“The KIA Cadenza is the best vehicle I've owned. It is comfortable, economical, and very dependable. I used to drive Lincoln Town Cars, but much prefer the Cadenza, I have all the quality at half the price and the KIA's just age better!”
Kia Cadenza: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Kia Cadenza is a large five-seat sedan known for its roomy, upscale cabin, quiet ride, strong V6 power, and generous features. It was positioned as a near-luxury car for buyers who did not need a luxury-brand badge.
The Cadenza consistently paired everyday Kia value with the space, comfort, and polish of a more expensive sedan. Every U.S. model used a strong V6, while the cabin emphasized quietness, quality materials, and plenty of standard equipment. The 2017 redesign improved refinement and technology, and the final 2020 refresh made the ride softer and the safety features more extensive.
Strengths
- The cabin has a more premium look and feel than many shoppers expect from a Kia sedan.
- Its quiet, composed ride makes it well suited to long drives and relaxed daily commuting.
- The roomy passenger area gives adults useful space in both rows.
- Every U.S. Cadenza came with a strong V6 engine, with 2020 models rated at 290 horsepower.
- It carries a generous amount of standard comfort, infotainment, and safety equipment for a non-luxury sedan.
- The trunk is practical for travel, with 16 cubic feet of space in 2020 models.
Who it's for
It fits someone who wants a comfortable, roomy car for commuting, road trips, or carrying adult passengers, but prefers a traditional sedan over an SUV. It also makes sense for shoppers who value a premium-feeling cabin and useful features more than a prestigious badge or sporty handling.
Kia Cadenza lineup
For most of the second generation, Premium served as the straightforward entry point, while Technology added more advanced convenience and driver-assistance equipment. Limited was the upscale choice, with the fullest mix of cabin amenities and premium technology. For 2020, Kia dropped Premium, leaving Technology as the more accessible version and Limited as the top trim. Earlier first-generation cars used different trim arrangements, but Limited still represented the more richly equipped end of the lineup.
Kia Cadenza generations
From 2014 to 2020, the Cadenza spans two generations. The current 2nd Generation arrived for 2017, following the 1st U.S.-Market Generation (2014–2016).
2nd Generation (2017–2020)
The second-generation Cadenza has a stiffer, lighter body, a revised 3.3-liter V6, and an 8-speed automatic. It also brings a quieter cabin, slightly more rear-seat room, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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2020Mid-cycle update
Refreshed front and rear styling, a redesigned dashboard, a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a broader safety suite. The Premium trim was dropped.
2019
Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors became standard across the lineup.
2018
Minor option-package changes on the Premium trim; otherwise largely unchanged.
2017New generation
Fully redesigned with a stiffer, lighter body, a revised V6, an 8-speed automatic, and a quieter, roomier cabin.
1st U.S.-Market Generation (2014–2016)
The Cadenza arrived in the U.S. as a large sedan with a 3.3-liter V6, a 6-speed automatic, leather seating, navigation, and an upscale cabin. It sat above the Optima in Kia's sedan lineup.
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2016Trim changes
A new entry-level base trim joined the lineup, and an 8-inch navigation system became standard on every trim.
2015Trim changes
An eight-way power front passenger seat became standard, while the Limited received minor styling and equipment updates.
2014New generation
The Cadenza launched in the U.S. with a 3.3-liter V6, a 6-speed automatic, and two trims.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Kia Cadenza.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia Cadenza a full-size sedan?
The Cadenza is a large four-door sedan with seating for five. The 2020 model has 37.2 inches of rear legroom and a 16-cubic-foot trunk, so it offers useful passenger and cargo space without being an SUV.
Is the Kia Cadenza really a luxury car?
It is better described as a near-luxury sedan. The Cadenza combines a Kia badge with an upscale cabin, a quiet ride, leather seating, and generous comfort features rather than presenting itself as a traditional luxury-brand car.
What is the Kia Cadenza known for?
The Cadenza is known for a quiet, comfortable ride, roomy seating, strong V6 power, and a long equipment list. Its appeal is relaxed everyday comfort rather than sporty handling or aggressive performance.
Is the Kia Cadenza a hybrid?
No. U.S.-market Cadenzas from 2014 through 2020 use a gasoline 3.3-liter V6. There was no hybrid version in the model history covered here.
Does the Kia Cadenza have all-wheel drive?
No. The Cadenza is a front-wheel-drive sedan, not an all-wheel-drive model. Shoppers who need power sent to all four wheels will need to look outside this model line.
Is the Kia Cadenza a good family car?
Yes, for families who want a roomy sedan. It seats five, has generous rear legroom, and provides a 16-cubic-foot trunk in the 2020 model. Its quiet ride and rear air vents also suit longer trips.
How many generations of the Kia Cadenza were sold in the U.S.?
Two generations were sold in the U.S. The first ran from 2014 through 2016. A fully redesigned second generation arrived for 2017 and continued through the refreshed 2020 model.
Do all Kia Cadenza models have a V6?
Yes. Every U.S.-market Cadenza covered here has a 3.3-liter V6. First-generation cars make 293 horsepower and use a six-speed automatic, while 2017–2020 cars make 290 horsepower and use an eight-speed automatic.
Kia Cadenza Reviews
What owners are saying about the Kia Cadenza.
4.3
Kia Cadenza
(537 reviews)
“Great value and standard features available beat out many more expensive luxury brands.”
“Kia Cadenza is a high-value car for the money. Kia should advertise their Cadenza and K-9000 brands more; I do not see them touting this luxury, value-oriented cars against other models in the same categories.”
“it is a very well equipped vehicle it has an excellent ride quality with very good performance overall it is equal to vehicles that are priced thousands of dollars higher”
“It is a beautiful, comfortable and reliable vehicle. It has lots of optional options which I am in the process of learning. It amazes me what it can do.”
“Good vehicle, but the lane keeping is too nervous and ping-pong like. The cruise control's brake-check feature after letting off the gas pedal after passing someone is a safety hazard and should be recalled. Otherwise a really nice car. Pleasant to live with.”
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Models / Cadenza / 2020
- kiamedia.com — Cadenza / 2020 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Cadenza / 2019 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Cadenza / 2019 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 18092 / Kia America Announces October 2021 Sales
- kiamedia.com — Cadenza / 2020 / Specifications
- kiamedia.com — Models / Cadenza / 2019
- kia.com — Us / Brochures / Brochure Cadenza 2019
- kiamedia.com — Models / Cadenza / 2018
- kiamedia.com — Cadenza / 2018 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Cadenza / 2018 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Cadenza / 2018 / Specifications