The Cadenza arrives on the heels of a number of new entries, in a crowded class of almost-luxury sedans that includes the Nissan Maxima, Hyundai Azera, Toyota Avalon, Ford Taurus, and Chevrolet Impala.
And almost all of those (except the Maxima) have been refreshed in the past couple of years.
Both the new Toyota Avalon and Chevrolet Impala hit new high points for their tarnished nameplates, with more youthful vigor to the driving experience and more refinement, as well as far better styling.
The Avalon is joined by a 40-mpg Hybrid model that can't be beat if you want something roomy, comfortable, and green, while the Ford Taurus can be had with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that boosts mileage to 32 mpg highway.
The Taurus is otherwise unspectacular to drive, unless you opt for the performance-oriented (and thirsty) SHO.
Meanwhile, the one that's been on the market the longest, the Maxima, is the best-handling of the bunch.
Looking upward in the market, you might also want to take a look at the Acura RLX, which is far sportier to drive, or the well-regarded and comfortable Volvo S80.
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 2014 Kia CadenzaBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Chevrolet ImpalaBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Ford TaurusBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Hyundai AzeraBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Nissan MaximaBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Toyota AvalonBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2014 Kia Cadenza is no sport sedan, but it's a screaming deal of a luxury car in nearly everything but the badge. |
It took a while to get here, but the 2014 Chevy Impala fast-forwards over the past with fine handling and even better styling. |
The 2014 Ford Taurus continues in its role of luxury and technology flagship for the Ford brand, but it remains compromised by its lack of rear-seat headroom and legroom |
The 2014 Hyundai Azera is a big, comfortable sedan that offers serious design appeal and a luxury-car ambiance. |
The 2014 Nissan Maxima isn't the enthusiast car it claims to be, but it is a more luxurious, more stylish option than many of its competitors. |
The 2014 Toyota Avalon is far more youthful than it used to be, with a more responsive, sophisticated personality, an excellent interior, and a 40-mpg Hybrid version -- plus of course top-notch comfort all around. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $35,100 | $26,860 | $26,780 | $31,000 | $31,290 | $31,590 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded V-6 | Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Premium Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Large Cars | Large Cars | Large Cars | Large Cars | Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Sedan Premium | 4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS | 4-Door Sedan SE FWD | 4-Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan 3.5 S | 4-Door Sedan XLE (GS) |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2014 Kia Cadenza vs. 2014 Chevrolet Impala | 2014 Kia Cadenza vs. 2014 Ford Taurus | 2014 Kia Cadenza vs. 2014 Hyundai Azera | 2014 Kia Cadenza vs. 2014 Nissan Maxima | 2014 Kia Cadenza vs. 2014 Toyota Avalon | |
