So were you guys having as tough a time figuring out where this car fell as me? On their website they compare it to the Acura TLX but honestly the Optima is way closer to that in feel, performance, etc.
Ferrari Dave I hear you. The Kia head-to-head comparisons don’t make sense and neither do some of the other TH-cam car reviewers. It competes very well against the Lexus ES. Comparably equipped ES’s don’t exist, because Lexus/Toyota don’t offer CarPlay, plus the ES price then rises over 50k for all that Kia packs into this car. It’s too large to compete against the likes of the TLX, though the interior is much more quiet by a mile...plus the infotainment system is much less convoluted on the Kia vs. the split screen Acura.
Ferrari Dave maybe it was turned off. I accidentally turned it off and was wondering why it wasn’t working. Then I called the dealership and they made me aware it wasn’t turned on. :)
Ferrari Dave Kia claims the Cadenza will actively jolt the car slightly back into your lane if being passed on either side of the road. Another reviewer tried it and it didn’t seem to work. So, Kia claims it’s available, though maybe that’s something they need to fix.
I like that Steve! Near the end I did come to the conclusion I bet Lexus was a car they benchmarked, even tho in their site they only talk about a Buick, Acura and the Avalon.
As someone open to everything from Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Kia...yes, Kia is the best value for the money...plus I have a wife and two children to drive around. :) Otherwise, the Audi A5 would be great.
Ferrari Dave it’s often compared to the Buick, though I haven’t driven a Buick in my life and have no clue regarding that comparison. The Avalon...looks like it’s pregnant :), I don’t like that styling...and again, Toyota/Lexus are completely dropping the ball on Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. I’ve spoken with one of the local Lexus sales reps and he said it’s a company wide frustration Corp Lexus/Toyota won’t give up the infotainment. He said they need to give the customers what they want, because they’re losing sales. Back to the comparison, it seems it’s benchmarked against a the Lexus ES. In fact, interior decibel testing at 60 mph had the Cadenza more quiet (I believe 67-68 decibels) which is slightly better than either the Lexus ES or LS.
Charlie_Willie ya it's becoming its own car for sure. The resemblance is Much more prevalent in the Optima. The Stinger really looks like nothing else out there, just got lots of video of that at the auto show.
At 7:40 you say the same engine as the Optima? So sorry but the Optima is not available with a 6 cylinder engine 2.0 turbo with less horsepower or the 2.4 engine for the Optima, also there is a Optima Hybrid, The Cadenza has a 3.3 liter engine same as the Hyundai Azera it's sister car
You're absolutely correct-- thank you. I'll get that corrected! The power #s (torque) appeared similar to 2.0 Turbo (and it was at 274, but lowered to 245 HP, perhaps for fuel economy or to make it better for FWD perhaps). Somehow the Optima felt faster w/ the 2.0T than the Cadenza- which just felt a bit sluggish sometimes (but the nice part was very very smooth as an engine).
So were you guys having as tough a time figuring out where this car fell as me? On their website they compare it to the Acura TLX but honestly the Optima is way closer to that in feel, performance, etc.
Could tell you were conflicted. Think you said it best when you said it's a niche product.
Ferrari Dave I hear you. The Kia head-to-head comparisons don’t make sense and neither do some of the other TH-cam car reviewers.
It competes very well against the Lexus ES. Comparably equipped ES’s don’t exist, because Lexus/Toyota don’t offer CarPlay, plus the ES price then rises over 50k for all that Kia packs into this car.
It’s too large to compete against the likes of the TLX, though the interior is much more quiet by a mile...plus the infotainment system is much less convoluted on the Kia vs. the split screen Acura.
Ferrari Dave agreed! The Cadenza is not a sporty car, it’s more for comfort and long drive, comfortable cruising.
Looks nice
yup good looking car.
I drove one last night and it does in fact have lane keep. In fact, it has that on the heads up display.
Ya just not the active keep. Does seem to warn you.
Ferrari Dave maybe it was turned off. I accidentally turned it off and was wondering why it wasn’t working. Then I called the dealership and they made me aware it wasn’t turned on. :)
Ferrari Dave Kia claims the Cadenza will actively jolt the car slightly back into your lane if being passed on either side of the road. Another reviewer tried it and it didn’t seem to work. So, Kia claims it’s available, though maybe that’s something they need to fix.
It may have something to do if the feature is enabled. For example I know the MB system will let you drift over your lane if no other car is there.
Don't know how I feel about the missing intro. Had you thought of having a graphic vs the normal "hey guys it's me I'm here with".
ya-- I may add an intro back, was just trying something out.
I think it competes with the Lexus ES, with a heck of a lot more luxury for less cost.
I like that Steve! Near the end I did come to the conclusion I bet Lexus was a car they benchmarked, even tho in their site they only talk about a Buick, Acura and the Avalon.
As someone open to everything from Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Kia...yes, Kia is the best value for the money...plus I have a wife and two children to drive around. :) Otherwise, the Audi A5 would be great.
Ferrari Dave it’s often compared to the Buick, though I haven’t driven a Buick in my life and have no clue regarding that comparison. The Avalon...looks like it’s pregnant :), I don’t like that styling...and again, Toyota/Lexus are completely dropping the ball on Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. I’ve spoken with one of the local Lexus sales reps and he said it’s a company wide frustration Corp Lexus/Toyota won’t give up the infotainment. He said they need to give the customers what they want, because they’re losing sales.
Back to the comparison, it seems it’s benchmarked against a the Lexus ES. In fact, interior decibel testing at 60 mph had the Cadenza more quiet (I believe 67-68 decibels) which is slightly better than either the Lexus ES or LS.
It’s to be compared to the Hyundai Azera/Grandeur. Front wheel drive. On the large side. Below cost, size and features of their true luxury model.
How about a comparison to the Lincoln MKZ?
Thanks- that would be a good one! Will see if I can get one.
I really don't see any distinct Audi resemblance here anymore. Maybe in the previous generation Cadenza but definitely not in the new generation.
Charlie_Willie ya it's becoming its own car for sure. The resemblance is Much more prevalent in the Optima. The Stinger really
looks like nothing else out there, just got lots of video of that at the auto show.
Cadenza looks WAY better then any Audi I've seen
👍🏼 Design is always subjective
What about maxima?
size wise probably pretty close (Kia is larger inside). Maxima is more sport focused whereas this is trying to be a luxury sedan.
Compares with the Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Impala
The hyundai azera is its cousin
makes sense.
At 7:40 you say the same engine as the Optima? So sorry but the Optima is not available with a 6 cylinder engine 2.0 turbo with less horsepower or the 2.4 engine for the Optima, also there is a Optima Hybrid, The Cadenza has a 3.3 liter engine same as the Hyundai Azera it's sister car
You're absolutely correct-- thank you. I'll get that corrected! The power #s (torque) appeared similar to 2.0 Turbo (and it was at 274, but lowered to 245 HP, perhaps for fuel economy or to make it better for FWD perhaps). Somehow the Optima felt faster w/ the 2.0T than the Cadenza- which just felt a bit sluggish sometimes (but the nice part was very very smooth as an engine).
Interestingly enough that does tell you to some degree what a good job Kia did of eliminating Turbo lag in the Optima though.
So True
I disagree with you. BOSE is better than Harman in Cadenza. The stereo in Cadenza very noisy and thin. Bose has warm realistic sound.
Kind regards
Credenza....place to store things.