10 Things You Need to Know About the 2017 Kia Cadenza

2017 Kia Cadenza side profile sunset ・ Photo by Dan Gray

The Kia Cadenza just might be the best car you’ve never heard of, but the word is out on the revamped 2017 model and the news is positive. Although 2016 sales struggled to reach the 5000 vehicle mark for the year—falling just short of its cousin the Hyundai Azera—the Cadenza’s stylish refresh is generating a good bit of attention in a segment that’s ready to be shaken up. While the large sedan class is dominated by the Chevrolet Impala and Dodge Charger, the Cadenza plays a more luxurious card, competing more closely with the Buick LaCrosse and Chrysler 300. The Cadenza is positioned near the top of the Kia range, between the Optima and K900, and is offered in three levels of trim: Premium, Technology, and Limited.

1) Dramatic New Styling

The 2017 redesign has transformed Kia's large sedan. The new dramatic front-end treatment takes the Cadenza from “oh, that’s a Kia” to “whoa, that’s a Kia?” Where last year’s narrow grille was identifiable, this year’s wider treatment adds mystery and heads upmarket with a more chiseled look. The 2017 Cadenza is slightly wider and lower than the previous model, and the rear roofline was pushed back by more than two inches to achieve a more sporty profile. LED lighting is used throughout, with Z-shaped signatures in the headlights and tail lamps. A subdued palette of colors complements the exterior’s clean design. The Cadenza Premium is fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels; the Technology and Limited models wear 19s.

Photo by Dan Gray

2) Magnificent Interior

The 2017 Kia Cadenza Limited is a magnificently comfy cruiser, with an interior that clearly shows European influence. Distinctive Nappa leather upholstery sets the Limited apart from the crowd with diamond quilting on the bolsters and perforated center panels. The 14-way power adjustable driver’s seat delivers a high degree of adjustability with four-way power lumbar, along with an extendable seat cushion and two-position memory. The front seats provide three-level heating and ventilation. The expansive dashboard features tasteful woodgrain trim and a classic analog clock. The heated steering wheel is a welcome feature on a chilly day and the panoramic sunroof bathes the cabin in light. Kia’s interior quality has come a long way.

Photo by Dan Gray

3) Comfortable Back Seats

While it trails the Buick LaCrosse in legroom, the Cadenza’s back seat is plush and comfortable, providing 37.6 inches of headroom (with the panoramic sunroof), 37.2 inches of legroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room. Ease of entry is good. A power rear window sunshade and manual side window sunshades ward off glare, while outboard seat heaters chase away the chill. The center armrest is well padded and contains two cupholders beneath an elegant piano-black cover, but it lacks a storage cubby. Surprisingly, the rear seating area does not offer any power ports. The Buick LaCrosse offers both 12-volt and 120-volt ports, along with a whopping 40 inches of legroom, and a center console storage compartment.

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4) Plenty of Cargo Capacity

The Cadenza’s trunk is middle of the pack with regard to capacity. The Limited trim level includes a smart power trunk to ease loading chores. Stand behind the car with the key fob for a few seconds and the trunk will open automatically, providing 16 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Chevrolet Impala leads with an enormous 18.8 cubic foot capacity. By comparison, the Chrysler 300 has 16.3, the Lincoln MKZ 15.4, the Buick LaCrosse 14.2, and the Acura TLX 13.2. While the 2017 Kia Cadenza features a small pass-through that accommodates longer items like skis, it’s too tight for snowboards.

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5) Solid Drivetrain

All Cadenzas are equipped with a 3.3-liter direct-injected V6 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters) and front-wheel drive. The V6 produces 290 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. The Cadenza is rather sprightly for a fullsize sedan, hitting 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds. The Cadenza’s unique Smart Shift and Drive automatically switches among ECO, Normal, and Sport drive modes to optimize efficiency, comfort, and responsiveness. Unfortunately, all-wheel-drive (AWD) is not offered in the Cadenza. If you live in a snowy climate and require AWD, consider the Buick LaCrosse, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, or Lincoln MKZ.

Photo by Andy Bornhop

6) Reasonably Good Fuel Economy

The 2017 Kia Cadenza delivers reasonable fuel economy. The EPA rates the Cadenza at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway.  A week of Autobytel testing in varying conditions showed the estimates to be fairly accurate, with the 18.5-gallon fuel tank providing a generous amount of range. The Toyota Avalon Hybrid sets a high mark for large sedan fuel efficiency, with EPA ratings of 40/39. The slightly smaller Kia Optima Hybrid is rated at 39/46, while the Optima Plug-In Hybrid is rated at 103 MPGe while running on a combination of gasoline and electric power, with a 40-mpg rating while running on gasoline alone.

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7) Reassuring Ride and Handling

The Cadenza’s ride is relatively plush and the cabin is quiet and serene. The cabin styling may suggest BMW, but the handling is more like a modern Buick, which isn’t a bad thing. Steering is nicely weighted overall and the Cadenza handles in a reassuring manner. If you’re most keen on crisp handling in this price range, consider the Nissan Maxima. That said, the Cadenza’s ECO, Normal, and Sport drive modes affect steering response, so if you want to have some driving fun, a push of the button will tighten things up through the twisty bits.

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8) Infotainment

The Cadenza's infotainment system is packed with bells and whistles and nicely integrated into the dashboard. The Limited’s 8-inch touchscreen utilizes Kia’s UVO eServices system and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 12-speaker 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system is a treat for the ears, with Clari-Fi music restoration technology and 7.1 channel surround sound. There's a USB port and a 12-volt outlet in a compartment at the base of the dash, along with a wireless smartphone charger. A second 12-volt outlet is located inside the unique clamshell center console. While the infotainment is generally good, additional USB inputs and conventional charging ports would be welcome.

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9) Abundant Safety Technology

The 2017 Kia Cadenza Limited provides a comprehensive suite of advanced safety technology, starting with a backup camera system that offers a surround view and rear parking assist. Safety technology includes autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot mirrors, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The crisp and colorful head-up display (HUD) keeps your eyes safely on the road and includes turn-by-turn navigation directions. HUDs were once confined to high-end luxury and performance models. It’s great to see them migrate to the mainstream models, and the Cadenza’s HUD is one of the nicest examples we’ve seen.

Photo by Dan Gray

10) It's a Solid Value

The 2017 Kia Cadenza, which starts at $31,990, delivers a supremely comfortable ride with unique style. But some folks are still hung up on preconceptions. We appreciate the Cadenza's crisp exterior styling and plush, feature-packed interior. While this large Kia sedan's closest competition may be domestic Americans, the design inspiration is clearly European. But one thing remains certain: The Cadenza presents a solid value overall with a 5-year/60,000 mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Photo by Dan Gray