X

Kia Cadenza goes upwardly mobile (pictures)

Kia pushes into a new market with its Cadenza, attempting to captures buyers interested in high-tech and premium quality.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
35659295_pre_SS08_1.jpg
1 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
Kia, which launched in the U.S. as an economy brand, has reshaped itself with new models over the past few years, bolstering its popularity and image through advanced technology. The Cadenza represents Kia's attempt to reach a premium segment by offering a full-size sedan with quality materials and even more advanced technology than offered in previous cars.
35659295_pre_SS07_1.jpg
2 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
Part of the Kia story has to do with attractive, new designs. The Cadenza follows the lines of the Optima model, but also shows some key differences. For example, the front end has been made more subtle, befitting a premium level car.
35659295_pre_SS25.jpg
3 of 15 Kia
Headlights, which point into a turn on the Tech trim, include a diffused LED parking strip over the top of the casing.
35659295_pre_SS10_1.jpg
4 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The standard glass roof allows for a sunroof over the front seats and moonroof over the rear.
35659295_pre_SS06_1.jpg
5 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The Cadenza uses front-wheel-drive architecture where most luxury cars in the U.S. have rear-wheel-drive. Kia is betting that distinction will make little difference to buyers.
35659295_pre_SS22.jpg
6 of 15 Kia
Kia makes the navigation system, Bluetooth phone system, digital audio, and an Infinity audio system standard in all trim levels of the Cadenza.
35659295_pre_SS24.jpg
7 of 15 Kia
The rear-seat legroom is exceptionally good, highlighting the large sedan format of the Cadenza. The rear seats are fixed, however, with only a pass-through to the trunk.
35659295_pre_SS14_1.jpg
8 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The Cadenza uses electric power-steering boost, a means of helping fuel economy. An LCD serves as the platform for a virtual speedometer in both the Premium and Tech trim levels of the Cadenza.
35659295_pre_SS17.jpg
9 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The Tech-trim Cadenza includes advanced driver-assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor.
35659295_pre_SS16_1.jpg
10 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The standard navigation uses a touch-screen interface. The screen responds instantly to inputs, and although only top-view maps are available, the design is very nice.
35659295_pre_SS13.jpg
11 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The destination entry screen includes shortcuts to some points-of-interest categories. Voice command also works very well for destination input, letting you say an entire address string rather than separate street name, number, and city.
35659295_pre_SS18.jpg
12 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
Traffic data incorporated into the navigation system is very extensive, covering many secondary roads.
35659295_pre_SS21.jpg
13 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
HD radio comes standard in the Cadenza, and includes an interface for listening to multicast stations.
35659295_pre_SS20.jpg
14 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
Audio sources include Bluetooth streaming, iOS integration, and USB drives plugged into the car's USB port.
35659295_pre_SS19.jpg
15 of 15 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The Cadenza's stereo shows this music library interface for iOS devices, but offers only a file-and-folder view when playing music from a USB drive. Voice command does not let you request music by name.

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