Second Generation Kia K9 (RJ)

It's been roughly six years have passed since Kia introduced us to their first rear-wheel drive premium saloon, the K9 (known as the K900 in some markets) and although it is silly for a Korean carmaker to make a rival for the BMW 7-Series or a Mercedes S-Class, its performance is very serious on the real world. Now, here we are, the second-generation model of Kia's flagship saloon and for this full model change, THE K9 wants to be even more serious than ever.

2019 Kia K9

2019 Kia K9

As serious as the name implies, THE K9 from Kia aims to be the top-class premium luxury saloon with all of the luxury qualities of expensive European imports with the pricing of its lesser brothers starting at just 54,900,000 Korean Won ($53,000 or Php 2.71 million). While this sounds like a bargain of the moment, there's so much to investigate its full model change starting with its design. While this is exactly big by premium saloon standards, the way it looks can be somewhat perplexing starting with the front view which is pretty much like today's Lincoln Continental while the rear view looks closely similar to the Subaru Impreza G4. Although cheesy, the design is still serious talk for a premium luxury sedan and then we get to peek at the interior.

2019 Kia K9 interior

2019 Kia K9 interior

THE K9's new interior really is like a mashup between the BMW 7-Series and a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, meaning that this is like the best of both worlds for this luxury car and what's even more surprising is that expensive piece of jewelry strapped on the dashboard. See that analog clock? Kia collaborated with watchmaker Maurice Lacroix for this kind of masterpiece, which makes it very special. Also, contrary to popular belief, the wooden trim is made out of real wood so there's a hint of craftsmanship involved in here. While the fancy dashboard stuff as well as the gadgetry really made it special, the party piece of THE K9 is the rear space, and for VIPs, there is an "out on a limo" feeling when they hit the sweet spot especially when it comes with a rear seat entertainment system that keeps them occupied on a long trip to the country club and with other features such as the Lexicon Premium Sound System, its interior is like lucid poetry. Boot space wasn't too shabby either.

2019 Kia K9

The focal point of THE K9 is its performance and to explain what I'm on about, you better pay attention to the Genesis EQ900 for the time being because THE K9 has the same driving experience as its Genesis EQ900 equivalent as well as the serious choice of engines such as the V6 3.3-liter T-GDI (370PS) for the Masters model, V6 3.8-liter GDI (315PS) for the Platinum model, or the range-topping V8 5.0-liter GDI (425PS) for the Quantum model, all mated with an 8-speed automatic with lock-up torque converter. Most of you are tempted to get a V8 variant in rear-wheel drive but don't count of being too excited because, with that powertrain that is somewhat Cadillac territory, it's still as quiet as snoring at bedtime rather than yelling like a hardcore V8 sportscar should because Kia wanted to make sure THE K9 is a serious car made for the serious drivers in the real world and while a rear-wheel drive K9 sounds nice, they can offer you with an all-wheel drive option and that's also nice if you are sure about driving it.

THE K9 introduces the most cutting-edge driver aids in the name of seriousness, including the world's first behind-view monitor which lets drivers see who's tailing them while driving, in addition to the Lane Following Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, Front Collision Assist, Rear Cross Collision Avoidance, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear, Safe Exit Assist, and many other safety feature worth eye-popping.

Let's talk serious stuff now because, after quick investigations, I can hardly say that while the dynamics and the overstuffing of safety tech really cramp speedo boys everywhere, the pricing, the interior, and the serious design are worth appealing, and because it is priced less than the Genesis EQ900 equivalent, THE K9 really is a serious bargain worth checking out and even if you are working with K-Pop celebrities or with the Cheong Wa Dae, make no mistake that this car could be it.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Panthera Metal, Lake Stone, Dim Deep Chroma Blue, Marcella, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia K9

Everyone knows that Korean cars are terribly ugly and cars from Europe, especially from Germany, are better looking, better to drive, and most of all, user friendly. Back in 2008, Hyundai tries to prove BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, what they're capable of by launching the Genesis, their first FR premium sedan. Then, in 2009, Hyundai tries to take a stab on the 7-Series, A8, and S-Class, even the Lexus LS, by launching the flagship Equus sedan that serves as the extended version of the Genesis. Everything's seem to be in order, no wonder Hyundai's already one of the world's fastest-growing car manufacturers. What about Kia? As of now, the Hyundai-owned brand never had a FR car to compete against the Europeans. Now, all's about to change because what Kia Motors did is something a bit more highbrow.

