Too much chrome?
Kia still has a ways to go if it wants to make a name for itself in the luxury vehicle category. But the second-generation K900 is a step in that direction. It adopts a modern exterior and interior, even taking a few cues from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But are the changes enough to make us desire the K900 over other luxury sedans?
The K900’s front face looks less generic than the old model. The new grille features a similar shape to the old one, but inside there is a new pattern that implies motion, and the individual cells inside the grille are concentrated in the center. They have been redesigned to resemble a water splash, in which ripples move away from the center of the impact. The K900 also features a new “duplex” headlamp design, reminiscent of the multi-tiered lighting elements on the headlamps of the S-Class. There are also new cut lines on the hood that suggest a more fluid look.
The 2019 Kia K900 is a bit longer and wider than its predecessor. A new thick chrome line runs across the side of the vehicle near the bottom portion of the doors. Is it garish or elegant? We’ll let you decide that one. From the side profile, you can also see the K900 has lost the decorative vent that was previously positioned between the front door and the hood. Keeping with the old model, the K900 still has flashy wheels and brightwork around the windows.
From the rear, we can really tell the K900 has been channeling the S-Class. The taillights are shaped similarly to those on the S-Class, and they have the same dual light elements as in the K900’s headlamps. More chrome has been added, right above the exhaust area. The old K900 looked like any regular mainstream car from the back, but this new model adds a lot more luxury to the rear.
Now onto the interior. It’s hard to argue the K900 hasn’t improved in this area. The K900 gets a new wraparound cabin design in which the trim on the side doors blends into the trim on the dashboard. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen is perched on the center stack, and the shifter is now smaller. A number of open pore matte wood choices are available, including Walnut, Beige Olive Ash, Brown Olive Ash, and Engineered Wood. For the new model year, Kia improved rear seat comfort with reclining capability, height-adjustable headrests, and available 12-way and 14-way adjusters for the driver side rear seat and passenger side rear seat, respectively. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is available.
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