Kia’s Bold Leap: Der neue K8 Limousine Herausforderung der SUV-Dominanz

The new Kia K8 stands out as a bold sedan in a world dominated by SUVs

Do you recall the Cadenza? It's very much alive, just sporting a new moniker

What about Kia's large sedans? In Europe, they're a distant memory post-Stinger, with few recalling names like Opirus or Optima. Kia discontinued the Cadenza in the US in 2021, but that very year, its successor was introduced in South Korea. Known domestically as the K7, this large sedan has been rebranded as the K8 for its latest incarnation.

An update is now available at the midpoint of the cycle. In classic Kia fashion, the updates are substantial, even though it's technically just a facelift. Aligning with Kia's latest design language (think EV9 and Picanto), the K8 is getting vertical headlights that give the car a futuristic look.

Photo Gallery: 2025 Kia K8 (South Korea)

The front end of the car has undergone a total redesign from the previous model, now featuring a wide LED strip that links the headlights. Additionally, Kia has repositioned its emblem from the bumper to the lower part of the hood.

Modifications to the rear of the vehicle are subtler, yet it's a relief to see that the unsightly pretend exhaust tips have been removed. It seems the taillights remain unchanged, but the rear bumper now boasts a more streamlined design. Notably, after the bumper redesign, the front and rear overhangs have extended slightly, which is atypical for a facelift.

Upcoming 2025 Model of the Kia

Significant updates have been made to the interior of the vehicle as well. The redesigned climate control buttons are now situated below the central air vents. Kia has incorporated additional soft-touch materials and introduced an LED ambient light strip that bisects the dashboard. In the back, the seatbelt buckles are illuminated. Speaking of safety, it's worth noting that all models come standard with 10 airbags. The headlights are equipped with adaptive high-beam technology that partially dims to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers.

Recall that the discontinued Cadenza was only available in a front-wheel-drive configuration. From its initial launch in Korea, the K8 has been offered with the option of four-wheel drive. The entry-level model is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine delivering 198 horsepower and 248 Nm of torque. For those seeking additional power, there is an option for a larger 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 300 horsepower and 359 Nm of torque. It's worth noting that the all-wheel-drive option is exclusive to the latter engine.

Customers have the option of selecting a 3.5 LPI, which represents liquefied petroleum gas injection, equipped with 240 horsepower and 313 Newton meters of torque. The final drivetrain offering is a 1.6-liter hybrid that delivers 230 horsepower and 265 Newton meters of torque, a configuration familiar from the Kia Sportage in our market.

Despite being dubbed "The Priceless" by Kia for its 2025 K8, which is comparable in size to a BMW 5 Series, the elegant sedan does indeed have a price tag. The entry-level version is priced at roughly $27,300 (€25,000) based on the current exchange rate, which seems quite reasonable. Even the highest-tier model appears to be a good deal at approximately €34,600 when converted.

Latest from Kia:

All models, except for the hybrid version, will hit the market in South Korea this month. The electrified model will be released as soon as Kia secures the necessary certification. Unfortunately, it looks like the K8 won't be making its way to our shores.

Source: Kia

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