Kia Cadenza luxury sedan to be unveiled next month
November 26, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Kia has us given a taste of its all-new Cadenza luxury sedan today ahead of the car’s world premiere at the Riyadh Motor Show in Saudi Arabia next month.
The five-metre saloon will replace the 10-year-old Opirus/Amanti model in overseas markets and Kia Motors President, Hyoung-Keun Lee, said he expected it to totally transform his company’s sales performance in the D2 segment.
“With the Cadenza, we have created an all-new, large sedan that will revitalize Kia’s fortunes thanks to its exciting appearance, strong performance and luxurious cabin which will guarantee a much broader consumer appeal, attracting thousands of new customers to our brand,” he said.
The new ‘Schreyer’ design language follows that of the recently updated Cerato and Sorento, and the man behind the new look said it gives the Cadenza a more masculine, luxurious look.
“Today, people recognize a Kia at first sight: well balanced proportions, flowing greenhouse and dynamic window graphic plus the big wheels, give this car its confident stance, dignity and elegant personality.
“The distinctive ‘tiger nose’ front with its signature grille and headlights are evidence of Kia’s new self-confidence,” he said.
The Cadenza is powered by a 213kW 3.5-litre V6 with dual CVVT and is capable of producing 338Nm of torque.
The six-speed automatic gearbox combines for an average fuel economy of 9.36 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 223g/km.
LED lights and dual-zone climate control head the standard features, while keyless entry, starter button, reversing camera and sensors and a three-segment panoramic glass roof lead the long options list.
Production begins in January for Kia’s domestic sales, with export markets to take delivery from March, China in June.
But Kia Australia spokesman Jonathan Fletcher said plans to bring the Cadenza down under were not well advanced.
“Clearly it’s a segment in which we don’t have a competitor at the moment so we would have to make a call about whether we want to enter that segment.
“At this stage it’s only left-hand drive anyway so it’s not a question that we have to answer this week.
“Certainly we won’t say no for the sake of saying no, we will clearly look at it and if it was going to be in right-hand drive we’d have to do some deep analysis about whether there’s a market for it here.”
He said much of that decision could rest on whether the UK – one of Kia’s largest right-hand drive markets – wanted the Cadenza in its line-up.
“I don’t know whether the UK is going to take it … but if the UK doesn’t take it the chances of them building it in right-hand drive are pretty slim,” said Fletcher.
by Tim Beissmann
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Very nice! but if Hyundai – Kia can manage only one top end model in right hand drive, bring on the RWD V6 & V8 Genisis.
The Genesis cannot be converted to RHD due to the platform, we have to wait until next generation for a RHD version.
I heard Hyundai Genesis is on the way to Oz, but after 2010
Yes Hyundai have approved this, the Genesis is on its way to Oz and other RHD markets.
Here we go… I am waiting for comments from the badge snobs…
So true. Badge Snobbery is a movement in opposition to intelligence. The Koreans are coming.
another pretty damn smart looking car from Kia. damn that Peter Schreyer is doing a good job..!
im assuming that V6 drives the front wheels though?
the dash layout is great!
I don’t like the line running across the passenger side. Very distracting.
This is great, looks nice just hope the engine matches it. This is what i was hoping from the brand.
Looks great! It’s really nice to see these affordable cars also being good lookers, totally agree that Peter is doing a stellar job. The tail reminds me of a hybrid between the Lexus IS250 and Audi A4, not that that’s a bad thing.
Really hoping to see this thing in the flesh whenever it arrives here.
Well it’s happening right before our eyes. A couple years of them selling cars like this and the rubbish brand image will be repaired enough and then I will be able to buy one. I like where this is going. Good work Korea!
Impressive~ More power and torque than Toyota Aurion, Nissan Maxima.. I expect to see Cadenza in Australia.
P.S : Why kia doesn’t sell the Mohave iz Oz??
Same reason they won’t sell this here, sales won’t be sufficient enough in the RHD markets for it to be cost effective. ie. people are too narrow minded and H-K don’t want to waste their time or money.
As Hyundai and Kia are owned by the same company, what does each one focus on or target? Hyundai and Kia appear to be chasing the same markets, but I could be wrong.
Expect a mass of new models from both companies in the next few years. Each will clobber every segment. That’s smart marketing. 2 vehicles in each segment. Expect ot see diesel sales skyrocket in Australia in coming years.
The Koreans are coming.
I’d have to agree with you Sammy, Kia and Hyundai almost compete in the exact same segments as one another, I know it’s an attempt to gain the greatest marketshare however I think Hyundai and Kia’s main rivals are each other.
We need the Genesis, Veracruz from Hyundai and Borrego, Cadenza from Kia. They are all fantastic
To choose between this and the Genesis on looks, i would take this. the genesis looks to crazy and sngry at the same time. But if Kia brings this here it could steal a few sales away from our locals and even the large Japs.
Bring the v8 genesis to australia and then we can have ford, holden, and hyundai V8 touring cars!
You read my mind. They would probably wipe the floor with the locals. then they would really start the innovation.
Many motoring magazines have compared the Pontiac G8 (Holden Commodore) to the Genisis. And they much prefer the Holden. The Genesis is a luxury car and more expensive so would probably suit someone who is after that kind of thing, whereas the Holden is much more sporty, handles and steers much better.
Many motoring magazines have compared the Pontiac G8 ??
>>really? when? where?
Many motoring magazines have compared the Genesis with Lexus GS, Infiniti M, BMW 5, MB E-class.
So what? many people have compared the Calais to the 5 series and E class.
