Kia has canceled production of its two largest sedans, effective immediately. There are no plans to replace the 2020 Kia Cadenza or the K900, which were selling slowly.
The Cadenza, essentially a stretched version of the company’s midsize Optima sedan (itself replaced by the new K5), offers a lot of room, a comfortable ride, and a long warranty. But it suffers from a lack of power and ho-hum handling, and Kia managed to sell just 1,265 of them nationwide last year. The remaining Cadenzas in showrooms start at $37,850.
That’s still more than four times as many sales as Kia managed for the larger K900. Built on the bones of the retired Hyundai Equus luxury car, the K900 boasts a wealth of luxury features, 365 responsive horsepower, and a ride as smooth as most luxury cars. But, well…it’s a Kia. There just aren’t many buyers looking for a Lexus-like Kia. The company sold just 305 K900’s in 2020. The MSRP starts at $59,900.
No Replacements on Horizon
Kia sees no need to plug the holes in its lineup, now that Americans are buying far more SUVs than sedans. “As the auto industry shifts its focus from full-size sedans to SUVs, Kia is poised to succeed with a robust range of utility offerings which includes Telluride, Sorento, Sportage, and Seltos,” the company said.
Kia joins a growing line of manufacturers pulling back from the sedan market. The smaller Rio and Forte, midsize K5, and sporty Stinger will remain for now. But the company appears to be banking its future on an upcoming slate of electric vehicles and a rebranding effort.
For those who are in the market for a large sedan, though, the last few K900s and Cadenzas may be worth a test drive. Dealers are often anxious to part with discontinued models in a rush to fill the space with the cars automakers are currently advertising, and may accept lower offers after cancellation.
