Kia Cadenza research: recalls, reliability and buyer's guide
The Cadenza is a quiet, roomy, well-equipped large sedan that cost less than luxury brands. Every one has a smooth 3.3L V6 (293 hp in 2014-2016, 290 hp in 2017-2020) and front-wheel drive; the 2017 redesign brought an 8-speed automatic and a nicer cabin, and the 2020 refresh made key driver aids standard. Kia ended U.S. sales after 2020, so used prices are often attractive.
Model years covered: 2014–2020. The Cadenza was sold in the U.S. for the 2014-2020 model years only; there is no 2011-2013 or 2021-or-later U.S. Cadenza.
Last updated 2026-10-15.
Strengths
- Quiet comfortable ride
- Standard V6 power
- Roomy rear seat and large trunk
- Lots of standard luxury features
- Strong used value
- Standard driver aids 2020
Things to know before you buy
- Two generations 2014 2016 and 2017 2020
- Check hecu and windshield recalls by VIN
- Direct injection V6 needs regular oil changes
- Features vary widely by trim
- Fuel economy mid 20s combined
- Discontinued after 2020
- Recall status should be checked by VIN
Generations
Generation 1 (2014–2016)
The first U.S. Cadenza (2014-2016) uses a 293-hp, 255 lb-ft 3.3L direct-injected V6 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive, rated about 19/28 mpg. Navigation with an 8-inch screen, rear camera, leather and push-button start were standard; trims were Premium and Limited/SXL, with a lower-priced base model added for 2016.
Buyer takeaway: The lowest-cost way into a V6 Cadenza. A 2016 Premium offers the most standard equipment for the money. Confirm the windshield and HECU fuse recalls are complete.
Generation 2 (2017–2020)
The 2017 redesign brought a stiffer body, upgraded interior, a 290-hp, 253 lb-ft 3.3L V6 and Kia's first front-drive 8-speed automatic (about 20/28 mpg). Trims were Premium, Technology and Limited; 2019 added minor tech updates, and the 2020 refresh restyled the car, redesigned the dash and made forward collision-avoidance and smart cruise standard before U.S. sales ended.
Buyer takeaway: Choose 2017-2019 Technology or Limited for features at a good price, or a 2020 for the newest styling and standard driver aids.
Kia Cadenza by model year
2020 Kia Cadenza
The 2020 Cadenza is a refreshed final model year: new styling, a redesigned dash and gauges, extra USB ports, and newly standard driver aids such as forward collision-avoidance with pedestrian/cyclist detection, smart cruise with stop-and-go, lane following assist and highway driving assist. The 290-hp V6 and 8-speed automatic carry over (about 20/28 mpg). Only Technology and Limited trims were sold, and it is the last U.S. Cadenza.
- Engines: 3.3 liter gdi V6 290 hp 253 lb ft
- Transmissions: 8 speed automatic with manual shift mode
- Drivetrain: Front wheel drive
- Body style: 4 door sedan
What changed:
- Exterior and interior refresh
- Redesigned dash and instrument cluster
- Standard forward collision avoidance smart cruise with stop and go and lane following assist
- Premium trim dropped leaving technology and limited
- Final US model year
What to inspect: Open recalls by VIN; Abs hecu fuse recall completion; Eight speed automatic shift quality; Driver assistance sensors and cameras; Oil level and oil change records; Cold start engine noise; Suspension bushings and tires; Brakes; Electronics navigation and power features; Air conditioning; Maintenance history; Rear power window lockout recall completion.
2019 Kia Cadenza
The 2019 Cadenza is a carryover with minor updates to the instrument panel and touchscreen and more available driver-assistance features. It keeps the 290-hp 3.3L V6 and 8-speed automatic, rated about 20/27 mpg city/highway. Premium, Technology and Limited trims continue, so feature content varies a lot by trim; confirm the driver aids on the exact car.
- Engines: 3.3 liter gdi V6 290 hp 253 lb ft
- Transmissions: 8 speed automatic with manual shift mode
- Drivetrain: Front wheel drive
- Body style: 4 door sedan
What changed:
- Updated instrument panel and touchscreen
- More driver assistance features
What to inspect: Open recalls by VIN; Abs hecu fuse recall completion; Eight speed automatic shift quality; Driver assistance sensors and cameras; Oil level and oil change records; Cold start engine noise; Suspension bushings and tires; Brakes; Electronics navigation and power features; Air conditioning; Maintenance history.
