2023 Kia K9: A Flagship Sedan Reimagined

If you set it up like that, the estimated price will range from the high 60s million won to the low 70s million won (around $56,000 to $58,000 USD), depending on body color and audio options.

For reference, the test vehicle's color is Deep Chroma Blue, which appears black or blue depending on the light reflection. Personally, I would recommend the Snow White Pearl color, which comes with an additional cost of 80,000 won (about $62 USD), but if you're aiming for a more sophisticated look, black is a solid choice.

I was pleasantly surprised by a new feature that showcases a welcome ceremony when you open the door with the smart key. I'm not sure if this is a feature of the 2023 model or if it was introduced with the facelift, but it's impressive!

Let's check it out in the video.

It looks quite impressive. I found myself repeatedly locking and unlocking the door just to see it. The horizontally elongated tail lamp design remains sleek, giving the car a larger and wider appearance.

However, I personally have a slight aversion to the arrowhead-shaped LED details of the tail lamp. It seems I have a consistent opinion; I mentioned the same thing at the launch event for the 2021 K9 facelift.

The wheel design also carries a somewhat classic feel. While the trend nowadays leans towards sportier designs with fewer spokes, the K9 maintains a more traditional aesthetic.

I can't help but feel a bit disappointed that the 2023 K9 didn't update its wheels to reflect current trends.

Beyond that, the K9 continues to impress with its timeless and elegant design, embodying the essence of a premium large sedan.

In fact, I personally love the interior design so much that I hope it won't change significantly with the new model.

The steering wheel is perfect, and the four-part design ensures comfort no matter where you grip it. It's designed for a sporty drive, yet remains comfortable for city driving and long highway trips.

You can comfortably grip it at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, or even at 8 o'clock or 4 o'clock for long drives, and even at 6 o'clock if necessary. You understand what I mean, right? The Kia logo has become quite luxurious too!

Most importantly, the analog clock, a symbol of luxury large sedans, is perfectly placed. Regardless of the brand, I hope this feature remains in future K9 models.

The brand of the clock isn't important; having an analog clock is significant in itself. It's a shame that most cars have transitioned to digital displays or integrated navigation systems.

This feature brings back fond memories of riding in my father's luxury sedan as a child. The K9's interior strikes a perfect balance between classic elegance and modern luxury.

Of course, the new model may eliminate the gear lever and streamline the buttons and air vents, but even in its current form, it doesn't feel cluttered at all.

The second-row seating is spacious, and the seating comfort is excellent. However, with many domestic mid-size sedans offering impressive second-row legroom these days, it can be challenging to distinguish based solely on interior space.

Looking at the interior details, the fingerprint recognition lock is located on the left side of the steering wheel, along with a small gear lever, a dial for navigation and infotainment control, and cup holders.

The infotainment system has significantly evolved, featuring the latest version and offering convenient functions like media playback, Kia Pay, Genie Music, and Melon.

Now that we've covered the interior and exterior design, as well as option pricing, let's summarize the driving experience. The V6 3.8 GDI engine, which I encountered after a long time, still delivers smooth rotation and ample acceleration, leaving me satisfied.

In fact, with the automotive industry transitioning towards downsized turbo engines, hybrids, and electric vehicles, it may become increasingly rare to encounter naturally aspirated engines like this. While the demand for high-displacement gasoline engines remains strong in large sedans, I don't expect them to disappear anytime soon.

The K9's rear-wheel-drive platform provides a stable and reassuring driving experience, especially with its AWD model operating in all-wheel drive as needed. The handling feels distinct from front-wheel-drive vehicles.

These aspects contribute to the overall driving experience. The digital gauge cluster displays dynamic views and effectively communicates real-time information related to the semi-autonomous driving features of the ADAS. The fuel efficiency is also decent at around 9 km/L, which isn't the worst.

I traveled approximately 300 km round trip from Seoul to Cheongju, and despite some traffic on the highway, I maintained an average fuel efficiency of around 10 km/L. This is a significant improvement compared to older Hyundai-Kia models with the 3.0 GDI engine, like the Grandeur or K7.

Ultimately, the ride comfort was exceptional. It felt as though the car had air suspension. Despite the cold weather and poor road conditions, the K9 consistently delivered a smooth ride.

While the standard suspension is good, I highly recommend adding the Preview Electronic Control Suspension option, which costs 1 million won (around $780 USD). You're not going to change cars every year, so it's worth investing in the comfort of the K9. The difference in ride quality between the K9 and the Genesis G90, which can cost around 100 million won (about $78,000 USD), is negligible.

With the new Grandeur out, the K8's new model is likely on the way as well. However, I suspect the K8 will also improve in value and pricing, potentially pushing to the high 50s million won range (around $44,000 USD). So, wouldn't it make sense to spend just a little more to get the K9, which is a different class of rear-wheel-drive large sedan? After all, it's Kia's flagship sedan, so it must offer something unique.

That's all for the 2023 Kia K9 test drive!

2023 model
automotive design
Kia K9
large sedan
luxury features
vehicle review

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