Kia K9

[2o6]

Not sure how I feel about it. The grille reminds me of the Geely GE concept (the 2nd one) and I don't particurally care for the concept of the model. Why is this model luxurious? I thought Kia was supposed to be the sportier brand? I think this car would make more sense if it were simply a large RWD car (similar to the Charger and Ford Taurus) rather than an aspiring luxury vehicle.

[Payman]

I like it. Not sure why they'd risk dog jokes with the name, however.

[Vinsanity]

I like it. Not sure why they'd risk dog jokes with the name, however.

Well, its platform-mate is the Equus (horse). Maybe they're going for a domesticated-animal theme. They could have a GenCoupe platform-mate with a feline-inspired name.

I like it as well. Compared to the Equus, the design is more unique, as well as more cohesive.

[J86]

It looks like a Buick.

[93JC]

I like it. Not sure why they'd risk dog jokes with the name, however.

The bigger Korean-market cars are using a 'K#' alphanumeric nomenclature. Optima is called K5, there's another bigger front-drive car called K7 (akin to a Hyundai Azera; it's called Kia Cadenza in other markets); it follows that they'd use K9, at least in Korea. If it's ever sold elsewhere they'll probably come up with another name.

[SVT666]

This is now the third thread on this car.  Anyway, I like it.

[CJ]

I think it looks pretty sharp and clean.

[Submariner]

One part Buick, one part last-gen GS, one part generic Chinese car.

Meh.

[Vinsanity]

Why is this model luxurious? I thought Kia was supposed to be the sportier brand? I think this car would make more sense if it were simply a large RWD car (similar to the Charger and Ford Taurus) rather than an aspiring luxury vehicle.

I half agree. I think they should've made a sporty version of the Genesis sedan. Like a poor man's Panamera, as someone mentioned in one of the other threads. This should be to the Genesis what the IS is to the ES. And I think the overall styling would still work as a sport sedan.

[Xer0]

Yeah, it seems like Hyundai/Kai are going to have crazy amounts of overlap with all of their cars being pretty much the same baring styling.  Beyond the Soul, I'm not really sure what the point of Kia is now.

[TurboDan]

It's alright, but I wish they'd decide a brand styling concept and stick with it.

[2o6]

It's alright, but I wish they'd decide a brand styling concept and stick with it.

Huh? Their styling language is as clear as day.

[2o6]

Yeah, it seems like Hyundai/Kai are going to have crazy amounts of overlap with all of their cars being pretty much the same baring styling.  Beyond the Soul, I'm not really sure what the point of Kia is now.

They both sell, though.

[thewizard16]

Yeah, it seems like Hyundai/Kai are going to have crazy amounts of overlap with all of their cars being pretty much the same baring styling.  Beyond the Soul, I'm not really sure what the point of Kia is now.

They're different enough I don't think it's an issue. The Optima and Sonata for example, may have mechanical things in common, but they're otherwise different inside and out and appeal to different kinds of consumers. I don't care for the Sonata (nice enough car, but I don't like the styling inside or out), but I'd buy an Optima Turbo.

[cawimmer430]

Put a separating metal strip between that grille and you end up with this!



^Instant BMW!^ 



Look closely...

[Atomic]

http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2012/02/28/kias-k9-the-tiger-goes-upscale/ 

[Atomic]

the front closely resembles a BMW, the rear, a lexus LS. not a bad looking car by any means but is it unique enough? will it matter to the average driver?

[Hachee]

I like it, certainly more than the Equus, but I was expecting something sharper, tauter in terms of styling.  This seems a little watered down to me.  I suppose there's a big Korean market for this.  For the US, I'd rather see them do a very sporty version of the Genesis.

[Raza]

That is ugly.  The Optima is okay, but the more I see it on the roads, more it seems overwrought.  This is not good at all though.

Maybe it'll grow on me.

[Xer0]

They both sell, though.

In the short term, sure. But I doubt that if in 2 generations from now the Optima/Sonata are as identical as they are now the sales volume will be similar. 

They're different enough I don't think it's an issue. The Optima and Sonata for example, may have mechanical things in common, but they're otherwise different inside and out and appeal to different kinds of consumers. I don't care for the Sonata (nice enough car, but I don't like the styling inside or out), but I'd buy an Optima Turbo.

But that?s the thing, it?s just styling differences for the most part.  Some people will appreciate being able to get the same car in a different stylistic wrapper but at the end of the day it?s still the same car.  It?s like GM a decade ago just nowhere near as bad.  Every division of GM had pretty much the same car in slightly different styling and while they each sold, GM was pretty much competing with itself. 

I think it?s okay in the meantime while Kia creates some market presence, but, I think the next generation of each car needs to be a good amount different from each other than they are now.

Keep in mind, I haven?t driven either just going by reviews I?ve read.

But, taking the topic to this car, it seems like this will be to the Equus what the Optima will be to the Sonata.  It?ll be nothing but a stylistic change with maybe a firmer ride.  Too similar, IMO.

[SVT666]

Put a separating metal strip between that grille and you end up with this!



^Instant BMW!^ 



Look closely...

For once you actually make sense.

[SVT666]

I like it, certainly more than the Equus, but I was expecting something sharper, tauter in terms of styling.  This seems a little watered down to me.  I suppose there's a big Korean market for this.  For the US, I'd rather see them do a very sporty version of the Genesis.

The back half looks like a Lexus, which is not good for Kia.

[Atomic]

That is ugly.  The Optima is okay, but the more I see it on the roads, more it seems overwrought.  This is not good at all though.

Maybe it'll grow on me.

the problem with the kia optima for me is that it does standout. that is an important factor for a rare or exclusive car, IMO, but these daring new kias are so commonplace now that i am getting bored with its trendy "good looks". the honda accord and toyota camry are very handsome, i think, but they are both non offensive to look at, yet very plentiful. there is a fine line of course, but neither kia or hyundai has found that yet.

remember when green cars all of a sudden became extremely popular? well, not until the color went from pleasantly unique to even the smith's and jone's families own a green car.

[CJ]

What's the likelihood of them selling this car here?  It makes perfect sense for the Korean market.

[CJ]

How about we not have a million threads about this car?

[SVT666]

This is the 4th thread about this car.

[cawimmer430]

For once you actually make sense.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Put a separating metal strip between that grille and you end up with this!



^Instant BMW!^ 



Look closely...

Nah...

I think the front looks more like Audi's A6.



And the rear 3/4 view looks like the profile of the previous (current?) gen Lexus GS IMO.

[Hachee]

the problem with the kia optima for me is that it does standout. that is an important factor for a rare or exclusive car, IMO, but these daring new kias are so commonplace now that i am getting bored with its trendy "good looks". the honda accord and toyota camry are very handsome, i think, but they are both non offensive to look at, yet very plentiful. there is a fine line of course, but neither kia or hyundai has found that yet.

Huh?  The Accord and Camry are plentiful because they've earned excellent reputations over the course of many years (recent problems and criticisms notwithstanding).  People have long bought them for many reasons, including their inoffensive looks.  The Sonata and Optima were equally inoffensive, but didn't have the Camcord's reputations, and sold in far fewer numbers.  It wasn't until they broke out of the pack with high style (polarizing as some may find them, especially the Sonata) that they started to really sell well. 

We might well see Hyundai and Kia take fewer chances in their next iterations, since they have a lot more to lose now. 

[omicron]

Yerk. No.