2017 Kia Cadenza: First Impressions
CARS.COM — The 2017 Kia Cadenza receives a long list of changes inside and out, and I had a chance to get up close and personal with the updated full-size sedan at the 2016 New York International Auto Show.
Although the Cadenza’s overall length remains the same there are changes aplenty on the exterior. The new Cadenza is wider than the outgoing model and it has a new face with the latest version of Kia’s “tiger nose” grille. In an interesting twist, the grille is concave and curves back toward the rest of the car. A second grille is offered on lower trim levels, but it was not displayed at the show. The redesigned head- and taillight clusters get matching Z-shaped LED elements that are joined by a long character line that runs down the Cadenza’s side.
There are two other exterior improvements that aren’t as easily spotted, but are still important. The underside of the Cadenza has a full belly pan, which makes the car more aerodynamic and fuel efficient. And the side body panels incorporate stronger steel, which makes them more dent resistant and will hopefully prevent trips to the body shop.
The Cadenza interior is excellent for its class and price; the materials have a high-quality feel, and the seats are comfortable and supportive. Kia says that it lowered the seating position of the driver’s seat to make it feel sportier, but we’ll have to wait to drive it to find out if that worked. Visibility, though, remains good, even with the lowered seat. Attention to detail is also impressive: The suedelike headliner stretches down to each of the Cadenza’s pillars and covers the rear deck, even though nobody is likely to touch it.
There’s plenty of legroom and headroom in the outboard rear seats. The middle seat, however, sits a bit higher and the headliner dips down in the middle, so my head brushed the headliner when I sat up straight (I’m 5 feet 11 inches tall). Heated outboard rear seats are optional, and the seat warmers have been updated to provide an even distribution of heat.
If the 2017 Cadenza can deliver its promised improved driving experience, it will make an already compelling full-size near-luxury sedan an even better value proposition. As it stands, there’s not a lot that separates the Cadenza from the offerings of Lincoln or Buick, and its cabin and technology improvements alone may push it over the top. Kia says the 2017 Cadenza will go on sale in late 2016.
