$50 to $70k RWD Kia K900 luxury sedan coming stateside

[Kaido]

Complete with rip-off BMW uni-kidney grill:

http://jalopnik.com/the-rwd-kia-k9-is-coming-to-america-as-the-kia-k900-1355312562

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/20/kia-dealers-report-k900-flagship-rwd-sedan-coming-us/

I think it would be cool if they really dropped the price on these Hyundai/Kia luxury cars. Very few people are going to want to say they own a $70,000 Kia, you know? I have an old used Volvo S80 and it's still a beast, and brand-new they start at only $39,000 (I just went through the configurator and topped out a new one at $55k fully-loaded as well). Although I think the K900 is kind of going after the mini-Maybach market with the extended rear seats & all. But still, if that thing was priced at like $35,000, that would be pretty awesome. I could see people being interesting in a $35 or maybe $37.5k Kia luxury car.

 

[WT]

Kia has been gently upscaling their lineup and their prices each year for a while now. My loaded with every option '05 Sorento stickered at 30,120. The highest optioned Sorento now sells for 40,950.

The K900 is similar to the Hyundai Equus - a high priced luxury cruiser searching for a market where one doesn't necessarily exist. Its sole purpose is to get people to talk about a high end Kia or Hyundai.

 

[PottedMeat]

Kia's national dealer council, Don Hobden, told Automotive News the K900 should represent "7-Series value for a 5-Series price."

maybe they'll call the next one K910 or something so they can call it the kia 9-series


i always thought hyundai 100% owned kia - but it's only 33%.

 

[Vic Vega]

...

 

[JMapleton]

I think Kia is doing a great job at revamping their brand.

However I still view Kia in the same light at Daewoo, Geo, Yugo, and other junk car brands. I'm not brand conscious but I would never buy a Kia. I just wouldn't feel right about it.

 

[Kaido]

I think Kia is doing a great job at revamping their brand.

However I still view Kia in the same light at Daewoo, Geo, Yugo, and other junk car brands. I'm not brand conscious but I would never buy a Kia. I just wouldn't feel right about it.

Yeah, they just have a huge perception problem to overcome. My 3-year lease on the Kia Soul was great, really enjoyed it, it was basically a box Saturn, and now they've ravamped that with heated & cooled seats, panoramic sunroof, etc., so they're trying really hard to get their image boosted. But the Soul I can understand - base price of $14k, and even maxed out, still not over $26k, so that's in-line with what I'd expect with a Kia.

 

[mmntech]

The Kia brand has given Hyundai a lot of room to play around with styling, and they're making some decent looking cars. I drove them a lot and they're definitely decent cars. I just don't know if I would ever buy one. Especially when I can get a vehicle from a more established brand for the same price. Realistically, I'm going to be looking at the Audi A6, BMW M series, or Lexus GS.

I don't think there's that much of a demand for a vehicle like this. Especially in North America where luxury SUVs seem to be the thing to get.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

2,135 Equus have been sold in 2013 - A surprising figure for sure

* through August

Total Year Stats
2011 - 3,193
2012- 3,972


BMW 7-Series
2011 - 11,299
2012 - 11,098

MBZ S-Class
2011 - 12,258
2012 - 11,794

Jaguar XJ
2011 - 5,235
2012 - 4,853

Audi A8
2011 - 5,700
2012 - 6,002

Lexus LS
2011 - 9,568
2012 - 8,345

 

[Vic Vega]

...

 

[CurseTheSky]

They would be better spinning this off into a separate brand, sort of like Ford and Lincoln, Chevy to Cadillac, Toyota and Lexus, etc. That way, the average under-informed consumer won't attach the budget-brand stigma to it.

Unfortunately, someone that can spend $50-70k on a car isn't going to want a KIA. If they somehow managed to offer all of the features and luxury for a price that is more obtainable for the average middle class, say $35-40k or so, then I could see these being popular.

I personally don't expect to see more than 1-2k of these sold per year. If that's what they're aiming for, great for them...

 

[Kaido]

They would be better spinning this off into a separate brand, sort of like Ford and Lincoln, Chevy to Cadillac, Toyota and Lexus, etc. That way, the average under-informed consumer won't attach the budget-brand stigma to it.

