Kia Cadenza 2020 Review

You'd be forgiven if you forgot the Kia Cadenza — Kia's full-size sedan — exists. Among premium vehicles, sedans have been losing ground against SUVs and, let's face it, Kia isn't a name synonymous with luxury. The automaker's hoping the 2020 Kia Cadenza changes that perception with fresh styling and new features.

Along with a minor exterior face-lift, the 2020 Cadenza has an updated interior with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a redesigned instrument panel, and more intuitive placement of audio and climate controls. Kia says it has also improved the adaptive cruise control system and added automatic emergency braking functionality to the rear cross-traffic alert system.

The Cadenza's stiffest competition comes from the Toyota Avalon. The big Toyota offers a smoother, more powerful V6 engine as well as more refined ride and handling over a variety of roads. But Kia counters with excellent warranty coverage and less controversial styling, both of which are attractive attributes to the traditional sedan buyer.

Which Cadenza does MatoCar recommend?

For 2020, the Kia Cadenza is offered in only two trim levels: Technology and Limited. Both are powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine (290 horsepower, 253 lb-ft) mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All Cadenzas are front-wheel-drive. Highlight features include:

Technology Comes well equipped with:

• 18-inch wheels
• LED headlights
• Panoramic sunroof
• Leather seating
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Heated front seats
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Keyless entry with push-button start

The Cadenza also comes with these safety features:

• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Limited Includes additional features, such as:

• 19-inch wheels
• Heated windshield wipers
• Power-adjustable steering wheel
• Upgraded leather seating surfaces
• Driver-seat memory settings
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated outboard rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Cadenza and its surroundings for tight parking situations)