Folks, it's time to kiss your old Mercedes E Class or Audi A6 behind, because the future of true luxury cars is in the hands of the brands once known for making mere economy cars. Kia is one of the mid-range brands trying to cash in on a new luxury car, and their first effort is the Cadenza. Now most people would never think to associate luxury brands such as Cadillac, Mercedes, or Audi with Kia's, but with the introduction of the Cadenza, they should. The Cadenza is a full blown luxury car, bred to take on the competitors from more prestigious brands, but with a starting price of just $34,900, it undercuts their price tags by over $15k. If you're looking for an even better deal, you can snag the one I drove used for just $23,477. I was lucky enough to drive this car for two days straight and can't wait to report back my love for this car. Interested? I'd be shocked if you weren't.
Styling
The Cadenza is unmistakably a Kia, sporting Kia's new signature front end, grill, and headlights, but it looks classy with 18inch wheels as standard and LED headlights that are striking to look at. Unlike the Hyundai Genesis, Kia hasn't tried to hide the fact that this car is a Kia, and the car brandishes it's badge on the nose and the trunk of the car. Walk around to the back and you'll notice that the style still holds up. The car gets gradually wider as you go back, and the rear features simple but elegant tail lamps that look surprisingly similar to ones on the Audi A6. Another nice touch are the side view mirrors with indicators sculpted into the front, and all the chrome on the fascia, bottom of the doors, and the rear end. All these qualities make up a very handsome and appealing package that should attract buyers looking for a luxury car.
Performace
Knowing Kia, you'd probably be expecting to see a 4 cylinder GDi or a 2.0 liter Turbo engine under the hood of the Cadenza, but instead there is a silky smooth 3.3 liter V6 hooked up to a 6 speed shiftable automatic transmission. This is an awesome powertrain, putting out 293 horsepower and 255 pound feet of torque. This powertrain insures smooth power delivery and effortless performance. What isn't super impressive are the fuel economy figures of 19 city and 28 highway. I know this is a big car weighing 3670lbs, but competitors like the Toyota Avalon get 2 mpg better in the city and 3 better on the highway. However, the Avalon is not even in the same league as the Cadenza in terms of comfort or interior space, so the trade off in efficiency is probably worth it. During my 2 two days behind the wheel, I averaged 21-22mpg in suburban driving and around 30 on the highway. These figures aren't too bad, but I had to drive mindfully to get those figures. Expect to see figures around the EPA estimates for the city and maybe a few higher on the highway.
Interior Features/Comfort
When I first stepped into the interior of the Cadenza, I was blown away by the overall luxurious feel. I was immediately struck by the gorgeous analog clock in the center of the dash, as well as the center stack that was sculpted out of the dash in certain areas. The headliner was also a suede-ish material that was lovely to touch, and the panoramic moonroof couldn't go unnoticed, making this car feel like a convertible when it was opened. The seats are ultra comfortable perforated leather with endless adjustment including lumbar and thigh support adjustments for the driver. However, other family members complained that the seats were too much like sitting on a couch and didn't provide enough support. The front seats were heated and air conditioned and the rears were heated as well, keeping all passengers more than comfy. I was also in love with the heated steering wheel that felt unbelievable on cold mornings. Headroom for all the passengers in plentiful, and the car feels cavernous inside. Features that immediately stood out was the 550 watt, 12 speaker Xfinity audio system that made the car feel like I was sitting in a surround sound theater. The depth and quality of the sound was unbelievable and the stereo also adjusted for road noise automatically, increasing the volume and speeds increased. I also noticed that the controls for the HVAC and audio were super easy to use and had a quality feel to them. The navigation system is very well done, sporting a detailed map with lots of zoom, and it can even give you directions on the gauge cluster. It was very easy to navigate and use unlike some other systems which can be very frustrating. I also appreciated the electronic speedo/gauge cluster, which had a million settings and displays ranging from adjusting the interior lights to turning on and off the song the car plays for you when you turn it on. Other features include the usual array of Blind Spot Monitoring and Lane Departure Warning. I left the Kia wishing that my daily driver had the amazing comfort and features sported in the Kia, and I definitely think you get all the features normally included in a German luxury car
Driving Experience
The Kia drives a lot like a big sedan, not very sporty, but extremely cushy and comfortable. The ride on the Kia is very isolated, only allowing bigger road imperfections to seep through the protective suspension barrier into the cabin. Road and wind noise are basically non existent, and the road seems to move by like it's being played on a TV screen. The only noise that comes trough is some engine noise during harder acceleration. However, that engine provides motivated acceleration. I constantly found myself exploring the depths of the gas pedal and thoroughly exercising my right foot on open stretches of road. The engine propels the Kia forward with ease and can haul this big sedan to 60mph in around 6.5 seconds. The only place where the Kia falls short is with handling. I know nobody was expecting the Kia to be a sports car, but the steering feels very light and doesn't transmit any feedback to the driver, meaning that I was only driving the Kia fast on the straights and crawling through the corners. The Kia does have plenty of grip and is ultimately secure, but it just doesn't transmit much back to the driver to inspire driving confidence. That said, people buying this car won't be looking for a sporty driving experience and the comfortable, isolated drive in the Kia shows that this car will easily appeal to those wanting a true luxury car.
So What Do We Think?
During my two day test drive, the Kia's great qualities such as amazing features, a luxurious interior, smart looks, and powerful engine began to make me fall for this car. After driving it, I'd never consider wasting my money on a German equivalent that costs so much more. My family and I liked the Kia so much that we almost bought it, but my dad found the front seat unsupportive and that was the end of that. This is definitely a car you need to test before you buy. It offers great features and an uncompromised luxurious feel at a price you can't ignore, but some may be bothered by the overly plush seats and the uncommunicative steering. Thinking about buying one? Buy the one I drove! It's for sale at Ourisman Chantilly Kia for $23.477. Good luck with your ventures into the world of luxury cars!
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