Kia K9

Kia K9: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Kia K9 choice depends mainly on whether you want the lighter, simpler first-generation specification, the second generation’s broader choice of RWD and AWD, or a later restyled car with a 77-litre fuel tank. The first generation offers 3.3 AT, 3.8 AT and 5.0 AT versions, all with an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD.

The Kia K9 choice depends mainly on whether you want the lighter, simpler first-generation specification, the second generation’s broader choice of RWD and AWD, or a later restyled car with a 77-litre fuel tank. The first generation offers 3.3 AT, 3.8 AT and 5.0 AT versions, all with an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. The second generation adds direct injection, a turbocharged 3.3 GDI V6 AT, naturally aspirated 3.8 GDI V6 AT alternatives, and AWD versions. Among all listed cars, outputs range from 300 hp to 425 hp, while the measured 0–100 km/h times range from 7 seconds to 5.1 seconds. The catalogue contains five production stages within two generations, all with a Sedan body.

Kia K9 generations: what changed?

The first-generation Kia K9 was produced from 2012 to 2014 as a Sedan with two versions: 3.3 AT and 3.8 AT. Both use front, longitudinal Gasoline engines, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. The 3.3 AT develops 300 hp and 355 Nm, while the 3.8 AT raises those figures by 34 hp and 48 Nm. Their measured 0–100 km/h times are 7 and 6.4 seconds respectively.

The first-generation restyling ran from 2014 to 2018 and expanded the range to four listed versions. These are 3.3 AT with 300 hp, 3.8 AT with 334 hp, 5.0 AT with 425 hp, and another 3.3 AT distinguished by its 311 hp output. Every version retained an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. The major addition was the 5.0 AT, whose 425 hp and 520 Nm exceed the 300 hp 3.3 AT by 125 hp and 165 Nm.

The second-generation Kia K9 ran from 2018 to 2021 as a Sedan with five versions. It introduced both RWD and AWD choices, direct injection across the listed range, and a turbocharged 3.3 GDI V6 AT alongside naturally aspirated 3.8 GDI V6 AT versions. The listed outputs are 315, 370 and 425 hp. Unlike the first-generation entries, these versions include measured fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and kerb weights.

The first restyling of the second generation began in 2021 and contains four versions: 3.8 GDI V6 AT, 3.8 GDI V6 AWD AT, 3.3 GDI V6 AT and 3.3 GDI V6 AWD AT. The engine and drive choices remain split between 315 hp naturally aspirated and 370 hp turbo versions, with RWD or AWD. All four have a 77-litre fuel tank.

The second restyling of the second generation began in 2024 and also contains four versions. The database lists 3.3 GDI V6 AT and 3.3 GDI V6 4WD AT at 370 hp, plus 3.8 GDI V6 AT and 3.8 GDI V6 4WD AT at 315 hp. All have front, longitudinal engines, direct injection, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and a 77-litre tank. Both 4WD-named versions use AWD according to the drive field.

Kia K9 engine specs and version comparison

On power per litre, the 2018–2021 3.8 GDI V6 AT with 425 hp leads at about 112.5 hp per litre. The 3342 cc, 370 hp turbo versions from 2018 and 2021 produce about 110.7 hp per litre. The 2014–2018 5.0 AT produces about 84.4 hp per litre, while the first-generation 300 hp 3.3 AT delivers about 89.8 hp per litre. These ratios compare output with displacement; they do not measure durability or real-world performance.

The 370 hp 3.3 GDI V6 AT is especially useful when torque matters: its 510 Nm arrives at 1300 rpm. The 315 hp 3.8 GDI V6 AT produces 397 Nm at 5000 rpm, so the turbo version supplies 55 hp and 113 Nm more, with the listed torque peak occurring 3700 rpm earlier.

Kia K9 performance, fuel economy and emissions

Only the first-generation versions have measured 0–100 km/h figures in the supplied data. The 300 hp 3.3 AT takes 7 seconds, the 334 hp 3.8 AT takes 6.4 seconds, and the 425 hp 5.0 AT takes 5.1 seconds. The 311 hp 3.3 AT also takes 7 seconds. The 5.0 AT therefore reaches 100 km/h 1.9 seconds sooner than either listed 3.3 AT result. Top speed is not measured for every version.

For the 2018–2021 second generation, the 315 hp 3.8 GDI V6 AT with RWD records 12.8 l/100 km in the city, 9.1 on the highway and 11.1 combined. Its AWD counterpart records 13.7, 9.7 and 11.9 l/100 km, increases of 0.9, 0.6 and 0.8 l/100 km.

