[spd98]

What stands out as much as anything for me, perhaps because I've bought some KIAs over the years, is that the Cadenza is hugely overreaching in its base price.

$30,000 is where it should start. $35+ grand base price is just a bad joke.

KIA and Hyundai traditionally have been bang-for-the-bucks propositions. As the highest-priced car in the comparo, it seems KIA has decided they can now pretend they're Mercedes.
NOT, and sales will suffer.

They were trying to get into the market and establish the brands. Now they are reaching into other markets and trying to compete directly.

 

[Tre-Tre]

I guess GM has improved a lot and done a lot of homework. Not too long ago the complaint list would be very long and they'd be in last place. I myself like the Chrysler 300 but have nothing but respect for what GM has brought to the table with the Impala. Once again you are getting a Lux car without the badge in the Impala, great job GM.

 

[hunchman]

WTF? I read that whole article twice. Can someone please explain to me why Impala was not declared the winner?
I don't buy the tranny BS either.

Not that it matters but they brought the wrong Taurus to the party.

 

[AMERICA 123]

I did not read anywhere that the 300 performed poorly in any acceleration or handling metric. In fact, I read that it is good looking, has a pleasant dash layout and display, smooth and intuitive transmission, tied for best in braking, 0.2 slower than the top 1/4 mile, best figure 8 time, and offers enough options that rival other luxury sedans at a higher price level...

I also read was that it finished 4th because of a monotone interior, being a tad porky, getting worse than expected gas mileage, and having rear seat/space issues (yeah, ok).

Of course, there are 2 optional engines to be had, as well as a two tone interior on the S and a different one on the C. As for the gas mileage? Scroll down and do the math on the total cost to own less initial all-in cost. The Kia loses that "value" equation.

Obviously, I am a 300 owner. Take as many grains of salt as necessary for my comments.

Imo, they kneecapped the Chrysler.

And to a much lesser extent, the Impala - who as others are pointing out, is the real winner here ( or really one of the two ) - and elsewhere.

Spotted the Avalon and the Cadenza.


The new group @ MT seems quite different than the old.


Perhaps because they picked the GC DT over the ML DT, the Touareg DT and ...... the Cayenne DT.....( in the same issue ) they had to pound the 300 ?


Funny thing is.... independent of what they said about the GC and the rankings etc, definitely felt they lined it up hard against the (ML & Cayenne ) especially - and even the Touareg a bit too.

 

[01sunfire01]

the kia will be a total flop just like every other attempt they have made to get into this market. No one will spend 35k+ for a car that will be work 10K the day you drive it off the lot.

 

[jry]

Good for GM and the Chevrolet Impala. I find it hard to compare the ride to the 300. There is an 8 inch difference in the wheel base. The Impala is Front Wheel Drive...

Whoa, that a FWD car got a good report is amazing.

 

[krusshall]

WTF? I read that whole article twice. Can someone please explain to me why Impala was not declared the winner?
I don't buy the tranny BS either.

Not that it matters but they brought the wrong Taurus to the party.

Teal stitching vs. faux wood trim and an analog clock probably.

 

[sfdenny]

There is one major problem with owning the "winner" here - it's having to utter the words "Kia Cadenza" when asked about your ride. Sounds like a made-up name from Seinfeld. Go ahead, try it.

Btw, Car & Driver picked the Avalon, with the Impala 3 points shy.

 

[CaddyLac10]

This is a great article for those who don't understand what full size sedan pricing is in this market. Every one of these sedans goes over 40K so anyone saying the Impala is overpriced has their head in the sand.

Good job by the Impala; it does many things well. It won't win at everything all the time but I think it's more important that it is consistently ranked at the top of comparisons. I think it's safe to say they Impala is well respected by the media right now.

 

[1958carnut]

Impala has gone from an also ran last place finisher to at least second place. With all the different alternatives out there this is really good news.

 

[ab348]

Hyundai/Kia must be spending some big $$$ to buy off so many of the magazines and websites that always pick their vehicles ahead of others that are clearly of better quality and design.

Impala FTW here.

