[Taboleo] K8 "Hey Grandeur, Are You Scared?"

Test Drive of Kia Compact Sedan K8
Performance and Size UP, Forecasting a Mid-to-Large Sedan Sensation

Front view photo of Kia K8

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Kia recently launched the new model ‘K8,’ which embodies innovative design and the company’s new philosophy, signaling a storm in the mid-to-large sedan market.

The undisputed leader in the domestic mid-to-large sedan market is Hyundai Motor’s Grandeur. Last year, the Grandeur boasted sales of 146,923 units, making it the top-selling sedan in Korea.

The automotive industry has evaluated the K8 as a new strong contender capable of challenging the Grandeur’s dominance. On the first day of pre-orders last month on the 23rd, the K8 recorded 18,015 units, setting a new record for Kia sedans.

After personally driving the K8, I could fully appreciate that such evaluations were not an exaggeration. The test vehicle was the 3.5 Gasoline Signature trim.

Rear view photo of Kia K8

-First impression of the K8: "Sophisticated."

△The first impression upon seeing the K8 in person was "sophisticated." The previous model, the K7, also had design strengths, but the K8 boasts an even more enhanced design. The frameless bumper-integrated radiator grille immediately caught my eye. The jewel-like pattern, inspired by diamonds, gave a refined and luxurious feel.

Although the tiger nose grille, a symbol of Kia’s front design, was removed, it was not disappointing. The new emblem, applied for the first time on a Kia model, also drew attention. Compared to the previous bulky emblem, the design was greatly improved. It made me wonder why they hadn’t changed the emblem sooner.

Spacious rear seat area of the Kia K8

-How was the interior space?

△One of the K8’s features is its large size. The K8’s overall length is 5,015 mm, which is 25 mm longer than the competing Grandeur and 20 mm longer than the Genesis G80. The wheelbase is 2,895 mm, 10 mm longer than the Grandeur. The height is 1,455 mm, which is 15 mm lower than the previous K7 model and the Grandeur. The car’s length and low height give an impression of stability and sporty performance.

Because the car is large, the interior space was also spacious. Sitting in the rear seat, I felt the ample space. There was enough room between the knees and the front seat, which would reduce leg discomfort during long drives. The company said the interior space was designed inspired by first-class airport lounges, and this was no exaggeration.

The driver’s seat was also excellent. For the first time, the Ergo Motion seat, which provides optimal seating comfort using seven air cushions, was applied.

The Ergo Motion seat individually controls the air cushions to provide effects like ‘Comfort Stretch Mode,’ which feels like stretching while seated, and ‘Smart Support,’ which adjusts seat support to firmly hold the driver’s body when switching to sport mode or driving over 130 km/h. Using the Comfort Stretch Mode felt like sitting in a massage chair.

Kia K8

-They say a lot of attention was paid to the sound system.

△One of the K8’s greatest strengths is its audio system. The K8 is equipped with a premium sound system jointly developed over two years by Hyundai Mobis and Meridian, a leading British audio brand. Meridian is an audio specialist company with over 40 years of history, headquartered in Huntingdon near Cambridge University in the UK. It is known for its expertise in high-fidelity (hi-fi) audio, specializing in high-performance, high-quality audio technology, starting from home audio.

The 14 Natec speakers installed in the K8 delivered sound close to the original recording. Natec is an advanced speaker made from a mixture of natural pulp and nano metal. Titanium material was applied to the tweeters responsible for high frequencies, providing clear and crisp sound. When I played music provided by the company, the grand sound struck my ears. Even when listening to regular radio, the sound was distinctly different from the cars I had previously driven. I was impressed by how much Kia invested in the sound system.

-How was the actual driving experience?

△Driving the K8 myself, I found it to be very stable. The start was smooth, and there was no feeling of lacking power when transitioning from low to high speeds. The company explained that the suspension’s rigidity was reinforced and the shock absorbers optimized to enhance ride comfort and driving stability.

The driving performance was worthy of a luxury car. Reducing external vibrations and noise was another advantage. The company stated that by newly adding a package underpad on the trunk’s upper part and triple sealing at the door joints, as well as increasing the density of interior sound-absorbing materials compared to previous models, vibrations and noise were drastically reduced.

Kia K8

-Was the driver assistance system easy to use?

△The advanced driver assistance system was also a point of pride. The Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) functions, tested on the highway, were useful features that reduced fatigue during long drives. The system’s ability to maintain distance and adjust speed relative to the vehicle ahead was excellent.

The panoramic curved display, which connects the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment system, along with the 12-inch head-up display, maximized driving convenience. The clean and uncluttered center fascia also allowed even first-time users to operate it intuitively.

-How about the price?

△The K8 is priced similarly to the Grandeur. The K8’s prices are as follows: 2.5 Gasoline Noblesse Light at 32.79 million KRW, Noblesse at 35.10 million KRW, Signature at 38.68 million KRW; 3.5 Gasoline Noblesse Light at 36.18 million KRW, Noblesse at 38.48 million KRW, Signature at 41.77 million KRW, and Platinum at 45.26 million KRW. Compared to foreign cars in the same class, the features are not inferior, and the price advantage is clear.