs down a lot of fuel because of its twin turbochargers and heavyweight. Despite it, the vehicle offers comparable fuel economy like that of its competitors. From the table below, you can observe that except Acura RLX which is an FWD, all other vehicles have an average combined gas mileage of 21 MPG. Moreover, K900 has the largest fuel tank capacity of them all.
To counteract the poor fuel economy, Kia added a new feature called Coasting Neutral Control. Coasting Neutral Control improves fuel efficiency by automatically disconnecting the transmission when the driver does not operate the accelerator pedal. This feature gets activated when specific parameters are met while driving in Eco or Smart modes.
Models
2020 Kia K900 Luxury
2020 Acura RLX P-AWS
2020 Cadillac CT6 Luxury
2020 Lexus GS 350
MPG (City)
18
20
18
19
MPG (Highway)
25
29
27
26
MPG (Combined)
21
23
21
21
Fuel Capacity
20.3 gallons
18.5 gallons
19.2 gallons
17.4 gallons
Range (City/Hwy/Combined)
365/507/426 miles
370/536/425 miles
345/518/403 miles
330/452/365 miles
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2emissions @ 15k mi/yr)
7.1
6.3
6.9
7
Interior
8.7/10
The interior although not posh, it is satisfactory for its class & price offered. Wooden inlays and Napa leather are offered as standard. So you don’t have to shell out extra money for the premium feels. The rear seats offer first class cabin experience with power-adjustable seats, three-zone automatic climate control and the optional Front passenger Chauffeur seat switch only takes it a notch up. The interior customization does not have a lot of options with only three styles being offered. If you had opted for the VIP package that costs 4400USD, you get additional rear ventilation, rear ventilated power-adjustable seats and rear wireless phone charger. There is also an interior ambient LED lighting system that can be customized to your moods and preferences.
Seating and comfort - Floating through on cloud nine seats
The car offers great headroom for both front and rear occupants so getting in and out of the car is a breeze. The legroom is great for front occupants and for the rear, it is a bit cramped but still adequate enough to offer comfort. The rear seating offers a lounge-like experience for two people. But you can seat three people easily by folding down the rear center armrest. The leather quality is good and feels premium. The seats come with a heating/ ventilation system for more comfort on those long rides.
2020 Kia K900 Sedan Front Seats
Models
2020 Kia K900 Luxury
2020 Acura RLX P-AWS
2020 Cadillac CT6 Luxury
2020 Lexus GS 350
Seating Capacity
5
5
5
5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
41.1/59.0/45.7
37.6/59.6/42.3
40.2/58.3/46.4
38.0/57.3/42.3
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
38.0/57.2/36.6
36.9/57.0/38.8
38/56.2/40.4
37.8/55.7/36.8
Infotainment - The boredom killer
The infotainment system is a 12.3 inch Central Touchscreen Display with Lexicon Logic 7 premium surround system. Google Android Auto and Apple Carplay come as standard features. The analog meters can be replaced with a 12.3 inch full LCD digital instrument cluster and navigation system. All of the infotainment controls can be accessed easily from the comfort of your steering wheel.
2020 Kia K900 Sedan Has 12.3 inch Central Touchscreen Display
Cargo - Throw all them baggage at the back
The cargo space of 15.3 cubic feet is adequate enough for its class. Its rivals CT6 and GS 350 offer more cargo space. The K900 is neither a winner nor loser here.
2020 Kia K900 Luxury Has Cargo Space is 15.3 cu ft.
7.0-inch LCD Meter Display with Supervision Meter Cluster
Optional 12.3-inch Full LCD Digital Instrument Cluster
Three-Zone Automatic Climate Control
Premium Mood Lighting inspired by PANTONE
Analog Clock by Maurice Lacroix
Nappa leather seat trim
Open pore/ Matt finish wooden inlay
Power-Adjustable Driver and Passenger Seat with Integrated Memory System
Heated/ Ventilated Seats
Heated Steering Wheel
Exterior
9.0/10
The K900 isn’t one of those cars you would fall in love at first sight. But you will fall in love with it every time you drive it. It doesn’t exactly have sleek lines and smooth curves. The exterior elements aren’t stressed enough to stand out and on the downside, it doesn’t have that premium badge Mercedes or Audi carries. You can’t find fault on Kia for trying. Although, you can say it did a decent job on the exterior with its Power sunroof, 19 inch Alloy wheels, Chrome accents, Dual chrome integrated exhaust tips and sound absorbing glass to name a few. The K900’s exterior is based on the company’s “Gravity of Prestige” design concept.
