Segment: Large
Production years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Kia introduced the K9 as its flagship model in 2012 on the Korean market, and later on, it took it to other markets, including U.S., Canada, Russia, and Middle-East.
While the Europeans were crying for the luxurious Korean sedan, other customers were happy with the badge-engineered Hyundai Equus and Genesis. Kia took its gloves off and tried to make it into the premium segment with the K9, also known as K900, to the States customers.
A rear-wheel-drive Kia was unusual, but that was what the K9 was. Its LED headlights with aggressive styling and the signature "tiger-nose" grille made it look important, even though it didn't have the same stance as a premium German vehicle. On the sides, the car featured two vents on the front fenders. The overall cab-rearward design emphasized the rear-wheel-drive architecture, with a pushed-back C-pillar and a short trunk lid.
Inside, Kia installed everything it got in its R&D department. Apart from the luxurious leather-wrapped interior, it loaded the car with tons of technology, including soft-close doors, bird-eye-view around the vehicle, head-up display, and the infotainment system that could have been controlled by the rear-seat passengers as well. In the instrument panel, Kia dropped the analog dials and installed a large TFT display. For the American equivalent, the K900, the Korean luxury sedan came equipped with analog dials.
Under the hood, the K9 featured a direct-injected 3.8-liter gasoline engine. It sent the power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.3L V6 8AT RWD (300 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3342 cm3 |
Power: | 224 KW @ 6400 RPM 305 HP @ 6400 RPM 300 BHP @ 6400 RPM |
Torque: | 257 lb-ft @ 5200 RPM 348 Nm @ 5200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Gasoline Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 19.8 gallons (75.0 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 8 speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 235/55 R17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 200.4 in (5090 mm) |
Width: | 74.8 in (1900 mm) |
Height: | 58.7 in (1491 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 63.6/64.3 in (1,615/1,633 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 119.9 in (3045 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 15.9 cuFT (450 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.8L V6 8AT RWD (311 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3778 cm3 |
Power: | 232 KW @ 6000 RPM 315 HP @ 6000 RPM 311 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 293 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM 397 Nm @ 5000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 19.8 gallons (75.0 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 8 speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 200.4 in (5090 mm) |
Width: | 74.8 in (1900 mm) |
Height: | 58.7 in (1491 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 63.6/64.3 in (1,615/1,633 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 119.9 in (3045 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 15.9 cuFT (450 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4277 lbs (1940 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 27 mpg US (8.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km) |
Notes |
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US Specs |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.8L V6 8AT RWD (334 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3778 cm3 |
Power: | 249 KW @ 6400 RPM 339 HP @ 6400 RPM 334 BHP @ 6400 RPM |
Torque: | 291 lb-ft @ 5100 RPM 395 Nm @ 5100 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 19.8 gallons (75.0 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 8 speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 200.4 in (5090 mm) |
Width: | 74.8 in (1900 mm) |
Height: | 58.7 in (1491 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 63.6/64.3 in (1,615/1,633 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 119.9 in (3045 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 15.9 cuFT (450 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 5.0L V8 8AT RWD (420 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 5038 cm3 |
Power: | 313 KW @ 6400 RPM 426 HP @ 6400 RPM 420 BHP @ 6400 RPM |
Torque: | 376 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM 510 Nm @ 5000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Gasoline Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 19.8 gallons (75.0 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 8 speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 245/45r19 front 275/40r19 rear |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 200.4 in (5090 mm) |
Width: | 74.8 in (1900 mm) |
Height: | 58.7 in (1491 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 63.8/64.1 in (1,621/1,628 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 119.9 in (3045 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 15.9 cuFT (450 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4555 lbs (2066 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5622 lbs (2550 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15 mpg US (15.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 23 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km) |
Notes |
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US Specs |