Kia K900 RWD flagship sedan
01-26-14 | 07:53 AM
#136
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Washington
01-26-14 | 04:30 PM
#139
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: NSW
Nothing more.
No pioneering in technology, performance or anything else for that matter..
They're not bad from an econobox point of view. But their entire brand is overrated. They've never done anything groundbreaking or spectacular like the rest.
And that's why Hyundai/Kia are not a top tier brand whether you like that or not.
Last edited by yowps3; 01-26-14 at 04:45 PM.
01-27-14 | 08:15 AM
#140
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: MO
That may matter to insiders but being groundbreaking isn't really a selling point to the average consumer. Value, resale, features, reliability... those are the touchpoints.
01-27-14 | 09:44 AM
#141
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,588
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
They also assemble a car quite well at the factory, though, with Hyundai, while still good, I don't think that their very latest models are built/assembled quite as solidly today as they were 5-10 years ago. With Kia, it seems the opposite.....they keep getting better and better all the time. They are now doing (probably) their best-built products ever. 
And have you tried out a new Kia Sorento? I was stunned when I test-drove one on the recent review I did. It drove with the ride comfort, sound-insulation, refinement of some luxury cars.
And have you tried out a new Kia Sorento? I was stunned when I test-drove one on the recent review I did. It drove with the ride comfort, sound-insulation, refinement of some luxury cars.
02-28-14 | 05:34 PM
#142
Kia says fewer than 30% of its dealers will get 2015 K900
Kia is moving into unknown territory with its $60,000 K900 luxury sedan in many ways. Not only will it act as the company's flagship model, it will be the Korean brand's first car in the US with rear-wheel drive and a V8 engine. The first batch will hit showrooms in March, but according to Edmunds, it will be a soft launch in some ways, because only around 30 percent of dealers have paid a premium to sell the plush ride.
Kia has sent the selected dealers back to school to make sure they are prepared to sell the K900 to the industry's famously finicky luxury sedan buyers. The company believes its flagship model will be "a catalyst in support of our long-term strategy to elevate the ownership experience," said James Hope, Kia's National Manager for product communications, to Autoblog in an email. According to Edmunds, the dealers paid about $30,000 each in required training, tools and showroom displays. It wants the improvements to "shift the culture" in its dealers to be ready to welcome luxury buyers, according to Hope. Kia Director of Public Relations Scott McKee told Autoblog that the brand expects buyers to be "independent thinkers" from a blend of current Kia owners stepping up to the K900 and conquests from other luxury brands.
Kia has been slowly building awareness of the K900, especially with its Super Bowl ad, but it still has a long road ahead of it to prove what makes it crown jewel different. The company believes more dealers will sign up to sell it once public awareness for the new sedan grows. "There has never been a better time to challenge the status quo," said Hope. Also, a V6 model will launch in the future at a lower price, which should bring more people into the updated showrooms. Given what Kia has accomplished in the US in the last 20 years, it would be foolish to count the K900 out, but that doesn't mean it will be easy to break into the luxury sedan market.
Kia has sent the selected dealers back to school to make sure they are prepared to sell the K900 to the industry's famously finicky luxury sedan buyers. The company believes its flagship model will be "a catalyst in support of our long-term strategy to elevate the ownership experience," said James Hope, Kia's National Manager for product communications, to Autoblog in an email. According to Edmunds, the dealers paid about $30,000 each in required training, tools and showroom displays. It wants the improvements to "shift the culture" in its dealers to be ready to welcome luxury buyers, according to Hope. Kia Director of Public Relations Scott McKee told Autoblog that the brand expects buyers to be "independent thinkers" from a blend of current Kia owners stepping up to the K900 and conquests from other luxury brands.
Kia has been slowly building awareness of the K900, especially with its Super Bowl ad, but it still has a long road ahead of it to prove what makes it crown jewel different. The company believes more dealers will sign up to sell it once public awareness for the new sedan grows. "There has never been a better time to challenge the status quo," said Hope. Also, a V6 model will launch in the future at a lower price, which should bring more people into the updated showrooms. Given what Kia has accomplished in the US in the last 20 years, it would be foolish to count the K900 out, but that doesn't mean it will be easy to break into the luxury sedan market.
