Limited 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 6A)
Technology 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Technology 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Technology 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Technology 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 6A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Don’t want to go far?
Find all cars near me?Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 6A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 6A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Limited 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Technology 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 6A)
Technology 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Overall Rating
The updated Kia Cadenza stands its ground in its class. The Cadenza is an upscale sedan with a roomy interior that is complemented with a lot of standard features.
The full-size sedan is viewed as the paragon of extravagance. But with time, everything changes, and crossovers and SUVs have been a gradual part of that change. SUVs offer a remarkable blend of performance and practicality for families. On the off chance that you don't like that jacked up sitting position and you don't want to get rid of the dedicated cargo space, then a sedan is a good choice.
For 2017, the Kia Cadenza has been redesigned. Regardless, the Cadenza is outfitted with a 290-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. The Cadenza rivals the likes of Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus, and Chrysler 300.
As much as the base trim looks reasonable, we would recommend you to ditch the base variant and go for the technology package. You get all the features from the Base trim plus extra ventilated seats, extra lumbar support, and exterior lighting, etc.
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Technology 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 6A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 6A)
Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)
The updated Kia Cadenza stands its ground in its class. The Cadenza is an upscale sedan with a roomy interior that is complemented with a lot of standard features.
The full-size sedan is viewed as the paragon of extravagance. But with time, everything changes, and crossovers and SUVs have been a gradual part of that change. SUVs offer a remarkable blend of performance and practicality for families. On the off chance that you don't like that jacked up sitting position and you don't want to get rid of the dedicated cargo space, then a sedan is a good choice.
For 2017, the Kia Cadenza has been redesigned. Regardless, the Cadenza is outfitted with a 290-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. The Cadenza rivals the likes of Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus, and Chrysler 300.
The 2017 Kia Cadenza is an expansive, full-size sedan that offers a wealth of space for every one of its inhabitants. This Kia sedan is available in three trims namely Premium, Technology, and Limited. Indeed, even in its base Premium form, the Cadenza is all around prepared for what we believe is an extremely sensible cost.
Trim |
Premium |
Technology |
Limited |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$31,990 |
$38,990 |
$44,390 |
Key Features |
Clear lens projection headlights |
Panoramic sunroof |
Front, Side, And Rear-View Camera |
Front fog lights |
LED headlights w/High-Beam Assist |
Premium Leather |
|
Acoustic glass |
Wireless smartphone charger |
Cargo Floor Mats |
|
AM/FM/SiriusXM audio system |
Harman Kardon 630-watt premium audio system |
White Interior Package |
|
Rear-Camera Display w/Dynamic Guideline |
Rear-Camera Display w/Dynamic Guideline |
Chrome Alloy Wheels |
|
Push-button start w/Smart Key & Immobilizer |
Push-button start w/Smart Key & Immobilizer |
Smart power trunk |
|
8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat |
Power folding mirrors. |
Head-up display |
|
Leather seat trim |
Heated rear seats |
Its two accessible highlights bundles are joined into the Technology bundle (alongside a couple of other alluring additions), while the best trim Limited could conceivably trick your travelers into supposing they're riding in a Lexus.
Buying Advice
As much as the base trim looks reasonable, we would recommend you to ditch the base variant and go for the technology package. You get all the features from the Base trim plus extra ventilated seats, extra lumbar support, and exterior lighting, etc.
The Kia Cadenza is no sports sedan and it doesn't put on a show to be. The new Cadenza sticks to being smooth and predictable. A refreshed 290-horsepower, the 3.3-liter V6 engine is mated to Kia's in-house 8-speed automatic transmission. The power hustled is enough to overtake cars on the highway. The Cadenza offers four drive modes-Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart that each gives it marginally different identities.
However, Cadenza is most joyful at Comfort mode. The Smart mode is designed to automatically match vehicle response to your driving style. In other words, it learns how you drive, and then the transmission shifts accordingly. The shifts are smooth and quick. However, the paddle shifters on the steering wheel are not much fun to use.
