Kia Luxury Car Comparison: Cadenza vs K900

The Kia Cadenza vs the K900? Wait, Kia makes luxury cars now? I know, your head must be spinning. How can this one-time economy car importer, historically known for its no-frills no-performance commuter cars, attempt to step into the luxury market? Well, the answer is simple: Kia, along with its sister company Hyundai, has evolved into an elite brand capable of competing head-to-head with giants like Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

Kia sales have increased dramatically over the last decade with an impressive new lineup that includes the best-selling Sorento and Optima. If you're reading this, you're obviously intrigued about what Kia can bring to the luxury table. The good news for you is Kia is bringing a lot. Don't let the name fool you; the brand new Kia Cadenza and K900 are both flashy, luxurious and powerful. But which of these two models is right for you?

This Cadenza vs K900 Kia luxury car comparison will run through the specs and pricing of these new models to help you determine which model best fits your budget and best suits your driving needs. Both offer elite performance usually reserved for cars from Germany or Italy, but with the efficiency and fit-and-finish you'll find from cars like the Altima and Civic.

Sure, the Kia K900 price is siginificantly higher than the Kia Cadenza price, but if you're looking for the most power for the money, the K900 is priced correctly. And if you're looking for some pep while keeping cash in your pocket, the Cadenza certainly fits that bill. 

Cadenza vs K900: Kia luxury car Tale of the Tape

Kia Cadenza Overview

First introduced in 2009 to replace the Kia Amanti, the Kia Cadenza is a full-size luxury vehicle with powerful engine options that can push out over 290 horsepower with little sacrifice to fuel economy ratings. Appointed with a a roomy, quiet interior and a long list of standard features, the Cadenza compares favorably to other entry-level luxury cars at its price point, including the BMW 3-Series, the Mercedes C-Class and the Lexus IS 250. 

Price

The Kia Cadenza price for the standard model starts at $35,900. When comparing the Kia Cadenza vs K900, the Cadenza starts at a significantly lower price point, but that does not mean it falls short of the K900 when it comes to comfort, performance and day-to-day efficiency and reliability.

The Kia Cadenza price increases to a more "luxurious" $42,400 for the Limited edition, which includes every possible performance, safety, technology and comfort feature you can imagine. If you can get over the misplaced stigma of paying forty grand for a Kia luxury car, you'll find the fully appointed Cadenza to be an absolute steal for the price. 

Performance and fuel economy 

Both the Premium and Limited Kia Cadenza packages feature a 3.3-liter V6 engine that pushes out an impresssive 293 hp with a smooth ride that is a dream to take through sharp curves. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts promptly and smoothly and the suspension gives you the feeling of driving on top of a cloud.

Of course, this is a big body car with plenty of horsepower, so the fuel economy ratings must be awful right? Guess again; the EPA gave the Cadenza a fuel economy rating of 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, which is solid for its class.

Interior

The Cadenza interior shuts the world out completely with effective noise insulation and a long list of standard features that make for a smooth, quiet ride. Reviews have even said the interior is nicer than many Mercedes-Benz models. Seating is comfortable, with standard leather upholstery and heated and cooled front seats. Heated and cooled rear seats are optional. These seats are comfortable and adjustable, keeping you refreshed even after hours of driving. 

The standard technology features in the Cadenza are second to none. The Kia UVO system is one of the best reviewed infotainment systems on the market, with intuitive menus and easy-to-use controls. Along with the UVO system, the Cadenza includes an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, keyless entry, back-up camera and rear parking sensors and a 12-speaker Infinity surroud sound system.

Safety

The state-of-the-art safety features set the Kia Cadenza apart from other models in its class. Of course, all Kia models come with outstanding safety features, so when condsidering the Kia Cadenza vs K900, know that both vehicle will protect you in the event of a collission. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Cadenza top scores for all crash test results. 

Standard safety features, include front, side and read head airbag for driver and passenger, four-wheel ABS with brake assist, electronic stability control and traction control. 

Advanced safety features for the Cadenza include blind spot detection designed to prevent drivers from shifting lanes when a vehicle is present in their blind spot. The front lighting system adapts to the ambient light in order to provide drivers with optimal visibility in any situation. An advanced cruise control feature detects vehicles while maintaining a set speed in order to avoid collisions.

Standard and optional features

The Kia Cadenza offers a wide range of standard features that make this car luxurious at an affordable price. The safety features, of course, are all standard. Heated door mirrors make it easier to keep an eye out in bad weather, and temperature control ensures the comfort of every driver.

An integrated navigation system that comes standard with every Cadenza makes it easy to get where you're going. Need to squeeze into tight downtown parking every day? Parking assist helps drivers ease their way into tight parking spaces without causing damage. Front and rear sensors alert drivers when they are too close to other vehicles.

Optional features include heated steering wheel and power seats ro maximize comfort. Other optional features include heated rear seats, ventilated front seats and a power moonroof. Make no mistake, this Kia luxury car is just as stacked as anything you'll find from BMW or Mercedes. 

Kia K900 Overview

The Kia K900 will be Kia's first introduction into the most elite levels of the luxury market. Internationally introduced in 2012, this big-body flagship sedan became available in the United States in 2015 after being on the market in Korea for a few years.

