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2018 Kia Cadenza

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Rating7.9

Ranked #3 in 

Midsize Sedan
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$32,290 - $44,690
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 2, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Base trim packed with safety features

Unimpressive ride quality

Remains unchanged for 2018

Super-spacious and comfortable cabin

Rivals are much more engaging to drive

Extensive warranty coverage

Not many standard safety features

Specs & Features

$32,290

price

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

horsepower

253 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.3L 6cyl FWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2018 Kia Cadenza makes for an excellent contender in the fullsize sedan class. With 3 trims on offer, the Kia Cadenza has a base MSRP of $32,290, with prices going all the way up to MSRP $44,690, competing directly with the Buick LaCrosse, the Chevrolet Impala, and the Toyota Avalon. Only a 3.3L V6 engine is offered, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Together, they produce 290 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque. Accelerating from 0-60 in 6.8 seconds, the Cadenza maintains a combined fuel economy of 23 MPG. Kia offers the Cadenza in 7 stunning colors, with the Platinum Graphite being a particular favorite of ours.

Buying Advice

The 2018 Kia Cadenza is an impressively well-loaded sedan in the segment. Among the trims offered, we recommend the mid-level Technology trim that comes packed with essential safety features.

Trims

    Premium
    $32,290 onwards
    • Engine: 3.3L 6cyl FWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 290 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 253 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.6 sec
    • Top Speed: 148 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg
    Technology
    $39,290 onwards
    • Engine: 3.3L 6cyl FWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 290 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 253 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.8 sec
    • Top Speed: 148 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg
    Limited
    $44,690 onwards
    • Engine: 3.3L 6cyl FWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 290 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 253 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.8 sec
    • Top Speed: 148 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg

Compare to similar cars

7.9
2018 Kia Cadenza

Price

$32,290- $44,690

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.88

Horsepower

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

253 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

8.4
2018 Honda Accord

$23,570- $35,800

Gasoline

8.41

192 hp @ 5500 rpm

192 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

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7.1
2018 Acura RLX

$54,900

Gasoline

7.06

310 hp @ 6500 rpm

272 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

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7.4
2018 Acura TLX

$33,000- $45,750

Gasoline

7.39

206 hp @ 6800 rpm

182 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

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7.3
2018 Buick LaCrosse

$29,565- $47,070

Gasoline

7.3

194 hp @ 6300 rpm

187 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

-

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6.8
2018 Chevrolet Impala

$27,895- $36,420

Gasoline

6.78

197 hp @ 6300 rpm

191 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

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7.9
2018 Chevrolet Malibu

$21,680- $30,975

Gasoline

7.89

160 hp @ 5700 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

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7.6
2018 Ford Fusion

$22,215- $38,990

Gasoline

7.62

175 hp @ 6000 rpm

174 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

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7.7
2018 Hyundai Sonata

$22,050- $32,450

Gasoline

7.7

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

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7.1
2018 Kia Optima

$22,600- $30,600

Gasoline

7.11

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

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2018 Kia Cadenza vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    		SourceCompare
    		6.6 sec14.8 sec148 mph
    		6 sec14.4 sec132 mph
    		6.1 sec14.5 sec-
    		6.8 sec14.3 sec122 mph
    		6.9 sec--
    		7.6 sec15.9 sec122 mph
    Read More

    2018 Kia Cadenza vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      		SourceCompare
      		20 mpg28 mpg23 mpg18.5 gal.370/518 mi.
      		29 mpg41 mpg34 mpg14.5 gal.420.5/594.5 mi.
      		30 mpg38 mpg33 mpg14.8 gal.444/562.4 mi.
      		27 mpg38 mpg31 mpg18 gal.486/684 mi.
      		27 mpg36 mpg30 mpg15.8 gal.426.6/568.8 mi.
      		24 mpg36 mpg29 mpg18.5 gal.462.5/666 mi.

      2018 Kia Cadenza vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        		SourceCompare
        		195.7 in.73.6 in.57.9 in.6 in.112.4 in.
        		201.3 in.73 in.58.9 in.7 in.111.7 in.
        		197.8 in.74.4 in.57.7 in.4.5 in.112.2 in.
        		197.5 in.73.5 in.57.5 in.7 in.114.4 in.
        		193.8 in.73 in.57.6 in.6 in.111.4 in.
        		192.8 in.73.2 in.56.5 in.5.3 in.109.3 in.

        2018 Kia Cadenza vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          		SourceCompare
          		16 cu.ft.107.8 cu.ft.16 cu.ft.
          2018 Mazda 6

          Ranked #2

          		14.7 cu.ft.99.7 cu.ft.148.9 cu.ft.
          		55 cu.ft.102 cu.ft.83.2 cu.ft.
          		16 cu.ft.102.8 cu.ft.78.6 cu.ft.
          		23.3 cu.ft.93.8 cu.ft.40.9 cu.ft.
          		18.8 cu.ft.105 cu.ft.72.5 cu.ft.

          2018 Kia Cadenza vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            		SourceCompare
            		217.3 cu.ft.16 cu.ft.16 cu.ft.-
            		12.3 cu.ft.14.3 cu.ft.12.3 cu.ft.-
            		16.4 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.16.4 cu.ft.-
            		80.1 cu.ft.23.3 cu.ft.40.9 cu.ft.-
            		72.5 cu.ft.18.8 cu.ft.72.5 cu.ft.121 ft.
            		6 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.-

            2018 Kia Cadenza vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              		SourceCompare
              		-1085 lbs.3633 lbs.
              		1000 lbs.-3431 lbs.
              		1000 lbs.-3681 lbs.
              		--3611 lbs.
              		-925 lbs.3241 lbs.
              		-1014 lbs.3274 lbs.

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