2011 Kia Cadenza.We weren't sad to see the Kia Amanti ride off into the sunset. Its odd styling, floaty suspension and lack of refinement did little to endear it to American buyers. Globally, the Cadenza is offered with engine choices that range from a 162-horsepower four-cylinder to a 286-hp V6.
Kia and Hyundai were so eager to emulate more-established brands that they jumped into this quandary with both feet, albeit with limited success. The Kia Amanti, intended to toe this line, succeeded instead in reaching new heights in awkward styling and driving like all four tires were flat. The Kia Cadenza, which will make its formal auto-show debut in the Middle East at the Saudi Arabia auto show, will replace the awkwardly-styled Amanti in the realm of the Hyundai Azera.
The 2011 Kia Cadenza is Kia’s replacement for the Amanti, and it certainly has big shoes to fill.
Specifications
Kia’s new Cadenza is expected to have the following specs:
Pricing: Pricing begins in the $20K range
Engine: A 3.5-liter Lambda II V6 engine at 286 horsepower.
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Fuel Economy: Fuel economy information is not available as yet.
Safety Features: The 2011 Kia Cadenza offers four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control and the full compliment of standard front and side airbags.
Warranty: Kia offers a standard 5-year/60,000 bumper to bumper warranty.
The exterior of the Cadenza seems distinctly European in its design. The roofline slopes gently toward the back of the vehicle which is blessedly short and well-proportioned.
The 2011 Cadenza features a stylish and comfortable interior with quality materials.
Unlike the outgoing Kia Amanti, the Kia Cadenza is svelte and smooth under all but the most extreme conditions.
Couple the Cadenza’s value with the fact that the 2001 Kia Cadenza costs less than anything comparable to it, and it is likely to prove a great value for years to come.
3/18/11
2011 Kia Cadenza
