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Taking the brand decidedly upmarket, Kia's first true flagship is a large, front-wheel
drive premium sedan known as the Cadenza giving Kia shoppers a graduation car from the Optima.
With the rear-drive, Hyundai Equus-like K900 breathing down its neck, the Cadenza's time
at the top is short lived, showing Kia is fervently moving the needle in the direction
of luxury. And witnessing its Korean counterpart's success in this arena has only boosted Kia's
confidence to try it, too. So what do we have here? Well, think a pricier, more premium
Hyundai Azera and you're in the right spot. The Cadenza comes in 2 trim levels; Premium
and Limited with a starting MSRP of $35,900. All motor with the same powertrain; a silky
smooth, energetic 3.3-liter V6 matched to a 6-speed automatic of the same ilk. And considering
it makes a healthy 293 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, its gas mileage of 19mpg
city/28mpg highway is an achievement. This Cadenza Limited, which comes with everything
standard, stickers for a conspicuous $43,200. For that, you get a Peter Schreyer-penned
body worthy of a second glance, riding on glitzy 19" wheels and exuding all of the qualities
of a $40,000 sedan and then some. A unique LED eyebrow rests above the HID adaptive headlights
flanking Kia's shark-nosed familial grille. There are pronounced LED taillights atop dual
ovoid exhaust outlets and a sleek, sculpted body whose profile will have you second guessing
if it's from a German brand. The cabin definitely gives you a slice of the luxury lifestyle
with white Nappa leather seats, a soft, furry headliner and all sorts of big car features
and high-tech amenities. Doing what Kia does best, the Cadenza Limited receives the full
arsenal of features, from hydrophobic front door windows which repel rain to the sumptuousness
of the leather seats it's all here. The UVO system for navigation, entertainment and information
is very good, there are all of the sonar and radar-based driver assist functions for accident
avoidance, a dual pane moonroof, heated rear seats, a power rear sunshade, heated steering
wheel...you get the picture. And, it's one of a dying breed of large cars. So get in
and stretch out...having enough room is not an issue. That carries over to the trunk which
has the hauling capacity of the big cars you remember as a kid. But the Cadenza's most
likeable attributes stem from non-driving activities. It's once you start to move that
this luxury car bargain becomes exposed. Steering feel is so important in how a car connects
to the driver and Kia's struggles in this area continue here. Now I do appreciate the
Cadenza's powerful V6 and soft ride but too often this car feels sloppy and aloof. It
may be the most detached car you can buy at this price. All at once it can go from coddling
occupants to tossing them around over minor road infractions. The body doesn't like to
settle down once upset either, giving it a less than desirable ride quality for all involved.
The car Kia needs to benchmark for chassis tuning is the Buick LaCrosse. Kia's prospects
of movin' on up will require even more scrutinizing to move metal in the plus $40,000 segment.
As is, the Cadenza is only two-thirds of the way there.