2013 Kia K9

This is the K9, Kia's first RWD sedan that packs more comfort and more luxury like the Hyundai Equus. Those K-letterings, as applied on the K5 and the K7, were now becoming a tradition for Kia Motors. The "K" letter stands for Kia Motors, the automaker's birthplace: Korea, the English word: kinetic, the Greek word: Kratos, and so on, relating to the letter K. Yes, we talked about that in the past but anyway, the K9 has gone up on the world. This is the kind of RWD premium sedan that will give Europe and Japan a run on their money. In terms of design, this is somewhat more of a different animal, waiting for its Battle Royale. The front view looks more like a Maserati Quattroporte but as for the rear view...this is somewhat you would expect from the BMW 7-Series! I couldn't guess that this is some kind of Korean car uses bits from BMW...

2013 Kia K9 interior

2013 Kia K9 interior

Behind this bonkers exterior comes with a finest interior fit for a South Korean government official. Judging from its dashboard, this is somewhat very unique because from the driver's eye, the K9 is offered with state-of-the-art Heads Up Display that monitors your every move. This HUD is much more better to look than the other BMWs with HUDs on it and overall, understandable. In the passenger's sight, this is just something else. Top-of-the-line models offered on the K9 would be expecting host of conveniences such as those rear seat entertainment system, the same thing you would expect on the Equus. Then, the rear seats do come with a thermal massage that soothes a wealthy Korean's senses. Overall, you have a choice of either the ACTUNE Premium Sound System (14 speakers) or the high quality Lexicon Premium Sound System (17 speakers). The 12.3-inch Full Size TFT LCD Cluster is also a convenience here for the K9 and this also monitors your every move as well. The 8-inch navigation system is more than just navigation, audio, video, and something else. This also serve as the basis for the brand new telematics system from Kia, which is somewhat the answer to Hyundai's BlueLink as applied on the new Santa Fe, called UVO.

What is UVO?
Kia's UVO telematics system offers cutting edge technology that allows you to stay on the road while enjoying your personalized driving experience. UVO is powered by SK Telecom and UVO allows drivers to link their smart devices to the cars; it is consisted of 16 service programs under five domains: Smart Control, Safety, Car Care, Assist and Info. A smart, safe, and convenient driving is the promise for Kia UVO telematics system.

2013 Kia K9

Two engine types are offered on the K9 such as the Lambda 3.3 GDi engine that produces 300PS of power, 35.5kg-m of torque, and 9.6km/ℓ of fuel economy. Finally there was the top-of-the-line Lambda 3.8 GDi engine that produces a massive 334PS of power, 40.3kg-m of torque, and 9.3km/ℓ of fuel economy. Both are fitted with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission but some variants do come with a shift knob derived from BMW and its called SHIFT-BY-WIRE. Shift-by-wire gearshifts provide optimal functional reliability and operating convenience.

There are numerous conveniences that help benefit the driver on the road such as this Drive Mode where the driver can choose four different modes such as NORMAL, SPORT, ECO, and SNOW. There is also a button that heightens or lowers the suspension as well. Other conveniences include Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Adaptive LED Headlights, some kind of around view monitor that they stole unashamably from Nissan, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Vehicle Dynamics Control, and Pre Safe Belt.

Seven colors are available on the K9 such as Aurora Black Pearl, Formal Deep Blue, Titanium Brown, Platinum Graphite, Mineral Silver, Bright Silver, and Snow White Pearl.

My Comment:
So, a Korean RWD sedan that has bits of BMW on it and the first to come with the new Kia UVO telematics system powered by SK Telecom, that is brilliant for a sedan that is, well let's be honest, less better looking than the Hyundai Equus. I would personally prefer the Equus rather than this but I can't deny that Kia finally made the first RWD premium sedan that will take a stab on every luxury premium sedans from Europe and Japan.

The K9 may be more of a Korea-only premium sedan but Kia Motors plans to export this on selected left-hand drive markets, including China. And sorry to say that if you were an idiot from Malaysia or Indonesia, you can't get it because don't expect a right-hand drive K9. That's the general rule, don't trolling around for this.

Also, the K9 doesn't work on Philippine roads because of the GDi engines. Don't expect seeing this one on the Philippines.

Despite this, the Kia K9 is a silly premium sedan with some serious performance.

Photo: Kia Motors