2015 Kia K900 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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So Kia wants to roll with the big boys? After more than 20 years in the U.S. market, the Korean manufacturer is itching to prove it can do luxury just as well as the German stalwarts of the class—a sort of reverse move from the other Asian upstart of the late 20th century, Lexus.
Enter the K900. It sounds like the Terminator’s canine companion and looks like a stretched Cadenza with BMW lighting, but can it get the same job done with less pomp and even less price than its German opposition? Sadly, no. But that doesn’t mean you should count it out just yet. To the specs!
Starting with a calmed version of the Genesis' 5.0-liter V8, the K900 comes to the line with 420 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed transmission. The setup will get you to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and to 100 in 13 seconds even. That won’t win you any races or Kia any headlines, but it’s more than adequate for this 4,500-pound road couch. After all, a luxury car isn’t a sports car, despite the “One Tool for Every Job” school of design that seems to permeate the industry of late.
However, there is a shortcoming with this engine, and it’s apparent at the pump. With an EPA estimate of 15 mpg city/23 highway, the K900 is outdone by rivals like the BMW 750i, which offers a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 spinning up 445 hp and 480 lb-ft while still able to deliver 17/25. It’s a difference that’ll only become more apparent as competitors continue to wring more efficiency out of their mills.
In an effort to appeal to the more fuel-conscious among us, a detuned version of the Genesis' 3.8-liter V6 will be offered with 311 hp and 293 lb-ft of torque, a massage that means you’ll get a return of 18/27—just barely enough to beat BMW’s twin-turbo V8 offering.
But you’re not paying for a 750i here, a car the Kia will beat on price by nearly $20K before you even head to the customization corral. Really, that’s where Kia can shine, as it’s always prided itself on offering a catalog of standard equipment that would make most options lists jealous. With the V8, that means 19-inch chrome wheels; 16-element LED headlights, foglights and taillights; a panoramic sunroof; heated power-folding mirrors and power-closing trunk; keyless entry and start; and power heated/ventilated front seats. There’s leather everywhere—including on a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel—and a host of tech-assist hardware to keep you safe, like a backup camera, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, a blind-spot monitoring system and lane-departure warning system.
Lest you get lost or bored, there’s a 9.2-inch central display with navigation and a 900-watt, 17-speaker Lexicon stereo. And while many manufacturers ignore rear passengers, here they'll get heated outboard seats, a power rear sunshade, 3-zone climate controls, heated outboard rear seats and a power rear sunshade. If that’s not enough, the VIP package will add power reclining rear seats with ventilation, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, 360-degree camera and a pre-crash system. Many of these features go away with the V6 option, but can be added back at a price that still undercuts competitors.
Once you get past the K900's dizzying list of features, you must return to its shortcomings. Here, it’s a suspension that fails to live up to its luxury aspirations, but only in comparison with sportier rivals. A 4-corner multilink suspension with coil springs and Sachs shock absorbers handles everything but the test track amicably, soaking up bumps and ruts with little fuss, but don’t think it’ll take well to a spirited thrashing through the mountains. That's sad, since the K900 shares its skeleton with the Genesis, which means the potential is there. Guess we’ll have to wait for the upcoming GT. That said, the K900 cruises at 65 mph with just 2 percent more noise than a Roll-Royce Ghost. Quiet is important, especially in a luxury car.
If you’re looking for a cheap replacement for your BMW or Mercedes, you’re going to be disappointed. The K900 simply doesn’t have the chops to keep up with the nuanced handling or performance points of the German leaders just yet. However, it’s a solid first step for Kia into the luxury segment. Let’s hope enough people are willing to take a chance on the new guy, as it’s going to take a while before people stop saying, “A luxury Kia?”
Published May 31, 2022 by Michael Perkins
User reviews for 2015 Kia K900
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by Anonymous
Jan 05, 2023
I have owned a 2015 Kia K900 since 2017. My car has 80,000 miles on it and other than routine maintenance nothing has needed repair. It is very quiet, great stereo, plenty of power and it is a great freeway cruiser. The Luxury VIP has head up display, heated and cooled front and rear seats as well as reclining rear seats with bolster. Steering is not sporty but it wasnt designed to be. It is a luxury car at a great price. Too bad they cancelled it. Terrific value. The only thing missing is massaging seats.Jan 05, 2023
by Anonymous
Jun 07, 2022
It has everything you need to ride in comfort.The price just right.Jun 07, 2022
by Fermin R
Sep 17, 2021
Great car has all the features any other expensive cars have. Sep 17, 2021
User rating:
by Anonymous
Jan 05, 2023
I have owned a 2015 Kia K900 since 2017. My car has 80,000 miles on it and other than routine maintenance nothing has needed repair. It is very quiet, great stereo, plenty of power and it is a great freeway cruiser. The Luxury VIP has head up display, heated and cooled front and rear seats as well as reclining rear seats with bolster. Steering is not sporty but it wasnt designed to be. It is a luxury car at a great price. Too bad they cancelled it. Terrific value. The only thing missing is massaging seats.Jan 05, 2023
by Anonymous
Jun 07, 2022
It has everything you need to ride in comfort.The price just right.Jun 07, 2022
by Fermin R
Sep 17, 2021
Great car has all the features any other expensive cars have. Sep 17, 2021
by Mark M
Jan 17, 2021
Great value for the money. Car is solid Jan 17, 2021
by DeQuita M
Nov 01, 2020
I love this car! I like space and luxury... this car gives me both and then some!!! Its Kias best kept secret... I have gotten so many compliments on my K900, alot of people never heard of it. I love the idea that there arent a million cars out here like mineNov 01, 2020
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2015 Kia K900 Pricing
Original MSRP
$54,500 to $59,900Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · Pandora internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 14
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 14.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.4 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.53
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: integrated exhaust · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 9.2 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power panoramic · Moonroof / Sunroof: power sunshade
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.8 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic front side · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · Pandora internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Lexicon · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 17 · 900 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 14.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.4 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Interior accents: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: accessory hook · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.53
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: integrated exhaust · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 9.2 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide · Moonroof / Sunroof: power sunshade
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.8 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: vehicle location
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: chrome
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse