2016 Kia Cadenza Tech – Road Test

I’ve driven the Cadenza a couple of times, but only for small stints – no longer than 10 minutes at a time. Every time I’ve gotten behind the wheel I’ve been impressed by how well it handled – far better than I’d expected it to be – for an old guy’s car. It’s a good-looking car, but let’s be honest here – it doesn’t get the heart-pounding… So why did I book a full week behind the wheel? Well, partly because the all-new Optima had just come out (which I’d already driven) and that left me with a huge question: Is the Cadenza worth buying when the Optima is sooo good? As luck would have it, just as I was about to pick up the Cadenza, Kia announced the arrival of the all-new 2017 by the end of the year. Now there’s an additional question: How much better will it be than the 2016 model? Let’s tackle the first question now and the second question next year…

What Is It?

Near-luxury mid-size sedan
Sits between the Optima and K900 in the Kia family
It’s priced almost exactly in line with the Optima
3L V6 engine
6-speed automatic with paddle-shift
Plenty of safety and luxury features that $60,000 cars don’t have

How Does It Look?

Very Attractive and classy
Panorama sunroof is actually two moon roofs with the front one opening and the back affixed – seems to be the norm from Kia now and that’s a good thing

What’s It Like Inside?

The fully digital dash (TFT LCD) is attractive and keeps the driver well informed
Multi-way power front seats – the driver gets leg extension and lumbar adjustment, but the front passenger has minimal manual control
The seats are comfortable, but a little flat – in keeping with the targeted owner
12-speaker Infinity Premium Sound System – much more expensive cars can’t say their sound system is this good!
HVAC – Didn’t like how hard it was to focus on the various buttons just to change simple functions – very distracting at 100 kph
Stuffed with many standard features that other manufacturers will charge you handsomely for
Very comfortable rear seat with an abundance of legroom for rear passengers + virtually flat floor

So How Quick Is It & How Does It Handle?

The hushed interior belies the speed you’re actually doing, which is great if you’re driving on the Autobahn, but
You’ll probably have to set aside funds for the Revenue Generation Mob aka: Police
Steering input is very light – too light for my taste

Horsepower: 293 @ 6,400 rpm
Torque: 255 @ 5,200
Top Speed: 154 mph / 248 kph
0 – 60 mph (0-97 kph): 6.4 seconds

What Does It Cost?
To Buy… For up-to-date pricing and options in your region visit: www.KIA.ca
Base Price Canada: $37,995 // As Tested (Tech Package): $45,595
Base Price USA: $33,840 // As Tested: $43, 140 (Limited model includes Luxury Package and Technology Package as standard equipment)

To Operate…

I averaged 8.5- 10.1 L/100 km with a somewhat aggressive right foot, which I would consider very good
(L/100 km) is rated at: City -12.7 / Highway – 8.4 / Combined -10.7
S. mpg: City – 19 / Highway – 28 // Combined – 22

Noteworthy Standard Features [Tech Model]

Blind Spot Monitoring
Adaptive Smart Cruise Control – still don’t like these… I slowed down by 25 kph without realizing it was because the car in front was going slow
Lane departure Warning
MultiMedia Interface with Navi
Windshield wiper de-icer – works fantastic. We had a freak snow and ice storm, it made it so much easier to clear the front window
Hill Assist – never did find the button for this!
Electric tilt and telescopic steering wheel with memory (including seat)
HID Headlamps with AFLS (Adaptive Front Lighting)
LED tail lamps
Rear view Camera & rear parking sensors
Panorama sunroof
Smart key w/Push button start
Infinity Premium Sound System
Premium Nappa Leather interior
Heated and cooled front seats
Heated rear seats
Heated steering wheel – very pleasant during a particularly cold snap
Electric rear window sunblind

The Competition
BMW 3 Series, Lincoln MKZ, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Lexus IS250/350

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good: It does everything well and even looks the part – Understated Elegance that doesn’t draw undue attention
The Bad: HVAC isn’t intuitive when you need to make adjustment while keeping eyes on the road
The Bad: Every time the trunk opens, all the rain and snow from on the trunk drops right into the middle and all over anything inside
The Ugly: There’s absolutely nothing ugly or wrong with the 2016 Cadenza – can’t wait to check out the 2017 though!

What’s The Verdict?
The 2016 Cadenza is a great car, but now that the Optima is all-new where does it logically fit? I think right now it has an identity crisis and I can’t see how or why it needs to exist. The Optima is just as quiet inside, the driver’s seat is more comfortable and it feels much faster and sportier… and it’s $15,000 cheaper. With the all-new 2017 Cadenza coming out by the end of 2016, obviously Kia think there’s a place for it in the line-up. I’m guessing the 2017 is going to be moving much further up-market to compete with the BMW 4 and 5 series as well as Mercedes-Benz E Class – and that makes sense because Kia are already stealing customers from them by offering their solid reliability, high re-sale value and much cheaper maintenance costs. Now there appears to be a third question: should Lexus be worried?

Also Published at: Flagworld.com