Kia · 2012–2026

Kia K9

The Kia K9, also known as the Kia K900 in the United States and Canada and the Kia Quoris in other export markets, is a full-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by Kia, since 2012. It was first came out in its native country, South Korea, in May 2012, with export sales beginning in late of the same year. Then, since June 2013, it was sold in South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Chile, Guatemala, Peru, Russia, the United States, and Canada. There are plans to release it in China, although Kia will not use the Quoris nameplate after it lost a legal battle. The second-generation K9 was launched in 2018.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Kia Opirus

All Kia K9 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First generation (KH; 2012)

The K9 is a derivative of the Hyundai Equus and Genesis, with which it shares the BH-L (VI) platform. It is the first rear-wheel-drive sedan Kia offered in the United States. The K9's development code was KH. The K9 is slightly shorter than the Equus, and has a longer wheelbase than the Hyundai Genesis with shorter front overhang dimensions. The Quoris features Kia's "Tiger nose" grille as well as blind spot detection, head-up display and an adaptive front lighting system. Launch engines in Korea include a 300 PS (221 kW; 296 bhp) 3.3 L (3,342 cc) V6 and a 334 PS (246 kW; 329 bhp) 3.8 L (3,778 cc) GDI (Gasoline Direction-Injection) V6, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Quoris debuted in Russia in 2013 with a 294 PS (216 kW; 290 bhp) 3.8L V6. The K900 in the US uses a 426 PS (313 kW; 420 bhp) 5.0-litre (5,038 cc) GDI V8, producing 376 lb⋅ft (510 N⋅m) of torque. In Canada, the K900 can be fitted with either a 315 PS (232 kW; 311 bhp) 3.8L GDI V6, producing 293 lb⋅ft (397 N⋅m) of torque or the same 5.0L GDI V8 as the US market. Powertrain.

Second generation (RJ; 2018)

Kia debuted the all new K9/K900 (still sold as the Quoris in a few markets) at the March 2018 New York International Auto Show. The new generation is longer and wider than the outgoing model, and has a wheelbase stretched by about 2.3 inches (60 mm). It retains the same 8-speed transmission, as well as the same three engine choices. The interior features higher quality leather and wood trim, as well as an analog clock developed by Maurice Lacroix. Kia also introduced an AWD model in South Korea for the second generation. 2021 facelift. The exterior images of the newer facelift version were released on 17 May 2021. Compared to the pre-facelift model, it got a wider grille with chrome V logos, a full-width rear lamp, and a repositioned number plate. This version also got a tweaked interior, such as a larger 14.5-inch infotainment display and fingerprint authentication system. Powertrain.

Marketing

To promote the K900, Kia Motors released their Super Bowl XLVIII commercial, featuring Laurence Fishburne reprising his role as Morpheus from The Matrix series. In October 2014, basketball player LeBron James was named Kia's K900 luxury ambassador. The Kia K900 sold over 200 units per month from April to June in the U.S. market its launch year. Sales dropped to roughly 100-130 units in July and August 2014, and then to 56 in September and up to 62 October. The K900 was discontinued in 2018 in Canada, and in 2021 in the United States. Kia cited the market transition from large cars to crossovers and SUVs. Only 305 units of the K900 were sold in the US in 2020.

Discontinuation

On 6 July 2026, Kia has confirmed that the K9 will be discontinued at the end of 2026 after 14 years of production, due to declining sales. The K8 will soon serve as Kia's largest car due to its similar segment.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Kia K9
Manufacturer: Kia Corporation
aka: Kia K900 (United States and Canada) , Kia Quoris
Production: 2012–2026
Class: Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style: 4-door sedan
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (2018–2026)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q497198CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_K9CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375993504 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kia_K9_KH_facelift_01_China_2016-04-15.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Navigator84 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.kia.com/worldwide/intLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.