The K900 got its close-up with a Matrix-themed Super Bowl that ask America the burning question: are you ready to drop 60 grand on a new Kia. Well, with a powerful V8 engine and a well-appointed and cavernous interior, why not?

Kia K900 Price

Kia is introducing the top-of-the-line premium V8 K900 for a whopping $60,400. That's a lot. But remember, this Kia K900 price is for the elite V8 package, and a more affordable V6 option will become available next year as well. Why did Kia roll out the big price tag first? To show the North American market it means business in the luxury automotive sector.

When comparing the Cadenza vs K900, the Cadenza's introduction in 2009 was Kia dipping its toes in the luxury pool. The K900 introduction is Kia doing a cannon ball off the deep end. Kia wanted to catch everybody's attention, and it did. So, what do you get for that audacious price?

Performance and fuel economy 

The top-of-the-line K900 is equipped with a monstrous 5.0-liter V8 engine that pushes out a staggering 420 hp. The eight-speed automatic transmission drives the rear wheels smoothly and efficiently, but strangely, there is no option for the sport paddle shifters typical of most models in this class. Still, there is plenty of driving technology, with Normal, Sport and Eco drive-mode settings that remap the transmission's shift points and adjust the electric power steering.

The Sport mode makes the ride more responsive, while the Eco mode downgrades performance to save gas. The fuel economy is not great, but that's probably not why you'd want to buy this car. Ranging from 15 mph for city driving to 23 mph for highway driving, the K900 falls well short of the Cadenza. If the price and power are too much, and the fuel economy too low, A V6 engine with 331 hp will also be available along with the V8. 

Interior

A comfortable interior is a big part of the premium price tag of most luxury models, and the K900 is no different. The Kia K900 interior is comfortable and stylsh, fitted with soft-touch wood and matte silver metal. The seats are covered in black or white Nappa leather with contrasting piping. Of course these seats are heated and cooled, as well as the leather-wrapped stearing wheel.

LED ambient lighting, duel-climate control, a large touchscreen display and console mounted knob to navigate the menus all come standard on this Kia luxury car. The interior features heated driver and passenger seats with additional lumbar support for comfort on long trips. Reading lights in the front and back seats of the vehicle add to the comfort of passengers.

Safety

The safety features are as advanced as everything else on the new Kia K900. This big body has eight standard airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and tire-pressure monitoring system. This of course is nothing new to pretty much every car, but it's good to know the K900 has them too.

What sets the K900 apart from every other vehice, when it comes to safety, is the variety and sophistication of its electronic safety systems. The advance collision warning system and last-minute automatic braking protect you from severe accidents before they can even happen. Blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and surround-view system give you eyes everywhere, and the head-up display (HUD) projects speed and navigation information on your windshield so you never have to look away from the road. It also makes you feel like you're flying a fighter jet. 

The headlights of the K900 are always on to ensure safety. An adaptive feature allows the headlight to adjust to the outdoor brightness to light the way on any road. Turn signal mirrors are designed to other vehicles of turns when they have already pulled to the side of the sedan. The engine immobilizer and a remote auto theft safety feature lets drivers keep their vehicle protected from thieves. And while the K900 has a camera-based lane-departure warning system, it doesn't have a lane correction system that drives the car back into its lane. This is a standard feature on most competing models.

Standard and optional features

The K900's impressive list of standard features has helped this Kia Luxury car earn the reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the full-size luxury class. The technology features included standard with the K900 are useful and far from gimmicky. Outside the car, the K900 has LED headlights with four LED beams on each side to see the road clearly under any driving conditions. Heated and automatic-dimming rear view cameras ensure you can see all around you all the time. Blind spot monitors protect you from colliding into a car you couldn't see when changing lanes. 

Car keys have become more and more advanced, with all types of security and tech features built in. But the K900 is putting a new spin on the key by turning it into a credit-card-size proximity key. Why is this cool? Because you can put it in your wallet rather than carry around a bulky fob in your pocket and accidentally set off the security alarm. 

Each K900 model includes a 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, so you can stay comfortable on long drives. A trip computer lets you analyze fuel efficiency, monitors tire pressure and other key readings.

Choosing the Right Car For Your Needs

Are you still uncertain whether the Kia Cadenza vs K900 meets your needs? This guide should give you a general idea of the benefits and disadvantages of each model, but your comparison should be completed with test drives of each vehicle. Use Buyerlink to set up test drives with Kia dealers in your area. 

Bottom line for these two Kia luxury cars? The Kia Cadenza is an economical option for drivers looking to step into the luxury class for the first time or looking for alternatives to the BMW 3-Series, Audi A3 or Mercedes C-Class. The Cadenza's accomodating seating and standard safety options are far superior to the average vehicle, making it a great car for families. Better fuel efficiency also makes the Cadenza an ideal choice for drivers who plan to be on the road a lot.

Get the lowest price quotes on the Kia luxury cars the Cadenza vs K900 now!

The Kia K900 price is pretty substantial, but the big engine, luxurious features and roomy interior make it worth the money, right up there with the flagships from BMW, Mercedes and Audi. Navigation and bluetooth capabilities make the K900 great for business travelers who spend a lot of time in different markets. Although the ample room in the K900 make it a good car for families, the Kia Cadenza offers expanded safety features in a more affordable package. Use Buyerlink to connect with local dealers and get the lowest local prices on Kia luxury cars the Cadenza vs K900 now!