“It's wonderful. You would love the drive, it's good on gas, and the seats sit wonderfully.”
2020 Kia Cadenza: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2020 Kia Cadenza received a substantial mid-cycle refresh led by redesigned exterior styling, a new dashboard, and a broader standard technology and safety package. The lineup also dropped from three trims to two, with the Premium trim discontinued.
About the 2020 Kia Cadenza
2nd generation (2017-2020 U.S.), refreshed final year.
Kia positioned the Cadenza as a roomy near-luxury sedan for drivers who wanted a quiet ride, a large trunk, upscale materials, and a long list of features without moving to a luxury-brand badge. Official launch material stressed its calm, composed road manners and generous passenger space. Its main draw versus rivals was simple: V6 power, lots of standard comfort and safety tech, and a more premium cabin feel than many shoppers expected from a Kia sedan.
The Technology is the well-equipped main version, pairing a quiet, roomy cabin with a panoramic sunroof, heated leather-trimmed front seats, and a broad driver-assist suite. The Limited adds a more upscale feel with quilted Nappa leather, heated rear seats, Harman Kardon audio, and extra camera-based parking and blind-spot aids. Both use a 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6, an eight-speed automatic, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
What changed, by category
Styling
Kia redesigned the front and rear, adding a new grille, a new front lighting treatment, and revised rear lighting. The dashboard and instrument panel layout were also redesigned.
Tech
A 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connections for multiple Bluetooth devices became standard. Kia also added three USB ports, faster wireless phone charging, and remote start through the key fob.
Safety
The standard driver-assist suite expanded with Lane Following Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Safe Exit Assist, cruise control that uses navigation data to adjust for curves, and upgraded forward collision avoidance that detects pedestrians, cyclists, and junction turns.
Structural
Kia reinforced the rear subframe crossmembers, retuned the shock absorbers, and fitted larger rear dampers to make the ride softer and reduce cabin noise.
2020 Kia Cadenza specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Overdrive & Sportmatic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Overdrive & Sportmatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 20 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 28 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Horsepower | 290 hp | 290 hp |
| Torque | 253 lb-ft | 253 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 16 cu-ft | 16 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 37.2 in | 37.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||
| Rear View Camera | ||
| 360 Camera | ||
| Alloy Wheels | ||
| LED Headlights | ||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||
| Navigation System | ||
| Premium Audio | ||
| Smartphone Interface | ||
| Subwoofer | ||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||
| Heated Front Seats | ||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||
| Leather Seats | ||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||
| Memory Steering Wheel | ||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||
| Remote Start | ||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||
Frequently asked questions
How different is the 2020 Kia Cadenza from the 2019 model?
The 2020 Cadenza is meaningfully updated from the 2019 model. It has redesigned front and rear styling, a new dashboard, a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, more charging connections, expanded driver-assist technology, and revised suspension tuning for a quieter, softer ride.
Which trims does the 2020 Kia Cadenza have?
The 2020 Cadenza comes in Technology and Limited trims. The previous Premium trim was dropped, reducing the lineup from three versions to two.
Did the 2020 Kia Cadenza get a new engine?
No, the 2020 refresh did not bring a new engine. Both trims use a 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
What safety features were added to the 2020 Kia Cadenza?
The 2020 Cadenza added Lane Following Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Safe Exit Assist, navigation-based cruise functions, and upgraded forward collision avoidance. The collision system can detect pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles encountered while turning at a junction.
Is the 2020 Kia Cadenza a worthwhile upgrade over the 2019 model?
Yes, the 2020 is a meaningful upgrade if you value a larger standard touchscreen, broader driver-assist coverage, updated cabin and exterior design, and a softer, quieter ride. The basic V6 powertrain remains familiar, so the main gains are in comfort, technology, and safety rather than performance.
2020 Kia Cadenza Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 Kia Cadenza.
4.2
2020 Kia Cadenza
(24 reviews)
“Good choice. Provides all the niceties one wants as well as the optics, and performance that is so very important.”
“Unfortunately Kia has stopped producing the Cadenza. I would tell someone that if they want a full size roomy semi luxury sedan at a reasonable price that this is a car to consider.”