The 370 hp 3.3 GDI V6 AT with RWD records 13.5 l/100 km city, 9.2 highway and 11.5 combined. The corresponding AWD version records 14.2, 9.9 and 12.5 l/100 km. The 425 hp 3.8 GDI V6 AT records 15.6, 10.5 and 13.3 l/100 km, the highest measured consumption in the supplied range.

From 2021, the 315 hp 3.8 GDI V6 AT retains figures of 12.8 l/100 km city, 9.1 highway and 11.1 combined. The 370 hp 3.3 GDI V6 AT records 13.5, 9.2 and 11.5 l/100 km. That means the 370 hp RWD choice adds 55 hp and 113 Nm while increasing combined consumption by 0.4 l/100 km.

All second-generation versions with stated emissions meet Euro 6. Listed CO₂ output runs from 192 to 231 g/km. Acceleration to 100 km/h and top speed are not measured for these versions.

Kia K9 dimensions, weight and tank capacity

Overall exterior dimensions, ground clearance, gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed Kia K9 version. First-generation kerb weight and fuel-tank capacity are also not measured.

In the 2018–2021 range, the 315 hp 3.8 GDI V6 AT weighs 1915 kg with RWD and 1985 kg with AWD. AWD therefore adds 70 kg. The equivalent power-to-weight figures are about 6.08 kg per hp and 6.30 kg per hp.

The 370 hp 3.3 GDI V6 AT weighs 2015 kg with RWD and 2085 kg with AWD, again a 70 kg difference. These versions carry about 5.45 and 5.64 kg per hp respectively. The 425 hp 3.8 GDI V6 AT weighs 2165 kg, or about 5.09 kg per hp, giving it the strongest power-to-weight result among the second-generation versions with measured weight.

From 2021, the 315 hp 3.8 GDI V6 AT weighs 1930 kg with RWD and 2000 kg with AWD. The 370 hp 3.3 GDI V6 AT is listed at 2005 kg in both RWD and AWD form. Each version has a 77-litre tank; gross weight, ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured.

For the 2024 restyling, kerb weights are 1930 kg for 3.8 GDI V6 AT, 2000 kg for 3.8 GDI V6 4WD AT, and 2005 kg for both 3.3 GDI V6 AT and 3.3 GDI V6 4WD AT. Every version has a 77-litre tank. Overall dimensions, gross weight, ground clearance and wheel sizes remain not measured.

Which Kia K9 version should you choose?

Choose the first-generation 3.8 AT if you want the clearest measured improvement over the base 3.3 AT without moving to the eight-cylinder option. Its additional 34 hp and 48 Nm reduce the measured 0–100 km/h time from 7 to 6.4 seconds.

Choose the 2014–2018 5.0 AT if the priority is the V8 and the quickest measured acceleration. Its V-shaped 8-cylinder engine produces 425 hp and 520 Nm, and its 5.1-second 0–100 km/h result is the best measured figure in the catalogue. Fuel consumption, kerb weight and top speed are not measured, so those factors cannot be compared honestly.

Choose the second-generation 3.8 GDI V6 AT with 315 hp if measured fuel economy matters most. Its 11.1 l/100 km combined figure is the lowest listed, alongside 192 g/km of CO₂. The RWD version also has the lowest measured second-generation kerb weight at 1915 kg before the restylings and 1930 kg afterward.

Choose the 3342 cc, 370 hp 3.3 GDI V6 AT from 2018 or 2021 for the strongest balance of output and measured consumption. In RWD form it provides 510 Nm and uses 11.5 l/100 km combined, only 0.4 l/100 km more than the 315 hp RWD alternative. AWD is available, but the 2018–2021 comparison shows a 70 kg increase and combined consumption rising from 11.5 to 12.5 l/100 km.

Choose the 2018–2021 3.8 GDI V6 AT with 425 hp if the best measured second-generation power-to-weight ratio matters more than economy. It offers about 5.09 kg per hp but consumes 13.3 l/100 km combined and emits 231 g/km of CO₂.

For a later car, the 2021 restyling presents the most internally consistent choice data: 315 hp or 370 hp, RWD or AWD, and a 77-litre tank throughout. The 2024 restyling retains the same power choices and tank capacity, but its version names and recorded displacements should be read exactly as listed: 3.3 GDI V6 AT is recorded at 3778 cc, while 3.8 GDI V6 AT is recorded at 3342 cc. Reliability, problems, prices and cars for sale are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot be used to recommend one version over another.