X

Kia reminds us that it makes a Cadenza by updating it (pictures)

Kia's updated 2017 Cadenza attempts to steal back some of the limelight from its smaller, more desireable sibling: the Kia Optima.

Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Antuan Goodwin
2017 Kia Cadenza
1 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

2017 Kia Cadenza

Kia pulled the wraps off of its new 2017 Cadenza at the 2016 New York auto show. Since its launch in 2013, the Cadenza has struggled to garner attention from the shadow of Kia's more popular Optima.

2017 Kia Cadenza
2 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The full-size sedan uses a front-wheel-drive configuration.

2017 Kia Cadenza
3 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The eight-speed automatic transmission that sends the power to the front rolling stock has been newly developed for the Cadenza.

2017 Kia Cadenza
4 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

At the heart of the powertrain is a 3.3-liter V-6 engine.

2017 Kia Cadenza
5 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

For this generation, the V-6 has been retuned with a stronger emphasis on fuel economy and to work with the new eight-speed.

2017 Kia Cadenza
6 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Final efficiency numbers, however, have not yet been released.

2017 Kia Cadenza
7 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Power figures have also not been finalized, but Kia is estimating around 290 ponies.

2017 Kia Cadenza
8 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Despite cramming in more forward ratios, the new eight-speed automatic is actually lighter than the six-speed that it replaces.

2017 Kia Cadenza
9 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The Cadenza's body is said to be stiffer and stronger, but also lighter than before.

2017 Kia Cadenza
10 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

LED tail lights punctuate the simple (if also generic) rear end. A chrome accent bar ties them together.

2017 Kia Cadenza
11 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

It's no secret that the Cadenza is essentially Kia's version of its sister company's Hyundai Azera.

2017 Kia Cadenza
12 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Up front, the new Cadenza sees the most dramatic changes.

2017 Kia Cadenza
13 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The headlamps are sharply angled and stretch inward to touch Kia's "tiger nose" corporate grille. Z-shaped LED accents punctuate the Caden-Za's corners.

2017 Kia Cadenza
14 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The new Cadenza will do battle with the likes of Toyota's Avalon when it reaches the market.

2017 Kia Cadenza
15 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

A more premium sedan than Kia's Optima, the Cadenza features more chrome brightwork and a more laid-back style.

2017 Kia Cadenza
16 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Look closely at the tail lights and you'll see the Z-shaped accent mirrored here subtly.

2017 Kia Cadenza
17 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The black roof panel visually slims the large sedan.

2017 Kia Cadenza
18 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

In its homeland of South Korea, the Cadenza is marketed as the K7.

2017 Kia Cadenza
19 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The 2017 Cadenza is no longer than previous versions, but it's lower and wider. Within its length, the wheelbase has been stretched.

2017 Kia Cadenza
20 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The doors feature sensors and a button for the smart keyless entry system.

2017 Kia Cadenza
21 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Slotting beneath the K900, the Cadenza is the second most luxurious model in Kia's lineup.

2017 Kia Cadenza
22 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Peer into the cabin and be treated to a Nappa leather interior.

2017 Kia Cadenza
23 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

This will be the first Kia model in the US to feature the brand's new "Drive Wise" suite of driver assistance features.

2017 Kia Cadenza
24 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Advanced Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go functionality, forward-collision warning with automatic braking and a lane-departure warning system keep the Cadenza current with other luxury sedans.

2017 Kia Cadenza
25 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

This will also be the first Kia model to sport a Smart Blind Spot Detection System. When it detects that the vehicle is about to change lanes and collide with another car, it pulls the Cadenza away with bias braking.

2017 Kia Cadenza
26 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The driver's seating position has been lowered and the dashboard tweaked for a wrap-around, sporty feel. Not visible here is a new head-up display.

2017 Kia Cadenza
27 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Kia specifically points out that it has improved the materials on the Cadenza's door panels for this generation.

2017 Kia Cadenza
28 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The stark design and angular face of the Cadenza tend to look better when coated with a darker color.

2017 Kia Cadenza
29 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The Cadenza will be offered with two different grille designs: a "diamond butterfly" pattern for lower trims and this "Intaglio" vertical design for top trims.

2017 Kia Cadenza
30 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The brown interior shown earlier is a new color option for the Nappa leather. The Cadenza's "White Package" makes a return appearance for this generation, now featuring black wood grain trim.

2017 Kia Cadenza
31 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Underpinning the full-sized sedan is a revised Amplitude Selective Damping (ASD) suspension, which "works to provide a smoother ride over harsh or broken surfaces" without compromising firmness and handling.

2017 Kia Cadenza
32 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Exhaust outlets are integrated into rear bumper.

2017 Kia Cadenza
33 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Kia calls these "piano key" tail lights, as the design has three-dimensional elements that resemble piano keys receding into their depths.

2017 Kia Cadenza
34 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

With electric power steering standard, an ECU upgrade could provide a handling upgrade, but we're not sure how much of an improvement to expect.

2017 Kia Cadenza
35 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

The Cadenza will also feature the automaker's Smart Trunk feature that automatically opens the rear storage when approaching with the key fob.

2017 Kia Cadenza
36 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

Inside, the latest generation of Kia's UVO feature Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and an improved version of the around-view camera system.

2017 Kia Cadenza
37 of 37 Sarah Tew/Roadshow

On the subject of handling, Kia claims that a new 32-bit electronic control unit improves steering responsiveness and on-center feel than the 16-bit ECU of the previous model.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos