Kia K900 Queer4Cars First Drive

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