The Cadenza banishes any lingering thoughts that Kia is just a manufacturer of cheap, unrefined cars. Well-rounded and thoroughly likable, this modern large sedan scores near the top of its category, edging the Toyota Avalon, once a benchmark in this segment. Thanks to better ride and handling, it also outscores the Hyundai Azera, which shares the Cadenza's platform and powertrain.
Pulling that off requires a long list of positives, and the Cadenza has them, along with very few faults. The cabin is quiet, well-finished, and spacious, and it has super-simple controls, which is rare in a fully-featured luxury sedan.
The 3.3-liter V6 provides plenty of power as well as 22 mpg overall, which is par for this class. Ride comfort is fine, but the isolation is a half-step behind the best-in-class. And some competitors, such the Chevrolet Impala, have better ride and more enjoyable handling.
Despite Kia's traditional emphasis on value, our Cadenza lacked some features we'd expect for the price, such as blind-spot monitoring, some seat adjustments, and a ventilated passenger seat.