2020 Kia K900

You've probably never heard of Kia's biggest luxury sedan, but that's alright - we're here to tell you all about it. With only 390 sold in the US in 2019, you're not likely to have seen one in the flesh, but the question is, why isn't the K900 on billboards and in golf course parking lots? It's simple, really. Kia's answer to the BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8 doesn't bear a premium luxury badge on its nose, leaving many a purchaser wondering if it's worth taking the chance on. Perhaps when you consider that the Korean magnate shaves in excess of $25,000 off the asking price of established German marques, you might start to consider that the K900 could just be Kia's best-kept secret. With underpinnings shared with the Genesis G90 and a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 developing 365 horsepower shared with the Kia Stinger, it certainly looks like a good proposition. But it's less upmarket than the Germans, and without a premium badge, the K900 seems lost in limbo.

Only available in one trim, the Kia K900 has an MSRP of $59,900 without any added extras and excluding the $995 destination fee. A fully loaded K900 that dons every available package on offer by Kia will cost you $65,570 which is still less than a base-level BMW 740i xDrive by just over $24,000 and nearly $30,000 less than the base-level S-Class.

It's extremely hard to believe that the luxurious K900 came from a thrifty Korean brand that targets those looking for affordability and practicality. The K900 surpasses expectations for ride comfort and pampering, though it's not exactly a real rival of sport-focused luxury sedans. It's clear that Kia still kept practicality in mind when it designed its largest luxury vehicle, it just made sure to clothe the efficiency in some expensive-looking garb. The word "chuckable" isn't front-of-mind when you consider the cornering abilities, but it certainly handles them well enough and maintains high comfort levels in and out of bends. Ultimately, the K900 is at its best when its easily cruising down the highway or floating around town and soaks up humps and bumps with admirable ease. It's an expert at delivering a plush and pillow-like ride throughout most journeys and though it's more than capable of delivering on rapid acceleration, it's not an overly-enthusiastic driver's car. The K900 should be your sedan of choice if you're looking for fantastic comfort and capable power on a budget.

The Kia K900 is full of charm and elegance that you wouldn't expect from Kia, and that's probably why it's only sold in the hundreds. Its clandestine existence seems to make it even more appealing because not many people have their hands on them, making it a unique, luxurious and affordable buy - not something commonly found in the US car market where full-size luxury sedans easily broach the six-figure mark. The Kia isn't perfect by any means: it has below-average fuel economy and some might interpret its modest exterior and interior design as bland. It also lacks the same sense of occasion as the established elite. But with only a few negatives against a whole lot of positives, the K900 represents supreme luxury on a fairly tight budget. Kia really took its time designing the K900 and it shows, through little things like the addition of the old-school Maurice Lacroix timepiece under the infotainment display. The Korean barge is much like that song on your playlist that you always skip, until one day you have a listen and you realize it's actually darn good.

Given that only one trim level is available, the answer is simple, though we do have some recommendations on how to configure your K900. The Panthera Metal lick of paint should complement your luxury sedan perfectly and opt for the Beige Nappa upholstery for an extra touch of luxury. Adding the VIP Package won't break the bank and it'll add some essential features based on passenger comfort. Once you've added the above, you may as well go ahead and add paint protection to the lot for an additional $275 and drive your fully-loaded luxury sedan off the showroom floor for a total of $65,570.

The Kia Cadenza employs a 3.3-liter V6 engine that lacks the K900's twin-turbocharged power and also doesn't offer any all-wheel-drive capability. It does, however, keep an extra $15,800 in your pocket in comparison to its larger, more luxurious counterpart. The Cadenza is more economical due to its lighter frame and has EPA estimates of 20/28/23 mpg. It must be said, however, that the Cadenza is slightly smaller and offers less trunk space, and it's also not in the same league as the K900 in terms of luxury, but offers a similar range of standard features. If your primary concern is your budget and you are willing to sacrifice on luxury, comfort and quite a lot of power, go for the Cadenza. But, if you are after opulence, lushness and more performance, the K900 is the superior choice.

A close relative of the K900, the G90 boasts the same twin-turbo V6 as the K900 and both luxury vehicles share the same output of 365 hp and 376 lb-ft. The pair are also quite similar in size, though the G90 is slightly larger and has a longer wheelbase. It also offers more interior space and a larger trunk, but the bigger size also comes with a greater price, and the AWD G90 costs nearly $15,000 more than its cousin. It varies from person to person, but we think the K900's interior is better than that of the G90's, the Kia manages to blend old-school charm with modern tech perfectly. There's also the fact that the Kia offers a better fuel economy, but the G90 is much stronger than the K900 in its stunning exterior design and better handling.

The G90 is the one to buy if you're ready to loosen the purse strings for some added exterior sass and a better driver's experience, but the K900 reigns superior with its interior and affordable price tag if you're after a well-rounded large luxury sedan.