2018 Kia Cadenza Review

Name: 2018 Kia Cadenza Review
Brand: Kia

Price Range: $17,998 - $24,998

Kia Cadenza Limited Sedan Exterior Shown

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by Jason Kavanagh^{Senior Vehicle Test Engineer
Jason joined Edmunds' testing team in 2006 as a vehicle testing engineer. Jason believes true appreciation of modern cars stems from owning really, really bad old ones.}

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 isn't as 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

What’s new

For 2018, the Cadenza is essentially unchanged. There's only a minor rejiggering of feature content: Namely, the Luxury package now includes a panoramic sunroof and interior LED lighting.

Vehicle overview

Sedan sales have been eroded by the popularity of crossover SUVs of late, but there are shoppers who don't require the cargo solutions or tall seating position they provide. If you're one of them, a large sedan such as the 2018 Kia Cadenza is simply a more suitable choice.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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Certified 2018 Kia Cadenza
Technology Sedan
$19,995
great price
$3,094 below market
- 45,350 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Kia of Bowie (42 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Bowie, MD
Moss Gray exterior and Black interior. Heated Leather Seats, Nav System, Moonroof, Aluminum Wheels, Panoramic Roof. KEY FEATURES INCLUDELeather Sea...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNALC4J13J5098400
Stock: J5098400
Certified Pre-Owned: Yes
Listed since: 02-04-2025
2018 Kia Cadenza
Premium Sedan
$18,875
- 68,171 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Hyundai of Dundalk (55 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Baltimore, MD
FRESH OIL CHANGE, VEHICLE DETAILED.Hyundai of Dundalk, offers an open inventory system, allowing you to seamlessly transfer and purchase any vehicle f...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNALC4J19J5098319
Stock: H24794B
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-06-2024

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Among large sedans, the Kia Cadenza skews heavily toward comfort and space for its passengers. The Cadenza made a big leap forward in its ride comfort and the quality of the cabin materials when it was redesigned in 2017, and it carries into 2018 unchanged. Its interior has a premium vibe — especially considering the car's reasonable price — and legroom is plentiful for all occupants. Its acceleration and handling won't quicken your pulse, so if you're a driving enthusiast you might be left wanting for more. Otherwise, the 2018 Cadenza's intersection of value, space and luxury makes it worthy of your attention.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.5 / 10

The 2018 Kia Cadenza places a priority on space and comfort rather than driving engagement, allowing it to soothe instead of excite. It's long on value, too, and comes equipped with plenty of luxury and driver assistance features.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2017 Kia Cadenza Limited sedan (3.3L V6 | 8-speed automatic | FWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.5 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	7.5
Technology	7.5

Driving

7.5

Under the Cadenza's hood is a familiar 3.3-liter V6 engine, carried over from the previous generation but slightly less powerful. The new eight-speed transmission is fuel economy-focused and isn't as refined as some rivals. Like most in the segment, the Cadenza is not particularly fun to drive.

Acceleration

6.0

Acceleration from a stop is gradual in every driver mode but Sport. Passing maneuvers require a heavy foot because the transmission is reluctant to downshift and takes a moment even at full throttle. We recorded a 0-60 mph sprint time of 6.8 seconds, a few ticks slower than average for the class.

Braking

9.0

The brake pedal is easy to engage, with very mild braking pressure occurring as soon as you put your foot down. It's also easy to modulate, with predictable increasing effort. In Edmunds testing, a Cadenza Limited came to a stop from 60 mph in 115 feet, shorter than average for a large sedan.

Steering

7.0

The steering effort is light in the normal Comfort driving mode, firming up slightly when Sport is selected. The steering wheel requires a fair amount of rotation to navigate in turns, and back-to-back transitions get tiring quickly. Steering feel is mostly numb.

Handling

6.5

Large sedans optimize comfort over athletic ability, and the Cadenza is no exception. A healthy amount of body lean will have you resting on the seat's leg and side bolsters anytime you drive through a corner with some enthusiasm. Midcorner bumps don't affect the Cadenza at all.

Drivability

7.5

The transmission is smart enough to hold a low gear up steep grades, even in the gas-friendly Eco mode. In the normal Comfort setting, the Cadenza gets into high gears quickly. There's a noticeable lag when leaving from a stop; the engine gets louder but you don't move until a moment later.

Comfort

8.0

The Cadenza is a comfort-focused sedan, and it performs its primary function well. We like the hushed cabin at high speeds and the car's effective climate controls. But the ride is less refined than in some rivals, and the front seats aren't great for road trips.

Seat comfort

7.5

The seats are initially comfortable, with plenty of cushion and cushy leather. Even without the ventilation function, the seats feel breathable. They are best suited for short trips because thigh support isn't great; long-distance driving required multiple adjustments to alleviate driver fatigue.

Ride comfort

7.0

The comfort-tuned suspension glides over most rough road surfaces, but dips in the asphalt cause the body to lean and rock to the side more than in other large sedans. Impacts are better controlled and much less noticeable than in the previous Cadenza.

