Kia has already told us just about everything we
need to know about the new K900 . Everything, that is, except for pricing. But
now it’s revealed that, too.
Starting at Us$ 59,900 (US$ 60,895 with the mandatory Us$ 995
destination charge), the all-new 2019 Kia K900 is far and away the most
expensive vehicle the Korean automaker offers in the US. In fact it’s nearly
twice as expensive as its next most expensive models, like the Stinger and
Cadenza (which both start at US$ 32,900) or electrified vehicles like the Soul EV
(US$ 33,950) or Optima PHEV (US$ 35,290).
That is just the base price, but it
comes pretty well loaded, with few options offered (for the time being, at
least). Brown or beige interior packages are available as no-cost options, but
the VIP package adds another US$ 4,000 to the sticker and includes items like a
12.3-inch instrument display, tri-zone climate control, and a sweet suite of
seats – including power adjustments for all passengers and a front passenger
seat that moves out of the way for the rear-right occupant’s benefit.
As Motor Trend points out, the price of admission
makes the new K900 over US$ 10k pricier than the previous version, which was last
offered as a 2017 model before taking a one-year hiatus in advance of the new
model’s arrival.
More to the point, may be how it compares to
the competition – and that starts with its own sister ships. Along with the
less expensive and sportier Stinger, the K900 shares its platform with the
Genesis G80 and (more directly comparable) G90, which straddle the big Kia’s
price at US$ 42,050 (US$ 43,045 delivered) and US$ 68,350 (US$ 69,345 delivered),
respectively.
The 2019 Acura RLX starts just a little higher than
the K900 at US$ 61,900 (US$ 62,895 delivered), and the 2019 Infiniti Q70 starts far
lower at US$ 50,300 (US$ 51,295 delivered) or US$ 51,800 (including delivery) in
long-wheelbase form. And Lexus charges US$ 39,600 (US$ 40,625) for the enlarged new
ES, US$ 46,610 (US$ 47,635) for the outgoing GS, and US$ 75,200 (US$ 76,225) for the
flagship LS. And those are just its Asian rivals, before you get into the
extensive array of European and American competition.
