[eromonaik]

Bought my car in late February 2014 from a dealer in Virginia. Got a good deal and felt happy driving off the lot. Some problems started early on and some continue.

My one line statement to anyone is that the car is way too sensitive. Most buttons including the keyless phob need to pressed with exact pressure or precise location on the button. This includes the sunroof button as well as the door unlock button.

Here is my list of issues:

1. Sunroof button is terrible and way to sensitive - need to redesign. I have had one button replaced.
2. Metal Clanking noise from front end while driving slow. Dealer tightened hood but problem still continues.
3. Intermittent wind noise from drivers side mirror.
4. Bluetooth isbuggy. Software was updated November 2014. You must wait 3-4 seconds when using the hands free system.
5. Voice control is annoying. Most times my verbal requests are not recognized. Other times the system tells me I spoke to soon. Who at Kia thought adding a talk back command to a $42,000 car was smart. Literally the system yells at you if you talk too soon after hitting the hands free command button. You must wait 3-4 seconds every time you hit the hands free button. Frustrating.
6. Many Kia dealers are not ready to handle a premium car. Took mine to three dealers before I found one that could respond to my issues.


Here are the good points:

1. Gas mileage is not as bad as expected
2. Seats are very comfortable
3. Road noise is quiet most of the time

Over all I would not buy this car again. It was Ok for the price i paid but most of the "cool" features don't work well. The car drives and stops as expected.

 

[Beezwax]

im with you on the driver side mirror wind noise.... but I haven't experienced any of these issues and I've got almost 26k on it now

 

[thedunk300]

Bought my car in late February 2014 from a dealer in Virginia. Got a good deal and felt happy driving off the lot. Some problems started early on and some continue.

My one line statement to anyone is that the car is way too sensitive. Most buttons including the keyless phob need to pressed with exact pressure or precise location on the button. This includes the sunroof button as well as the door unlock button.

Here is my list of issues:

1. Sunroof button is terrible and way to sensitive - need to redesign. I have had one button replaced.
2. Metal Clanking noise from front end while driving slow. Dealer tightened hood but problem still continues.
3. Intermittent wind noise from drivers side mirror.
4. Bluetooth isbuggy. Software was updated November 2014. You must wait 3-4 seconds when using the hands free system.
5. Voice control is annoying. Most times my verbal requests are not recognized. Other times the system tells me I spoke to soon. Who at Kia thought adding a talk back command to a $42,000 car was smart. Literally the system yells at you if you talk too soon after hitting the hands free command button. You must wait 3-4 seconds every time you hit the hands free button. Frustrating.
6. Many Kia dealers are not ready to handle a premium car. Took mine to three dealers before I found one that could respond to my issues.


Here are the good points:

1. Gas mileage is not as bad as expected
2. Seats are very comfortable
3. Road noise is quiet most of the time

Over all I would not buy this car again. It was Ok for the price i paid but most of the "cool" features don't work well. The car drives and stops as expected.

Same Here. I had the issue with the noise from side mirrors and they had the technician install something on each door, and i haven't heard anything since. I have been hearing creaking of my sunroof intermittently still. I'm at 23k now.

 

[davelli0331]

I've owned my Cadenza for about a year (and approx 10K miles), and have been a member here since around the same. Something I've noticed is that I think people's expectations about the Cadenza were a bit unrealistically inflated. I don't think that's their fault, Kia has marketed both the Cadenza and K900 as luxury sedans directly competing with BMW, Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, etc.

But the truth is the Cadenza is a Kia, and Kia is primarily a manufacturer of economy cars. ****, even the Cadenza and K900 are underneath it all economy cars, meant to undercut the big luxury manufacturers price-wise.

Am I saying to just accept the car for its flaws? Of course not! But I am saying that maybe it's time to realize that you didn't buy a luxury car, you bought an upscale, not-quite-luxury sedan from an economy car manufacturer who, while granting that they packed a heck of a lot of value into the Cadenza, is not a luxury car company by any stretch.

That's not to take away from any of the issues you guys are having, just adding a different perspective. In my 10K miles I love the car for what it is. Have had no problems with it except for a blown tire, for which I don't blame the dealership. I have some minor gripes here and there, but overall I'm satisfied with my purchase. Will I keep it 100K miles? Doubtful, but who knows?