Noise & vibration

8.0

The cabin is quiet enough that you never need to raise your voice to talk. Wind and tire noise is noticeable but not overpowering, and you will hear the engine's unimpressive groan at low speeds. Vibration at idle is nonexistent to the point that you might think there's an engine stop-start system.

Climate control

9.0

Heated front seats are standard on all Cadenzas, with the midtier Technology trim adding ventilated fronts and a heated steering wheel. Heated rears come only on the Limited. All seats get nice and hot, and the cooling effect is greater than in many rivals. Rear air vents keep passengers happy.

Interior

8.0

The cabin of the Cadenza can only be described as expansive. There's plenty of room for front and rear passengers. Even when the Easy Entry feature scoots the seat back, the driver won't hit the knees of the occupant behind. The materials quality is particularly impressive.

Ease of use

8.0

All buttons and knobs on the center stack are within arm's reach of the driver and the front passenger. The touchscreen is a little far away, however. Either front occupant will have to lean forward slightly to press the virtual buttons accurately.

Getting in/getting out

9.0

The wide doors, tall door openings, narrow side sills and unobtrusive seat bolsters make it easy to get into and out of the front seats. A gently sloping roofline makes for similarly easy access in and out of the back row.

Driving position

8.0

The driver's seat offers a number of adjustments, including four-way lumbar and an extendable thigh bolster. The power steering wheel telescopes out pretty far, making it easy for tall drivers to find a comfortable position. It's also easy to see over the low hood.

Roominess

7.0

The Cadenza's large interior provides ample room all around for most occupants. Legroom is generous, allowing 6-foot adults to sit behind each other without knees hitting the seatback. Only very tall passengers in a sunroof-equipped Cadenza will brush up against the headliner.

Visibility

9.0

The tall, wide front windows promote excellent forward and side visibility. The rear roof pillars are thick, but the associated small windows help reduce the blind spots. The rear window is generously sized, so it's easy to see out of the back.

Quality

8.5

The Cadenza Limited's materials quality seems appropriate given its price tag. Quilted seat bolsters are an unexpected touch in this class, and thoughtful touches such as a padded driver knee rest are appreciated. The glossy piano black and wood trim do not reflect glaring sunlight.

Utility

7.5

You'll find many places to store small items, including a deep glove compartment and a pocket in each door. The trunk is large overall compared to those of most sedans, though it is slightly smaller than some in its class. The rear seat doesn't fold to expand the cargo area.

Small-item storage

8.0

Front-seat occupants get a cubby beneath the center stack and a bin under the armrest to store small items. There's not much in the rear aside from the seatback map pockets. All doors have a cutout with room for a small water bottle. Four normally sized cupholders are split between front and rear.

Cargo space

6.0

The cargo load floor is large and mostly flat, aside from a slight hump in the middle to provide room for the spare tire jack underneath. The cargo area measures 16 cubic feet, average for the segment but less than in the Impala and Taurus. There is a ski pass-through, but the rear seats don't fold.

Child safety seat accommodation

8.5

Four lower LATCH anchors are hidden beneath plastic covers on the outboard seats that fold down under pressure but cannot be removed. Three upper anchors are located on the rear shelf and are also concealed under covers. All are easy to access.

Technology

7.5

The Cadenza offers the latest tech features, including adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree parking camera and Apple CarPlay. Execution is lacking, mostly due to the infotainment system's menu structure and the wonky logic of driver aids. Navigation doesn't use predictive city and street names.

Audio & navigation

8.5

The 12-speaker Harman Kardon system sounds awesome, with a wide volume range and a surround-sound effect that makes instruments and voices sound closer to the listener. We wish more than just treble, bass and mid were adjustable. Slow responses make the nav system a bit difficult to operate.

Smartphone integration

7.5

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come on every Cadenza, while the Technology and Limited trims add a wireless phone charging pad under the center stack. Apple CarPlay is unusually difficult to find in the touchscreen menus. There's one USB port in front and another behind the center console.

Driver aids

7.0

Adaptive cruise control keeps speed well, exceeding the limit set by just 1 mph on a steep downhill grade. Unfortunately, it's slow to reapply acceleration if the car in front of you has turned or changed lanes. Lane departure warning is too sensitive, triggering an alarm with little provocation.

Voice control

7.0

Kia's voice recognition software could use some work because the navigation system is easily confused by numbered streets (e.g., "5th Street") and north-south-east-west descriptors. The phone book recognition is better. Siri Eyes Free is available if an iPhone is connected.

Compare 2018 Kia Cadenza trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Kia Cadenza models

The 2018 Kia Cadenza is a large 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 available Luxury package is incorporated into the Technology trim, along with a few other desirable additions. And 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 of torque) that's matched to an eight-speed automatic and 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 a panoramic sunroof, power-folding mirrors, LED cabin lighting, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. This package also includes rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors and advanced blind-spot monitoring.

