Used 2020 Kia Cadenza

The Kia Cadenza is to the Optima what the Toyota Avalon is to the Camry – a larger version of the company’s midsize front-wheel-drive (FWD) sedan. But the well-built and spacious has never sold well in the U.S. In 2019, Kia sold only 1,630 of them in the U.S.

To address this, the South Korean carmaker has refreshed its Cadenza significantly for 2020. While it has the same 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 as before, the new Cadenza benefits from updated styling and a revised interior. Kia has also reinforced the rear subframe and added an improved standard safety suite.

With its redesigned hood, grille, and lower fascia, the 2020 Kia Cadenza looks more premium, aided in front by a new hood, a revised lower front fascia, and standard multi-lens LED headlights. The dramatically improved appearance continues around back, where a redesigned rear bumper is complemented by a new trunk lid and LED taillights. Completing the Cadenza’s fresh new look are redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels (or optional 19s).

The Kia Cadenza has selectable drive modes and a Sport setting, but that doesn’t suddenly transform this large and luxurious FWD sedan into a BMW beater. Sport mode does, however, minimize body roll on twisting roads.

This is a quiet and supple sedan traditionally tuned with a cushy ride. However, the available Cadenzas for 2020, the Technology and the Limited, both are equipped with high-performance shock absorbers that should dramatically improve the sporting quotient of this big Kia sedan.

Under the hood, Kia has used a 3.3-liter V6 since the Cadenza arrived for 2014. It puts out 290 horsepower, making the Cadenza accelerate reasonably quickly and feel totally relaxed on the freeway. The 8-speed automatic doesn’t call attention to itself; it shifts smoothly, when you’d expect. While the Cadenza has just the right amount of electric steering assist, feedback though the leather-wrapped rim of the steering wheel is a bit lacking.

Although the 2020 Kia Cadenza has a fresh new exterior, most of the changes have taken place inside the car. The dash and instrument cluster have been completely redesigned, and the switches for the audio controls have been moved above those for the climate control system.

Interior highlights on the 2020 Kia Cadenza include a new 12.3-inch touchscreen and a color 4.2-inch TFT screen in the instrument panel. There are also three additional USB charging ports and an enhanced wireless smartphone charger. A smart key with a remote engine start also is standard, along with two new colors of Nappa leather: Saddle Brown and Gray. Multicolor ambient lighting is standard on the Limited, the Cadenza that also boasts attractively quilted seat bolsters.

Despite the new look and all the modern technology, the best feature of the Cadenza is its abundant rear-seat space. We suspect LeBron James could fit back there.

Kia has dramatically improved the look of the Cadenza for 2020. There’s a redesigned hood and grille, with a deeper vertical waterfall grille. At each end are Z-shaped LED accent lights, connected by a subtle crease running along each shoulder.

The overall look is classy. Classy enough, we feel, to make the Cadenza a credible alternative to luxurious domestic marques such as Cadillac, Lincoln, and Buick.

HUGE BACK SEAT
Take two adults of imposing size and put them in the Cadenza’s rear quarters. They’ll be purring contentedly in no time. There’s plenty of space in all directions, and even the optional panoramic sunroof doesn’t encroach on the headroom too much.

HUGE TOUCHSCREEN
All 2020 Kia Cadenzas have a new 12.3-inch touchscreen. Situated above the controls for the automatic climate control, this screen allows the driver and front passenger to control the satellite radio, navigation, UVO telematics, and the standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

The Kia Cadenza Technology model has the direct-injected 3.3-liter V6, 18-inch wheels, and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment on the Technology includes a panoramic sunroof, a manual tilt/telescope steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, an 8-speaker audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Smart Key.

Other Technology fare includes driver-selectable drive modes and an extensive Drive Wise safety suite with navigation-based smart cruise control, automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic assist, and lane-keeping assist.

The Cadenza Limited has the same Drive Wise safety suite, but it also has a nifty blind-spot monitor that displays the rear three-quarter blind-spot as a live video image on the instrument panel when the directional signal is switched on. The Limited also is equipped with paddle shifters and a parking program with automatic rear braking, plus power front seats that have a neat one-touch up/down feature.

Other Limited-specific hardware includes chromed 19-inch alloy wheels, a power tilt/telescope steering wheel, beautifully quilted Nappa leather seat trim, vented front seats, heated outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

With the two well-equipped versions of the 2020 Kia Cadenza, options are limited to minor port-installed bits like floor mats, cargo nets, and wheel locks.

The one available engine in the 2020 Kia Cadenza is an aluminum-block 3.3-liter V6. Mounted transversely under that new hood, this direct-injected engine sends 290 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels via a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel economy is a respectable 28 mpg on the highway. With its 18.5-gallon tank, the Cadenza can approach 500 miles between fill-ups.

3.3-liter V6
290 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
253 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg