Kia, the renowned automotive brand, has unveiled an upgraded version of its mid-size sedan, the K8, in its home market of South Korea on August 9, 2024. This marks the first update to the Kia K8’s new generation, which was introduced in 2021.
The new Kia K8 boasts significant improvements in its exterior design, adopting the United Opposites design language seen in other modern Kia models such as the EV9, Carnival, Sorento, and Morning.
The highlight of the 2025 Kia K8 is its striking front end, featuring new vertical headlights and LED daytime running lights inspired by constellations.
Between the headlights sits a redesigned “tiger nose” grille, now narrower and adorned with high-tech LED lighting. The sedan also sports a new front bumper with a wider central air intake and horizontal chrome trim, giving the front end a more substantial presence.
Moving to the sides, the profile remains largely unchanged, except for new wheel designs and a revised C-pillar treatment. Depending on the trim level, the K8 will be fitted with 17-inch, 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch alloy wheels.
At the rear, the Kia K8 2025 gains sharper taillights that are connected by a light bar spanning the width of the trunk lid. The rear bumper has also been redesigned, featuring new air vents in the lower corners.
Korean customers will have a choice of six exterior colors for the Kia K8 2025, including two new options: Ivory Silver and Sunset Beige.
When finished in Interstellar Gray, the K8 features blacked-out exterior trim, including the grille, logo, and alloy wheels.
The 2025 K8 also sees a slight increase in dimensions, now measuring 5,050 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,455 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,895 mm. This makes it 35 mm longer than its predecessor.
Inside, the K8 offers a spacious 5-seat cabin, although rear legroom may be a bit tight for passengers taller than 1.8 meters. Unlike its rival, the Hyundai Grandeur, the K8’s rear seats do not recline.
The interior upgrades are more substantial than the exterior changes. True to its position as an upscale mid-size sedan, the K8 now features plusher materials and a more premium ambiance. In addition to leather upholstery, the cabin is accented with light-colored wood trim.
The dashboard incorporates a large curved display that houses a digital instrument cluster and a central infotainment touchscreen. The K8 also features a multi-color ambient lighting system that interacts with the driver in various scenarios, such as speed limit warnings, entering areas with children, voice control activation, and greeting or farewell messages.
Other notable interior features include a new steering wheel similar to the one found in the Kia EV9 electric car, the next-generation ccNC infotainment system with over-the-air software updates, natural voice recognition, two wireless charging pads, a fingerprint scanner for driver identification, a center armrest with built-in UV-C and heat sterilization, and a Meridian sound system with active noise cancellation.
The interior lighting sets the mood and enhances the overall ambiance.
Safety has been enhanced with the addition of 10 airbags, an upgraded second-generation lane-keeping assist system, and intelligent headlights.
As expected, the new K8 retains the same four engine options as its predecessor in the Korean market. These include a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine producing 198 horsepower and 248 Nm of torque, a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated Smartstream engine with 300 horsepower and 359 Nm of torque, a 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain with a combined output of 230 horsepower, and a 3.5-liter LPi engine that runs on liquefied petroleum gas, delivering 240 horsepower and 314 Nm of torque.
All engines, except for the hybrid, are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The K8 also offers an all-wheel-drive system, a new electronically controlled suspension, and a high-speed vehicle control system.
In South Korea, the 2025 Kia K8 is priced between 37.36 and 51.67 million Won (approximately $28,000 to $38,700).
Delkor – The Best Korean Car Battery
Delkor, the brand from Johnson Controls, the world’s largest automotive battery manufacturer, has been awarded the prestigious top quality award by the Korean Standards Association (KSA).
Hyundai and Kia slash prices on a range of electric vehicles in their home country to boost sales
In order to boost end-of-year sales, Hyundai and Kia, two leading automotive brands in South Korea, have decided to reduce prices on select electric car models.
[QUICK REVIEW] Hyundai Genesis G80 EV: Luxurious Electric Sedan with Authentic Korean Touch
The water capability of the luxury electric sedan model from South Korea, Genesis G80 EV, is being seriously considered according to Hyundai Thanh Cong, the distributor.
Nissan Altima: The Road to Becoming a Legend
Perhaps nowadays, Nissan Altima is the most “annoying” name in the midsize sedan race. How did the path that this car wanders on take important turns?
