In the early 2000’s, if I had told you Kia would come out with a vehicle that could rival established Euro sport sedans in styling, ride and luxury, you’d have had me committed. And rightfully so. Back then, Kia was supposed to be the Korean equivalent of the Yugo.
But, a dozen years later, and after hiring design genius Peter Schreyer away from Audi in ‘06, Kia is producing cars that not only turn heads, but give you a reason to want to climb in the driver’s seat. Their newest model, the full-sized Cadenza sedan, does that and more, and is aimed squarely at ripping marketshare away from the Germans.
Sporting Kia’s familiar “tiger nose” grille, the Cadenza looks like a Forte that has grown up and gone to grad school, with strong, sturdy lines that give it an authoritative stance, and just enough roundness to hint at its refinement.
Ignore the Kia badging when you slide into the leather driver’s seat, and you’d swear you were in a high-end Euro sedan, with its polished wood steering wheel, premium trim and touches like a sueded headliner and its nearly silent cockpit.
Offered in only one trim level, Premium, the Cadenza starts at $35,100 and comes with a host of standard techno toys you’d pay extra for in other vehicles—like the crisp and clear Infinity Surround Sound system, navigation with 8-inch touchscreen and backup cam with Rear Warning System, heated power front seats, and dual zone auto climate control. And expansive rear seat legroom.
Drop an extra $3,000 for the Luxury package, and you’ll get amenities like a full-length pano roof, power rear window sunshade, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, 7-inch LCD instrument panel, and a power seat cushion extension on the driver’s seat that those of us taller drivers love.
Another three grand gets you the Technology package, adding on a host of electronic advancements designed to keep your Cadenza from becoming an accident statistic, like Advanced Smart Cruise Control, water-repellant hydrophobic front side windows, radar-based Blind Spot Detection system, and Kia’s first-ever Lane Departure Warning System.
That’s all great to have, but worthless if the ride is dull and boring, and you dread getting in the car everyday. To be a true sport sedan, you need to deliver an enthusiastic, exciting ride. So this Kia gets the most powerful V6 they’ve ever strapped under one of their hoods. It’s an all aluminum, 3.3-liter power plant that produces 293 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque.
I found that to be more than plenty to launch the Cadenza off the line, down the straights, and around the curves, like a smaller, sportier car. Sport sedans should make you forget you’re driving a sedan, and the Cadenza delivers.
The engine is extremely quiet and shifts through the six speeds so smoothly you’ll barely notice. On the highway, there was so little road noise, I was deep into illegal speeds before I even noticed and backed it down.
Overall the Cadenza rivals the German competition in luxury and drive, and at just over $35K for a nicely equipped version, and $41,100 for one with every bell and whistle they offer, you can ride in style for less than you’d pay for a comparable Euro import.
Unless you need the status of one of their nameplates on your grille, then you deserve to pay the few thousand extra.