Design and dimension
From the comparison below you can observe that K900 falls short of a few inches in terms of length when compared with CT6. But in terms of width and height, it is the largest which means you don’t have to hit your head while trying to get in or seat cramped. It has good ground clearance at 5.3 inches. The only drawback here is that it is the heaviest of the lot standing at 4733 lbs. Only if it had been lighter, it would have good fuel economy and even good braking distance.
2020 Kia K900 Sedan Three Quarter View
Models
2020 Kia K900 Luxury
2020 Acura RLX P-AWS
2020 Cadillac CT6 Luxury
2020 Lexus GS 350
Curb Weight
4733 lbs
3977 lbs
4063 lbs
3891 lbs
Length
201.6"
198.1"
205.8"
192.1"
Width
75.4"
74.4"
74"
72.4"
Height
58.7"
57.7"
58"
57.9"
Ground Clearance
5.3"
4.5"
NA
5.1"
Wheelbase
122.2"
112.2"
122.4"
112.2"
Exterior Features
Ripple Effect Front Grille
Dual Lens Full LED Headlights with DRL
Auto High Beam Assist
Chrome Accent Exterior
Dual Chrome Integrated Exhaust Tips
Auto-Dimming Outside Mirrors
Power Sunroof
Power-Operated Rear Side-Window Sunshades
Smart Power Trunk
19-inch Alloy Wheels
P245/45R19 Front & P275/40R19 Rear All Season Tires
Active Air Flap
Sound Absorbing Glass
Safety
9.0/10
Being marketed as the company’s flagship sedan, the company decided not to compromise on the safety front. So they offer pretty much all of the safety tech invented by their R&D department as standard features. Kia’s Drive Wise Assist technology actively monitors its surroundings and warns the driver of any imminent collisions. If the driver couldn’t respond in time, its active assist system takes preventive action of its own. The K900 hasn’t been tested and rated by NHTSA or IIHS yet.
On the reliability front, the company offers class-leading longest warranty of 10 years/ 100,000 miles for the powertrain. It shows the brand’s confidence. Further, it also offers complimentary 5 years/60,000-mile roadside assistance coverage. The second-generation K900 hasn’t received any complaints for faulty manufacturing nor there were any recalls issued.
Airbag Protection System with Driver’s Knee Impact Airbags
Pre-Safe Seat Belt
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Fade Compensation & Cornering Brake Control
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS) & Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
Competition
8.0/10
Kia K900 Luxury vs Acura RLX P-AWS
Between the Japanese and the Korean, Kia K900 offers more value for the money. For 5000 extra bucks, you get a more powerful engine, AWD, premium interior, advanced safety tech which the Acura RLX lacks. So hands down, K900 is a clear winner here.
2020 Acura RLX P-AWS
Kia K900 Luxury vs Cadillac CT6 Luxury
You can’t obviously deny that GM’s vehicles are built solid. CT6 may lack the power but it certainly offers spacious and premium interior combined with a stylish exterior. But it lacks the advanced safety features and the impressive warranty that K900 offers. Once again, K900 takes down the competition with its “Value Proposition” card.
2020 Cadillac CT6 Luxury
Kia K900 Luxury vs Lexus GS 350
Another hard decision to make. The Lexus GS 350 is the less expensive of the two. But adding optional packages quickly escalates the price close enough to K900’s. Still, the GS 350 with optional packages is priced less than the K900. It is entirely up to the buyer’s preferences of which brand to choose. But if you take into account the performance & value proposition, K900 is a better choice. If you care more about external looks and styling, we suggest you take the GS 350.
2020 Lexus GS 350
Final Verdict
9.0/10
Kia K900 is certainly a good car that tries to capture the rich and niche market. Its strong value proposition makes it irresistible, well almost. The company failed to convert its advantage in the segment to sales figures. It's disappointing to see that the model only sold 390 units in 2019. It's partly due to the fact that the brand is being stereotyped for it lacks the brand cachet that Mercedes and Audi enjoy. Kia should probably up its marketing game and make people understand the value K900 offers.
The 2020 Kia K900 for sale at a dealer near you. Break free from the chains of stereotype and take this sweet ride home. Thank us, later!