Models |
Kia Cadenza premium |
Nissan Maxima S |
Ford Taurus SE |
Chrysler 300 limited |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$31,990 |
$32,910 |
$27,345 |
$32,340 |
Engine |
3.3L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
RWD |
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
CVT automatic |
6-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
290 hp @ 6400 rpm |
300 hp @ 6400 rpm |
288 hp @ 6500 rpm |
292 hp @ 6350 rpm |
Torque |
253 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm |
261 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
254 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm |
The Nissan Maxima tops the table due to its powerful engine but also it costs $1,000 more than the Cadenza. The Chrysler 300 shares similar power and torque figures like the Cadenza whereas the Ford Taurus stands in the last place. Considering the low price, the Taurus can be a good bargain.
Speeding up from a stop is continuous in each driving mode. The transmission is hesitant to downshift and pauses for a moment when executing rapid overtaking maneuvers.
The Cadenza is a genuine article 6.7 seconds from zero to 60 mph is a lot of liveliness for its size. But the Cadenza is more qualified to handle laid-back driving styles than forceful ones. Furthermore, it does a quarter of a mile in 14.8 seconds which is quite good in its class.
Models |
Kia Cadenza Premium |
Nissan Maxima S |
Ford Taurus SE |
Chrysler 300 Limited |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH (sec) |
6.5 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
6.6 |
Quarter mile (sec) |
14.8 |
14.3 |
15.1 |
15.2 |
Engine |
3.3L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
Top Speed (mph) |
155 |
135 |
143 |
155 |
Thanks to its powerful engine, the Nissan Maxima tops in both the performance tests with impressive numbers. The Ford Taurus catches the Cadenza in the acceleration test but loses its pace in the quarter-mile run. On the other hand, the Chrysler 300 slips behind the Taurus with just a millisecond difference.
Huge sedans prefer composure over athletic capacity, and the Cadenza is no exemption. A solid measure of discomfort is felt whenever you drive through a corner with some excitement. The suspension is light in Comfort mode and firms up marginally when Sport is chosen. The electric steering, which is a frequent source of complaint in Kia models, has been upgraded this year with a net profit and the result is that it’s not an issue anymore. The steering provides consistent levels of assist and linear response throughout the range of motion.
Kia tunes the Cadenza’s suspension to limit body motion and impact harshness and the result is stable handling combined with agreeable ride quality. It’s unsettled only by sharper bumps and cracks in the pavement. Oddly though given a claimed 35% increase in structural stiffness, the new Cadenza seems to flex more than you might expect for a car whose architecture is employing a significant amount of high-strength steel.
The brake pedal is easy to engage. Even with mild pressure, the brakes engage as soon as you put your foot down. It's also easy to modulate, with predictable increasing effort. Cadenza has a front brake pad of 12.6 inches, which is similar to the competition. The rear brake pad has the least size among its competitors (just 11.8 inches). The Cadenza takes just 120 feet to come to stop from a speed of 60 mph.
Model |
Kia Cadenza Premium |
Nissan Maxima S |
Ford Taurus SE |
Chrysler 300 Limited |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
12.6 |
12.6 |
13.9 |
12.6 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
11.8 |
12.1 |
13.6 |
12.6 |
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
3633 |
3478 |
3917 |
4029 |
60-0 MPH (ft.) |
120 |
125 |
N/A |
120 |
The Chrysler 300 amazes us with its amazing braking distance and the credit goes to its strong braking system. It only takes 120 feet to halt which is the same distance taken by the Cadenza. On the second spot is the Nissan Maxima with 125 feet.
