Kia GT or K9 over the Genesis?

[YEH]

Now that it seems that Kia's 4-door RWD "coupe", the GT, might be on its way to production, how many of you current (or prospective) Genesis owners would consider the GT or the K9?


GT (in coupe shape and a bit smaller than the Genesis, but purportedly will be sportier; supposedly a turbo V6 powerplant/no V8)

K9 (more the like the Genesis in size and likely to be slotted btwn the Genesis and Equus in price and from the looks of it, will have a nicer interior than the Genesis, if not the Equus as well - at least when it comes to the dash).

Or would it depend on what Hyundai does w/ the design of the 2nd gen Genesis?

 

[Junkie49]

First of all, KIA badge is a let down.
One of the main interest for owners and prospective buyers have been lack of slanted H badge. You can buy Genesis sedan and people will think you got a bentley. I am not saying I am a badge whore, but I think it is still early to show off luxury Kia car on the road. I don't see it on K9 since it is masked so I hope it doesn't come with badge. Hopefully Kia does their own badge in Korea just like they did with Genesis sedan.

Also I think GT looks too superficial/concept. Unless you can find a working/masked prototype like K9, I am not impressed.

I wish I could see more of the interior on K9. I know people say K9 will be Genesis's cousin but I have to see the whole car in person to see whether I would choose K9 over Genesis.

As of right now, I am only impressed with K9's unique headlight mechanism.

 

[Aquineas]

It just looks... goofy. It reminds me of the unholy love child of a Buick Lucerne, a Subaru SVX, and a modern day Jaguar. And they really do need to lose the Kia badge.

 

[TJPark01]

I'm open to the idea, which a couple of years ago would have been unheard of.

 

[scottdk]

Count me in. hopefully puts out some good power with a boosted V6 or a V8, and I like it. Hopefully the front end changes a bit though, as it's kinda weird.

 

[hwks1]

It's the total package not just the exterior. All things equal or better..yes I would consider.

 

[Nobody]

I do not like the rear of the GT. The window slope is too gradual and the rear window line angling up reminds me of the hatchback CUV's the Crosstour or Acura ZDX, which I think are ugly. The BMW 6 series coupe and VW CC are done correctly. So to answer the question of the OP, no, not a chance of owning the GT. I couldn't tell enough from the K9 spy photos, so I will reserve judgement until I see it unwrapped.

 

[Sim]

I like the looks. Looks futuristic...but re-badge is a must.

 

[TEF]

Reservations about buying a KIA because of its perceived reputation and rebadging coming from Hyundai owners? It seems like "the pot calling the kettle black". Little stick-on wing badges aside, didn't most Genesis owners base the purchase of their car on value and quality? Otherwise, they'd have paid the premium for the status that comes with luxury cars like BMW and Mercedes. Since the K9 and Genesis will likely be twins under the metal skin (like the Sonata and Optima), it seems like the choice would be one of styling and little else. Frankly, the latest KIA styling is pretty good relative to all makes, so I'd have no problem buying either.

 

[waveman]

Hard to tell about the K9 given the cover-ups and limited inside views. But the headlights do look odd. I would consider buying a Kia if it had what I want, however.

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[acoga]

Reservations about buying a KIA because of its perceived reputation and rebadging coming from Hyundai owners? It seems like "the pot calling the kettle black".

Yeah, that struck me too. Not to mention that Hyundai owns 49% of Kia, so over time I imagine they're going to share a lot of technology, and it'll make even less sense for a Hyundai owner to be dubious of Kia.

Regarding the cars, first realize that the photos were of a show car and a covered up prototype. You can never form opinions off of show cars; the finished product can look dramatically different.

Besides, in 2013 (model year 2014), the Genesis will get new sheetmetal and a new interior. That'll be my benchmark when considering any new cars.

 

[YEH]

The comments about the badging are a bit amusing. lol

Yeah, the Kia badge isn't conducive towards a luxury look, but at least it's not god-awful ugly like the Hyundai "swoop H" badge.

I'd get rid of Hyundai badge on any Hyundai model since it's just plain awful; could live w/ the Kia badge on their lower end models.

As for having diff. KDM badges, I'm sure the K9 (and the GT if built) will have them. The Optima/K7 has its own distinct KDM badging and a no. of Optima owners here have opted to do the switch.

Barring what happens to the next gen Genesis, I'd take the K9 over the Genesis. It seems like it will have better sheetmetal, but the higher-end interior (in particular, the dash in both design and materials) would be worth it alone.

 

[Junkie49]

Sorry if you guys got offended by my saying about the badge. Unlike Hyundai, its sister Kia needs a bit more time establishing the brand and...well...not compete with each other (optima vs sonata / forte vs elantra / Kia SUV vs Hyundai SUV).

Anyway I have checked the korean websites and they were saying that Kia K9 will be slotted between Genesis sedan and Equus. Possible V8 5.0 RWD, 4 piston brakes, adaptive LED lighting. Size-wise could be similar to Equus but estimated to be similar to Genesis sedan. Price-wise, it could be between Genesis and Equus as well. For now we have to wait for South Korea to get it on March next year to see.

IMO I highly doubt the Kia GT making out for production. If it does, it may have to go through major revision.

 

[tompass]

I will take a serious look at the K9 for sure.

 

[Car Fan]

I'd really prefer to see the car before I can make a call. When I bought the Genesis I needed a sedan for meetings and the like and I didn't really want to spend 50K unless I needed to convey the look I wanted since I knew I wouldn't put more than about 7500 miles a year on it. The Genesis does that in spades. I'm not going to get into the ride/suspension debate - but I'll just say that I've have been more than satisfied with the purchase.

After 2 and a half years with the Flying H showing I still have people stare at the car on the highway and people walk up to me when I fill the tank to discuss the car. Clients and guests always assume its a Mercedes or a Lexus and the only other car I've had with fewer unscheduled visits was a Honda S2000 that was amazingly rock solid all around.

Finally, let me say that I like Mercedes and BMW's as much or more than the next guy, but I liked them because they actually were good cars for the value in a way that the Acuras never were (at least for me). Now there are real alternatives.

If KIA -- Hyundai's sister company -- offers a vehicle that can do all of that then yes I will consider it.

 

[tompass]

I had a whole lot fewer problems with Acura TL than BMW 740il. BMW is a wonderful automobile but an automobile that requires plenty of attention. The Genesis is not a BMW nor is it even close in price to a BMW. But the BMW is not a gas and go car. I have said it before and will say it again, the less drama the better!

 

[scottdk]

Little more info from MotorTrend

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKDxEK_4iGU"]2011 Frankfurt: Kia GT Concept - YouTube[/ame]