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# 2018 Kia Cadenza Limited - Bottom Line Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-kia-cadenza-limited-bottom-line-review/
- Published: 2018-09-21T15:57:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-06T18:05:27.000Z
- Author: George Straton
- Tags: Sedans

(Contributing Editor: Peter Stamatis)

#### In keeping with the spirit of this year's first steps towards potential unification of the Korean peninsula, Hyundai Kia announced a unification of large family sedans offered in North America.

#### The Hyundai Azera has departed from these shores in favor of a sole sibling flavor from Seoul, the **Kia Cadenza**, which received a marked makeover in 2017.

### **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \***

*WHAT:* **2017 Kia Cadenza** Mk.2 N platform flagship large sedan, surviving sibling to the now defunct Hyundai Azera.

Standard Power: transverse 3.3L DOHC 24V DI gas V-6 = 290 hp/ 253 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm + 8-spd. torque converter planetary transaxle, steering wheel shift paddles; 3 Drive Modes.

*WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE:* Cadenza Mk.1 tiger nose is transformed into a shark's grin with vertical grille slats, concave and chromed on upper trim; LED'd Z outlined wrap around headlamp housings project a razor's edge; The butt = less bubble with a sharper upturned trunk-lid spoiler crease; License plate housing is moved to bumper cover, emphasizing the thinner wrap around LED tail-lamps and slimmer convex trunk back; In keeping with a razor theme, dual exhaust pipes have gone from oval to trapezoidal.

![2017 Kia Cadenza Limited: facelift includes available all-new Intaglio toothy concave vertical slat wide grille flanked by Z-shaped DRLs and available LED headlights](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/09/RB-2017-Kia-Cadenza-Limited-ext-fr-P1080465-bd.jpg)

2017 Kia Cadenza Limited: facelift includes available all-new Intaglio toothy concave vertical slat wide grille flanked by Z-shaped DRLs and available LED headlights

The coke bottle fuselage with chrome banded rising lower valance imparts a sporty elegance.

*WHY*: *Spiritual successor to the Land Yacht dinosaur which used to rule American roads*

*WHEN:* On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Autumn 2017

*WHERE:* Kia new vehicle dealers

*WHERE MADE*: Asan, South Korea

*HOW ROADWORTHY:* Naturally aspirated 3.3L 24V DOHC Lambda makes its thrust more than midway up the throttle band; Direct injection adds to the powerplant's gritty sound; 8-speed transaxle = straight-laced upshifter either averse to or confused by rapid sequential manumatic downshifts;

Springing nearly wallows and damping often is caught off-guard with unruly road surface bumps; Copious wheel fight occurs on full throttle; Improved steering winding is offset by feathery resistance and poor road feel; Corner turn-in is further dulled by a bit of body sway and nose dive, with all the makings of tail plow; Brake pedal = acceptable pedal modulation with predictable reaction.

*HOW FAR:* **22** combined **m**iles **p**er **g**allon;

*HOW BIG/ LITTLE:* **√** 112+" wheelbase splits splits difference between incoming and outgoing Toyota Avalon; **√** 195+" inches total length will allow garage spill-over space than a Ford Taurus of comparable cabin volume; **√** Front seat legroom at 45+" inches = Royal throne; **√** Rear divan generous knee space; **√** Legitimate center seat position;

![2017 Kia Cadenza Limited: Rear seat entry; Rear doors fitted with manual sunshades](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/09/RB-2017-Kia-Cadenza-Limited-entry-seats-rear004d.jpg)

2017 Kia Cadenza Limited: Rear seat entry; Rear doors fitted with manual sunshades

*HOW USEFUL:* **√** Trunk center pass-through; **√** Trunk space = segment par; **√** Cargo tie-down net; **√** Proximity power trunk open & close; **√** Large front ceiling soft-hinged sunglass caddy; **√** Large mouse-fur lined glove box; **√** Center-stack hinged-covered electronics phone bin w/ optional Qi wireless charging = 2 devices; **√** Deep clamshell front center armrest bin; **+1** Generous door pockets; **+1** Cupholders x 4, Bottle holders x 4 (each door) **\-1** Tall trunk lift-over, narrow well;

*HOW SAFE*: **√** 9 airbags; **√** IIHS Top Safety Pick; **√** Bird's Eye view Rear camera; sonar front & rear Park Distance Control, **√** Blind spot, rear cross traffic & lane departure warning; **√** Driver Attention alert; **√** Auto parking brake hold; **√** Auto high beam headlamps; **√** Heads-Up display.

