Could the Overseas Kia K9 Be the Next Kia K Model After the Debut of the K4?

The Kia Corp sure is busy lately. With a lot of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and concepts being announced worldwide, we have a lot to look forward to than the Kia EV6 and Kia EV9. There are also the Kia EV5, Kia EV4, Kia EV3, and Kia EV8. The automaker is also rejuvenating some of its older models, like it did with the Optima, turning it into the Kia K5, and the Kia K3 that debuted last year. During the 2024 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), Kia finally announced the 2025 Kia K4 sport sedan, but there is one other K model we have our eyes on – the K9. Another luxury vehicle from Kia, looks incredibly sharp…too bad it’s still a South Korean exclusive.

This is the same fear we have with the Kia K3. There has been some PR on the K3, but no word of it coming to the North American market. So far, it’s only being released in Central America, primarily in Mexico. According to the manufacturer’s website, the only upcoming model to look forward to is the Kia K4. After its debut at the 2024 NYIAS, there was no doubt that it was coming to North America. The K9 is a different story, but it wouldn’t be the first luxury model to come from the automaker.

The Kia Carnival owns that title. This SUV would be the first entry the Kia Corp made into the luxury car segment. Called a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the Kia Carnival blends the best features of an SUV and a minivan without stepping on the toes of either. Offering a nice powertrain, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 GDI Lambda III engine, able to generate 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, this MPV also features an impressive 3,500-pound towing capacity. Really pulling out all the stops for this luxury model, consumers could find an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support available, as well as heated front seats and ventilated front seats, and a total of 24.6-inch digital screens made up of an available 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch instrument display.

As for the K9, we’re wondering if it’s the same pattern that Kia followed for other models. The Kia Optima was turned into a sports car and got its new name from its South Korean counterpart, K5. Rumors say the K3 is a replacement for the Kia Forte, and the K4 is the replacement for the Kia Rio. At one time, there was another K9 model in North America, known as the K900. Discontinued in 2021 after its second generation debut, the K900 was short-lived. Could the overseas K9 be its counterpart? Like the other new Kia K models the K9 features a new front fascia, but still features the signature “tiger nose” instead of the new “tiger face”. Riding on newly designed 19-inch wheels with all-wheel drive, the upgraded exterior is only matched by the interior, featuring massaging driver and front passenger seats.

Could the K9 be another rejuvenated model from Kia? We can only hope. Follow along with us on Miami Lakes Automall social media to keep up with all Kia news and new Kia models.

Photo Source/Copyright: Kia Media