This refreshed Kia K8 also adds some cool cabin tech to make for a compelling luxury sedan package.
Kia has recently unveiled a refreshed version of its K8 large luxury sedan, marking the first significant upgrade to the model in three years since its initial launch back in 2021. This most recent facelift brings with it a distinctive new front end aesthetic, as well as some rather neat cabin tech.
Now starting with its new slab-fronted face first, this bold new front end continues on from the current Kia family look first seen on the new EV9. A pair of vertical L-shaped headlights (with new adaptive high beam technology) is connected by a wide LED strip right on its bonnet line, while the three-dimensional bumper design complemented by a long horizontal chrome accent further down below is touted by its maker to ‘reinforce the grandeur typical of a semi-large sedan’.
Turning towards its fastback rump on the other hand here, its carry-over taillight design is to be joined by a restyled bumper that sees this refreshed K8 appear slightly larger to the eye over its pre-facelift predecessor. Kia has also since hidden its once-visible exhaust tips as well, in order to give this an overall cleaner look round its rear.
Moving on inside this updated Kia meanwhile, the premium feel of its cabin has been enhanced through the inclusion of more soft-touch materials and an LED ambient light strip that bisects the dashboard. The dashboard layout has been slightly redesigned too with a more modern geometric layout, and now features next-generation infotainment system in its dual floating curved screen display too.
Other minor yet still worthwhile tech highlights worth mentioning with this refreshed K8 is for it to feature ‘Preview Electronic Control Suspension’ system that uses road and navigation data to adjust the vehicle’s suspension for a smoother ride, as well as an ‘Active Load Noise Control’ system that is linked to the Meridian Premium Sound system for a quieter cabin environment. A comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that includes a capacitive sensor-based steering wheel grip detection are further to be found in this big Kia, as are a whopping 10 airbags and illuminated seatbelt buckles.
Powering this refreshed K8 is to be the same set of engines as before, with a front-drive 2.5-litre four-pot packing 195 hp being the base power plant available. There is then the option to step up to either a 296 hp 3.5-litre V6 that can send drive to all four wheels or a 237 hp version that runs on liquified propane, with lastly a hybrid 1.6-litre rated at a combined 227 hp rounding off the presently available alternatives.
All non-electrified versions of the refreshed Kia K8 is expected to go on sale this month in its home market of South Korea, while the hybrid is set to arrive shortly after when it eventually obtains the necessary certification. Prices for this BMW 5-Series rival ranges from the equivalent of RM 120,000 to RM 170,000 over there, but it should go without saying that this large luxury sedan will not be making its way to Malaysia anytime soon.
