Kia K900 Tops Hyundai Equus for Affordable Luxury

Dec 29, 2015

Hyundai and Kia have a friendly rivalry in the automotive industry, as Hyundai has a significant ownership stake in its fellow South Korean automaker. Kia often bests its corporate sister, however, and such is the case regarding the companies’ luxury class models, the Kia K900 and the Hyundai Equus. The new K900 offers superior luxuries, better fuel economy, and a lower price, making it the car of choice for North Dakota consumers searching Kia dealerships and other local car dealers for luxury features at a competitive price.

The Kia K900 is a new vehicle for Kia, having been launched in the U.S. in 2013. It represents Kia’s transition away from a bargain brand to a more upscale manufacturer of quality automobiles. Although Kia incorporates great materials and design into the 2016 Kia K900, it remains very competitive in terms of price, as Kia actually reduced the price for the 2016 model year.

The Equus is a solid vehicle, but it doesn’t quite meet the standard for a luxury vehicle, as its interior materials aren’t quite top-shelf and its performance is a bit lacking.

Exterior Design

The Kia K900 benefits from Kia’s association with design expert Peter Schreyer. The K900 is beautiful to see, with its distinct tiger nose grille and sweeping curves. The Equus is a little bland by comparison and hardly distinguishable from a half dozen other vehicles.

What’s Under the Hood

The Kia K900 offers consumers two engine options, a 3.8 liter V6 that produces 311 horsepower or a 5.0 liter V8 that produces 420 horsepower. Equus buyers only have one engine option, a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 429 horsepower.

The base K900 gets superior fuel economy to the Equus. The K900 gets a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, and the Equus gets just 18 mpg.

Automotive journalists criticize the Equus’s handling and braking, while giving the K900 high marks for its speed and the quietness of its engine.

Gadgets and Gizmos

Technology is where the K900 really shines, and it’s little wonder, as Kia has made a major push to incorporate all of the latest electronic innovations into its vehicles. The Kia K900 has great high tech features, such as a 12. 3 inch digital instrument panel and a unique steering wheel that offers a rotating menu dial that vibrates when operators select new functions.

Value

The Equus starts at about $57,554, while the Kia K900 starts at about $45,477, making the K900 the less expensive buy. The low price shouldn’t cause consumers to infer the K900 is of lesser quality. In fact, because of all the great features included, the K900 is a great value.

Bill Barth Kia, in Mandan, N.D., has a wide selection of Kias and other vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and minivans. To schedule a test drive, call 701-667-9999 or just visit Mandan auto dealers at Bill Barth Kia. Knowledgeable sales staff at the Bill Barth Kia dealership are ready to answer all your questions, and our finance department can help you find an ideal car loan.