Kia’s flagship sedan is seen on American roads about as often as “V-12″ badges appear in the commuter lot, which is not often, not even in Connecticut’s Fairfield County. To better entice the nation’s wealthy bargain-hunters, the K900, which was introduced just last year, receives a mild refresh and a price cut of several thousand dollars for 2016.
The 2016 K900 (or as shown here in its native Korean trim, the Quoris) starts at $49,950, compared to the $55,400 ask for 2015. That’s because Kia has finally brought out the V-6 version it promised us during the car’s L.A. launch two years ago. This is the same 3.8-liter 311-hp V-6 shared with its platform cousin, the Hyundai Genesis. The current two trim choices merge into one top-level Luxury V-8 model carrying the 5.0-liter 420-hp V-8. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic (now with paddle shifters) and rear-wheel drive.
The grille keeps the Bentley-style honeycomb but out back, the taillights flatten with thinner, Audi-like horizontal LEDs and a chrome strip that extends past the trunk lid and wraps into the side lights. The entire rear bumper is new and sheds the chrome strips. Instead we find reshaped exhaust outlets, horizontal reflectors, and more horizontal edging in place of the 2015 model’s curves. A8? ES350? 7-series? Like so many modern luxury cars, there’s no distinguishing a K900 from even a short distance.
As on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, the K900 will automatically pop the trunk when the key fob is near the decklid for more than three seconds. Navigation, a panoramic sunroof, leather, new 18-inch wheels, and an auto-sensing drive mode that’ll select between three powertrain settings—Kia calls it Smart Shift and Drive, and it’s similar to that on the 2016 7-series—are all standard on the Premium V-6.
For $55,850, the Luxury V-6 presumably includes more luxury, although Kia did not specify what exactly that entails. We do know the best options can only be ordered with the Luxury V-8, which starts at $62,850 but doesn’t feel special until $68,850. That’s the price with the $6000 VIP Plus Package, which includes quilted Nappa leather, power reclining and cooled rear seats, a microfiber headliner, a head-up display, soft-close doors, a 16-way driver’s seat with cushion extender and powered headrests for both front seats, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. Kia VIPs can also specify brown or white leather.
Other notable K900 features include an available 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a redesigned steering wheel with a rotating menu dial that vibrates when highlighting new selections, and winged headrests for the rear passengers. A new UVO Luxury Services app, launching next year, provides remote unlocking and the usual vehicle-tracking functions found in other telematics services. The only question now is whether to buy a brand-new loaded K900 or a three-year-old BMW 760Li. If dropping 70 grand on a Kia won’t disturb your sleep—you probably know where you stand.
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