2015 Kia K900

Offering premium amenities and solid performance at a reasonable price, Kia's flagship sedan marks a confident first step into premium luxury territory for the Korean car brand.

Designed by Peter Schreyer, who also penned the Audi TT and Volkswagen New Beetle, the Kia K900 features a striking fastback shape that incorporates Kia's new signature elements: square-within-oval headlights, a trapezodial grille and prominent Hofmeister kink. A credit-card-sized key lets you enter a luxurious world of quality materials with natural wood and chromium-free Nappa leather. Comfortable ventilated front seats will make journeys more pleasant and a cavernous power-operated trunk will take lots of stuff with you. In the rear, heated outboard reclining seats and sunshades will remind you of business class treatment. A 900-watt Harman Kardon Lexicon high-fidelity surround sound audio system and standard navigation are controlled through a 9.2-inch high-definition screen that will keep you entertained and steered in the right direction. The V8 engine is a first for a Kia sedan, and delivers decent acceleration with its 420 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque coupled with a new in-house shift-by-wire 8-speed automatic transmission. But this car is more of a solid and smooth ride than a GT experience. Some of you will miss paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Our mineral silver tester with black interior offered a sophisticated lounge experience for a day. With an underbody pan and laminated windows, it was a quiet one to boot. Interior space is massive and you'd love your next limousine ride to be as comfortable and luxurious.

Kia says this is a new way to look at luxury... and luxury it is, bundling value in the process. Not a bad way to celebrate twenty years in the U.S., Kia!