Kia K900 Could Top $70,000 In The United States As South Korean Sales Slump

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Is the world ready for a $70,000 Kia? Just days after the moniker for Kia’s new rear-drive flagship was revealed, Automotive News is reporting that top-trim versions will approach the $70,000 mark.

The K900, which is based on the Hyundai Equus, will retail for between $50,000-$70,000, according to AN, with Kia looking to move 5000 units per year. For comparison, Hyundai sold just under 4000 units of the similarly priced Equus last year, suggesting that Kia has rather grand ambitions for this car in the United States – a puzzling notion given that sales in South Korea are falling far short of expectations.

As part of the K900’s launch, a Super Bowl ad campaign will be used to roll out the car, a year after the $35,000 Cadenza hit showrooms. But selling a competitor to the Toyota Avalon and Chevrolet Impala is a much different proposition than selling what one dealer describes as “a 7-series value for a 5-series price.” No matter how much extra training and revamping Kia’s sales staff and stores receive.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Sep 24, 2013

    People already talk as if the vehicle is dead in the water. What if the pimply college grad, school leaver, whatever buys a Kia for their first car and love it. My brother in NJ has a Kia Soul and I think it is much better than my mothers Focus. Actually light years in front. It's finish, interior material quality, paint job is all superior. And it drives live a dream. The Focus is like driving a bag of $hit, Camryesque. The Kia is fun to drive and is a drivers car in comparison. It was over a grand cheaper than the Ford Focus as well and has superior FE. Now, these kids will become dentist, doctors, engineers, business owners etc. Will they consider a flash Kia? Why not? Not everyone is like the multitude of biased people who blog on this site. I love German vehicle engineering. I consider it the best overall. But why can't Korea step up and take them on at their own game. I'm mean what country does the recent head designer from Kia come from? Look at the interior of the Sorento and the other recent Kia's. They look very German. I wish Kia luck.

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    • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Sep 24, 2013

      @Big Al from Oz Doubtful (in the US) but we'll see how the K90000000 fares.

  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Sep 24, 2013

    -I really feel they should've kept the Quoris name instead of the K900. -In the SK home market it's called the K9, guess that wouldn't have gone over well here. -Once again, not a new design - it's why it looks dated already. -It's really REALLY conservative, even more than an Avalon (which is much cheaper). -Will undoubtedly share buttons/bits with lesser Kia models, like the Cadenza door handles, Rio clock, etc. -Will undoubtedly not be as well-made as a comparably priced A8/Phaeton/etc. Will not hold value as well either. -Probably has cheapo black plastic covering everything, making for a dark, non-premium interior. And finally, Kia isn't a luxury marque. Why have this over the LS, and have nobody perceive you as well-heeled or intelligent? Want reliability, have the LS. Want flash, get an XJ. Need AWD, get an A8.

  • Wallstreet Wallstreet on Sep 24, 2013

    In summary, Hyundai/Kia will be better off creating a separate entity to house Genesis, Equus & K-9 from the get-go. There is a reason why Lexus exist in lieu of Toyota.

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    • Bd2 Bd2 on Sep 26, 2013

      And there's a reason why Toyota almost killed off the GS sedan and why Nissan almost did away with Infiniti altogether.

  • RHD RHD on Sep 24, 2013

    The Canine Double Zero? Okay... maybe this dog has aspirations to guard the back yard for James Bond?

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