The Kia Cadenza gets a new 8-speed automatic transmission that comes with two more gears over last year's car. This helps it to run smoother and offers marginal improvement of fuel economy. On the EPA test, the Cadenza checks in at 20 mpg in the city, 28 on the highways, and 23 mpg combined. Kia additionally says that Cadenza's new shape is more streamlined and it incorporates a better underbody design to streamline things much further. This sedan offers a decent fuel economy in the city, however, it only offers a marginal fuel economy on the highway.
Model |
Kia Cadenza Premium |
Nissan Maxima S |
Ford Taurus SE |
Chrysler 300 Limited |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
20 |
21 |
18 |
19 |
MPG (Highway) |
28 |
30 |
27 |
30 |
MPG (Combined) |
23 |
25 |
21 |
23 |
Fuel Capacity |
18.5 |
18 |
19 |
18.5 |
Range (City/Highway/Combined) |
370/518/444 |
378/540/459 |
342/513/427 |
352/555/453 |
The Nissan Maxima claims the title as the most fuel-efficient car in this segment. It offers an impressive combined mileage of 25 mpg. The Kia Cadenza and the Chrysler 300 have similar fuel estimates while the Ford Taurus doesn’t deliver a good fuel economy like its rivals.
From a tactical perspective, the interior is pleasant to touch and look at. Yes, in spots you’ll find hard plastics but there are also plenty of high-quality surfaces and the overall design has a restrained elegance to it. The wood accents on the dash look no more real than the stitching but from where you’ll be sitting looks lovely. The cabin is also pleasantly quiet thanks to an acoustic windshield and acoustic front-side glass.Â
The seats are comfortable, with a lot of cushion material. Indeed, even without the ventilation function, the seats feel breathable. The seats are apt for short treks since thigh bolster isn't extraordinary. Good looks are fine but the real deciding factor with sedans is the interior and space is the number one concern. On that score, the Cadenza scores high to notice. If you sit upright, you can feel your hair brushing the headliner. Hence, if you are particularly tall or if you sit in the middle seat, headroom could be an issue
Model |
Kia Cadenza Premium |
Nissan Maxima S |
Ford Taurus SE |
Chrysler 300 Limited |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
40.2/58.3/45.5 |
39.4/56.7/45.0 |
39.0/57.9/41.9 |
38.6/59.5/41.8 |
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.9/56.5/37.2 |
36.7/55.7/34.2 |
37.8/56.9/38.1 |
37.9/57.7/40.1 |
The Nissan Maxima offers the least space in the rear row. The Ford Taurus and the Chrysler 300 provide similar levels of cabin space like the Cadenza. Being a bit short of shoulder and legroom (both rear), the Cadenza can still be placed at the top of the list as it has one of the most spacious interiors in the segment. The Cadenza is a solace centered sedan, and it plays out its essential function well. The ride is less refined than the competition. The Cadenza comes loaded with the following features:
A high level of standard infotainment hardware is available as standard equipment. The Premium trim level has a 7.0-inch UVO infotainment touchscreen whereas the Technology and Limited trims have an 8.0-inch display.
All models have UVO e-Services, an onboard telematics framework that can analyze mechanical faults, caution the driver for vehicle upkeep, and call for help in case of a mishap. Sharp graphics make visibility easier and the menus are quite simple to navigate. A standard setup of eight speakers is available but the optional 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium system’s sound quality is delightful.Â
A cargo capacity of 16 cubic feet is offered in the Kia Cadenza which is average for the segment. The cargo load floor is large and mostly flat, aside from a slight hump in the middle to provide room for the spare tire jack underneath. The square-shaped trunk is useful to store large luggage bags easily. There is a ski pass-through, but the rear seats don't fold.
Model |
Kia Cadenza Premium |
Nissan Maxima S |
Ford Taurus SE |
Chrysler 300 Limited |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Volume (cu-ft.) |
16.0 |
14.3 |
20.1 |
16.3 |
Surprisingly, the Ford Taurus shines in this field with 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The Chrysler 300 sits in second place as it offers slightly better space than the Cadenza whereas the Nissan Maxima offers just 14.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity.Â
The Kia Cadenza is a good-looking car with an upscale appearance. Aside from its D-shaped front and rear lighting signatures, perhaps, its most unique design detail is its concave grille with vertical flaps which is offered only for the Technology and Limited trims.
