2015 Kia Cadenza

2015 Kia Cadenza Overview

Is the 2015 Kia Cadenza a Good Used Car?

The Kia Cadenza hits the mark for what a large car should be: it offers excellent amounts of passenger space, a comfortable ride, and an attractive interior with high-quality cabin materials. Though its handling is far from sporty, a powerful V6 engine makes the Cadenza a good daily driver.

Used 2015 Kia Cadenza Performance and Interior

The 2015 Kia Cadenza comes standard with a 293-horsepower V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. That is a good amount of muscle for a large sedan, and it gets the Cadenza moving quickly from a stop. It also delivers smooth and steady power for merging or passing other cars at high speeds. Fuel economy is right in line with other six-cylinder large cars, at 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Big sedans like the Cadenza aren't known for thrilling driving dynamics, but this Kia still has a balanced ride. It handles securely around corners, and the steering provides good road feedback. Additionally, the Cadenza's soft suspension provides comfortable ride quality over most surfaces.

Read more about Cadenza performance »

The Kia Cadenza seats five on standard leather upholstery, along with heated and power-adjustable front seats. Some models may have ventilated front seats and heated seats in the rear. Both rows offer all-day comfort and ample room to stretch out – which you would expect from a large sedan. There are two complete sets of LATCH child-seat connectors, as well as a top tether anchor for the rear middle seat.

The Cadenza comes well-equipped with plenty of standard features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system, Bluetooth, a navigation system, and a touch-screen infotainment system. Kia's UVO interface is straightforward and user-friendly, with a clear display and intuitive operation. Other features you can find include a sunroof, a heated steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster display, and several driver assistance technologies, like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring.

Read more about Cadenza interior »

Used 2015 Kia Cadenza Prices

Prices of a used 2015 Cadenza range from around $20,550 for a base Kia Cadenza Premium to about $25,700 for a Limited model. What you actually pay will depend on where you live, as well as the car's features, mileage, and condition.

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We Did the Research for You: 17 Reviews Analyzed

To create this 2015 Kia Cadenza overview, we gathered and analyzed 17 professional reviews. Our data also includes crash test ratings, reliability scores, and total cost of ownership predictions.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking and reviewing vehicles for 10 years, and our editorial staff has decades of combined experience in the automotive industry. We don’t accept expensive gifts or incentives from car companies, so you can trust that our reviews are impartial. Additionally, all ads you see on our site are placed by a third party.

How Reliable Is the 2015 Kia Cadenza?

The 2015 Cadenza has a predicted reliability score of four out of five from J.D. Power and Associates, which is better than the scores of many other cars on the market. In comparison, nearly all of the cars in the Cadenza's class earn a rating of average or above.

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How Safe Is the Cadenza?

The 2015 Kia Cadenza gets the highest rating of Good from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in four individual crash tests. The car was not evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Every Cadenza comes with a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. Other advanced safety and driver assistance features include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and a 360-degree camera.

See Cadenza safety scores »

Should I Consider Another Used Cadenza?

Kia introduced the Cadenza as an all-new vehicle for the 2014 model year. The 2014 model is mostly the same as the 2015, and it will likely cost you less. However, it may be easier to find safety features in the 2015 Cadenza because the Technology package could be equipped with the base model. A 360-degree monitor and rear cross traffic alert were also added as available equipment for 2015.

Compare the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Cadenza »

Which Used Kia Cadenza Is Right for Me?

The 2015 Kia Cadenza is available in Premium and Limited trims. Nearly all features were made available in both trims, so the main reason to look for a Limited is for its upgraded styling, with wood and chrome accents, chrome wheels, and other design cues. If you're set on options that came standard in the Limited – such as a sunroof, Nappa leather, ventilated seats, or advanced safety tech – you could possibly find a Premium model equipped with them.

You might also consider a certified pre-owned Cadenza. Kia’s certified pre-owned vehicles receive the balance of the original 10-year/100,000-mile new-car powertrain warranty, plus a one-year/12,000-mile Platinum warranty for non-powertrain parts. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Kia warranty page carefully.

Read more about certified pre-owned vehicles »

Read more about the Kia certified pre-owned program »

2015 Kia Cadenza and Other Cars to Consider

Which Is Better: 2015 Kia Cadenza or 2015 Kia Optima?

The 2015 Kia Optima is a midsize car that doesn't match up to its larger sibling. While you could likely score a used Optima for less money than a Cadenza, the Optima's merely average reliability rating hurts it in our rankings. The Cadenza boasts a spacious rear seat for passengers, but the Optima is low on headroom for taller adults. Neither car is particularly sporty, but the Optima will probably feel less engaging to drive. With standard leather seating, a few more modern features, and a more elegant design, the Cadenza is more upscale overall.

Which Is Better: 2015 Kia Cadenza or 2015 Toyota Avalon?

The 2015 Toyota Avalon edges out the Cadenza overall because it gets a slightly higher reliability score. Both cars have a quality cabin, a long list of standard and available features, and lots of passenger room. The Avalon gets better fuel efficiency from its V6 engine, which feels as potent as the Cadenza's. Either of these sedans are a solid choice in the class.

Which Is Better: 2015 Kia Cadenza or 2015 Hyundai Azera?

The 2015 Hyundai Azera has a lower reliability rating than the Cadenza, and it delivers some of the worst performance in the class. The Azera's V6 engine and sluggish transmission provide meager acceleration, along with numb steering and a rough ride quality over uneven surfaces. Even though the Azera has many of the same features – and the quality and space of the Cadenza – there's little reason to consider it over the Kia.

Compare the Cadenza, Optima, and Avalon »