For those that may think that the Kia vehicles
are just small utilitarian grocery getters, it might be time to take a second
look. Kia today best known for commercials featuring trendy hipster hamsters
and the Soul, has changed considerably from the 1990’s when their flagship
shared an odd variety of design themes from coveted highline Euro brands.
A generation later, Kia has come in with refined, strong, muscular and sporty
designs that carry throughout their vehicle line. Be it an entry level Rio, or
the family hauler the Sedona.
And Kia is topping quality ratings as both JD
Power and Kelly Blue Book have recently given the brand high marks based on
consumer responses.
The Kia K900
And now after driving Kia’s new full size
luxury sedan, the K900, we know why the hamsters were dressed in tuxedos. Though
the rodents may now have to step to more Matrix theme coats, like the 2014 Super Bowl debuted ad, or the theme
of the kia.com/k900 website.
The K900 features a combination of high-end
touches; leather seats, real wood trim, and a host of interactive
technology, all at a sub $70K price tag, offering a lot of car for the price of
a mid-level sedan from any of the Euro lux brands.
The driver is often the only one that automobile
designers pay attention to when designing a four-door sedan. A little bit of
thought may go to the front seat passenger, while the rear seats are just along
for the ride, especially when it comes to comfort and overall environmental
well-being.
That is just not the case in the K900, the
driver and especially the rear seat passengers are seriously involved in the
design equation. Which may harken back to the fact that the K900 is a chauffeur
driven vehicle in its home country of Korea. Heated and cooled seats have
become common in luxury vehicles, the K900 V-8 with the VIP Package incorporates
independent reclining seats with power lumbar support, along with multi stage seat
heat and cooling controls for those rear passengers. And they may adjust the front passenger seat as well
for more room, or operate the power rear window sunshade, all from the center
console. Though it seemed odd that the side
curtain shades are manually operated and appeared clumsy.
Other features all in the cabin can enjoy
is a full-length panoramic roof with power
retractable sunshade is standard on all V8 models. Soft-hue LED interior
illumination genuine walnut or poplar wood trim on the dash and door panels, Standard
high-grade leather is found throughout the cabin or the optional soft Nappa
leather with contrasting piping.
The driver is hardly going to suffer while
holding the three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, (heated available on
the V6 and standard on the V8,) sitting in the 12 or 16-way (depending on model,)
with adjustable driver’s seat that features standard multi-stage heating and ventilation.
Technology
There is plenty of tech on board, much of it is based out of the
12.3 inch full-color LCD dashboard screen, as well as Kia’s exclusive UVO
eServices telematics software,
viewed through a 9.2-inch full-color screen in the center of the dash. There is
even Kia’s first Head-Up Display, in full-color and height-adjustable in front
of the driver providing important information such as vehicle speed,
turn-by-turn navigation, and alerts including the Blind Spot Detection System and Lane Departure Warning System.
Many of these safety and technology items you only find on more expensive
vehicles.
In car entertainment comes in the form of a standard 900-watt
Lexicon high-fidelity audio system. With HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite
programing and AUX and USB ports for you to wire in your own feed. The hardware
includes a trunk-mounted 12-channel digital amplifier, 17 speakers, including a
center channel and an inverted subwoofer located in the rear parcel shelf. Bluetooth®
brings hands free accessibility safely to the driver, and the UVO eServices is
a no charge service using the UVO eServices app connecting to a smartphone’s
cellular data service.
Though I found the word marks and logos for the Bluetooth® HD
Radio, SiriusXM garishly printed on the real wood trim, not sure why those
could not be displayed on the screen and disappear as the car gets under way.
Safety
The K900 has front and rear park-assist sensors and cameras standard, with auditory
cues notify the driver as the vehicle approaches an object with the tones
emanating from the speaker located closest to the object.
The V8 comes standard with Kia’s first Rear Cross Traffic Alert system,
which provides an audible warning to the driver if oncoming cross traffic is detected
from the rear while in Reverse. Kia’s Surround View Monitor system, an option
on the VIP Package, utilizes four discreetly placed wide-angle mini-cameras at
the front and rear and within the outside rear view mirrors. The cameras
provide a visual of anything within several feet of the car, providing
potential safety benefits as well as easier maneuvering in tight spaces.
