The Battle of the Sedans: K7 and Grandeur Go Head-to-Head!

The Eternal Rivals: K7 vs. Grandeur

For a long time, the K7 and Grandeur maintained a fierce rivalry in the mid-size sedan market, even before the launch of the Kia K8.

However, despite being part of the same family, the K7 and Grandeur have pursued slightly different paths.

These two vehicles have competed intensely since the past, but gradually, the Grandeur began to gain the upper hand.

The Emergence of the Premium Brand Genesis

However, before the recent launch of the New Grandeur, the Grandeur's position was not very strong.

Once regarded as a symbol of success by many, the Grandeur fell behind the G80 sedan introduced by Genesis.

Its reputation as a success symbol diminished significantly.

Recently, the launch of the New Grandeur seems to indicate a strategy targeting a more diverse age group.

Thanks to this, sales appear to be on the rise again, though it’s hard to say for sure.

Kia K7 Faces Challenges Ahead.

Struggling in a market dominated by the G80 and Grandeur, the Kia K7 even faced lower sales than the mid-size sedans Sonata and K5.

The K7 urgently needed a change, as it faced pressure from both above and below in the market.

Moreover, the trend of preferring larger vehicles has intensified. The Sonata, once the people’s car, can no longer maintain its status and has ceded ground to the larger Grandeur, reflecting a shift in consumer perception.

As a result, the popularity of large SUVs continues to rise unabated in the automotive market.

Kia K8: A Complete Transformation.

This achievement surpasses records even set by its rival, the Grandeur.

What contributed to the Kia K8's impressive pre-order record?

I believe that by starting with a new platform and bold redesign of the existing Kia family look, the K8 has attracted a wider range of buyers.

A Shift in Platform

With the release of the new model, the vehicle's size has increased, while the body has become lower and more structurally sound.

Unfortunately, the New Grandeur continues to use the previous generation platform, widening the gap between it and the Kia K8.

Due to this platform change, the Kia K8 has become the first mid-size sedan with a body length exceeding 5 meters.

The Kia K8 measures 5,015 mm in length, making it about 25 mm longer than the Grandeur, which is 4,990 mm long.

This platform change enhances vehicle strength while reducing weight, which could also improve fuel efficiency.

Some believe that the Kia K8’s popularity could surpass that of the Grandeur.

In any case, the Grandeur is not expected to adopt a new platform until 2022.

Ergo Motion Seat

Among the countless automotive components, the most expensive one is likely the engine, the heart of the vehicle.

What could be the next most expensive component?

I would argue that it’s the car seat.

Car seats make the most contact with the passengers and play a crucial role in ensuring their safety.

Therefore, it’s positive that the Ergo Motion Seat, which was not available in the Grandeur, is the first option in the Kia K8.

The Ergo Motion Seat is available as a comfort option across all powertrains.

In fact, while the Ergo Motion Seat first appeared in the Genesis line, its debut in Kia may feel somewhat unexpected.

For reference, the Ergo Motion Seat features a smart posture support function that finds the most comfortable driving position, and when the drive mode is set to sports, the side bolsters engage to hold the driver in place during high-speed driving.

Additionally, the comfort stretching function helps reduce driver fatigue, which I believe is an essential feature for any driver.

While being the first is commendable, there are some drawbacks.

The Kia K8 offers several options that the Grandeur lacks, leading to some controversy.

The AWD front-wheel-based all-wheel-drive system takes center stage.

Recently, foreign automotive companies have begun applying front-wheel-based all-wheel-drive systems even in front-wheel-drive sedans.

In Korea, Kia K8 has become the first mid-size sedan to adopt this system.

However, the AWD option is only available if you choose the 3.5 gasoline engine, so it's not an option for other configurations like the 3.5 gasoline Noblesse Light trim or different powertrains.

Next is the electronic control suspension.

Similarly, this option is only available in the other 3.5 gasoline trims, excluding the 3.5 gasoline Noblesse Light trim, and is typically found in luxury vehicles.

The electronic control suspension adjusts damping force based on drive mode and road conditions to provide optimal ride comfort.

For reference, the Genesis brand uses a more advanced preview electronic control suspension.

Offering the option of a suspension system indicates that the Kia K8 is also a premium vehicle, which is worth noting.

On April 9 at 11 AM, the Kia K8 will make its first public appearance.