Kia K900

[Sal Collaziano]

Ya know... It's sort of amazing to me how Kia priced the K900 so high because I hadn't seen a SINGLE one all this time until a couple of days ago... But I must admit - it has ROAD PRESENCE. Even more so than the Equus... There's something about it. I think it's in the lighting.

Now I have ZERO doubt that the next Equus will be fanatically better than the K900 - but I'm just reporting on my opinion and observation. Inside, I'd take the Equus any time as I prefer the Hyundai interior. But Kia DID do really good with this car. I'm impressed.

What do you Equus owners think about the Kia K900?

 

[Mgrig]

I have a 2014 Equus, so far I have put 15K miles on it in 12 months and have absolutely nothing negative to say about it. The car is great, mine is black with tan, looks and rives great.

The KIA is also a nice car, like you I prefer the Equus interior better. The KIA has a great look from the front and rear, from the side it reminds me of a Buick with the fake air outlets. That touch I can not get past.

Back to the Equus, I am impressed with how this car handles the snow, the "snow" mode really limits the acceleration and makes the car handle great.
I have driven the car in unplowed snow of 5-6", raised the car and turned to "snow" mode and it went where it was told to go.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

The Equus is a great car. One step above the K900 for sure. I really like the interior updates of the latest version and anxiously await what's coming next...

I have a 2014 Equus, so far I have put 15K miles on it in 12 months and have absolutely nothing negative to say about it. The car is great, mine is black with tan, looks and rives great.

The KIA is also a nice car, like you I prefer the Equus interior better. The KIA has a great look from the front and rear, from the side it reminds me of a Buick with the fake air outlets. That touch I can not get past.

Back to the Equus, I am impressed with how this car handles the snow, the "snow" mode really limits the acceleration and makes the car handle great.
I have driven the car in unplowed snow of 5-6", raised the car and turned to "snow" mode and it went where it was told to go.

 

[YEH]

Personally, I like the exterior of the K900 better - esp. the greenhouse which looks sleek and modern (like it better than the greenhouse for the 3G Equus).

Lile what Kia did for the grill as well, but while I can see what they were trying to go for w/ the headlights, the bottom kink made it look too ungainly and the taillights could have been better as well (based on the spy shots of the new Cadenza, think the next K900 is really going to take things up a notch).

Problem so much isn't the price (for what you get), but Kia opting to go for loaded trims; also, since Kia does not yet have a mid-level offering like the Genesis (until the GT arrives), really needed the lower priced V6 K900, but it's been a yr since the K900 was launched in the US and still no 3.8 (at this juncture, assuming that won't arrive until upgraded V6).

Needless to say, both the K900 and Equus will be greatly helped by the addition of AWD (Genesis sedan sales went up 3-fold compared to Jan. of last yr) - as more and more buyers turn to AWD.

Anyway, here are the most recent spy shots of the interior for the new Equus.

http://thekoreancarblog.com/2015/03/05/2017-hyundai-equus-interior-revealed/


Looks like a nice improvement, but Hyundai can't simply benchmark the current 7 Series, A8 and LS460 as their next gen models will be launching around the same time period and will presumably be getting a serious upgrade when it comes to their interiors (in part due to the S Class).

Furthermore, Cadillac will be going all out with their CT6/CT8 flagships and VW will also rejoin the mix w/ the next Phaeton.

Going to have to be the right balance of luxurious materials and cost (still have to keep the Equus at a certain price-point).

Am hoping that the center stack design is more modern and no so bland/outdated looking as the current one.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Thanks for posting that link, Yeh. The interior of the new Equus does look quite nice. I forget where the renditions for the new model are. If you could link to them in the topic I just started for the 2016/2017 Equus I'd appreciate it.

As for the Kia K900 and upcoming competition - yeah it's going to get interesting with Cadillac and Volkswagen coming back into the picture. And I do agree that, unlike Cadillac, Hyundai should benchmark what's COMING from BMW, Mercedes and Audi rather than what's currently out available.

