Kia Cadenza: Entry-Entry-Luxury?

by Edward Niedermeyer

Published: October 19th, 2009

Global Times has an official image of the production Hyundai Azera-based Kia Cadenza, the replacement for the aged and unlovable Amanti. Not long ago, TTAC’s sharp-eyed readers had a surprisingly hard time identifying this car’s interior as a Kia at all. And with a new Schreyer-styled look that’s light years beyond the Amanti’s crude E-class cribbing, the Cadenza’s exterior could fool a few observers as well. With GM positioning Buick as “luxury without paying for status,” a Kia like this seems to be that brand’s chief competition. Who saw that coming?

Edward Niedermeyer

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Accs on Oct 27, 2009

BD: Upscale sporty? In case ya havent noticed.. Maxima is doing a shitty job.. cause its got Altima at its heels and its no longer the svelte tossable car.. Now its an obese fat-ass that couldn't take a good turn on a soaking wet road. I think.. It might be affordable luxury. But that's a REALM that EVERYONE is going to.. and its getting miserable. Once lux gets affordable, then its pointless. And you CANT tell me with a straight face, that the Genesis is "real" LUXURY. Only reason the company exists is to try and tell you stop paying so much for a car from BMW / MB / Audi. Then again... they dont want ya paying too much for a decent sedan from T or H. I think this.. CREDENZA HEHE is a decent look.. more cohesive than the shit they made 2yrs ago, but I dont see anything thats unique or interesting. They even pull the character line.. OUT OF THIN AIR. And for a SECOND I think the vehicle is attractive, with its simple lines.. clean front clip and Audi-esque lights. Then I smack myself on the head with a 20lb IRON SKILLET and remember that Id have to lose my mind and brain cells to buy from a company that prides themselves as the cheapest car ya can get, ntm is just starting their product renaissance. And while (its) design has its critiques.. its largely ignored while the price point is SHOUTED from the mountain tops. NTM.. I agree with others.. I'm seeing both companies going after the same customers (everybody else's), with nothing that stands out, besides their b.s warranty and option packages that are the cheapest by far and made in KOREA assembly lines.

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Anonymous on Nov 01, 2009

@Accords "And you CANT tell me with a straight face, that the Genesis is “real” LUXURY." ----------------- What is the real luxury or not? Genesis offers EVERYTHING OF LUXURY. Only without luxury badge. And this Kia Cadenza is a same grade with Nissan Maxima/Toyota Avalon/Ford Taurus/Pontiac G8/Any other upscale sedans. Even Lexus ES falling in this category. Seriously, Lexus ES is a just glorified FWD Camry sedan. ES is essentially same vehicle with Camry. Lexus ES was originally sold as "Camry Prominent" in Japan.

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