Korean automaker Kia earned wide prize a couple years back with the redesign of its high-volume Optima mid-size sedan. With its eye-popping exterior style, it soon found itself a top seller at area Kia dealerships. Kia earned a reputation similar to its Korean counterpart Hyundai of offering a mix of relatively low-priced, reliable, nicely styled sedans and crossovers. The 2012 calendar year marked Kia's best ever, surpassing 500,000 unit sales in the United States.
The intertwined relationship between Kia and Hyundai continues benefitting both parties. In 1998, Hyundai (South Korea's largest conglomerate) purchased a 49.2 percent stake in then-struggling Kia. Both share behind the scenes duties such as engineering and testing, but act as separate companies in the U.S. as far as marketing, sales and distribution are concerned. Economics of scale benefit both entities.
In the 2014 model year, Kia adds an aspirational, move-up vehicle current Optima owners may find deliciously delightful; the all-new, V-6 powered Cadenza sedan. This represents Generation One of an all-new Kia sedan, although the platform gets shared with its Hyundai's well-received Azera sedan. This is not Kia's first effort at upscale travel here in America. Amanti (2004-2008) fell short of both Kia's and the public's expectation for up-tempo travel. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Kia won't get fooled again with Cadenza at the helm.
Think of the front-wheel-drive Cadenza as 'luxury light' or 'pre-luxury,' falling somewhere between midsize mainstream and full-scale opulence. While Cadenza is all-new to the U.S. market, a nearly identical effort debuted in Kia's home market of South Korea in 2009.
Take your pick. Cadenza measures in as a supersized mid-sizer or petite full-sizer. Either way, rear seat riders enjoy expanded leg room when compared to conventional mid-size sedans including Kia's own Optima or familiar nameplates such as Toyota Camry or Ford Fusion. Head room front and back is plentiful and the extra length helps accommodates three adult riders in row duo. If only two reside, opt to fold-down the center arm rest with dual beverage holder.
Unlike Hyundai's Azera, whose exterior may best be described as sophisticated yet understated, Kia's Cadenza incorporates a high 'EPQ' or 'eye-popping quotient.' Sleek body lines, narrow side windows framed with chrome highlights and a bold front grille add to its charm offensive. The same argument can be made when contrasting Hyundai's midsize Sonata sedan against Kia's Optima.
With an all-new flagship model comes a complimentary scheduled maintenance program (good for straight-out purchases as well as leases) at participating dealerships good for three years or the first 37,500 miles (covering a maximum of five visits).
The sole powertrain is a naturally-aspirated, 3.3-liter gas-direct injection V-6 cranking out 293 horsepower, the most powerful engine Kia ever sold in the United States. A six-speed automatic transmission is its running mate. It's not dissimilar to what's under hood of the Hyundai Azera. A standard push-button start brings the engine to attention. Fuel estimates check in at 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, average for the segment. The fuel tank holds 18.5 gallons of regular, 87-octane unleaded fuel. No gas-electric hybrid or all-electric version is currently offered.
In a welcome marketing twist, just one, well equipped trim (dubbed Premium) and two $3,000 option packages are offered to speed along the buying and decision-making process. This makes sense in luxury or near-luxury segments where pampering and ease-of-dealing often takes priority over race-to-bottom-bottom-line pricing.
The 'luxury package' adds power sunshades, sunroof, front and rear heated seats, heated steering wheel and power tilt/telescope steering wheel. Add the 'tech package' to get larger, 19-inch wheels (18-inch varieties come standard), and radar-enhanced goodies including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring. The tech package is not a stand-alone grouping as purchase of the luxury package is a prerequisite.
The well-equipped Cadenza includes a $35,100 starting price. Our tester included both $3,000 option packages for a $41,900 bottom line including $800 destination charge.
Aside of Hyundai's Azera, Cadenza's closest Asian rival is Toyota's largest, slightly upscale Avalon sedan. Domestically, Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Impala both offer longer, stretched dimensions when compared to conventional mid-size sedans, but lack some amenities found in Cadenza.
Electronic power steering helps maneuver this 3,600-pound vehicle with ease. The flat, backlit analog-style instrument panel includes a good-sized, half-moon speedometer gauge flanked by a smaller, half-moon tachometer and right side, quarter-sized fuel and temperature gauges. The center column is ever-so-slightly skewed towards the driver with enough convenience that shot-gun riders have access to controls as well. The black dash gets off-set visually with narrow, brushed-aluminum frames and dark-red faux-wood. Soft-touch materials are found on doors and dash.
A no-charge option was white Nappa leather seat trim (when ordering luxury and tech packages), adding a dash of elegance as well as a distinguished analog clock front and center. The circular time piece gets flanked by dual-zone push-button ventilation controls, hazard flasher and defrosters. Above is the large touch-sensitive screen. Below is trimmed oval housing, home to push-type audio commands displayed in the touch screen, and convenient end twist knobs control volume and station scroll. Power window, lock and side-view mirror controls situate at a 45-degree angle on the driver's door with a similar geometric design on the passenger door. Fuel and trunk release push buttons are found on the dash, left of the tri-spoke steering column, a more convenient local then the floor.
In-dash navigation with eight-inch touch screen comes standard as due heated, leather-trimmed front seats and rear-back-up camera display. A three-month satellite radio subscription comes standard; a trial run of sorts after which a monthly charge kicks in for those wishing to continue. Also included is the next-generation of Kia's UVO e-services. This complimentary voice-activated telematics system is a branch of the Microsoft inspired UVO (tech-talk for "Your Voice") infotainment automotive family software. UVO e-services connect with Microsoft-brand Smartphones or participating portable electronics providing maintenance reminders.
The aforementioned steering column includes left-spoke secondary audio functions and cruise controls on the right spoke. A subtle but welcome nuance includes a tactile difference between the sound volume and station press-plate preset selections; same holds true for cruise control resume, set and on/off options on the right. The bottom spoke includes a button toggling through a half-dozen info options (graphic compass, average fuel economy, distance to empty) displayed within the instrument panel's center speedometer.
Headlight and tail light housings have emerged as the latest place where engineers and designers work creatively in tandem to make a fashion statement. Rear LED combination lamps wrap around to the fender with a bold distinction at night. Blinker bands smartly adorn side-view mirrors (which electronically fold in when tight parking dictates) so others on the road have an added alert as to a driver's next move.
Cadenza glides exceptionally smoothly on the highway with ample passing punch, both put to the test along I-90 during a visit to central Wisconsin's annual symphonic fall color spectacular. If quite interiors rate as a passion, Cadenza delivers thanks in part to triple door seals. This could easily be labeled a pleasant, cruising highway car.
While Kia Motors America went online in 2009 with its first U.S. production facility in West Point, Georgia near the Alabama state line, Cadenza is assembled in South Korea.
2014 Kia CadenzaStarting price: $35,100
As tested: $41,900
Wheelbase: 112.0 inches
Length: 195.5 inches
Width: 72.8 inches
Height: 58.1 inches
Engine: 3.3-liter V-6
Horsepower: 293
Curb weight: 3,668 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Ten years/100,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway
Assembly: South Korea