Road Test: 2020 Kia Cadenza

Say Goodbye To Kiaâ€™s Large Upscale Sedan

While test driving the 2020 Kia Cadenza, and thinking how much I liked it, I wondered about its future. When I saw only 1,265 left dealerships in all of 2020, I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. Then, as I began to write this review, along came this announcement: â€œTo meet consumer demands, the Cadenza and K900 will be discontinued for the 2021 model year. Kia is poised to succeed with a robust range of (crossover sport) utility offerings which includes Telluride, Sorento, Sportage and Seltos.â€

The decision to drop the full-size Cadenza comes on the heels of Kia giving the 2020 model extensive exterior and interior updates. With these new styling cues making it edge even more solidly upscale, I am certain Kiaâ€™s designers were pleased with the results of the updated Cadenza, but the public has spoken. This presents a good opportunity for consumers that donâ€™t want nor need a crossover SUV, as it can be expected that Kia dealers will be motivated to sell you a Cadenza at a very attractive price.

What You Can Own

The 2020 Kia Cadenza is offered in two trimsâ€“Technology and Limited. Both are fitted with a 3.3-liter, non-turbocharged V6 engine, good for a 290 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. This engine, which runs on 87 octane, is mated to an electronically controlled eight-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic manual shifting, driving the front wheels. The Cadenza has three driver-selectable drive modes of Normal, Eco and Sport that adjust the engine and transmission responses. Eco is designed to maximize fuel economy, Comfort is for out on the freeway, and Sport is for those times where the Cadenza needs an extra boost of performance.

The EPA rates the 2020 Cadenza at 20 mpg city/28 highway/23 combined. In 416 miles driving throughout Southern California we averaged 27.9 mpg, but over a 110-mile, all-freeway run with the smart cruise control set at 65 mph, we averaged 30.1 mpg. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewerâ€™s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.

A large sedan that can comfortably hold five full-size adults and be able to top 30 mpg is notable. But these just okay fuel efficiency numbers, along with the publicâ€™s desire to own a crossover SUV, are a part of what doomed the Cadenza. However, with Kiaâ€™s stated goal of electrifying its complete line-up before the end of the decade, they know those five adults can be transported even more efficiently.

Out on the Road

If you are looking for a composed and quiet ride where driving excitement is not the pacing item, then the 2020 Cadenza will make you happy. The V6 engine is not overly powerful, which does not take away from it being smooth at all speeds, providing linear acceleration as it glides through the gears.

The handling wonâ€™t remind you of a driverâ€™s car, but rather a long range cruiser. The Cadenza, with Hankook Ventus 245/45 all-season tires mounted on 18-inch alloy wheels, welcomes that drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco, on straight freeways, where selecting the Comfort drive mode lets you settle in for many miles of a pleasing experience. Due in part to the acoustic windshield and front side windows, interior noise was nearly non-existent as would be expected on a near-luxury sedan.

Driving Experience: Exterior

The Cadenza has been significantly updated for 2020, with a redesigned hood and grille. Kia calls it a waterfall fascia. The Tiger Nose grille has been updated featuring a concave design that is a bit pinched in the middle and has a whopping 18 vertical chrome bars. It sounds like a lot, but it looks great. The slim, reflector LED headlights flow into the fenders and feature a stylized LED running light.

The smooth sides have tasteful chrome accents running across the bottom of the doors, around the windows and on the door handles, leading to the even more attractive, redesigned rear end. The LED tail lights begin with a â€œZâ€ design on the edges, which are then connected by dashed LED lights. The chrome exhaust openings are faux, but the look fits with the new rear design. Our Cadenza was painted in a very attractive Snow White Pearl that shimmered in the light.

Driving Experience: Interior

The interior on the 2020 Cadenza also went through an extensive redesign, which included a new dash and instrument cluster. Clean Fleet Report spent a week in the Cadenza Technology model, with an all-black interior with aluminum trim, very believable imitation wood accents, and glossy black surfaces. The leather seats were heated, with the driver getting power 10-way adjustments, four-way lumbar and seat extensions, while the front passenger gets eight-way power adjustments. The seats had good thigh bolstering and support and, for the driver, the tilt and telescopic steering column made it easy to find a comfortable driving position.

Three adults can fit in the rear seat, but for longer trips two would be more comfortable, where they could take advantage of the fold down arm rest with cup holders. Access was easy through wide door openings, and no one will complain about the ample head, shoulder and leg room. The Cadenza has a pass-through opening, but is one of the few sedans that does not have a folding rear seat. Not to worry about cargo space, though, as the trunk is huge.

The cockpit layout is simple and clean with soft touch materials on the dash, arm rest and door panels. Easyâ€“to-read gauges, with black with white letters, are joined by the Bluetooth, audio and cruise controls on the multi-function, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Clean Fleet Reportâ€™s Cadenza came with a landscape 12.3-inch touchscreen that housed Kiaâ€™s UVO telematics and navigation. The eight-speaker audio system came with SiriusXM (three-month trial subscription), AM/FM HD radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connectivity was through USB ports (two front/two rear) with Bluetooth streaming audio and hands-free telephone. The radio interface was driver-friendly with knobs for the channel and volume functions.

Additional convenience features include a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, a 12V power outlet, dual-zone automatic climate system, rear view camera, auto dimming rear view mirror with Homelink, cargo mat and carpeted floor mats, push button start/stop, remote keyless entry, tire pressure monitoring system, compact spare, and four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes.

Safety

The 2020 Kia Cadenza comes with front, seat-mounted and full side curtain air bags and the Drive Wise advanced driver assist systems (ADAS). Safety features include forward collision warning and avoidance, lane departure and driver attention warning, lane keep assist, blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross traffic collision and parking distance warning and pedestrian forward collision avoidance.

Pricing and Warranties

The 2020 Kia Cadenza sedan comes in two trim levels with base prices, including the $1,035 freight and handling fee, of $38,885 for the Technology and $44,585 for the Limited. Clean Fleet Reportâ€™s Cadenza Technology had a MSRP of $39,115, including the $1,035 freight and handling fee and $230 in options.

The 2020 Cadenza comes with these warranties.

Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles

Basic – Five years/60,000 miles

Roadside – Five years/60,000 miles

Observations: 2020 Kia Cadenza Technology

Coming from a generation where sedans were kings of the road, and sports utility vehicles were non-existent, it is tough to watch five-passenger, four-door cars go away. Our contention at Clean Fleet Report is that if consumers would just try a sedan when at their dealer, they may realize it is better for their driving lifestyle than a crossover.

With the Cadenza and K900 discontinued this year, that leaves Kia with three sedansâ€“the Forte, K5 and Stinger. In January 2020 Kia announced it will be offering 11 electric vehicles by 2025, with the first model hitting showrooms this year. Could all of these sedans become electrified, or will they completely go away? Talk with any automotive journalist and they will tell you Kia is one of the most progressive brands, so stay tuned.

Take the time to visit your Kia dealer and check-out 2020 Cadenza. If a large sedan fits your lifestyle, we are convinced you will not be disappointed.

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Story and photos by John Faulkner.