The engine at the heart of the Cadenza is a 3.3L V6 engine making 290 horsepower, sent to the front wheels. While front-wheel drive means slightly lower limits at the race track, it also means more space for interior occupants, without the limiting factor of a driveshaft to run to the rear of the car. Power is transferred to the wheels through an 8-speed automatic gearbox, promising quick, precise shifts and excellent fuel economy. Despite being a large car with a relatively big engine, the Cadenza is rated at 20 mpg in the city.
The Cadenza is available in three distinct trim levels: Premium, Technology and Limited. As their names imply, there is no "stripper" model of Cadenza, they all come very nicely equipped even the "base" Premium trim.
Standard items on the Cadenza include a 7-inch touch screen to control the stereo, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto services, a rear camera display, Bluetooth connectivity and dual-zone automatic climate control. Seating surfaces are leather, and the driver gets a 10-way power adjustable seat while the front passenger seat is 8-way power adjustable. Both are heated and the interior comes trimmed in elegant wood grain. Outside, the Cadenza comes with heated mirrors, 18-inch wheels and a smart trunk that will open automatically if it senses the owner standing behind it with the keys.
The Technology trim adds LED headlights and fog lights, as well as an advanced cruise control system that uses radar to maintain a set distance between the Cadenza and whatever is in front of it. Inside, the center screen is bigger at 8-inches, while the stereo has also been uprated: it's a 630 Watt Harman/Kardon system bumping through 12 speakers. A wireless smartphone charger is also included, along with vented front seats.
The Limited trim comes with luxurious quilted Nappa leather seats, heated rear seats, a smart power trunk that will even close without the use of hands and mean looking 19-inch wheels finished in a dark satin color.
Luxurious And Comfortable Transportation For Up To Five People
Reliability And Build Quality
Sophisticated Drivetrain
Handsome Styling
The 2017 Cadenza has been given a full redesign, returning for this year with even more luxury and comfort. The body structure is stiffer resulting in a better controlled ride and more confident handling while new interior tech has also been added to increase driver and passenger comfort and convenience. Particular care has gone into the interior materials which now feel more luxurious to the touch while also being nicer to look at than those in the outgoing car.
The Kia Cadenza is an entry level luxury car, starting at a hair below $32,000. It competes with cars like the Toyota Avalon and the Lexus ES300. While it is priced similarly to the BMW 3-Series and the Audi A4, the Cadenza offers much higher levels of space and comfort than those cars while sacrificing a little bit of handling ability and sportiness. The Cadenza is aimed squarely at people who want to commute in luxury and comfort, but who also want enough room to bring their friends and family without feeling like a bunch of sardines.
