Engineering:Kia Cadenza

Short description: Full-size executive sedan

Kia Cadenza
Overview
Manufacturer	Kia
Also called	Kia K7 (South Korea)
Production	2009–2021
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car/Executive car (E)
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Related	Hyundai Grandeur Hyundai Aslan
Chronology
Predecessor	Kia Amanti/Opirus
Successor	Kia K8

The Kia Cadenza (also known in South Korea as Kia K7) is a full-size/executive sedan manufactured by Kia. It was launched in 2010 to replace the Kia Opirus/Amanti.

As of January 2014, it was sold in South Korea , United States , Canada , China , Colombia, Brazil , Chile , and the Middle East. A total of four engines were applied to the car as options, including the 2.4L Theta II MPI engine, 2.7L Mu MPI engine, 2.7L Mu LPI engine, and 3.5L Lambda II MPI engine, and a 6-speed automatic transmission as the gearbox.

First generation (VG; 2009)

First generation (VG)
Kia K7 (pre-facelift)
Overview
Production	2009–2016
Model years	2010–2016
Assembly	South Korea: Hwasung (Hwasung Plant) Kazakhstan: Oskemen (Azia Avto)
Designer	Peter Schreyer
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 2.4L Theta II MPI I4 2.4L Theta II GDI I4 2.7L Mu MPI V6 3.0L Lambda GDI V6 3.3L Lambda GDI V6 3.5L Lambda MPI V6 LPG: 2.7L Mu LPI V6 3.0L Lambda LPI V6
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,845 mm (112.0 in)
Length	4,965 mm (195.5 in)
Width	1,850 mm (72.8 in)
Height	1,475 mm (58.1 in)
|uk|Kerb|Curb}} weight	1,505–1,690 kg (3,318–3,726 lb)

The Cadenza uses the new front-wheel-drive Type-N platform with MacPherson front suspension and a multilink rear suspension. The Cadenza was offered with three gasoline engines ranging from 165 horsepower to 290 horsepower for the 3.5-liter Lambda. A new 2.4-liter Theta II with gasoline direct injection (GDI) that produced 201 horsepower was also available. A hybrid K7 700h was available in Korea, featuring a 159 hp four cylinder engine and a 35 kW electric motor.

The Kia Cadenza was designed by Kia design chief Peter Schreyer who was chief designer at Audi and uses Kia's corporate Tiger Nose grille.

In January 2013, Kia announced that the Cadenza will be available in the United States . It is Kia's version of the Hyundai Azera. Standard features will include leather seats, Bluetooth, a navigation system, Kia UVO, alloy wheels, and other luxury car features. This was one of five Korean luxury sedans sold in the United States at the time, the other four cars being the Hyundai Azera, Hyundai Genesis, Kia K900 and Hyundai Equus.

The car features Nappa leather seats, a feature commonly found on more expensive vehicles such as those from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The Nappa leather is available in three colors: black, beige, or white (the white interior requires all three packages available on the Cadenza: the Luxury, Technology, and White Interior Packages). The driver's seat is both heated and ventilated, and the passenger's seat is heated. The rear seats can also be heated. A dual sunroof is available. The car features the 3.3L, 294 horsepower V6, the most powerful engine available for the Cadenza. The engine is used in the Cadenza's platform mate, the Hyundai Azera, and is a Hyundai-built engine from the Lambda engine family.

Powertrain

Model	Year	Transmission	Power	Torque
Petrol
Theta II 2.4 MPI	2009–2011	6-speed automatic	180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) @ 6,000 rpm	23.5 kg⋅m (230 N⋅m; 170 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,000 rpm
Theta II 2.4 MPI Hybrid	2013–2016		200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) @ 5,500 rpm
Theta II 2.4 GDI	2011–2016		201 PS (148 kW; 198 hp) @ 6,300 rpm	25.5 kg⋅m (250 N⋅m; 184 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,250 rpm
Mu 2.7 MPI	2009–2011		200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) @ 6,000 rpm	26 kg⋅m (255 N⋅m; 188 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,500 rpm
Lambda II 3.0 GDI	2011–2016		270 PS (199 kW; 266 hp) @ 6,400 rpm	31.6 kg⋅m (310 N⋅m; 229 lbf⋅ft) @ 5,300 rpm
Lambda II 3.3 GDI			294 PS (216 kW; 290 hp) @ 6,400 rpm	35.3 kg⋅m (346 N⋅m; 255 lbf⋅ft) @ 5,200 rpm
Lambda II 3.5 MPI	2009–2016		290 PS (213 kW; 286 hp) @ 6,600 rpm	34.5 kg⋅m (338 N⋅m; 250 lbf⋅ft) @ 5,000 rpm
LPG
Mu 2.7 LPI	2009–2011	6-speed automatic	165 PS (121 kW; 163 hp) @ 5,200 rpm	25 kg⋅m (245 N⋅m; 181 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,000 rpm
Lambda II 3.0 LPI	2011–2016		235 PS (173 kW; 232 hp) @ 6,000 rpm	28.6 kg⋅m (280 N⋅m; 207 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,500 rpm

