2017 Kia Cadenza

Pros: Roomy and comfortable cabin; pleasant ride; refined drivetrain; generous level of features for the money

Cons: Uninspired handling; trunk space not outstanding for a large sedan; no stand-alone options available

CG Says: Kia’s “entry-luxury” large 4-door sedan is redesigned for 2017, gaining fresh exterior styling, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and new comfort and safety features. The 2017 Kia Cadenza is similar in size to the previous generation, although rear-seat legroom is increased by about half an inch. Kia says structural stiffness has been increased by more than 35 percent, which improves ride and handling qualities. All Cadenzas are front-wheel drive; the sole powertrain is a 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 engine mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include adaptive cruise control with stop/start functionality, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, and a “smart’ blind-spot detection system that can sense unintentional drifting toward an adjacent vehicle and automatically apply braking to the opposite-side front wheel to maintain the Cadenza’s intended course. A hands-free smart-opening trunk, head-up display, surround-view monitor, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, and wireless smartphone charger are other available features. The redesigned Cadenza is a pleasant-enough large sedan that offers a number of selling points, such as competitive pricing; a spacious, nicely trimmed cabin; well-rounded everyday performance; and some interesting styling flourishes. For a redesigned vehicle, the Cadenza doesn’t break any new ground in terms of safety, comfort, or technology features. We also wish that Kia offered stand-alone options that would make it easier to tailor a Cadenza to your individual tastes. Still, this is a big, comfortable sedan that will satisfy many buyers.

ROAD TESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFO

Test Drive: 2017 Kia Cadenza

2018 Kia Cadenza Review

2016 Kia Cadenza Review