2018 Kia Cadenza vs 2018 Lexus ES

2018 Kia Cadenza

2018 Lexus ES

Select style

Limited Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Cadenza Limited Sedan	20	28	$41,320	$44,690
Cadenza Premium Sedan	20	28	$30,408	$32,290
Cadenza Technology Sedan	20	28	$36,328	$39,290

Select style

ES 300h FWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
ES ES 300h FWD	40	39	$39,171	$41,820
ES ES 350 FWD	21	30	$36,485	$38,950

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$41,320

$39,171

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$44,690

$41,820

Monthly Payment Estimate

$745 / month

$697 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.4

Read Our Full Review

7.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 Kia Cadenza has matured greatly, and offers exceptional room and polish.

If you’re after a smooth, quiet, roomy, comforting luxury sedan that’s still good value, the 2018 Lexus ES may be one of the better choices.

TCC Likes

Premium cabin
Quiet, hushed driving
Lots of storage space

Silent interior
40-mpg hybrid model
Larger inside than you’d think

TCC Dislikes

Evolutionary styling
Middling gas mileage
Rivals have sharper handling

Brake feel could be better
Remote Touch interface clumsy, distracting
Grille doesn’t gel with rest of car

Fuel Economy

City

20 mpg

40 mpg

Highway

28 mpg

39 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Large Cars

Midsize Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

107.8

100.1

Second Shoulder Room (in)

56.5

Front Leg Room (in)

45.5

41.9

Front Hip Room (in)

56.5

54.8

Passenger Capacity

Second Leg Room (in)

37.2

Front Head Room (in)

38.5

37.5

Second Hip Room (in)

56.3

53.8

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.3

57.6

Second Head Room (in)

37.6

37.5

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

57.9

57.1

Track Width, Rear (in)

63.4

Wheelbase (in)

112.4

111

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

73.6

71.7

Track Width, Front (in)

63.1

62.6

Length, Overall (in)

195.7

193.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.1

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

11.6

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

18.5

17.2

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.2

37.4

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P245/40VR19

P215/55VR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P245/40VR19

P215/55VR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3770

3682

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 8

17 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 8

17 X 7

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

660

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

180

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

253 @ 5200

156 @ 4500

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.3 L/204

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

290 @ 6400

200 @ 5700

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded V-6

Gas/Electric I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Sequential MPI

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.81

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.65

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.32

3.54

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.86

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.22

Trans Description Cont. Again

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.80

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.42

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.90

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.42

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Summary

Vehicle Name

Kia Cadenza

Lexus ES

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Strut

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.6

4.4

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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