I hope you are correct. Both are very nice cars that deserve to sell. I came very close to buying a G80 myself a couple of months ago....probably would have, if the all-new Lacrosse had not been on the market.

 

I agree, most people do not, will not care that KIA has some high end products. North Americans want the badge. The badge is what it is. The RX and ES are proof of this. Good cars, but not great. FWD and not RWD, but what the offer is affordability, good features, nice materials, and that sought after badge.

 

exactly. it's badge snobbery and/or perceived level of prestige.

 

In today's automotive market, there are so many good (even excellent) vehicles from so many different manufacturers that, as I see it, it's difficult to get too worked up over any single vehicle or brand. Personally, I happen to like Buicks (especially the large ones) for everyday driving comfort/pleasure, Lexus for fit/finish, careful assembly, and overall quality, Subarus for versatility and an excellent winter AWD system, Mazdas and older BMWs as Drivers' Cars, Porsche as the ultimate mass-production sports car, Hyundai/Kia for value for money and good solid hardware, Volvo and Mercedes for safety, and the Lincoln Continental for overall styling inside and out. But, many other vehicles not of these nameplates are also excellent performers/candidates, and also deserve consideration. That's why, when people ask me for advice, I seldom recommend just one vehicle or one nameplate.

 

what works for you likely doesn't for the rest.

 

The history of automotive car buying is littered with examples of cars and trucks that people don't need, but want. There really wasn't any real reason for people to be buying body on frame SUV's in the 1980's and right through to the late 90's. Then people decided they wanted softer ride and better handling and decent steering feel all at the same time.

That's when the auto makers came up with crossovers which are nothing more than cars raised up on stilts and with boxy bodies to make them look all "tough" and "rugged". Now the pickup truck makers are softening their vehicles and making them better handlers with better fuel mileage. But honestly, the number of people I see blasting around from light to light in that F150 Ecoboost is absurd. There's one person sitting in there and the bed is empty.

Europeans, because of their higher taxes and fuel costs buy smaller vehicles. They drive small diesels and they drive hatchbacks, wagons etc. But you'll never convince the average North American consumer to buy a wagon or hatch instead of the big gigantic 6500 lb pickup or SUV. If they can't do that they'll make a reasonable choice but even then, they'll go do a crossover instead of the minivan. It's all about image instead of practicality.

And one further note. If North Americans had to pass strict driving tests with those gigantic vehicles every year or two, they would fail!

 

I say let the rest speak for themselves....as I did.

 

It's true that the CUVs and crossovers didn't have quite the bouncy ride of BOF trucks, but they were still more firm in the ride-department than most sedans....with Subarus being some of the rare exceptions.

Well, the bed may be empty right there at the stoplight next to your car, but how do you know that person is not on his or way to work at a construction site or other place of business where trucks are needed?

It's more than just image. Lots of American tow boats or other bulky items, and need the beef and size of large trucks and SUVs.

Now there, you might have something LOL.

 

yeah, because the flagship models of kia and hyundai are doing so well.

 

Nothing is going to do well if people don't (or won't) get off their rear ends and go look at them. Also compounding the K900's low sales is the fact that, like with only certain Kia shops handling Genesis sales, only a few Kia shops handle the K900....it is not sold at every Kia dealership.

 

Maybe because the k900 had terrible reviews by most auto mags is also the reason for low sales? Sure it's cheap compared to luxury marquees but most of the luxury marquees have pretty good driving dynamics.

Per C&D:

"The K900’s combination of flaccid handling, floaty ride, and vague steering has often triggered comparisons to “old-school Detroit� sedans, mostly from reviewers who clearly have little experience with the real thing beyond reading the descriptions penned by grizzled veterans."

Sounds pretty terrible to me.

 

C&D has their heads in the sand LOL. That's the whole idea of the K900......luxury over sport. It was not intended to be a Korean BMW, but a nice, relaxing Korean Buick Lacrosse. The auto magazines tend to think that everything should ride and handle like a Porsche 911.

 

The K900 is a decent value in the segment but it's being overshadowed by the Genesis G90. Last month Kia sold 35 K900's and is averaging about 35-40 per month so far this year. Genesis sold 305 G90's and is averaging about 365 per month. At this point it's up to Kia to generate more interest among potential buyers in the K900, it that's possible at this point. The reviews in general have been OK but there are a lot of better more expensive and prestigious options out there that are selling much better. I'd say the outlook isn't too good.

 

Lexus has established a strong following over the years due to their reliability and strong marketing/branding (e.g. sponsoring major golf events). They've aligned themselves with the same demographic as people who buy German luxury vehicles because of this; and thus, their cars are frequently cross-shopped with their German rivals. For the longest time, if you wanted a car that was nearly as nice as Bimmers and Mercs but didn't want to deal with the reliability and cost of ownership headaches associated with those brands, Lexus fit the bill to the tee. Even now, the other Japanese luxury brands don't have much to offer save for the MDX, Q50, and whatever the JX is named now.

 

I'm sorta like the OP. For many flagship lux buyers, Lexus is not even a consideration.
I've always seen Lexus as the value alternative, without stooping to acura and infiniti.

So I think Lexus' brand value is less than the bmw and merc, but the highest among japanese brands, particularly because it has a comprehensive line-up with some desirable cars.
But desirability does not surpass bmw merc, especially with all the high power niche products these brands have lately.
Merc and BMW seem to be without budget constraints, whereas Lexus bean counters still seem to have a say.

All Lexus needs is a R8 NSX mid engine halo car.