Believe it or not but Kia has a plush and premium sedan that in other global markets takes on the likes of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It has undergone a subtle refresh for its home market in South Korea.
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Never arriving in the SUV-crazed South African market, Kia’s second-generation K900 debuted at the 2018 New York Auto Show as a posh rival to the established players in the premium sedan segment. It had a brief foray in the United States and Canadian markets but was put to rest only three years into its run. It still exists though, solely for the home market of Kia and it has now been mildly updated following a significant facelift in 2021.
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The subtle changes include Kia designers focusing on refining the front grille by introducing horizontal slats to replace the previous V-shaped elements. Additionally, the 2025 K9 receives newly designed 19-inch wheels and a fresh Pebble Gray body colour. Inside, the luxurious cabin offers new themes such as Martian Brown or Misty Gray. The updated K9 introduces “After Blow” technology, designed to eliminate condensation formed during air conditioning use to prevent unpleasant odours. After the engine has been off for approximately 30 minutes, After Blow automatically activates for 10 minutes to dry the ventilation ducts and prevent mould growth. A battery sensor ensures the system operates only when the car’s battery is sufficiently charged. Moreover, the function remains disabled in low outside temperatures or when the AC system has been inactive for an extended period.
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Other updates include a massaging front passenger seat, USB-C ports in the front and rear, and even a fire extinguisher. The 2025 model offers more standard equipment compared to its predecessor, while higher trim levels now include features previously offered as optional extras.
Kia will continue offering its range-topping model with both rear- and all-wheel drive, powered by either a turbocharged 3.3-liter or naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine. The larger 5.0-litre V8 engine was discontinued several years ago. Prices for the 2025 Kia K9 range start from just under R830 000 – would it ever have been able to give the Germans a run for their money?
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