WASHINGTON — When shopping for a luxury car, I’m going to guess, the Kia dealer isn’t at the top of mind. But the Kia K900 adds a new page to the automakers’ playbook, and it’s bringing value to the large luxury sedan market — something Kia has done in other segments of the marketplace.
Large luxury sedans are pricey, usually near the six-figure mark. Kia is a relative bargain, with a starting price around $55,000 for a six-cylinder model that’s new for the 2016 model year. The new engine does fine for this car. It’s not a powerhouse, but it goes well with the laid-back attitude of a large luxury sedan.
I didn’t have a problem keeping up with traffic or passing when needed. That said, don’t think that this is a sporty luxury sedan, because it’s not; it doesn’t like to be pushed. The K900 is made for quiet road trips and relaxed commutes.
I drove this car for five or six hours at a time and was surprised by how quiet it was. It has to be one of quietest cars out there. My car had the advanced smart cruise control, which works well at keeping a safe distance from the car ahead without being jerky with the brakes. The fuel economy for the week was 26 mpg, which is better than the sticker, but I’m sure the highway travel really helped.
The interior has all the makings of what a luxury car should be — lots of space, real wood trim and loads of leather. The seats are comfortable upfront with nice quality leather. They’re maybe not quite as nice as some other large luxury sedans, but still good.
With the VIP package, the driver’s seat has seat cushion extenders, so longer-legged drivers can get some relief. That package also turns the back seat into a comfort zone, with power reclining, heated and ventilated seats and a ton of controls for audio and climate like a limo. The space in the back seat is plentiful and very comfy for two. There’s room for a third, but they will miss the comfort.
The interior trim is a soft touch and it looks and feels nice. Perhaps the buttons look a little cheaper than the competition, but they are large and easy to see and use. A central knob on the center console controls some menus; it can be a bit touchy, and there are a few too many steps for some operations. But the large nine-inch screen is easy to see and the NAV works well once you figure it out. There are front and rear cameras, which are helpful when parking this large sedan.
Styling outside is rather conservative and doesn’t draw too much attention. It has the right formula, including a large grill, HID lighting, a long hood and a long, almost stretched, look from the side profile. The 18-inch wheels fit the luxury look and stance. The rear-end styling is understated, but a nice dual exhaust system helps jazz it up. Pictures make it look smaller than it really is. In person, it’s a more commanding size, like the other luxury sedans on the road.
The 2016 Kia K900 is a solid large luxury sedan that won’t require you to break the bank to join the ranks of big luxury. With prices under $60,000, it might not be quite as nice as the competition, but it does rather well. And hey — you can still afford a second car so you don’t have to dirty your new luxury sedan in foul weather.
Editor’s Note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
