Kia K8 Hybrid

The first-ever Kia K8 luxury premium sedan, the first Kia to wear the new logo, is now joined by its new hybrid variant for those who want an economically conscious luxury sedan that is all about performance and ecology blended in a just-right vehicle that will humiliate Japanese luxury hybrids by all means necessary.

The K8 Hybrid starts at around 36,980,000 Korean Won plus additional costs and at first glance it looks, feels, and works just like its petrol-powered equivalent but with the hybrid powertrain to boot.

On the exterior design, it's just like the normal K8 judging from the massive front grille, the Arena logo-esque foglamps, caltrop-shaped rear lamps, and its fastback styling akin to the Audi A7 but the hybrid dons the HEV badge at the back and specially-made 17-inch wheels that are going to let them know.

On the interior, it features a 12.3-inch cluster with hybrid-specific dials while the 12.3-inch UVO navigation screen comes with hybrid contents that check how does its hybrid powertrain work. Like the normal K8, it still fits up to five people and features a wide range of luxury concessions to keep them accommodated on the go.

Under the hood, the K8 Hybrid features the Smartstream Turbo Hybrid powertrain first applied on the Sorento MQ4 last year. It's a turbocharged 180PS 1.6L petrol engine bolted to a 44.4kW electric motor and a li-ion battery, while mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. As a result, it has a fuel economy of 18kmpl.

Unlike most models, the K8 Hybrid is available only in front-wheel-drive so the only foes it will chase down is the Lexus ES because thanks to its sophisticated suspension setup, it will humiliate the ES by a long shot although the K8 Hybrid's less fuel-efficient compared to the ES, that's for sure.

Lastly, the K8 features the same roster of Drive Wise safety tech as the normal one, putting drivers on notice.

Although the new K8 Hybrid is less efficient than the Lexus ES, it's worth rewarding because of its turbocharged hybrid powertrain, six-speed AT that works unlike the ES's CVT and tons of luxury concessions that will upset its Japanese rival. Is this the hybrid luxury sedan you would want to try?

Photo: Kia

Kia K8

The year 2021 marks a brave new era for Kia and having greeted the world with its weird-looking new logo that made everyone's skins crawl, they have welcomed the first of its new beginning; a brand-new luxury premium sedan called the K8.

The first-ever Kia K8, priced at 32.8 million won or over 33,000 Dollars plus additional costs, served as the replacement of the K7 premium midsize sedan, and this new luxury saloon is the first of Kia's bold new era because this is the first Kia model to don the new logo.

Before getting to know more about the K8, let's observe the design first and while the fastback styling made the K8 seductive to look at, the front and the rear view is rather questionable because, on the front, the massive grille on it makes it less suitable for those who have trypophobia while the foglamps are like several Arena logos bonded together. Yes, it's the brand that made sportswear but we're not talking about swim clubs, friend. At the back, you will see some caltrop lines on the rear lamps which are rather pointy indeed.

Step inside and you are greeted to a well-balanced interior that matches the same level as expensive German imports. Toying around with a wide range of gadgets such as the 12.3-inch UVO navigation, Meridian Premium Sound system, ergo motion seats, Kia CarPay, and so on, it's easy to find out why the K8 matches its German opposition in terms of keeping its occupants occupied on the go. As for the comfort side, its five-seating capacity makes it a suitable vehicle for VIPs, bodyguards, associates, even CEOs of a big company. The boot space is rather decent as well. Because it runs on the third-generation platform, it's surprisingly roomier than the K7 it replaces. Good one.

Under the hood, the K8 is powered by a choice of two petrol engines and a 3.5L LPi which is very cheap to fill. The 2.5L petrol engine produces 198PS of power and 25.3kgf-m of torque while the most powerful of the range, the Smartstream G 3.5 GDi engine, produces 300PS of power and 36.6kgf-m of torque. All are mated to an 8-speed AT, which is operated by a rotary knob selector similar to the ones used by the Jaguar Land Rover vehicles.

As a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the K8 is all about being stable on the roads while letting its sophisticated suspension setup do the talking, although it's more active to drive than the K7 it replaces. For the 3.5L variant with all-wheel-drive, the K8 is taking advantage of its newly-found balance to be as smooth as an Audi without all the drama involved. Coupled with the third-generation platform and some reworked chassis and the end result is a luxury car that is almost as emotional as expensive German imports, any way it can. As for safety, the K8 is packed with numerous safety features that will put them on notice.

The first-ever K8 from Kia may have the most questionable exterior design ever made for the rebirth of Kia but its interior comfort, tech, and performance made it a worthy contender to the Audi A4. This car truly is the new beginning for Kia and we can expect great things for the brand's revival.

Photo: Kia