 

[YEH]

HG -

I know there are better spy shots out there, but here's one from KCB.

http://thekoreancarblog.com/2014/12...potted-in-production-form-for-the-first-time/


Not exactly a fan of the greenhouse/C-pillar, but at the same time, Hyundai can't make sacrifices with the rear passenger head room (the next gen K900's greenhouse I would imagine be sleeker than this).

FYI - the site has been loopy - end up on the Equus forum when click on the 2015 Genesis sedan forum.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Thank you. I'm really anxious to see what this next Equus is going to be like...

Now the problem you just mentioned...

General 2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan Discussion

That forum brings you to the Equus area?

Sal C.

HG -

I know there are better spy shots out there, but here's one from KCB.

http://thekoreancarblog.com/2014/12...potted-in-production-form-for-the-first-time/


Not exactly a fan of the greenhouse/C-pillar, but at the same time, Hyundai can't make sacrifices with the rear passenger head room (the next gen K900's greenhouse I would imagine be sleeker than this).

FYI - the site has been loopy - end up on the Equus forum when click on the 2015 Genesis sedan forum.

 

[Rey]

I have had four Genesis and now a 2014 Equus. I did a back-to-back comparison test drive Equus/2015 Genesis; and found the Equus a much more luxurious and quieter ride. The new Genesis handles a bit better, but only at the margins.

I bought the 2014 in December 2014 and now have 13K miles on it. Love the car. It does not seem "bigger" than previous Genesis. I can get 27+ mpg @70 mph on flat ground with no wind.

The dirty little secret about the Equus is that they are not selling well. There still are plenty of unsold 2014s out there. Mine was on the dealer's lot for over a year. My net price was about $45K with all discounts in. This is about the same price as a discounted 2015 Genesis V8. Interesting, the Equus and new V8 Genesis weigh almost the same, and have the same EPA.

The new Equus will probably share the same platform as the new Genesis. Personally, I don't think AWD is worth the cost and convenience. Have driven in snow and ice for over 60 years now: AWD offers better starting traction, that's all. Modern winter tires on RWD are all you need.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I love the Equus but I think it's priced a little bit too high. Just out of reach for enough people for Hyundai to actually sell all that are on their lots...

 

[DRS]

I have had four Genesis and now a 2014 Equus. I did a back-to-back comparison test drive Equus/2015 Genesis; and found the Equus a much more luxurious and quieter ride. The new Genesis handles a bit better, but only at the margins.



I bought the 2014 in December 2014 and now have 13K miles on it. Love the car. It does not seem "bigger" than previous Genesis. I can get 27+ mpg @70 mph on flat ground with no wind.



The dirty little secret about the Equus is that they are not selling well. There still are plenty of unsold 2014s out there. Mine was on the dealer's lot for over a year. My net price was about $45K with all discounts in. This is about the same price as a discounted 2015 Genesis V8. Interesting, the Equus and new V8 Genesis weigh almost the same, and have the same EPA.



The new Equus will probably share the same platform as the new Genesis. Personally, I don't think AWD is worth the cost and convenience. Have driven in snow and ice for over 60 years now: AWD offers better starting traction, that's all. Modern winter tires on RWD are all you need.

$45k for signature model? 2014.. Any idea if any 2014 Ultimate Equus out there with pricing same discount structure? Oh, no self drive on 2014 Equus, correct?

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[YEH]

Thank you. I'm really anxious to see what this next Equus is going to be like...

Now the problem you just mentioned...

General 2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan Discussion

That forum brings you to the Equus area?

Sal C.

Yeah, Sal.

When I click it the 1st couple of times, it takes me to the Equus forum.

But after the 2nd or 3rd try, get into the 2015 Genesis forum - weird.

The new Equus will probably share the same platform as the new Genesis. Personally, I don't think AWD is worth the cost and convenience. Have driven in snow and ice for over 60 years now: AWD offers better starting traction, that's all. Modern winter tires on RWD are all you need.