2018 Kia Cadenza
The 2018 Cadenza largely carries over the redesigned 2017 car: a 290-hp 3.3L V6 with an 8-speed automatic, rated about 20/28 mpg city/highway, in Premium, Technology and Limited trims. It offers a quiet, spacious ride for the money. Like other 2017-2020 Cadenzas, check that the ABS hydraulic unit (HECU) fuse recall has been completed.
- Engines: 3.3 liter gdi V6 290 hp 253 lb ft
- Transmissions: 8 speed automatic with manual shift mode
- Drivetrain: Front wheel drive
- Body style: 4 door sedan
What changed:
- Largely carryover from 2017
What to inspect: Open recalls by VIN; Abs hecu fuse recall completion; Eight speed automatic shift quality; Driver assistance sensors and cameras; Oil level and oil change records; Cold start engine noise; Suspension bushings and tires; Brakes; Electronics navigation and power features; Air conditioning; Maintenance history.
2017 Kia Cadenza
The 2017 Cadenza is an all-new second generation with a stiffer, lighter body, a nicer cabin and a little more rear legroom. The 3.3L V6 is retuned to 290 hp and 253 lb-ft and pairs with Kia's first front-drive 8-speed automatic, rated about 20/28 mpg city/highway. Trims are Premium, Technology and Limited; Technology and Limited add more driver aids. A smoother, more modern choice than the 2014-2016 cars.
- Engines: 3.3 liter gdi V6 290 hp 253 lb ft
- Transmissions: 8 speed automatic with manual shift mode
- Drivetrain: Front wheel drive
- Body style: 4 door sedan
What changed:
- All new second generation
- First kia front drive 8 speed automatic
- Stiffer lighter body structure
- More rear legroom and upgraded interior
- Premium technology and limited trims
What to inspect: Open recalls by VIN; Abs hecu fuse recall completion; Eight speed automatic shift quality; Driver assistance sensors and cameras; Oil level and oil change records; Cold start engine noise; Suspension bushings and tires; Brakes; Electronics navigation and power features; Air conditioning; Maintenance history.
2016 Kia Cadenza
For 2016 Kia added a lower-priced base Cadenza below the Premium and SXL (Limited) trims, made the panoramic sunroof standard on the Premium, and added blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert there; the SXL added a surround-view monitor. Power is unchanged: a 293-hp 3.3L V6 and 6-speed automatic. It is the last year of the first-generation car, so it is often the best-equipped value in this group.
- Engines: 3.3 liter gdi V6 293 hp 255 lb ft
- Transmissions: 6 speed automatic with manual shift mode
- Drivetrain: Front wheel drive
- Body style: 4 door sedan
What changed:
- New lower priced base trim
- Panoramic sunroof made standard on premium
- Blind spot detection with rear cross traffic alert on premium
- Sxl top trim adds surround view monitor
- Last year of first generation
What to inspect: Open recalls by VIN; Abs hecu fuse recall completion; Windshield bonding recall completion; Six speed automatic shift quality; Oil level and oil change records; Cold start engine noise; Suspension bushings and tires; Brakes; Electronics navigation and power features; Air conditioning; Maintenance history.
2015 Kia Cadenza
The 2015 Cadenza carries over the launch formula: a 293-hp, 255 lb-ft 3.3L V6 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive, rated about 19/28 mpg city/highway. Navigation, leather, heated front seats and a rear camera are standard. As with all 2014-2016 Cadenzas, confirm by VIN that the windshield-bonding and ABS-module fuse recalls were completed.
- Engines: 3.3 liter gdi V6 293 hp 255 lb ft
- Transmissions: 6 speed automatic with manual shift mode
- Drivetrain: Front wheel drive
- Body style: 4 door sedan
What changed:
- Largely carryover from 2014
What to inspect: Open recalls by VIN; Abs hecu fuse recall completion; Windshield bonding recall completion; Six speed automatic shift quality; Oil level and oil change records; Cold start engine noise; Suspension bushings and tires; Brakes; Electronics navigation and power features; Air conditioning; Maintenance history.
2014 Kia Cadenza
The 2014 Cadenza was the first sold in the U.S., a roomy front-drive sedan pitched between mainstream and luxury cars. Every car has a 293-hp 3.3L direct-injected V6 and a 6-speed automatic (about 19/28 mpg city/highway), plus navigation, a rear camera, leather and push-button start. Premium and Limited trims were offered; the top trim added adaptive cruise and blind-spot and lane-departure warnings. Check the windshield and ABS-fuse recalls by VIN.