The Premium trim also has a concave grille but instead of the vertical flaps, there are small connecting dots that are very similar to other Kia models. Out in the back, the Cadenza gives you an LED light pipe, integrated dual exhaust tips, and a fairly blunt rear-end with an integrated spoiler design in the trunk lid.
Model |
Kia Cadenza Premium |
Nissan Maxima S |
Ford Taurus SE |
Chrysler 300 Limited |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
3633 |
3478 |
3917 |
4029 |
Length(in) |
195.7 |
192.8 |
202.9 |
198.6 |
Width(in) |
73.6 |
73.2 |
76.2 |
75.0 |
Height(in) |
57.9 |
56.5 |
60.7 |
58.4 |
Ground Clearance (in) |
6.4 |
5.3 |
5.1 |
4.7 |
Wheelbase (in) |
112.4 |
109.3 |
112.9 |
120.2 |
Track Width (in) F/R |
63.3/63.6 |
62.4/62.4 |
65.3/65.5 |
63.4/63.8 |
The dimensions of Kia's Cadenza are larger than the Nissan Maxima but lags when competing with the Ford Taurus and the Chrysler 300. One key point that certainly helps the Cadenza is its ground clearance of 6.4 inches. The main exterior highlights of the Cadenza include:
The new Kia Cadenza has been subjected to the full barrage of crash tests administered by IIHS and it came up with impressive results: It received ‘Good’ ratings on all the tests with a ‘Superior’ rating in front crash prevention. Unfortunately, NHTSA did not review the Cadenza. A wide range of safety features is available on this big four-door. All models feature nine airbags, including a knee airbag for the driver, as well as a rearview camera that displays through either a 7.0- or 8.0-inch infotainment screen. Some of the other features include:
The Kia Cadenza has a 3.3-liter engine whereas the new Nissan Maxima comes equipped with a 3.5-liter engine. The Maxima is certainly smaller in dimensions than the Cadenza. With relatively smaller brake pads, the Cadenza still shows better stats than the Maxima.
Also, it features the best-in-class ground clearance. The Cadenza scores high on cabin space and comfort whereas the Maxima does not prove to be good in this section. At last, the Kia Cadenza offers more practicality with a modest price and larger cargo capacity.
Except for the performance of the Ford Taurus, it outclasses the Kia Cadenza in every other aspect. The Taurus has more cargo volume than Cadenza.
The exterior dimensions of the Taurus are certainly greater than the Cadenza but the latter boasts more space inside. It leads the Taurus when it comes to head/shoulder/leg room, be it front or rear. The Kia Cadenza is definitely more fuel-efficient than Taurus making it an ideal choice.
The Chrysler 300 Limited comes packed with a 3.6-liter engine which offers larger displacement than Cadenza's 3.3-liter engine. Both cars have similar cargo space. They are tough competitors when it comes to seating and comfort and both score similar points. The Chrysler 300 has a quieter cabin, which gives it an edge over the Cadenza.
Considering the dimensions, the new Chrysler 300 is certainly bigger than the Cadenza but the ground clearance (4.7 inches ) is the least in this segment, with Cadenza (6.1 inches) topping the segment. Both offer an identical combined fuel economy, however, the Cadenza is a little overpriced.
The updated Kia Cadenza stands its ground in its class. The Cadenza is an upscale sedan with a roomy interior that is complemented with a lot of standard features. The equipment list is laudable. To make things even better, the Cadenza starts at a price of $31,990. Yet, the infotainment system and its execution is below average. When it comes to styling, there is nothing spectacular about the Cadenza. To put it plainly, the Kia Cadenza offers a spacious cabin with a host of features but it lacks performance.