The Technology is one level up, adding the contents of the Luxury package, 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's 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. The Technology also gets you forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

You can't go any higher than the Limited trim, which has all of the Technology trim's equipment plus a power-operated trunklid, a head-up display, side rear sunshades, a power rear sunshade, upgraded leather upholstery and heated rear seats.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Kia Cadenza Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$161/mo

$159/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#4 out of 13 among Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Kia Cadenza from 2008-2022.}

$482/yr

vs. $474/yr
for Average Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.86x/yr

vs. 0.97x/yr
for Average Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

14%

vs. 13.4%
for Average Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Kia Cadenza Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.6

31 reviews

5(77%)

4(13%)

3(3%)

2(7%)

1(0%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Surprisingly Great Tech Package update

Tom, 08/02/2017

2017 Kia Cadenza Technology 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)

I have owned BMW Convertible, 5 Series M Sport, Acura TSX & many Toyota's & Honda's. The 2017 Cadenza is the most comfortable car I have ever owned. Full of High Tech in Tech package. Smooth ride, excellent seats (better than Volvo). August 2018 update To date this is the best car I have ever owned. No repairs in 1st year and 21,000 miles. No adjustments of any sort. By comparison my … BMW’s needed 3-6 in first year. Tread life on tires is good but tires are too noisy once broken in. Seats are superbly comfortable. Averaging 27 MPG with 50/50 split on highway vs city driving. List price for my car was just under $40000, got it out the door for under $33000. What a great car & what a bargain. Have only less than 10 of them on the road in last year. Nice! Update 7/19 Now @ 45000 miles & all is well. MPG still 27. Zero problems. Seats comfortable. Occasionally have issue with rear view camera engaging. Zero repairs. Best car I ever owed. 2 years & counting! January 2020 update. 57,000 miles & counting. Still zero problems in 30 months. Still averaging 27.1 total mpg. Very reliable, comfortable, safe & efficient. Front seats are the best, most comfortable one around. We love this car. Now 65000 miles. Zero problems. No repairs. 27.1 total MPG. Did put new battery in 7/20 ($295) Update January 2021. Now have 70,000 miles on car, mostly highway. Mileage dropped to 26 MPG due to more local driving in last year. Backup camera on occasion still is slow to engage. On occasion the outside temp will register 32 degrees when it might be 55. Will reset in about 5-10 minutes. Still no repairs after 3 1/2 years of ownership and 70,000 miles which is amazing for any car. Maintenance is inexpensive and done right the first time. I love this car. How many people can say that after owning for this amount of time? Of all 16 new cars this is my best one. Update 7/21 75,000 & counting. Owned now 4 years. Still 0 repairs or adjustments. Original brakes & rotors still going strong. Occasional glitch with backup camera no image. Still best car I have ever owned. 1/2022 update. 84,090 miles & going strong. Still zero repairs. Safe, reliable, comfortable. Sorry to see Kia no longer makes the Cadenza. Great car. LAST UPDATE: I sold this car in May 2022. Best car I have ever owned. NO REPAIRS in 5 years & 86,000 miles. Original break pads & rotors. Just changed tires, fluids as needed. Paid $33000 out the door in 2017 & sold to dealer (not as trade in) for $19,500. Only depreciated 40% in 5 years. What a great car but bought 2022 BMW X5 45e. UPDATE June 2023: After 90,000 miles & zero repairs I sold this car. List price was $40,000 in 2017. I paid $33,000 out the door. Dealer bought it from me for $19,500. Never had to make the first repair. Still has original brakes, pads & rotors. The best car I have ever owned.

2 for 2

jeff, 08/27/2017

2017 Kia Cadenza Premium 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)

I leased a 2015 cadenza, for 2 years after leasing a infinity. The cadenza was a better all around vehicle. I now lease a 2017 cadenza and l love the new style,I have not had a single problem with either car.Plush interior and great performance!

Gotta Have A Cadenza!!!!!

Bruce, 12/14/2017

2017 Kia Cadenza Limited 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)

As my lease on my 2015 Chevy Malibu was almost up, I started car shopping and I HATE car salesmen. I looked at several cars including buying a Malibu, Sonata, Cadillac and more, and I had a salesmen suggest I drive a new 2017 Cadenza, which I did. I am glad that I listed to him. I loved the ride, but I was not going to pay $46K for the top of the line model. The lease deal they had …

Big Car Great Value

Cindy, 08/14/2017

2017 Kia Cadenza Technology 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 8A)

Bigger than BMW 3 or 5 Series. More Comfortable than Mercedes. Better warranty than everyone. What a value! Had this car now for 1.5 years, 34,000 miles. 0 problems. Rides great, most comfortable seats ever. Great value. Best car I have ever owned.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Kia Cadenza, so we've included reviews for other years of the Cadenza since its last redesign.

See all 31 reviews of the Kia Cadenza

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2018 Cadenza Highlights

Trim:

Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$32,290
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$161/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Cadenza models:

Autonomous Emergency Braking: Automatically applies the brakes if a front collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian is deemed imminent.
Blind-Spot Detection: Detects whether a vehicle is in the left- or right-side blind spot and sounds an alert if the turn signal is engaged.
Lane Change Assist: Alerts the driver if vehicles in adjacent lanes are approaching.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good