Introduction

The 2020 Kia Cadenza is a comfortable and spacious full-size sedan with excellent value. For 2020 the Cadenza gets fresh styling, bigger and better infotainment that's bright, crisp, and easy to use. Active safety features become standard equipment this year, too; they include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control. 

The powertrain is unchanged for 2020, maintaining the 3.3-liter V-6 with an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It makes a solid 290 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, providing quiet and confident acceleration to go with the creamy ride. The handling is predictable if not engaging, with steering that's nice and firm. 

The Cadenza seats four comfortably and five in a pinch (but easily), with cabin materials that are very impressive. 

The V-6 engine is thirsty, bringing EPA ratings of just 20 mpg city, 28 highway, 23 combined on regular fuel. 

The 2020 Cadenza hasn't been crash tested, however the 2019 Cadenza received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. 

Lineup

The 2020 Cadenza comes in two versions, Technology and Limited. The previous Premium trim has been discontinued. 

For less than $40,000, standard equipment on the updated Cadenza includes LED headlights and taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a redesigned instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch information display, a new 12.3-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three additional USB charging ports, and a full suite of active safety tech including automatic braking and adaptive cruise control with active lane control. 

Options include two new nappa leather choices, a multi-color ambient LED lighting system, 19-inch wheels, and more on the Limited trim. 

The warranty is outstanding: 5 years/60,000 miles, with 10-year/100,000-mile coverage for the powertrain. 

Walkaround

The styling changes for 2020 include thinner headlights and wider taillights that span the full width of the back of the car. The Cadenza was already handsome, and now it looks fresher. However it's also still anonymous, in that it basically looks like so many other full-size sedans. 

Interior

Kia material quality is always high, and the Cadenza is no exception. It feels like a luxury sedan inside, with diamond stitching on the standard leather seats. Some cost-cutting materials can be found if you look, but overall it's lavish for the price. The Limited makes available options like nappa leather, a faux suede headliner, and better trim. 

The cabin is otherwise conventional. A new wide infotainment screen rests on a woodgrain dash that looks richer than last year. 

Front occupants get supportive diamond-stitched heated leather seats with power adjustment. Even with three passengers in the rear, there's plenty of leg and head room, although the rear bench could use more support. 

The trunk is a suitcase-swallowing 16 cubic feet, and there are plenty of storage bins throughout the cabin. 

Driving Impression

Power in the 2020 Kia Cadenza is ample, with a 3.3-liter V-6 making 290 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive, it's not the quickest large sedan around, but the acceleration is smooth and plentiful. 

It's smooth all-around; for 2020 the rear suspension has been updated to improve ride on rough roads. 

The handling is relaxed and predictable, with a pleasant amount of feedback at the steering wheel. There are four driving modes, but we found it was best left in Comfort mode, to yield a pleasant, unhurried feel and a smooth ride. The Cadenza can do corners, but it's happier just cruising on long, straight roads at highway speeds. 

Summary

The 2020 Kia Cadenza may blend into the background, but it has many significant high points. If you need a roomy near-luxury cabin, impressive updated infotainment, and a creamy ride, it has all those-plus an excellent warranty. 

 

-by Sam Moses, with driving impressions by The Car Connection.