Gallery

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  Kia K7 (pre-facelift)

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  Kia Cadenza (facelift)

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  Kia Cadenza (facelift)

Second generation (YG; 2016)

Second generation (YG)
2019 Kia Cadenza Limited
Overview
Production	2016–2021
Model years	2017–2020 (North America) 2017–2021 (Middle East)
Assembly	South Korea: Hwasung (Hwasung Plant)
Designer	Peter Schreyer
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 2.4L Theta II GDI I4 2.5L Smartstream GDI I4 3.0L Lambda II GDI V6 3.3L Lambda II MPI V6 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6 3.5L Lambda II MPI V6 Hybrid petrol: 2.4L Theta II MPI I4 LPG: 3.0L Lambda II LPI V6 Diesel: 2.2L R II CRDi I4
Electric motor	38kW permanent magnet high-power density motor
Transmission	6-speed automatic 8-speed automatic
Battery	1.76 kWh Li-ion Polymer
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,855 mm (112.4 in)
Length	4,970 mm (195.7 in) (pre-facelift) 4,995 mm (196.7 in) (facelift)
Width	1,870 mm (73.6 in)
Height	1,470 mm (57.9 in)
|uk|Kerb|Curb}} weight	1,555–1,730 kg (3,428–3,814 lb)

Released in Fall 2016, the second generation Kia Cadenza was redesigned by Peter Schreyer. The car is offered with a revised 3.3-liter V6 that generates 290 horsepower (294 PS; 216 kW). Aside from the 6-speed automatic, the Cadenza is offered with a new in-house developed 8-speed automatic with a drive mode select system.

2019 update

The Cadenza received a facelift in June 2019. Mechanical changes include a new 2.5L SmartStream G engine replacing the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine while the 3.5L Lambda II MPI engine replaces the 3.3L Lambda II GDI engine in some regions. For styling, the update includes a new grille and hood, new front and rear bumpers, new wheel design and a new 12.3 inch infotainment touchscreen.

The Cadenza was discontinued in Canada after the 2019 model year, and in the US after the 2020 model year. Kia cited the market transition from large cars to crossovers and SUVs. Production ended in January 2021 to make way for a new model, the Kia K8.

Powertrain

Model	Year	Transmission	Power	Torque
Petrol
Theta II 2.4 GDI	2016–2019	6-speed automatic	190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) @ 6,000 rpm	24.6 kg⋅m (241 N⋅m; 178 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,000 rpm
Smartstream G2.5 GDI	2019–2021	8-speed automatic	198 PS (146 kW; 195 hp) @ 6,100 rpm	25.3 kg⋅m (248 N⋅m; 183 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,000 rpm
Lambda II 3.0 GDI	2018–2021		266 PS (196 kW; 262 hp) @ 6,400 rpm	31.4 kg⋅m (308 N⋅m; 227 lbf⋅ft) @ 5,300 rpm
Lambda II 3.3 MPI	2016–2019	6-speed automatic	270 PS (199 kW; 266 hp) @ 6,400 rpm	32.4 kg⋅m (318 N⋅m; 234 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,500 rpm
Lambda II 3.3 GDI	2016–2021	8-speed automatic	284 PS (209 kW; 280 hp) @ 6,400 rpm 294 PS (216 kW; 290 hp) @ 6,400 rpm	34.3 kg⋅m (336 N⋅m; 248 lbf⋅ft) @ 5,200 rpm 35 kg⋅m (343 N⋅m; 253 lbf⋅ft) @ 5,200 rpm
Lambda II 3.5 MPI	2020–2021		290 PS (213 kW; 286 hp) @ 6,600 rpm	34.5 kg⋅m (338 N⋅m; 250 lbf⋅ft) @ 5,000 rpm
Hybrid
Theta II 2.4 MPI Hybrid	2016–2021	6-speed automatic	200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) @ 5,500 rpm
LPG
Lambda II 3.0 LPI	2016–2021	6-speed automatic	235 PS (173 kW; 232 hp) @ 6,000 rpm	28.6 kg⋅m (280 N⋅m; 207 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,500 rpm
Diesel
R II 2.2 CRDI	2016–2020	8-speed automatic	202 PS (149 kW; 199 hp) @ 3,800 rpm	45 kg⋅m (441 N⋅m; 325 lbf⋅ft) @ 1,750–2,750 rpm

Safety

The Cadenza received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Test	Rating
Overall:
Small overlap front:	Good
Moderate overlap front:	Good
Side:	Good
Roof strength:	Good
Head restraints & seats:	Good
Front crash prevention:	Superior
Headlights:	Acceptable
Child seat anchors (Latch) ease of use:	Marginal

Gallery

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  Rear view

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  K7 facelift front

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  K7 facelift rear

Sales

Calendar year	South Korea	United States
2010	42,544	N/A
2011	23,708
2012	20,169
2013	25,330	8,626
2014	22,453	9,267
2015	20,805	7,343
2016	56,060	4,738
2017	46,578	7,249
2018	40,978	4,507
2019	55,839	1,630
2020	41,048	1,265
2021		249
2022		1

External links

• Official website (English)
• Official website (USA)