SPECS 2019 Kia K900 AWD
Base Price/As Tested $60,895/$64,895
Power (SAE net) 365 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 376 lb-ft @ 1,300 rpm
Accel, 0-60 mph 5.4 sec
Quarter Mile 13.9 sec @ 102.2 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 121 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.87 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 25.7 sec @ 0.72 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 18/25/21 mpgCadillac CT5
COTY I Contenders
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Engine/Transmission 3.3L twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6/8-speed automatic Curb Weight
(F/R Dist) 4,716 lb (52/48%) Wheelbase 122.2 in Length x Width x Height 201.6 x 75.4 x 58.7 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy 187/135 kW-hr/100 miles
CO2 Emissions, Comb 0.94 lb/milePRO Comfortable ride • Superbly crafted interior • Great value
CON Anonymous exterior • Leisurely transmission • Wallowy suspensionKia K900
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Engine/Transmission 2.0L turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4/10-speed automatic Curb Weight
(F/R Dist) 3,693 lb (51/49%) Wheelbase 116.0 in Length x Width x Height 193.8 x 74.1 x 57.2 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy Not yet rated
CO2 Emissions, Comb Not yet ratedSPECS 2020 Cadillac CT5 350T
Base Price/As Tested $37,890/$54,590
Power (SAE net) 237 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 258 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm
Accel, 0-60 mph 7.1 sec
Quarter Mile 15.3 sec @ 91.9 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 114 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.88 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 26.2 sec @ 0.68 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb Not yet ratedreview in GM’s Shanghai studio,”
MacKenzie said. Theodore had
similar thoughts, calling it a “skin
blotch.” There are not a lot of
ways to spin that positively.
The CT5’s updated Alpha 2
platform is still tossable, but
not like its predecessors. One
problem is the CT5’s suspension
tuning; it pushes at the limit,
and the wimpy 237-hp 2.0-liter
turbocharged I-4 doesn’t make
correcting with throttle easy. At
least its 10-speed automatic
transmission shifts smartly,T
he Cadillac CT5 sedan
replaces both the CTS and
ATS—th e fo rm e r o u r 2014
Car of the Year winner and still
a sport sedan we hold in high
regard. So this new Caddy has
some big shoes to fill. Unfor-
tunately for Cadillac, the CT5
comes up a few sizes too small.
Although the Cadillac is
handsome in front, most judges
couldn’t get behind its bizarre
C-pillar graphic.
“It looks like it was stuck on at
the last minute after a designespecially when downshifting
using the paddle shifters.
“After the CTS and ATS, the
chassis is a disappointment,”
MacKenzie said. “The CT5 doesn’t
feel as powerful or as alert, and
the default handling mode is
mild understeer. You can get
it to rotate, but it takes a lot of
provocation.”
The interior is a mixed bag.
Some aspects, such as the
carbon-fiber trim with red
accents to match the stitching,
are well executed. But otherswitchgear and plastics are
pulled from the familiar GM parts
bin and detract from any sort
of premium feel. The responsive
haptic touchscreen improves
Cadillac’s once-balky CUE info-
tainment system. The rear seat
offers excellent legroom but is
tight on headroom.
Cortina summed up the CT5
best: “This is one of those cars
that I can’t recommend to people
shopping in this class. I just don’t
see anything special or attractive
here.” Alex NishimotoQuibbles? Mundane exterior
styling. Unlike its predecessor,
the 2019 K900’s conservative
design flies under the radar,
even with details like the layered
headlights and taillights. Looks
aside, the K900 shows that Kia
can build a proper luxo-barge,
with content the equivalent of
something that costs much more.
Stefan OgbacT
he 2019 Kia K900 surprised us
all. Despite the mainstream
badge on the hood, the K900
garnered praise as a proper full-
size luxur y sedan that’s strong in
value and premium fitments. Now
on a long-wheelbase version of
the Kia Stinger and Genesis G70’s
rear-drive platform, the K900
proves it’s not a cheap copycat.
The K900 comes with a 365-hp
3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 paired to
an eight-speed automatic. After
some initial turbo lag, the K900
accelerates effortlessly and staysremarkably planted. However, the
transmission’s leisurely down-
shifts indicate chauffeur tuning.
Coddling passengers remains
the K900’s mission statement.
Its drive mode selector even has
a Comfort+ setting under the
Individual option for the best
ride. Not that you need it; the
standard setup is already super
comfortable. As a trade-off,
however, the suspension wallows
over big bumps, the brake feel is
a bit reedy, and the standard tires
chuff mightily when cornering.The 2019 Kia K900 is a huge
bargain for a full-size luxury
sedan, especially considering
its outstanding build quality.
MacKenzie declared that
although the K900 is half the
price of a BMW 745e, it’s more
than half the vehicle. The quiet,
spacious cabin drew plenty of
compliments—especially the
feature-laden rear seats.PRO Improved infotainment • Generous rear seat • Carbon-fiber trim
CON Overworked turbo-four • Uninspiring interior • Lackluster dynamics80 MOTORTREND.COM JANUARY 2020