But the thing is, that's not where most of the rest of the auto market prefers (I gander that many people don't want to deal w/ the hassle of changing tires twice a yr and/or in belief that AWD w/ all-weather tires is safer than RWD + snow treads).

Aside from more exciting sheetmetal, the addition of AWD and a smaller, more fuel efficient engine should increase sales for the next gen Equus.

But even w/ AWD, other lux flagship sedans are struggling.

YTD Audi has sold only 606 of the A8 and Jag, 518 of the XJ.

Hyundai has sold 427 of the Equus and Kia 181 of the K900 - so combined, the Koreans actually outsold (608) both the A8 and XJ even w/o AWD and powertrain options (don't know what the hold-up is in Kia launching the V6 K900; unless they are holding off to offer the new 3.3T powerplant, but at that juncture, probably will just wait til the next gen K900).

 

[DRS]

Wheezing 3.3 turbo is not enough for the top engine option. They need V8 cubes. Turbo V8 or not for the flagship engine option.. IMO...

 

[calmone]

v8 a must, people buying high end cars care a lot less about fuel economy, quiet, smooth, these matter more. as for equus and kia outselling audi, jag, etc., not surprised. $20 big ones? size does mater.

 

[westsiderkg]

One big difference is the lack of air ride suspension on the K900. That's a HUGE difference in both ride quality and luxury IMHO. The K900 is a nice vehicle, but despite what others may tell you its not on the same level as the Equus, especially if you jump up to a ultimate model. Still...good value for the dollar, but not a complete apples to apples comparison in all fairness.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Those of you who are concerned about the Genesis and Equus not offering a V8 can rest easy. A V8 will be available for the foreseeable future. Options are good so people can buy exactly what they want.

 

[soldonandy]

I have had four Genesis and now a 2014 Equus. I did a back-to-back comparison test drive Equus/2015 Genesis; and found the Equus a much more luxurious and quieter ride. The new Genesis handles a bit better, but only at the margins.

I bought the 2014 in December 2014 and now have 13K miles on it. Love the car. It does not seem "bigger" than previous Genesis. I can get 27+ mpg @70 mph on flat ground with no wind.

The dirty little secret about the Equus is that they are not selling well. There still are plenty of unsold 2014s out there. Mine was on the dealer's lot for over a year. My net price was about $45K with all discounts in. This is about the same price as a discounted 2015 Genesis V8. Interesting, the Equus and new V8 Genesis weigh almost the same, and have the same EPA.

The new Equus will probably share the same platform as the new Genesis. Personally, I don't think AWD is worth the cost and convenience. Have driven in snow and ice for over 60 years now: AWD offers better starting traction, that's all. Modern winter tires on RWD are all you need.

Just went from a 2012 Equus to a 2015 Genesis, the cars are equally as quiet, Genesis has a much better "thump" when closing the door. The handling is more of a "bit" of a difference and driving in snow/wet conditions isn't even close, the Genesis is significantly better (RWD vs RWD). With that said, the Equus was a great car and more of a plush cruiser, kind of enjoying being able to take a corner now, good trade off for me.

 

[westsiderkg]

Agreed on the snow tires...put a set of Pirelli's on mine this winter (western PA), and it was a rough winter to say the least. Only had one-somewhat iffy commute, but just to give you a idea how bad the weather was that day....the emergency snow route was shut down, lol! My Equus still made it in.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Just went from a 2012 Equus to a 2015 Genesis, the cars are equally as quiet, Genesis has a much better "thump" when closing the door. The handling is more of a "bit" of a difference and driving in snow/wet conditions isn't even close, the Genesis is significantly better (RWD vs RWD). With that said, the Equus was a great car and more of a plush cruiser, kind of enjoying being able to take a corner now, good trade off for me.

Yes, Hyundai improved a lot on the second generation Genesis. I have a strong feeling the second generation Equus will be a similar upgrade compared to the first generation...