![2017 Kia Cadenza Limited: Surround view camera w/ predictive motion grid](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/09/RB-2017-Kia-Cadenza-Limited-surround-camera-park-assist004d.jpg)

2017 Kia Cadenza Limited: Surround view camera w/ predictive motion grid

*Partial Autonomous Driving*: **√** Full adaptive cruise control, **√** Lane Keep Assist, **√** Forward Collision avoidance braking. **\-1** Lane keep assist challenged by sharper road bends;

*HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY:* **√** Heated & cooled 14-way driver, 10-way front pax power seats, w/ 2-setting driver's memory; **√** Heated rear seats; **√** 4 power windows w/ full up/ down express; **√** Manual rear door sunshades; **√** Rear backlight power sunshade w/ reverse auto retract; **√** Puddle lamps x 4 doors; **√** Standard panoramic roof;

![2017 Kia Cadenza Limited: Diamond quilt patterned leather stands out on 14 way driver's / 10 way heated / cooled front pax seats](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/09/RB-2017-Kia-Cadenza-Limited-seats-drivers-P1080204-bd.jpg)

2017 Kia Cadenza Limited: Diamond quilt patterned leather stands out on 14 way driver's / 10 way heated / cooled front pax seats

*Cool Gizmo(s)*: **√** Comfort approach entry and lighting, exit power folding wing mirrors; **√** Power driver seat knee extension;

*Details Done Righ*t: **√** Micro-suede headliner, pillars, sun-visors and rear parcel shelf; **√** Contrast stitched, diamond-pattern quilted leather seating, door panels; **√** LED cabin map & ambient lighting; **√** Power Tilt / telescoping heated leather steering wheel;

*Nearly Non-Descript*: **\-1** Thinner leather, Faux embossed dashtop stitching; Faux ash gray woodgrain; Shiny gloss black accents; Coarse dark hard plastic grains below the belt and on front seat backs.

*HOW "APP" -LICABLE:* **√** 8" tri-pane touch LCD infotainment screen**; √** Voice recognition command hands-free communications; **√** 3-D SD GPS navigation; **√** Subscription based Sirius XM radio & TravelLink; **√** 14 speaker, 630 Watt Harman Kardon Q-Logic HD radio; **√** Android Auto / Apple Car Play wireless device overlays; **√** free **My UVO** 911 service, Personal assistant, Geo-fencing, park minder, Pandora, Yelp; **√** USB x 2, 12V x 3.

![2017 Kia Cadenza Limited: hands free communication & available native GPS voice activated and guiding navigation integrates with HUD; Android Auto (Apple Car Play) bring redundant wireless device navigation, and entertainment](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/09/RB-2017-Kia-Cadenza-Limited-cockpit-Nav-Pandora003d.jpg)

2017 Kia Cadenza Limited: hands free communication & available native GPS voice activated and guiding navigation integrates with HUD; Android Auto (Apple Car Play) bring redundant wireless device navigation, and entertainment

*HOW MUCH: *$45,290** \= as tested **2017 Kia Cadenza Limited** *($300 price increase for 2018 MY)*

*WHAT'S MISSING:* Better front seat torso support; Native SMS messaging; More accurate lane keep assist; LTE Wi-Fi.

*ANY COMPETITION:* **Buick LaCrosse**: **+1** AWD option, Avenir; **Chrysler 300**: **+1** AWD option, cabin size; **Ford Taurus**: **+1** AWD option; Sync3; massive trunk; **Nissan Maxima**: **+1** sporty aspirations, hugging seats; **Toyota Avalon:** **+1** Lexus in sheep's clothing; solidity; fuel economy, Hybrid option.  

*FINAL WORD:* A bigger Optima, with plenty of K900 luxury hand-me-downs, seeking a following.