Unfortunately, someone that can spend $50-70k on a car isn't going to want a KIA. If they somehow managed to offer all of the features and luxury for a price that is more obtainable for the average middle class, say $35-40k or so, then I could see these being popular.

I personally don't expect to see more than 1-2k of these sold per year. If that's what they're aiming for, great for them...

Yeah, that's a great idea - create a separate luxury brand. I see a ton of Mercedes & BMW's & stuff around here, and if I had $50k+ to blow on a car, it probably wouldn't be a Kia

 

[Kaido]

They would be better spinning this off into a separate brand, sort of like Ford and Lincoln, Chevy to Cadillac, Toyota and Lexus, etc. That way, the average under-informed consumer won't attach the budget-brand stigma to it.

CNET review kills the Hyundai:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuVvwIydoec

 

[bigi]

There is a new definition of lexury for 70K+

Things like Kia "lexury" are dead like dead can be due to a fact that well known brands of luxurious cars can't keep with Tesla.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Do you have numbers for the Audi A8 and Lexus LS?

Edited my original post with these figures.

 

[KentState]

Who goes bargain shopping when spending $50-70k? There are so many proven, exceptional options in that price range and the Kia may be decent, but by no means best in class.

 

[phucheneh]

Their own company can't even find the point.

"7-Series value for a 5-Series price?"

Oh, so...terrible value, but in a 60k car instead of an 80k car? Wow, sign me up.

I think I know what the guy was trying to say, but he failed miserably.

 

[MagickMan]

I can't see buying one over a 5-series, CTS, or an A8. That's loony.

 

[halik]

Apparently no one has learned anything from the VW Phaeton debacle.

 

[KentState]

Apparently no one has learned anything from the VW Phaeton debacle.

I'd be more willing to by a Phaeton knowing that VW has a history with a luxury division like Audi, though a A8 would appeal more.

 

[phucheneh]

I'd be more willing to by a Phaeton knowing that VW has a history with a luxury division like Audi, though a A8 would appeal more.

If anything, this is more a knock against them. IMO, at least.

Been building luxury cars a long time...but still don't have very good reliability. Versus generally good reliability but less luxury experience...it seems to directly translate, as the higher-end Hyundais seem less prone to [primarily electrical] issues, but lack the same feel. Their higher end cars...kinda still make you feel like you're in a Hyundai.

But I think that is a quickly-closing gap, as companies realize how to build cars with a solid 'feel' without spending a lot of money.

It's a positive for the Koreans. Make better trim clips. Put a little felt tape here, stuff some foam in there...all those little touches that make a car feel better inside, decrease noise, ect.

For the Germans, I see it in kind of the opposite light. The car seems pretty upscale, but then you start scrutinizing things more closely (granted, since I'm generally taking them apart, my scrutiny is closer than most) and think 'damn, this plastic stuff feels cheap as hell.'

Basically...cheap, effective, cost-efficient construction methods seem be to at once making cheap cars better and expensive cars worse.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

I can see it now: Guy pulls up in his new K900 and gets out "Hey man, just got a new car today...fully loaded..cost me $67K"

Me: "Hmm....expensive for a Kia"

It'll take a while for them to change their brand reputation as they have been the cars of the "financially disadvantaged" for so long.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Looks like a uglier 7 Series BMW. I'm shocked there is a possibility to even make it uglier.

impressive

 

[nerp]

Looks very boring.

 

[njdevilsfan87]

Been building luxury cars a long time...but still don't have very good reliability.

I really think it's just the person. I believe that (officially) over 50% of luxury cars in he USA are leased, so you end up with plenty of used luxury that will break down within the a decade due to that alone.

I just feel like when I go to those VW forums where owners are crazy about modding and maintaining their cars, there's nothing but good things said about reliability. But go figure, even though they drive them harder, they also take care of them worlds better than the typical lease owner would.

 

[smackababy]

Looks like a uglier 7 Series BMW. I'm shocked there is a possibility to even make it uglier.

impressive

I think the 7 series is BMW's best looking model, and that isn't saying much. =(

Bring back the E30 styling please.