2017 Kia Cadenza
Pros
- Well-equipped for the price, especially in the base Premium trim
- Vast amount of legroom allows all passengers to stretch out
- Generous warranty coverage
- Lots of available advanced safety features
Cons
- Headroom is a bit tight for tall occupants (especially with sunroof)
- The ride is not as comfortable and composed as in segment leaders
- Trunk is smaller than rivals, and rear seats don't fold down
- From acceleration to handling, the Cadenza isn't much fun to drive
2017 Kia Cadenza pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Which Cadenza does Edmunds recommend?
Kia likes to pitch the Cadenza as an affordable alternative to the typical luxury sedan, and we'd spec it accordingly. Skip the base model and go with the midlevel Technology trim. It includes features from the base Premium with its Luxury and Panoramic Sunroof options, in addition to ventilated seats, extra lumbar support for front seat occupants and LED exterior lighting. The Luxury trim lives up to its name (we can't think of a non-luxury competitor with quilted leather upholstery, for example), but it's considerably more expensive than the Technology trim and doesn't add much.
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
3.5 / 5It wasn't that long ago that the full-size sedan was seen as the paragon of luxury in America. But tastes change, and crossover SUVs have slowly supplanted large sedans as the vehicle of choice for families and drivers who prefer a tall seating position. If you don't need to ride up high or require the vertical cargo space, a sedan is still a good choice. For the price of a modestly equipped midsize crossover, you could get a car such as the 2017 Kia Cadenza, replete with safety and technology features, along with exceptional rear seat room and a lust-worthy cabin.
The Cadenza has been redesigned for 2017, just three years after its debut. Although the first-generation car was just fine, we thought its ride wasn't as comfortable as others in the class and interior materials quality wasn't up to snuff in the pricier trims. The new model's ride is much better sorted, with less harshness from road imperfections. The cabin looks premium and may actually dissuade buyers looking to get into a new Lexus or Lincoln. Some issues remain, such as uninspiring handling and tight headroom for tall occupants. But provided you aren't a professional basketball player living in the Hollywood Hills, you'll probably like it just fine.
2017 Kia Cadenza configurations
The 2017 Kia Cadenza is a large, full-size sedan that offers an abundance of room for all its occupants. Even in its base Premium form, the Cadenza is well-equipped for what we think is a very reasonable price. Its two available features packages are incorporated into the Technology package (along with a few other desirable additions), while the top-trim Limited just might fool your passengers into thinking they're riding in a Lexus. There's one powertrain available: a 3.3-liter V6 (290 horsepower, 253 pound-feet) matched to an eight-speed automatic with front-wheel drive.
The base Premium trim is loaded with features, including 18-inch wheels, foglights, heated mirrors, hands-free trunk opening, keyless entry and ignition, a rearview camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats (with driver two-way lumbar adjustment), a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker audio system with HD and satellite radio and two USB ports.
The Premium is available with the Luxury package, which adds power-folding mirrors, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. Additional safety features include rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors and advanced blind-spot monitoring.
The Panoramic Sunroof package (requires Luxury package) adds LED interior lighting and, you guessed it, a panoramic sunroof.
The Technology is one level up, adding the contents of both above packages, along with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights and foglights, automatic wipers, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, a 10-way driver seat (with four-way lumbar adjustment), two-way lumbar adjustment for the front passenger, ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory settings and wireless phone charging.
You can't go any higher than the Limited trim, which equips the Cadenza with power trunk opening and closing, a head-up display, side rear sunshades, a power rear sunshade, upgraded leather upholstery and heated rear seats.
