Today, full-size sedans are not the big business that they were in the past, and many brands have simply cut out the three-box car from their lineups. Meanwhile, some luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Genesis, and Lexus still offer full-size sedans. However, not everyone wants to pay the higher upkeep associated with luxury brands, so check out this value-packed alternative.
Christmas sedan shoppers might be well served by the Kia Cadenza — a South Korean sedan that packs a lot behind its unassuming smile. Here’s a little background on the Cadenza and why you might want to take the plunge on this instead of a used German barge.
Kia Cadenza: Unassuming But Value-Packed
Sold in the US market from 2014 until 2020, the Kia Cadenza was a full-size, near-luxury sedan that you may not have heard of. It’s worthy of being remembered, since it was a spacious sedan with generous levels of kit and genuine touches of luxury. On sale for a relatively short period, it existed for a few years alongside its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Azera, which was discontinued in 2014. They shared the same platform and many components.
Redesigned for the 2017 model year, it was once more refreshed for 2020 before the nameplate suffered the same fate as many other full-size sedans. The final refresh brought nipped-and-tucked styling and a much-needed infotainment upgrade: a new 12.3-inch screen (a big upgrade from the old seven or eight-inch units). There was also an improved standard safety suite fitted. There are many reasons that the 2020 Kia Cadenza stands out today, half a decade on. Here are a few of them:
- A reasonable price starting at just over $20,000, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB)
- Glowing customer reviews online with high levels of satisfaction
- A good reliability record and just one main recall
- A powerful, reliable, and simple V6 engine, free of turbocharging or hybrid tech
- Near-luxury levels of refinement, a comfortable ride, and a long list of features and options
Pricing And Value Retention
The Kia Cadenza, despite its luxury tendencies, didn’t compete with the likes of BMW. The entry-level BMW 530i cost started at $56,000 in 2020, compared to the Cadenza’s sticker of about $38,000. However, the 2020 Cadenza is now worth about the same as the BMW 530i of the same age, according to KBB. This speaks a lot about the Cadenza’s relatively low depreciation and competitive value retention. In fact, in our research, we found that the Cadenza offers a 49 percent five-year retention. The same source, iSeeCars, suggested that the BMW 5 Series retains, on average, just 38 percent of its value. This, combined with the higher upkeep of a typical BMW in this class, makes the Kia look appealing as an alternative.
2020 Kia Cadenza MSRP And Used Value
|
Trim |
2020 Kia Cadenza Original MSRP |
2020 Kia Cadenza Average Used Value |
|
Technology |
$38,885 |
$21,700 |
|
Limited |
$44,585 |
$24,813 |
The Kia Cadenza’s Highlights
Step inside the 2020 Kia Cadenza, and the fit and finish was lauded by many reviews that year for its quality, design, and luxury that pulls from the class above for inspiration. The Cadenza’s cabin might not be on par with premium German alternatives like the BMW 5 Series, but here, the materials and de-cluttered dash are certainly on par with rivals (see later).
Interior/Cargo Dimensions
|
Cargo Volume |
16.0 cubic feet |
|
Front Headroom |
38.5 inches |
|
Front Legroom |
45.5 inches |
|
Rear Legroom |
37.2 inches |
Thanks to 2020’s refreshed infotainment system, the larger screen is another bonus for choosing the Cadenza from 2020. Below are some of the standard features included in the base trim (Technology), while the higher Limited trim or additional available options added desirable features such as leather upholstery, adjustable interior ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and wireless smartphone charging.
Base Trim Highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Heated front seats
- 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Dual-zone climate control
- Eight-speaker audio system
- Drive Wise safety suite
Kia Cadenza Reliability
It will be a surprise to nobody familiar with the rise of the Korean brands Kia and Hyundai that the Cadenza is a reliable and high-scoring sedan when it comes to customer satisfaction. We checked with many authoritative and reliable outlets and found that the Kia is unlikely to disappoint when it comes to reliability. The primary recall for the 2020 Cadenza relates to its rear power windows.
- Repair Pal: 4.0/5.0 Reliability score
- KBB: 4.8/5.0 Reliability score / 4.9/5.0 owner ratings score
- J.D. Power: No published reliability score, but an overall 86/100 customer review score for the pre-facelifted 2017 Cadenza
- Edmunds: 4.5/5.0 Average owner reviews rating
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2020 Kia Cadenza: A Dive Into The Specs
One of the greatest highlights of the 2020 Cadenza today, though, is the fact that it packs a naturally aspirated V6 engine. Almost no sedans are left on sale with a simple, naturally aspirated V6 in the US anymore, with the only exception being the refreshed 2026 Lexus IS 350 (the Lexus RC is being discontinued). At 3,700 pounds, the Cadenza isn’t light, and about as heavy as the 2020 BMW 530i. Luckily, its old-school six-cylinder engine packs a healthy 300-horsepower output if we round up our numbers, which is higher than that of the 255-horsepower turbocharged BMW 530i, and about the same torque.
