Kia Discontinues Flagship Luxury Sedan K9 After 87% Sales Drop

Kia is ending production of its flagship luxury sedan, the K9, by the end of 2026 due to a significant decline in sales. The K9, which was known as the K900 in the US market before being discontinued in 2021, saw its sales plummet from 11,843 units in 2018 to just 1,581 units in 2025. This represents an 87% drop in sales.

The K9 was based on the Genesis G80 platform and featured a rear-wheel-drive layout. It was available with a twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 engine and all-wheel drive. The current model starts at ₩60,340,000 (around $40,000) in South Korea and tops out at ₩79,940,000 ($53,000) for the range-topping Masters trim.

With the discontinuation of the K9, the K8 will become the largest sedan in Kia’s lineup. The decision to end production of the K9 is expected to free up resources for more profitable projects, including the development of electric vehicles and purpose-built vehicles. The production lines currently occupied by the K9 will be repurposed for these future models.