Kia K900 vs Kia Stinger

By and large, the car-buying public carries around preconceived notions about automakers. Name a car or type of car and you’ll likely start to form assumptions about the vehicle itself and even its owners.

Kia has had a reputation for being bargain-oriented, but lately, it's a brand on the rise. Last year Kia released the Stinger, a head-turning, athletic performance sedan. Kia already had a strong portfolio of (yes, affordable) vehicles, but the Stinger was a statement vehicle, a demonstration of the brand's capabilities.

Considering Kia's progress, the continued lack of awareness with regard to its quality is disappointing. If you need any more convincing, look no further than its luxury flagship, the K900 sedan.

Introduced in 2012, the K900 is now in its second generation. It is a fantastic car and a handsome reward for any sedan shopper looking to drive a high-comfort, high-quality ride. But buyers in this space have some interesting choices. For one, the K900 rides on the same platform as its corporate cousin, the Genesis G90. It's also offered alongside the Cadenza, which is also a spacious luxury car—but has front-wheel drive. There appears to be some overlap here, which makes the K900 and its positioning so intriguing.

So, Kia’s out there making a name for itself, and the K900 showcases what the brand is fully capable of delivering. But the mere presence of the Genesis G90 underscores a question: Where does the K900 fit in the world of full-size luxury sedans?

It's at the very core of human nature to sort things. Eons ago, it helped us establish patterns associated with our early ancestors’ predators and prey. Today, this allows our brains to be “metaphor machines,” allowing any new information to fit neatly into pre-conceived boxes. This, of course, makes changing minds against an agreed-upon notion an uphill battle.

Most folks sort carmakers into groups that fit into pre-ordained assumptions. In this “continuum of assumption,” Jeep is the brand that builds SUVs, Mercedes-Benz makes luxury cars, and the best trucks are made by the big American automakers. But as anyone who follows the automotive world knows, such assumptions aren’t always fair—or accurate. Jaguar and Bentley—two brands associated with luxury coupes and sedans—now build SUVs. Toyota and Nissan are capable of making fully competent pickups. And, finally, there's Kia.

Kia may have a harder uphill battle against stereotype than any other automaker. Anyone I talk to about considering a new Kia always has the same response: “Oh, don’t they make cheap cars?” Sure, that’s how Kia got its start in North America, but for the last 10 years, the Korean automaker has been on a steady ascent in terms of design and quality.

This trend has culminated with the all-new Kia Stinger—a four-door sports car that has put the automotive world on notice. Frankly, we didn’t know we needed a car like the 2018 Kia Stinger, but it shows that Kia is capable of much more than economical daily drivers. But stereotypes aside, we have to ask: Is the Stinger GT enough to make us take Kia seriously as a performance brand?