Edit: In retrospect, I think it would have been wiser for Kia to do what the Japanese companies did, spin their luxury line out to its own brand that's still wholly owned and operated by Kia.

 

[bob61]

Nearing 1 year as well, other than oil changes and the free car washes I haven't needed to bring my car in for service. I hope I didn't just jinx myself. After 1 year still enjoy the car and given the price and features I'd still buy it if I were to do it all over again.

 

[Beezwax]

I'm coming up on 2 years in May... no big issues really.

washer tank was clogged up
Sunroof Rail Runner guides (the rubber guides that run along the roof) have caved in on both sides... doesn't leak, in fact they are for wind noise and not seals.... being replaced this week and covered under warranty.

no other issue... 26K miles

 

[Dave H]

I've owned my Cadenza for about a year (and approx 10K miles), and have been a member here since around the same. Something I've noticed is that I think people's expectations about the Cadenza were a bit unrealistically inflated. I don't think that's their fault, Kia has marketed both the Cadenza and K900 as luxury sedans directly competing with BMW, Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, etc.

But the truth is the Cadenza is a Kia, and Kia is primarily a manufacturer of economy cars. ****, even the Cadenza and K900 are underneath it all economy cars, meant to undercut the big luxury manufacturers price-wise.

Am I saying to just accept the car for its flaws? Of course not! But I am saying that maybe it's time to realize that you didn't buy a luxury car, you bought an upscale, not-quite-luxury sedan from an economy car manufacturer who, while granting that they packed a heck of a lot of value into the Cadenza, is not a luxury car company by any stretch.

That's not to take away from any of the issues you guys are having, just adding a different perspective. In my 10K miles I love the car for what it is. Have had no problems with it except for a blown tire, for which I don't blame the dealership. I have some minor gripes here and there, but overall I'm satisfied with my purchase. Will I keep it 100K miles? Doubtful, but who knows?

Edit: In retrospect, I think it would have been wiser for Kia to do what the Japanese companies did, spin their luxury line out to its own brand that's still wholly owned and operated by Kia.

This is a very apt and well written post. I agree with all you've said, especially that KIA should have spun off it's 'luxury' models to a separate branding. That worked immensely well for Toyo, Honda, Nissan.

It's a great, great car for the price and the features and styling beat it's competition. Some quirky issues to complain about yes, but, alot of car and alot of pleasure for decent $.

 

[Carl3208]

OMG!!! I don't even know where to start about my car and the "crackling all over the car". I think I am filing for a lemon and I'm so done with KIA after this...

 

[Achamp]

Love my Kia Cadenza 2014 SXL. 15K miles owned one year and no problems or issues.

 

[socalifk7]

I just wish I had mine back; no issues (5k miles, but no sunroof), except other drivers crashing into me.

Final repair cost is under $9k; all new parts and hopefully complete late next week. After driving a series of rentals; I can attest the Cadenza is a very nice driver for its price range.

BTW, to my "old" ears the sound system rocks; reference track Eagles **** Freezes Over, Hotel California at high volume. Wow! what clean rich sound.

 

[socalifk7]

"This is a very apt and well written post. I agree with all you've said, especially that KIA should have spun off it's 'luxury' models to a separate branding. That worked immensely well for Toyo, Honda, Nissan.

It's a great, great car for the price and the features and styling beat it's competition. Some quirky issues to complain about yes, but, alot of car and alot of pleasure for decent $."

From a Parts perspective look underneath a Lexus and you'll find Toyota, Acura you'll see Honda and Infiniti, Nissan. They all use many common components, suppliers and design features. Many boxes and parts themselves carry both logos.

When I had my Bimmer, the big difference I noticed more than the component pieces was the obsessive design effort of the whole car. Every component had the appearance of some engineer obsessing over placement and design. No loose harnesses, break away points for all lines, obsessive optimization of something designed in whole. Every suspension angle seemed to have a purpose. It was almost more impressive when viewed from underneath (up on a rack). I would say the luxury differentiation is in the engineering which just takes time to evolve. I can see other's getting to this level eventually.