Trim tested
Driving
3.5Acceleration
2.5Braking
5.0Steering
3.0Handling
3.0Drivability
3.5Comfort
4.0Seat comfort
3.5Ride comfort
3.0Noise & vibration
4.0Climate control
5.0Interior
4.0Ease of use
4.0Getting in/getting out
5.0Driving position
4.0Roominess
3.0Visibility
5.0Quality
4.5Utility
3.5Small-item storage
4.0Cargo space
2.5Child safety seat accommodation
4.5Technology
3.5Audio & navigation
4.5Smartphone integration
3.5Driver aids
3.0Voice control
3.0Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Kia Cadenza.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Cadenza safety features:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- This feature automatically applies the brakes if a forward collision with a vehicle or pedestrian is deemed imminent.
- Blind-Spot Detection
- Sensors detect if a vehicle is in the Cadenza's left- or right-side blind spot. If the turn is activated, an alert will sound.
- Lane Change Assist
- This system works in conjunction with BSD and monitors vehicles that are in the next lane and approaching the Cadenza's proximity.
People who viewed this also viewed
Sponsored cars related to the Cadenza
2017 Kia Cadenza for Sale
Get more for your trade-in
Edmunds shoppers get on average $235 more for their trade-in.
Receive offers from our dealer partners fast.
See your car's valueIt takes a bit of nerve to draw a bead on the well-established leaders in the large sedan market, but the 2017 Kia Cadenza stakes its claim with sophisticated design, a spacious and refined cabin and a host of the latest technology and safety features. Shoppers looking for a near-luxury four-door that brings everything but a high price tag would do well to add the Cadenza to their test-drive list. They may be surprised by the Kia's upscale interior appointments, long list of standard equipment and quiet, comfort-tuned ride.
The all-new 2017 Kia Cadenza distinguishes itself from its predecessor with a sleeker, more elegant design, cleaner lines and rakish fender flares, while still retaining some characteristic Kia hallmarks, like the unique "tiger nose" grille. There's also a smoother ride, improved handling and a softer, more luxurious interior.
The only available powerplant is a 3.3-liter V6 — carried over from the previous generation — that produces 290 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque and drives the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Although unremarkable in the class, it gets the job done in a smooth, quiet manner. Fuel economy is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined (20 city/28 highway).
On the road, the Cadenza admirably fulfills its mission of providing a comfortable, relaxed ride. The suspension system, upgraded from the outgoing model, is designed to absorb bumps with aplomb, not getting upset in the corners but, at the same time, having no sporting pretensions. That said, handling is better than most drivers will expect, with good straight-line stability and a decent amount of feedback through turns. An available drive-mode selector, with settings that include Comfort and Sport, allows drivers to fine-tune responsiveness to some degree.
Inside is where the 2017 Cadenza really stands out. Front-seat occupants enjoy a generous amount of head-, shoulder and legroom, while those in back luxuriate in the class-leading rear compartment's expanses. And, as a bonus, the Cadenza boasts one of the largest trunks in its segment. Materials and design are appropriately upscale, with piano black and wood trim and the choice of four available decor themes. Standard technology includes a 7-inch touchscreen display, rearview camera and Bluetooth connectivity, and many more such features are available as options.
The base Premium trim level comes equipped with such appointments as leather upholstery, multi-zone climate control and heated seats. The Technology level adds a number of convenience features, and the top-of-the-line Limited trim includes more of those, plus several additional luxury touches. Whatever your preference, let Edmunds help you find the 2017 Kia Cadenza that best meets your needs.
2017 Kia Cadenza Overview
The 2017 Kia Cadenza is offered in the following submodels: Cadenza Sedan. Available styles include Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A), Limited 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A), and Technology 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A).
What do people think of the 2017 Kia Cadenza?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Kia Cadenza and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Cadenza 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Cadenza.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Kia Cadenza and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Cadenza featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Edmunds Scorecard
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Which 2017 Kia Cadenzas are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Kia Cadenza for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2017 Kia Cadenza.
Can't find a new 2017 Kia Cadenzas you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Kia Cadenza for sale - 4 great deals out of 7 listings starting at $17,160.
Find a new Kia for sale - 10 great deals out of 14 listings starting at $8,312.
Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2017 Kia Cadenza?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Kia lease specials