2020 Kia K900

Overview

The 2020 K900 is Kia's flagship sedan, and it shares its underpinning design with the Genesis G90. Although Kia isn't a traditional luxury brand, the Korean manufacturer is marketing this large sedan to buyers on the hunt for premium transportation. In many ways, the K900 is a credible and appealing choice within its segment. It provides driving dynamics that are smooth and composed, and its cabin is an oasis of comfort. Additionally, its price undercuts that of its key rivals by thousands of dollars. On the downside, the K900's interior is notably less upmarket than the cabins seen in rivals from brands such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Overall, however, it's hard to argue with the K900's value proposition.

What's New for 2020?

In the wake of its 2019 redesign, the Kia K900 carries over for the 2020 model year with no notable changes. Unfortunately, Kia's flagship sedan will be discontinued after this model year.

Pricing

• Luxury: $60,935

The 2020 K900 comes in a single, lavishly equipped trim that should meet the needs of most buyers. This base model rides on 19-inch wheels, and it comes with standard exterior features such as rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, fog lamps, and heated power-folding sideview mirrors with integrated turn signals and an auto-dimming capability. Once within the cabin, passengers are treated to standard features such as power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and push-button ignition, a head-up display, dual-zone automatic climate control, and nappa leather upholstery. A standard sunroof lets natural light into the cabin. All models come with a pretty complete selection of driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2020 Kia K900 gets its motivation from a turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 powerplant. This engine generates 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission governs the proceedings. All models come with all-wheel drive for improved traction on roadways that are slippery from rain or snow. In our testing, the K900 made the dash from a zero to 60 mph in a respectable 5.0 seconds. In every-day driving, this full-size sedan exhibits the poised composure valued by buyers of luxury cars. The K900 comes standard with a drive-mode feature that allows you to tailor the car's performance to suit your preferences. The list of available settings includes Comfort, Smart, Sport, Eco, and Custom. Within the Custom menu, you can adjust parameters such as steering weight, engine responsiveness, and the amount of engine sound piped through the car's cabin speakers.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

According to the EPA, the 2020 Kia K900 achieves fuel economy of 18/25 mpg city/highway. Those numbers make the K900 less fuel-efficient than many other choices in this segment, and you'll get better gas mileage from rivals such as the Audi A7 (22/29 mpg) and Mercedes-Benz CLS-class (up to 24/31 mpg). Over the course of 200 miles in 75-mph highway driving, we observed mileage of 27 mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

When it comes to overall design, the K900's interior can best be described as adequate. While the car's cabin is luxurious enough to meet the requirements of the class, it falls short when compared with the stylish opulence seen in cabins from rival brands such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The K900's cabin offers impressive comfort. Both rows of seats provide great legroom for passengers; the driver's seat delivers 20-way adjustability and the soothing support of a lounge chair. Available options raise the bar even further, with amenities such as power-adjustable rear seats and three-zone automatic climate control. This Kia provides 15.3 cubic feet of room in its trunk. That's more than you'll get with the Mercedes-Benz CLS-class (11.9 cubic feet), but less than the amount of room offered by rivals such as the Lincoln Continental (16.7 cubic feet).

Infotainment and Connectivity

Those who choose the 2020 K900 enjoy access to a modern range of tech features. The standard infotainment system features a large 12.3-inch touchscreen, and all models are equipped with Bluetooth phone and streaming audio. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are on board for easy device integration, and a standard navigation system helps you plan a path to your destination. All models come with a 17-speaker Lexicon sound system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows you and your passengers to stay connected to the internet. The K900 provides wireless device chargers for both its front- and rear-seat passengers.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2020 K900 hasn't been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, this car comes standard with a wealth of driver-assistance features that can help prevent accidents when you're on the road. Key safety features include:

• Standard front and rear parking sensors
• Standard blind-spot monitoring
• Standard forward-collision warning
• Standard lane-keeping assistance and lane-departure warning

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Kia's warranty coverage bests that of luxury brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Additionally, the K900's generous complimentary scheduled maintenance coverage is a standout in its segment.

• Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 3 years or 37,500 miles

Specifications

SPECIFICATIONS

2019 Kia K900 Luxury

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED
$64,895 (base price: $60,895)

ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement
204 cu in, 3342 cc 
Power
365 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
376 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Tires: Michelin Primacy MXM4, F: 245/45R-19 98W M+S R: 275/40R-19 101W M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 122.2 in
Length: 201.6 in
Width: 75.4 in
Height: 58.7 in
Passenger volume: 110 cu ft
Trunk volume: 15 cu ft
Curb weight: 4738 lb

C/D
TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 5.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 12.3 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 22.0 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.5 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.8 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.6 sec @ 105 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 149 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.93 g
*stability-control-inhibited

C/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 18 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 27 mpg
Highway range: 540 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 21/18/25 mpg

DOWNLOAD TEST SHEET