Taking the brand decidedly upmarket, Kia's first true flagship is a large, front-wheel
drive premium sedan known as the Cadenza giving Kia shoppers a graduation car from the Optima.
With the rear-drive, Hyundai Equus-like K900 breathing down its neck, the Cadenza's time
at the top is short lived, showing Kia is fervently moving the needle in the direction
of luxury.
And witnessing its Korean counterpart's success in this arena has only boosted Kia's confidence
to try it, too.
So what do we have here?
Well, think a pricier, more premium Hyundai Azera and you're in the right spot.
The Cadenza comes in 2 trim levels; Premium and Limited with a starting MSRP of $35,900.
All motor with the same powertrain; a silky smooth, energetic 3.3-liter V6 matched to
a 6-speed automatic of the same ilk.
And considering it makes a healthy 293 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, its gas mileage
of 19mpg city/28mpg highway is an achievement.
This Cadenza Limited, which comes with everything standard, stickers for a conspicuous $43,200.
For that, you get a Peter Schreyer-penned body worthy of a second glance, riding on
glitzy 19" wheels and exuding all of the qualities of a $40,000 sedan and then some.
A unique LED eyebrow rests above the HID adaptive headlights flanking Kia's shark-nosed familial
grille.
There are pronounced LED taillights atop dual ovoid exhaust outlets and a sleek, sculpted
body whose profile will have you second guessing if it's from a German brand.
The cabin definitely gives you a slice of the luxury lifestyle with white Nappa leather
seats, a soft, furry headliner and all sorts of big car features and high-tech amenities.
Doing what Kia does best, the Cadenza Limited receives the full arsenal of features, from
hydrophobic front door windows which repel rain to the sumptuousness of the leather seats
it's all here.
The UVO system for navigation, entertainment and information is very good, there are all
of the sonar and radar-based driver assist functions for accident avoidance, a dual pane
moonroof, heated rear seats, a power rear sunshade, heated steering wheel...you get
the picture.
And, it's one of a dying breed of large cars.
So get in and stretch out...having enough room is not an issue.
That carries over to the trunk which has the hauling capacity of the big cars you remember
as a kid.
But the Cadenza's most likeable attributes stem from non-driving activities.
It's once you start to move that this luxury car bargain becomes exposed.
Steering feel is so important in how a car connects to the driver and Kia's struggles
in this area continue here.
Now I do appreciate the Cadenza's powerful V6 and soft ride but too often this car feels
sloppy and aloof.
It may be the most detached car you can buy at this price.
All at once it can go from coddling occupants to tossing them around over minor road infractions.
The body doesn't like to settle down once upset either, giving it a less than desirable
ride quality for all involved.
The car Kia needs to benchmark for chassis tuning is the Buick LaCrosse.
Kia's prospects of movin' on up will require even more scrutinizing to move metal in the
plus $40,000 segment.
As is, the Cadenza is only two-thirds of the way there.