It’s all built on the same full-size, front-wheel drive platform as the Hyundai Azera, which was discontinued in 2017, with MacPherson front suspension and a multilink rear suspension. For reference, the 2020 BMW 530i is valued at the same used price (around $22,000), but the maintenance and associated costs of the Kia are likely to be lower overall. For 2020, the Kia Cadenza received a new eight-speed automatic transmission in place of the previous six-speed unit, and the engine was revised, making this final incarnation of the full-size sedan the best one. Fuel economy ratings are 23 MPG combined with up to 28 MPG on the highway.
2020 Kia Cadenza Basic Specifications
|
Engine |
3.3-liter, naturally-aspirated V6 |
|
Power |
290 hp |
|
Torque |
255 lb-ft |
|
Driveline |
Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
|
0-60 mph |
6.8 seconds |
Crash safety is strong for the Kia, with the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) giving it a 10/10 rating. It wasn’t an IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick’ for 2020, but it was given the award in 2019 / 2018, and also a ‘Top Safety Pick+’ for 2017. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) awarded the model a 5/5 score overall.
Main Rivals To The 2020 Kia Cadenza
Below are just three of the key rivals to the 2020 Kia Cadenza. These sedans belong in the segment below true luxury brands such as BMW, but still offer some luxury features and design, as well as powerful V6 engines. Here are some of their highlights.
Toyota Avalon
Another reliable, full-size sedan from Toyota that was discontinued after the 2022 model year. A comfortable ride, roomy interior, generous feature list, and a standard, 301-horsepower V6 are impressive highlights. The Avalon‘s used price is similar to the Cadenza (around $23,000), and its reliability rating is 87/100 over at J.D. Power, making it a great used sedan and an alternative to the Cadenza.
Nissan Maxima
The Maxima has a more sports-focused philosophy than the Avalon and is reasonably quick thanks to its 300-horsepower V6 engine. It’s eye-catching from the sidewalk and well-styled on the inside with upscale materials. Luxury features are on offer, like those of the Toyota and Kia, and options like diamond-quilt leather seats make it feel more luxurious than it should be. are optional. The SR model features sports-tuned suspension and 19-inch wheels, but the CVT transmission and front-wheel drive limit its sporting intent.
Chevrolet Impala
An American-made alternative with an optional 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, but still front-wheel drive. There was also a 197-horsepower 2.5-liter four as the base engine. We like the six-speed auto transmission better than Nissan’s CVT, too. Today, the roomy Impala is cheaper to buy than the others (KBB rates it at just $16,000 for the 2020 model year), but desirable features were included too, and as standard, you can enjoy automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver’s seat, and much more.
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The Genesis G70: The Other Five-Year-Old Korean Alternative
Today, the Kia Cadenza is history, and the brand’s current sedan lineup is missing a full-size model. The Kia K5 is a mid-size offering that sits above the compact K4. If we’re Christmas shopping for a full-size sedan from one of the South Korean brands, there is a strong offering available for similar cash to the Cadenza, and one that offers style and luxury that might even convince the BMW shopper. It’s the G70 from Hyundai’s luxury subbrand, Genesis, and it’s a great alternative if you value sharp styling, an interior with pizzazz, and sporty dynamics.
2020 was the second model year for the G70 in the US. This model is more eye-catching and purposeful than the Cadenza, with original design touches inside and out. Many reviews noted its luxurious interior despite its shortcomings, such as a cramped second row and a lackluster infotainment system. Desirable options included a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a wireless smartphone-charging pad. Handling was praised and even compared favorably to the likes of the BMW 3 Series. High praise indeed for an affordable sedan.
Under the hood was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 252 horsepower or a powerful 365-horsepower, twin-turbo V6, paired to an eight-speed automatic ‘box (the 2.0-liter model was offered with a six-speed manual too). This V6 is from the same family as the Kia Cadenza’s, but its twin-turbochargers turn up the heat considerably. The more powerful engine can provide enough shove to enable the G70 to hit 60 mph in under five seconds. In other words, faster than a BMW 330i of the same age. Power goes to the rear wheels or all four, depending on the trim chosen, a bonus for the enthusiast when compared to the front-drive Cadenza. KBB‘s suggested used value for the entry-level 2020 Genesis G70 is just $18,000-$19,000, or $21,000 for the quick V6 model.
In a horde of other luxury sport sedans that include the Germans and the Japanese, this South Korean is the underdog that has all the potential to beat its rivals.
-Sidd Dhimaan, TopSpeed Journalist
Sportier, sexier, and with more luxury sprinkled on top, the G70 represents excellent value for money and at a price point that could steer you away from the Cadenza. Then again, the Kia offers a very well-rounded package with a competitive depreciation rate, an excellent reliability record, and high customer satisfaction, not to mention high levels of comfort and a strong V6 engine. This Christmas will be one full of choices, if anything.
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, IIHS, J.D. Power, KBB, iSeeCars, Edmunds