DOnt get me wrong im a true blue Holden supporter, but lately they havent done anything except for SIDI, thye really need something innovative. Even if its only one attention grabbing bit of kit, it will get people talking. The best advertising is word of mouth. GO HOLDEN
Oh dear, compare the Commodore to the Genesis? You gottabe bloody JOKING!!!
People compare the Genesis to cars like the Lexus GS, Mercedes E and BMW 5 not to the Pontiac. They are COMPLETELY in DIFFERENT LEAGUES.
The Genesis has in fact been rated better in lateral accerlaeration than the GS and body rigidity than the 5.
Yes.the Commodore is an excellent car on its own merit but comparing it to the Genesis? That is a HUGE STRETCH mate. The Genesis is notches above the Pontiac… reach out and read some RELIABLE car reviews on the Genesis… It s not the sort of Hyundai you would think.
The Genesis has been voted the North American car of the year 2009. Even Lexus and Infiniti have tried so hard to get one for decades but never did. the Pontiac , although decent, still is an ordinary family sedan. Even QUALITY-GIANT lexus couldn’t get it do you think the Pontial ever will?
Looks sharp, and the tail lights remind me of the new Liberty.
To me, it’s more Audi A4-ish… Great job Peter and Kia!
Looks like a Focus front and an A4 rear bolted together. Interior is messy and lack elegance. Looks cheap too. Luxury and Kia can never go together…
Speaking of cheap interiors, the Focus can only hope to look half as good.
And it’s people like you why decent cars like this don’t come to Australia.
NOt so long ago, Japanese car considered as “cheap, poor, copy cat, 3rd brand”
But, Japanese makers making a “luxury” vehicles in nowdays.
I don’t think Kia can’t follow Japanese step.
Japanese manufacturers are NOT making luxury cars! look it is purely the Average Australians low expectations and poor self esteeme that make people think that the Japanese are making luxury cars. The Closest they have is the Lexus LS. This is a very ggod upper exective class, but definately not luxury. Luxury comes in the form of Maybach, Bentley and Rolls style vehicles
Eg the rest of the world regards the S class an the 7 series as upper executive, lower luxury vehicles. Vehicles like the Accord Euro, Nissan Maxima are just getting into the executive catagory and everything else is rep mobile class in Europe. This car, as good as it has the opportunity to be, will also fall into the rep mobile catagory.
Oh and to stop the ney sayers, Fords G6E would make the bottom end of Exective class, around the same area as Mondeo Titanium and VW Passat V6..
Absolutely spot on safety frist .
This is not a luxury car , just another contender in the middle weight section of tarted up family cars , and that interior is very boring , more reps class , but the yanks will buy it ,its luxury !
Go play in the Euro trash forums Neutral and come back when you wake up from your slumber.
Agree with Neutral really. Won’t work in Europe maybe you lot might give it a chance but in Euroland they might, if they are lucky, sell two. Clever folk here will buy a BMW or Audi or Merc….of course we don’t have to put up with luxury taxation like you do. Toodle pip old chum
Good to hear from you cupid ,always like your comments from the old dart .
cheers from axel, aka holstein hore
Here goes another badge snob… The dash panel comes in a range of materials from aluminium to high-glsossy plastic… the one in the pictures aboave is a metal panel which in the flesh, does not look cheap at all…
You will be so embarassed of what you ve said later when the Cadenza’s interior is unveiled in greater details during the Saudi Arabian motor show next month. Why? because I have seen lots of interior pictures released in different colors and materials which makes it clear that things like the Focus can even get close to it.
So you have seen it in the flesh , dream on , its boring , thats not a luxury car .
Lexus ES350 (US spec) : 3.5L V6 272 HP / fuel economy 9.8㎞/l
Toyota Avalon (US spec) : 3.5L V6 268 HP / fuel economy 9.8㎞/l
Kia K7 (Cadenza-Korean spec-) : 3.5L V6 290 HP / fuel economy 10.6㎞/l
*Cadenza vs. Lexus ES
Interior spacious : Cadenza 3.5L wins
hp : Cadenza 3.5L wins
Fuel Economy : Cadenza 3.5L wins
Badge : Lexus ES wins
2010 Buick LaCrosse :
3.0L V6 / 255 HP
3.6L V6 / 280 HP
Fuel Economy is not good than Toyota Avalon
2010 Lincoln MKS:
3.7L V6 / 273 HP
3.5L V6 / 355 HP (eco boost)
Fuel Economy is not good than Toyota Avalon (even eco boost)
2010 Ford Taurus :
3.5L V6 / 263 HP
Fuel Economy is not good than Toyota Avalon
Kia Cadenza :
3.5L V6 / 290 HP
Interior spacious, Engine, Fuel Economy are better than Toyota Avalon & Lexus ES350
Wheel base length :
Kia Cadenza (2845 mm) > Toyota Avalon (2822 mm) > Lexus ES (2776 mm)
*Conclustion :
(Interior spacious, Engine, Fuel Economy): Kia Cadenza surpass Toyota Avalon, Lexus ES350, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, Buick LaCrosse
btw, This car is not a Camry/Accord fighter.
Hmm all on manufacturers claims too….. How impressive. Wonder why the MKS and the Taurus don’t match the Avalon in Economy?? Might have something to with their size?? After all the new Taurus takes up the same amount of room in your garage as an A8. Or for someone who can’t picture that, try BF Fairlane size…..
We’ve all talked about what the Cadenza looks like, but no-one has hit the nail on the head yet – aside from the face of the car, the proportions and rear lights are pure Citroen C5.
Not that I care, though – both the Citroen and this are great looking cars, and good work Kia for giving it a red hot go.
I think people right now are going back to the roots of savings and hopefully living more frugally. So your tips will be helpful in their search.