Kia Cadenza Photo Gallery

Kia's signature "tiger nose" grille.

Handsome, but very conservative.

19-inch wheels can't mask front-drive proportions.

No swoopy coupe-link roof line here.

Conservative, perhaps to a fault, in here as well.

Too many similar buttons in overly large groups.

Unclear if the dark wood is the real deal or not.

Kia could have done more here.

Comfortable and supportive.

For me, the most comfortable in the group. Cushion still a bit too low.

Unlike in competitors, rear seat doesn't fold.

Like the same engine in the related Hyundai, cover makes it appear longitudinal (but off center).

Smaller than competitors' V6s, so it must work a little harder.

Handsome. But sufficiently distinctive?

The new LaCrosse is much curvier than the Cadenza. More attractive, or does it just blend in?

The first-generation Cadenza. The second-gen looks much the same, just more precisely tailored.

The less expensive Optima. Sportier, but less elegant. Turbo fender "vents" and red calipers--tack

LED headlights. Concave variant of the "tiger nose" grille. Shame about the sensor in the center.

Viewed from the side without a fancy angle, the Cadenza appears chunky in the Lincoln MKS fashion.

My favorite angle: slightly rear of center and low.

The Cadenza's rear quarter viewed from a more typical angle.

The Cadenza Limited is trimmed with softer leather than you'll find in competitors.

The Buick's interior is more artful, but the curves and high console reduce roominess.

The original Cadenza's interior. How much of an improvement is the new one?

Is this the interior of a much less expensive car than the Cadenza? Less, certainly, but much less?

Kia cribbed the instrument panel's convex shape and chrome trim rings from BMW.

Too many similar buttons to find the one you want with a glance (or less). Seat heaters out of view.

Around-view monitors make parking safer and more fun. Only in the Limited.

What do you think of the Cadenza Limited's quilted bolsters? They do provide some lateral support.

An abundance of rear legroom.

The trunk's competitive in size, but the rear seat can't be folded to expand it.

The Cadenza's upscale design doesn't extend to the engine cover.

Not as strong or as efficient as the Buick's engine, but doesn't sound like it's working as hard.