Kia K900 vs Kia Telluride

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?

Usually, when I step out of an SUV and feel great, there's a luxury nameplate on the tailgate. Not this time. The Telluride grabbed me from the moment my white-over-grey test car arrived. And after 500 miles, the Telluride proved how impressive it is against every SUV in the $30,000 to $50,000 range.

Kia hasn't made a truly big SUV since the 2009 Borrego, which it quickly canceled after bad reviews while a nation reeled from record-high gas prices. The smaller Sorento took over as Kia's 3-row SUV, except it wasn't roomy enough for six or seven people (and still isn't). That's not to say we don't like the Sorento—it's one of our highest-rated cars—but for families who want the most space, technology, and amenities, the 2020 Telluride is Kia's new champ.