03-01-14 | 07:26 AM
#145
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
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From: Massachusetts
Do expect Hyundai/Kia to suddenly launch a car that eclipses the S-Class? Even if they did, no one would buy it because you'd have a $100K+ Hyundai.
Hyundai and Kia make a lot of good, reliable, competitive vehicles. Only a few of them are "econoboxes".
This is an econobox to you?
The K900 is twice the car that your Lexus IS is. I don't know how you can criticize a car like this when you own something far less.
03-01-14 | 09:59 AM
#146
The pursuit of F
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,296
Likes: 297
From: Toronto, Canada
This is quite a ridiculous post. I see your point is to to point out that Hyundai/Kia may not have made anything "revolutionary", but a company doesn't have to do be relevant. Very few vehicles are break throughs. Very few companies do it. Mercedes, Lexus, & BMW are among those few.
Do expect Hyundai/Kia to suddenly launch a car that eclipses the S-Class? Even if they did, no one would buy it because you'd have a $100K+ Hyundai.
Hyundai and Kia make a lot of good, reliable, competitive vehicles. Only a few of them are "econoboxes".
This is an econobox to you?
The K900 is twice the car that your Lexus IS is. I don't know how you can criticize a car like this when you own something far less.
Do expect Hyundai/Kia to suddenly launch a car that eclipses the S-Class? Even if they did, no one would buy it because you'd have a $100K+ Hyundai.
Hyundai and Kia make a lot of good, reliable, competitive vehicles. Only a few of them are "econoboxes".
This is an econobox to you?
The K900 is twice the car that your Lexus IS is. I don't know how you can criticize a car like this when you own something far less.
You have a valid point. Fit, finish, and material quality is there. Problem is perception (and subjectively for me, very derivative styling) of the K900. Majority of people who can afford these cars will just not fork over 60K+ for a Kia nor a Hyundai. Now if they were to start selling these exact cars as a new premium brand, N. Americans would more closely warm up to the idea and buy more. Toyota did it back in 1989 and if they didn't, I wonder how many folks would have bought an 80K Toyota Celsior (aka LS) over the years instead of the Bimmers, Audis, and Benzes. Today, premium materials and high tech features are not enough to win the customer over since the gap is closing here between "economy" cars and luxury cars. So what's left? You need to have the white glove service, appeal, and panache which the Kia/Hyundai brands do not have so long as they keep selling Rios and Accents. Hyundai and Kia have excellent high-end products here, just a poor marketing strategy. They must bite the bullet, invest in the new brand, and forge ahead like back in 1989 Toyota and Nissan did. If new dealership investments are too costly/risky, start with the new brand as a minimum and sell these new luxury cars alongside Kias or Hyundais. Heck, Lexus started like that in some Toyota dealerships.
Last edited by corradoMR2; 03-01-14 at 10:03 AM.
03-07-14 | 03:46 PM
#147
You have a valid point. Fit, finish, and material quality is there. Problem is perception (and subjectively for me, very derivative styling) of the K900. Majority of people who can afford these cars will just not fork over 60K+ for a Kia nor a Hyundai. Now if they were to start selling these exact cars as a new premium brand, N. Americans would more closely warm up to the idea and buy more. Toyota did it back in 1989 and if they didn't, I wonder how many folks would have bought an 80K Toyota Celsior (aka LS) over the years instead of the Bimmers, Audis, and Benzes. Today, premium materials and high tech features are not enough to win the customer over since the gap is closing here between "economy" cars and luxury cars. So what's left? You need to have the white glove service, appeal, and panache which the Kia/Hyundai brands do not have so long as they keep selling Rios and Accents. Hyundai and Kia have excellent high-end products here, just a poor marketing strategy. They must bite the bullet, invest in the new brand, and forge ahead like back in 1989 Toyota and Nissan did. If new dealership investments are too costly/risky, start with the new brand as a minimum and sell these new luxury cars alongside Kias or Hyundais. Heck, Lexus started like that in some Toyota dealerships.
03-07-14 | 04:01 PM
#148
i don't know who's gonna pay &70k for this car. it's no doubt a nice sedan with all the bells and whistles, but that KIA emblem just kills it, plain and simple. i don't care how you justify, it's a KIA, and for $70k there are far better choices out there.
03-07-14 | 07:29 PM
#149
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
