All-new Kia K8 proves that full-size luxury sedans still matter
Kia says goodbye to the K7, launches all-new K8
In the age of luxury crossovers and SUVs, luxury sedans appeared to have taken the back seat. With the market preferring high-riding vehicles, the good ol' sedan seems to be going out of style.
For Kia, however, there will always be room for big luxury sedans in their lineup.
This is the Kia K8, and it's their newest flagship luxury sedan. Featuring a fastback-inspired design, the K8 has a long hood, short deck design akin to sports cars. But perhaps its most prominent features are the diamond-patterned, tiger-nose front grille, and the full-width LED taillights. As an added touch, the K8 also features the brand's redesigned logo, which actually suits the all-new K8's looks.
From its exterior, we now move on to the K8's cabin. With an emphasis on fusing technology with luxury and comfort, the K8 offers acres of space, along with plenty of high-tech amenities. For starters, it has an advanced driver's seat that Kia calls 'Ergo Motion Seat' (EMS). Unlike typical seats, EMS can automatically adjust itself to provide the most comfortable, or most engaging seat position.
Two 12-inch curved monitors make their home inside the K8. The first monitor serves as the driver's instrument panel, while the second monitor is the car's infotainment display. Thanks to the huge in-car displays, Kia says it makes for a cleaner and clutter-free center console. Also present inside the K8 are the climate control touch panel, an electro-mechanical gear selector, a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, and neat touches of leather and wood trimmings.
Under the hood, the 2021 K8 is available with various powertrain options. The most powerful of the lot is a 3.5-liter Smartstrem six-cylinder engine that's available in two power ratings. The first one is the gasoline direct injection (GDI) which puts out 300 PS and 359 Nm of torque. Next is the liquid propane injection (LPI) version which puts out 240 PS and 314 Nm of torque.
From 3.5-liters, we move to the 2.5-liter inline-four GDI. This mid-range engine provides the K8 with 198 PS, along with 248 Nm of torque. Like the six-cylinder, this engine benefits from both GDI and MPI dual injection technology for optimized fuel injection all the time.
Last but not least is a 1.6-liter T-GDI inline-four which will be available from the first half of this year. All engine options will be connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel-drive will come as standard, while AWD will be available on higher-grade models.
Giving drivers peace of mind while on the road is the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). With it, smart safety features like forward collision avoidance (FCA), navigation-based smart cruise control (NSCC), intelligent speed limit assist (ISLA), surround-view monitor (SVM), and remote smart parking assistance (RSPA) ensure that driver and occupants are safe all the time.
Luxury crossovers and SUVs may be all the rage today, but Kia is keeping the fire alive when it comes to luxury four-doors. While most brands would have likely ditched in making a new full-size luxury sedan, Kia said 'Why not?' and built what could be their sleekest four-door besides the Stinger.