The camera-based Lane Departure Warning System monitors the car’s
position and provides an audible warning to the driver when the vehicle begins
to drift too close to the lane markers. There is also an available
radar-based Advanced Smart Cruise Control, to adjust vehicle speed, helping
maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front and even has the ability to
bring the K900 to a full stop. For added convenience, the system will also
automatically accelerate the vehicle once traffic allows. The K900 introduces
Kia’s first use of Advanced Vehicle Safety Management. Integrating the control
of various vehicle monitoring systems, to alert the driver to danger,
pre-pressurize the braking system and activate the Pre-Safe Belt system, if a
potential collision is detected. This warns the driver in three stages: an
audible alarm, a visual warning on both the HUD and TFT LCD cluster and a
cinching of the front seatbelts.
Exterior
The K900 V8 includes as
standard equipment staggered P245/45P-19 front and P275/40R-19 rear tires on
19-inch chrome alloy wheels while the V6 rides on 18-inch alloy wheels shod
with P245/50R-18 tires. An advanced five-link fully independent front and rear
suspension soaks up road imperfections while also managing to communicate
what’s happening at each corner. The
designers interest in handling is definitely detectable when driving in both
how the car handles, corners and in acceleration and deceleration times.
Adaptive LED headlights
are standard on the V8, with 16 LED bulbs which adjust to follow the bends in
the road. Soft-glow LEDs frame the
multi-faceted headlight shimmering beneath the crystal clear lenses. Mounted
low and at the far corners of the nose are sleek LED daytime running lamps and
LED fog lights. Similar use of LED technology can be found at the rear of
the K900 brake and the turn signal lamps.
A quiet ride is helped with extra insulation, as well as
aerodynamic forms to reduce wind noise with the exterior styling including standard
auto diming power and heated rearview mirrors, LED turn signal indicators and
Blind Spot Detection System.
Engine
The K900 introduces the first V8 engine offered in a Kia sedan.
The Tau DOHC all-aluminum 32-valve five-liter engine produces 420
horsepower. Due out later this year is the 3.8-liter Lamba V6 producing 311
horsepower with a three-step Variable Intake System (VIS) is designed to
provide optimum low- and mid-range torque. Both engines are designed for
efficiency with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and dual CVVT variable valve
timing on both the intake and exhaust to help improve efficiency.
A smooth-shifting
eight-speed automatic transmission works together with each engine, with gear
ratios tailored to best match the engine application. Shift mapping is variable
depending on the driver-selectable settings of Eco, Normal and Sport, and each
mode also adjusts the electric steering’s sensitivity.
Warranty and Comp Scheduled Maintenance.
The K900 features Kia’s 10-year/100K
mile new-car warranty and roadside assistance program. Included is a three-year,
37,500-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance program covering the first five
service visits to a participating Kia dealer. The no-cost scheduled maintenance
program, which excludes wear and tear items such as tires and brakes, features,
as an added benefit, the use of a Cadenza or K900 loaner vehicle during their
service visit.
In conclusion, this is not
a tarted up lower end vehicle made to look like a high line ride. It is a fresh design incorporating superior
materials and high end safety and technology that will meet a majority of user’s
needs. The car is perfect for someone who often carries passenger or needs to
be driven in executive-class luxury, but does not want to appear to be too
showy. Someone who wants to luxury and technology with the highest level of
comfort, and understands the value that is built into the Kia brand.
Kia has never been a trend
setter, but they do lead the way when it comes to taking what is out there and
making it more functional, attractive, and offering it all at a very reasonable
price. The V-8 K900 starts at $59,500, with the fully loaded VIP package comes to
$65500 not including the $900 destination charge. The comparable, though lower
priced V6 model is not yet available.
The K900 has been on the
market in the Western US States since this spring, and is now coming East. Not
all Kia dealerships will be offering the K900, but those that do, will find
eager buyers looking for a lot of value for the dollar.
Check out their Matrix inspired website Kia.com/k900
