Kia Takes Aim At US Premium Sedan Market With 2014 Kia Cadenza

Launched in 2009 in South Korea, the Kia Cadenza (or Kia K7 in S. Korea) will finally be made available to North American consumers beginning with the 2014 model year to go on sale beginning in the second quarter of 2013. It's not available to purchase yet, but you can check it out at the Cleveland Auto Show, which is going on now at the International Exposition Center in Cleveland, OH. It's also been on display at other auto shows across the country. Unlike many of Kia's other model vehicles, the Cadenza is aiming for the North American premium sedan market and the buyers who are looking for a car that's somewhere between mainstream and luxury.

The launch of the Kia Optima and Sorento cross-over has helped slowly move Kia up the ranks and away from their start as an economy automaker. The launch of the new Cadenza will only help to move them along further towards that goal of being seen as more than just a cheap automaker. Kia describes the Cadenza as having elements of European design, which will help in defining itself in the higher-end market. It will also be available with Kia's most powerful V-6 engine.

The Cadenza features 3.3-liter, V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission that includes a manual shift model as well as paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline, the Cadenza produces 293 horsepower.

Kia is launching the Cadenza with some premium features that they've never before made available with their vehicles here in the U.S. Standard features on the Cadenza include leather seats, a navigation system, Kia UVO, alloy wheels and Bluetooth. Some of the premium features being offered with the 2014 Cadenza include a backup camera and warning system and a 550-watt 12-speaker audio system, amongst other options. For example, one of the premium packages includes a 7-inch LCD instrument cluster, premium leather seats, and a full-length panoramic sunroof.

The price of the Kia Cadenza will be announced closer to the time that it goes on sale in the second quarter of 2013. When it goes on sale, it will be just one of three Korean luxury sedans sold in the U.S.

Courtesy of The Cleveland Leader