 

[schan2464]

Yet did this "obsession" lead to a more reliable car? Not in the least. I wouldn't wish a German car on my worst enemy, and I've owned VW, Audi,BMW and MB. Each one a turd in their own, unique way.

"This is a very apt and well written post. I agree with all you've said, especially that KIA should have spun off it's 'luxury' models to a separate branding. That worked immensely well for Toyo, Honda, Nissan.

It's a great, great car for the price and the features and styling beat it's competition. Some quirky issues to complain about yes, but, alot of car and alot of pleasure for decent $."

From a Parts perspective look underneath a Lexus and you'll find Toyota, Acura you'll see Honda and Infiniti, Nissan. They all use many common components, suppliers and design features. Many boxes and parts themselves carry both logos.

When I had my Bimmer, the big difference I noticed more than the component pieces was the obsessive design effort of the whole car. Every component had the appearance of some engineer obsessing over placement and design. No loose harnesses, break away points for all lines, obsessive optimization of something designed in whole. Every suspension angle seemed to have a purpose. It was almost more impressive when viewed from underneath (up on a rack). I would say the luxury differentiation is in the engineering which just takes time to evolve. I can see other's getting to this level eventually.

 

[Scott]

As we all know every car has its lemons. You just have to hope you don't get one of them.

 

[gerryp]

Only a Single Complaint

Coming up on a year of ownership (13,000 mi) for my SXL.
No problems; great car - much better than my previous Acura.

Aside from some dumb design mistakes (which are nits) my only complaint is the way that Kia introduced this car in the US. No marketing plan; no advertisements; no re-branding -- resulting in a very poor resale value. (How they can hope to sell the even higher priced K-900 is beyond me.) Happily I'll keep this car for a while so resale is of little concern, but Kia has done little to protect my investment. Comparing their sales approach to Lex, BMW, or M-B is absurd. Kia has a lot to learn in this market.

I'll probably not buy another Kia.

 

[Yooshaw]

There was an initial advertising campaign - this ad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXYUAk8apuk

They ran this for about 6 months if I remember right - I work in a job where we have to monitor the news, and this ad was constantly on. No commercials since though. Similar for K900, only their launch was the superbowl "Matrix" ad.

My opinion, Kia is not interested in volume selling the K900 or Cadenza, they are intended to up Kia's image in the minds of North American consumers. That's why you see their ads targeting their volume seller - Optima, Soul, and Sorento.

Here's Kia Sales figures for April 2015:

MONTH OF APRIL
Rio 2,802
Forte 7,183
Optima 13,666
Cadenza 598
K900 140
Sportage 4,273
Sorento 9,808
Sedona 3,394
Soul 11,418
Total 53,282

 

[gerryp]

".... up Kia's image in the minds of North American consumers"

Not clear to me what Kia is doing to make this happen. Most of the public has never heard of Cadenza. Those who have would probably conclude that Cadenza (and K-900) image were nice tries that didn't quite work.

 

[GizmoPDX]

".... up Kia's image in the minds of North American consumers"

Not clear to me what Kia is doing to make this happen. Most of the public has never heard of Cadenza. Those who have would probably conclude that Cadenza (and K-900) image were nice tries that didn't quite work.

Not sure I agree here. I've had several co-works drive with me who were very impressed with my Cadenza. While they weren't in the market for a Cadenza, it was enough of an impression to get them into a Kia showroom and into one of the more popular Kia models (Soul and Optima).

 

[westtexk7]

This car and the K900 are meant to get people into showrooms, these cars do really well in other markets and it only helps brand perception to have them even if they arent massive sellers

 

[gerryp]

All well and good for the Kia image.
The bottom line for the owner is how the resale value on this car compares to similar cars. I'll bet you'll find that it's much poorer.

Of course if you are planning to keep your car for a while (like I am) then resale shouldn't matter much. In this case the question becomes one of performance satisfaction (Great, for my car!), which takes us back to the intent of this thread.

 

[Dave H]

outside mirror wind noise

Same Here. I had the issue with the noise from side mirrors and they had the technician install something on each door, and i haven't heard anything since. I have been hearing creaking of my sunroof intermittently still. I'm at 23k now.

Dunk300; can you recall any further info about what the technician did to your doors to stop the wind noise? Also, which dealer/city handled the fix? Many thanks in advance!