2020 Kia Cadenza Review

2020 Kia Cadenza Limited Sedan Exterior Shown

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The Kia Cadenza provides near-luxury cabin materials, the latest technology features and an emphasis on passenger comfort. It's not terribly exciting, but the Cadenza's spacious interior and all-around competence make it easy to live with day to day. A long warranty gives extra peace of mind for long-term ownership.

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2020 Kia Cadenza Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Well equipped for the price
Abundant legroom allows passengers to stretch out
Generous warranty coverage
Lots of available advanced safety features

Cons

Headroom, especially with a sunroof, is a bit tight for tall occupants
The ride isn't as composed as that of segment leaders
Smaller trunk than rivals and rear seats don't fold down
From acceleration to handling, the Cadenza isn't much fun to drive

What's new

Base-level Premium trim has been discontinued
Exterior and interior styling refresh
New or updated technology and safety features
Part of the second Cadenza generation introduced for 2017

Overview

You'd be forgiven if you forgot the Kia Cadenza — Kia's full-size sedan — exists. Among premium vehicles, sedans have been losing ground against SUVs and, let's face it, Kia isn't a name synonymous with luxury. The automaker's hoping the 2020 Kia Cadenza changes that perception with fresh styling and new features.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Kia Cadenza Technology 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 $3.13 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$166/mo

$163/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Along with a minor exterior face-lift, the 2020 Cadenza has an updated interior with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a redesigned instrument panel, and more intuitive placement of audio and climate controls. Kia says it has also improved the adaptive cruise control system and added automatic emergency braking functionality to the rear cross-traffic alert system.

The Cadenza's stiffest competition comes from the Toyota Avalon. The big Toyota offers a smoother, more powerful V6 engine as well as more refined ride and handling over a variety of roads. But Kia counters with excellent warranty coverage and less controversial styling, both of which are attractive attributes to the traditional sedan buyer.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.5

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Cadenza drive? Acceleration from a stop is pretty gradual. Passing maneuvers require a heavy foot since the transmission is reluctant to downshift and takes a moment even at full throttle. In Edmunds testing, we recorded a 0-60 mph sprint time of 6.8 seconds, which is a few ticks slower than average for the class.

The braking performance is a little better. Our Cadenza Limited test car came to a stop from 60 mph in 115 feet, shorter than average for a large sedan. Around turns, you'll feel a lot of body lean. There's very little sport in this car's DNA. Midcorner bumps, however, don't affect the Cadenza at all.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the Cadenza? The Cadenza is a comfort-focused big sedan. But it has a less refined ride quality than some rivals, and the front seats aren't great for road trips since they lack adequate thigh support. The climate control system, though, is strong and has a variety of temperature control functions.

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.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? There's plenty of room for front and rear passengers. Wide doors, a tall door opening, narrow door sills and unobtrusive seat bolsters make it easy to get in and out of the front seats. A gently sloping roofline makes for similarly easy entry and exit for the back row.

The Cadenza's big windows promote excellent visibility to the front and sides. The thick rear roof pillars block your view out back somewhat, but the wide rear window compensates enough that it's pretty easy to see out of the back.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? The Cadenza offers the latest tech features, including adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree parking camera, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. We also like the optional 12-speaker Harman Kardon system. It sounds awesome, with a wide volume range and a surround-sound effect that makes instruments and voices sound closer to the listener.

The adaptive cruise control keeps your set speed well. 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 and triggers alarms with little provocation.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The cargo load floor is large and mostly flat. The cargo area measures 16 cubic feet, which is a little underwhelming for a big sedan. There is a pass-through, but the rear seats don't fold. 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. There are four typical-size cupholders split between the front and rear, plus a small bottle holder in each door.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 23 mpg combined (20 city/28 highway) for the Cadenza. This is a couple mpg below what you'll get from a Toyota Avalon. We confirmed the EPA's estimates with our test Cadenza, which averaged 26.6 mpg on our 115-mile highway-heavy test route.

Value

8/10

Is the Cadenza a good value? Kia boasts an exceptional warranty, and the Cadenza surpasses its all non-luxury rivals in interior materials. Quilted seat bolsters are an unexpected touch in this class, and thoughtful touches such as a padded driver's knee rest are appreciated. But we're not convinced that the Cadenza is well-rounded enough to justify its cost.

Wildcard

6/10

The Cadenza is a quietly competent large sedan that generates few complaints and inspires even less enthusiasm. It's fine in most regards, but that's about it. Joining the Witness Protection Program and need something to disappear in? The Cadenza is your car.

Which Cadenza does Edmunds recommend?

We'd put our money on the top-of-the-line Limited. We think the upgraded Harman Kardon audio system, ventilated seats and surround-view camera system add a hefty dose of luxury and are worth the extra money.

2020 Kia Cadenza models

For 2020, the Kia Cadenza is offered in only two trim levels: Technology and Limited. Both are powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine (290 horsepower, 253 lb-ft) mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All Cadenzas are front-wheel-drive. Highlight features include:

Technology
Comes well equipped with:

18-inch wheels
LED headlights
Panoramic sunroof
Leather seating
Power-adjustable front seats
Heated front seats
12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Wireless smartphone charging
Keyless entry with push-button start

The Cadenza also comes with these safety features:

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time)
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Limited
Includes additional features, such as:

19-inch wheels
Heated windshield wipers
Power-adjustable steering wheel
Upgraded leather seating surfaces
Driver-seat memory settings
Ventilated front seats
Heated outboard rear seats
Heated steering wheel
12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Cadenza and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

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.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Kia Cadenza.

5 (76%)

4 (11%)

3 (3%)

2 (5%)

1 (5%)

4.5

37 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 37 reviews

Most helpful consumer 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 2020 Kia Cadenza, so we've included reviews for other years of the Cadenza since its last redesign.

See all 37 reviews of the Kia Cadenza

Write a vehicle review

2020 Cadenza Highlights

Trim:

Technology

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$37,850
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$166/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Cadenza models:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: Automatically applies the brakes if a front collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian is deemed imminent.
Blind-Spot Collision Warning: Detects whether a vehicle is in the left- or right-side blind spot and sounds an alert if the turn signal is engaged in that direction.
Parking Distance Warning-Reverse: Sounds an alert as the Cadenza approaches an object while reversing.

2020 Kia Cadenza Review

2020 Kia Cadenza Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Kia Cadenza Technology 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 $3.13 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Cadenza does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Kia Cadenza models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Surprisingly Great Tech Package update

2 for 2

Gotta Have A Cadenza!!!!!

Big Car Great Value

2020 Cadenza Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Kia Cadenza Technology 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 $3.13 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}