2020 Kia K900 Performance

Kia took the twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 from the K900's more attractive sibling, the Stinger GT, and made it the driving force behind the large luxury sedan. It delivers power expertly to a standard all-wheel-drive system that has the ability to direct the majority of its power to the rear wheels. Its also one of the few luxury sedans to offer an AWD system as standard, with the 7 Series, S-Class, and Lexus LS all offering rear-wheel-drive alternatives. A strong turbocharged engine and AWD bucks the notion of Kia producing slow family commuters, with 0-60 mph brought up in five seconds in real-world testing. Rivals may do it quicker, but this is a luxury sedan, not a hot-hatch, so a five-second run is good enough for us, and the buttery ride more than makes up for a perceived lack of pace down the drag strip.

Once upon a time, the K900 employed a naturally aspirated V8 to get the job done, but Kia recently swapped the big boy out for a smaller turbocharged V6, and it hasn't disappointed us yet. Only one engine is available for the large vessel, but it certainly excels. The twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 produces 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, adroitly delivering power to all corners via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

When the V6 engine, excellent transmission, and AWD system get together, it's one heck of a party. The Kia K900 is whatever you want it to be. If you're in the mood for comfort and easy acceleration, it'll deliver, and if you're late for that meeting with your private banker, the K900 is happy to oblige with rathe acceleration. Passing slower cars on the highway is effortless for the unexpected powerhouse and acceleration from a standstill is especially pleasurable thanks to all four wheels gripping the tarmac effortlessly.

One of the K900's few downfalls is its fuel economy, it falls behind almost every one of its rivals. Kia's flagship sedan has EPA estimates of 18/25/21 mpg city/highway/combined and fights a losing battle against the AWD Mercedes S-Class' estimates of 18/28/22 mpg; the nail in the K900's coffin is further hammered in by the BMW 7 Series' 20/28/23 mpg figures. Only the Audi A8 and Genesis G90 match the Kia, but to loosely paraphrase F1 driver, Damon Hill, the only ones who remember you when you don't win are your wife and dog.

The 20.3-gallon fuel tank found in the K900 ensures a mixed driving range of just over 420 miles when full. It's a decent range, but your wallet will hurt just a little more than usual at the pumps as the K900 requires premium unleaded gasoline.