Driven: Kia K900 A Bargain Basement 7 Series?

No

So, WTF is Kia's identity, then? Yes, he mentioned that the US should get a version with a stiffer suspension, but it's still more luxury than sport. Why go head to head with your own sister the G90?

It makes absolutely NO SENSE especially in light of the aborting of the Genesis dealers.

I thought the K900 was more akin to the G80, but anyhoo.

Agree, the planning for the Kia/Genesis vehicles is becoming silly & overlapping.

It seems like they're trying to re-create that multiple sub-brand "perception" like GM but instead they're basically creating the same car for 2-3 different brands that look really similar. What's the difference b/t the K900 & the G80? The brand?

I thought the K900 was more akin to the G80, but anyhoo.

Agree, the planning for the Kia/Genesis vehicles is becoming silly & overlapping.

It seems like they're trying to re-create that multiple sub-brand "perception" like GM but instead they're basically creating the same car for 2-3 different brands that look really similar. What's the difference b/t the K900 & the G80? The brand?

It does not go head to head with the G90 anymore than the Lacrosse goes head-to-head with the Cadillac XTS. It is a way to sell more cars to amortize the cost of the platform development. Also, the K900 sells well in Korea and other eastern Asian countries, so why the consternation.

I don't see how it doesn't present a lower-cost alternative to the G90, that is, if it's priced similar to the outgoing model. The fact is, the outgoing model sold miserably in the US. Sure it may sell well overseas, then keep it overseas. I can't imagine selling fewer than 100 units per month to be too profitable for the brand. And the other reality is that it's not a car that drives traffic into the Kia dealerships.

The Koreans are baffled as to how GM & Ford & Toyota can essentially get away with (profit from) major platform sharing in the US.

A lot of avid GM customers cross-shop its different brands. The Lacrosse & XTS (since you mention) are made on a similar platform - also shared with the Impala as well. But since GM had been critized to the n-degree, their exterior/interior/ designs carry a reasonable amount of unique features that give them a separate characteristic overall. So unless a shopper is truly hung-up about exterior designs, much of the deciding factors are overall transaction costs.

I won't swipe at the car's competence. I'm sure it a very nice driver but my problem is that it just does look modern enough.

I had the first K900 for 6 months and it was an excellent large sedan. Was it Mercedes level? Nope. Was it much more than basic. Yes. Suspension was too soft, but it was flawless in reliability. It was reasonably smooth, but it should have a $35K base price with $45K loaded to the gills to wear a Kia badge. Price it as a small step up from the Stinger and it's a winner. But as with the Continental, it's a nice car that is not worth the price.

People who buy "Premium" large cars - do not want to be seen in a Bargain Basement ANYTHING - that is the problem.

Worse - this car is overpriced -even when the KIA dealer will discount it Heavily

Now imagine being seen in a bargain basement car you overpaid for!!!

The problem isn't the vehicle, per se. It's the brand under which the product is sold.

And b/c the brand is considered mainstream & sporty. This (clearly) entry/mid-level luxury RWD sedan doesn't necessarily "fit" within the KIA brand perception. The Cadenza was a better fit as the premium flagship sedan for the brand. And the Stinger fits the brand persona a the sporty flagship sedan. The K900 - though nice - only highlights a level of corporate redundancy.

Merc front lights..

It will make a great "Uber Black" or "Uber VIP" car

K9 is perfect name. It's barking big time

The irony is that the K900 would make a great Lincoln.

Since the G90 exists & the K900 doesn't fit well at the top of the KIA lineup, maybe it should be re-introducted as the Hyundai brand flagship.

First thing - remove the Genesis car line/links from the Hyundai product page online. Reason why curious customers still see Genesis as a sub-lineup under the Hyundai brand. Do more to separate. Rebadge the K900 to the new svelte Hyundai Equus - the alphanum name never fit away. That would make a heck of a lot more sense. Otherwise they're wasting funding & effort trying to convince the US market that the K900 is reasonably priced & comparable to similar to competition.

Technically, the K900 competition is the Impala, Lacrosse, Avalon, Maxima, Taurus, 300, & maybe the Volvo S80. The large car set among the mainstream brands. The scale (comfort, sport, upscale) differs depending on brand but the competition is out there.

The Avalon has a been a "strange bird" recently. Had been thinking, it should be a larger (midsize) entry-level Lexus 2-3 years ago - if not for its FWD config. The K900 is a definite step above the current Sonata & should be stones-throw-away from the Genesis line of cars. Much easiler sale for the dealer & customer.

You've been happy with a Sonanta. So you step-up to a Kia K900? Huh? Doesn't work as smoothly. And then from the Kia to a Genesis?