- Engines: 3.3 liter gdi V6 293 hp 255 lb ft
- Transmissions: 6 speed automatic with manual shift mode
- Drivetrain: Front wheel drive
- Body style: 4 door sedan
What changed:
- First cadenza sold in the US
- Standard navigation with 8 inch touchscreen and rear camera
- Standard leather heated front seats and push button start
- Premium and limited trims
- Available adaptive cruise blind spot detection and lane departure warning
What to inspect: Open recalls by VIN; Abs hecu fuse recall completion; Windshield bonding recall completion; Six speed automatic shift quality; Oil level and oil change records; Cold start engine noise; Suspension bushings and tires; Brakes; Electronics navigation and power features; Air conditioning; Maintenance history.
Known issues and what to check
- ABS Hydraulic Unit (HECU) Fire-Risk Recalls (2014–2019)
Two separate recalls address a possible electrical short in the anti-lock brake hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) that can cause an engine-compartment fire: NHTSA 23V-652 covers certain 2014-2016 Cadenzas and 21V-137 covers certain 2017-2021 Kia vehicles including the Cadenza. Owners were told to park outside until the repair (a fuse replacement, plus software on some cars) was done. 2020 models may not be included; check the VIN.
What to do: Confirm the HECU recall remedy has been completed before buying; if it is open, have a Kia dealer do it (free). - Windshield Bonding Recall (2014-2016) (2014–2016)
NHTSA recall 22V-158 covers all 2014-2016 Cadenzas: the windshield may not have been properly bonded and could detach. Dealers inspect the glass and reinstall it if needed, free of charge.
What to do: Check that the windshield recall inspection was performed; ask for dealer paperwork. - Direct-Injection V6 Maintenance and Oil Care (2014–2020)
Every Cadenza uses a 3.3L direct-injected V6. Direct-injection engines rely on on-time oil changes and can build intake-valve carbon deposits over many miles. It is a strong, smooth engine; condition depends on maintenance.
What to do: Favor Cadenzas with regular oil-change records; have a pre-purchase inspection on higher-mileage cars. - Automatic Transmission Shift Quality (2014–2020)
2014-2016 Cadenzas use a 6-speed automatic and 2017-2020 cars an 8-speed automatic. Both are conventional torque-converter automatics; harsh, delayed or slipping shifts on a test drive should be investigated.
What to do: Road-test in stop-and-go and highway driving before buying. - Driver-Assistance Features Vary by Year and Trim (2014–2020)
Adaptive cruise, blind-spot and lane-departure systems were limited to upper trims on most years; the 2020 refresh made forward collision-avoidance, smart cruise with stop-and-go and lane following assist standard. Sensors and cameras should work without warnings.
What to do: Confirm which safety features the exact car has rather than relying on the model year alone. - Discontinued Model: Parts and Resale Context (2014–2020)
Kia sold the Cadenza in the U.S. for the 2014-2020 model years and did not replace it with a U.S. successor. Mechanical parts are shared widely within Kia/Hyundai, but trim-specific body and interior parts may take longer to source, and large sedans typically depreciate quickly, which helps used buyers.
What to do: Budget for possibly longer waits on body or trim parts and inspect for prior damage. - 2020 Rear Power Window Lockout Recall (2020)
NHTSA recall 22V-022 covers certain 2020 Cadenzas whose rear power windows could be operated from the driver's switch after the ignition was turned off and a front door opened, which may not meet federal standards.
What to do: Check the VIN and have the remedy performed if it is open.
Recalls
Recall applicability varies by model year, production date, engine or battery, transmission, equipment, and VIN. Check the VIN for current open recalls and completed remedies.
Similar vehicles to consider
- Toyota Avalon
- Hyundai Azera
- Nissan Maxima
- Chevrolet Impala
- Buick LaCrosse
- Ford Taurus
- Chrysler 300
- Kia K900
- Kia Optima
Questions this guide answers
- What generation is this Kia Cadenza?
- What engine and transmission does the Cadenza have?
- What changed in the 2017 redesign and the 2020 refresh?
- Which Cadenza trims have adaptive cruise and blind-spot monitoring?
- Are the windshield and ABS fuse recalls done on this Cadenza?
- What fuel economy does the Cadenza get?
- What should I inspect on a used Cadenza?
- Why was the Cadenza discontinued?
- How does the Cadenza compare with the Toyota Avalon?
- What similar vehicles should I consider?