 

[Novak454]

Is it possible that MT got a bad trans unit in their tester? I don't recall any other reviews mentioning this.

I would say their review is on par with my Verano - yes, I know it's a different car, but the similarities in build quality (door panel and door seals falling apart) and the fact that the transmission is the absolute dumbest I've ever experienced in a car.

 

[Jesda]

First place is arguable on these reviews while the Impala is a solid second.

This is good news for Chevrolet sales.

 

[jpd80]

GM deserves strong praise for Impala - it's a good well thought out car that will attract a lot of sales.

and that's coming from a blue oval biased person...

 

[prototype66]

Ford PT is 5 yr/ 60,000
not 4yr.
Impala should have been #1 IMO but I am biased. I cant see buying a car named after a piece of furniture in my office. And it will devalue quicker than the whole lot....

 

[gopedxr7]

wow i really jumped the gun when i bought my used rental fleet 2012 impala haha

Alan

 

[wescoent]

There is one major problem with owning the "winner" here - it's having to utter the words "Kia Cadenza" when asked about your ride. Sounds like a made-up name from Seinfeld. Go ahead, try it.

Heh.

I would have found it hard to believe that the new Impala was a bad car... the Lacrosse bones are a good base to start with.

 

[GHull3]

Here are C&D's results of a similar comparo:

1. Toyota Avalon. +Fit and finish, acres of room inside, simple controls, quiet cabin. -Hard front seats, small nav screen, shades of cheapness. =Toyota shocks us into arrhythmia with a winner.
2. Chevy Impala. +Best ride, limo room inside, potent powertrain, lowest price. -Still a spendy Chevy, interior doesn't quite cohere, steering and brakes could use more life. =GM mostly nails the target.
3. Dodge Charger. +Tighter chassis settings, perkier cabin trim, a butch design dripping with nostalgia. -Seats disliked by all, drives huge but inside space suffers, unloved nav console. =A big cruiser for folks not ashamed of their tattoos.
4. Chrysler 300S.+Stiff structure, racer brakes, still looks badda bing! -Lumpy seats, coal-mine interior, cramped back seat. =A regal heavyweight that doesn't feel dynamic enough.
5. Kia Cadenza. +Elegant, buttoned-down, lots of buttons, engine and trans as good as the Toyota's. -Needs more structure, steering is soft and bland, highest as-tested price. = Reasons to not buy a Kia are steadily falling away.
6. Hyundai Azera. +Snappy sheetmetal, feature-laden, everything you see and touch feels good. -A brittle ride causes body reverb, heavy steering, no fun in turns. =Another Hyundai that looks great but drives meh.

 

[prototype66]

wow i really jumped the gun when i bought my used rental fleet 2012 impala haha

Alan

I wouldn't say that...they are still a great value for the "bang for your buck" end of it! As long as it was Certified.

 

[Neanderthal]

Ford PT is 5 yr/ 60,000
not 4yr.
Impala should have been #1 IMO but I am biased. I cant see buying a car named after a piece of furniture in my office. And it will devalue quicker than the whole lot....

Cadenza, Credenza. Tomato, Tomatoe. Sonata, Salami.

Maybe H/K has been hanging out with Sergio in Italy?

Cadenza:
In music, a cadenza (from Italian: cadenza, meaning cadence; plural, cadenze) is, generically, an improvised or written-out ornamental passage played or sung by a soloist or soloists, usually in a "free" rhythmic style, and often allowing for virtuosic display

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadenza

Credenza:
A credenza is a piece of furniture comprising a central cupboard flanked by symmetrical quadrant glass display cabinets, usually made of burnished and polished wood and decorated with marquetry. The top would often be made of marble, or another decorative stone, or of inlaid wood. It became very fashionable during the second half of the 19th century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credenza

Sonata:
Sonata (/səˈnɑːtə/; Italian: [soˈnaːta], pl. sonate; from Latin and Italian: sonare, "to sound"), in music, literally means a piece played as opposed to a cantata (Latin and Italian cantare, "to sing"), a piece sung. The term, being vague, naturally evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms prior to the Classical era. The term took on increasing importance in the Classical period, and by the early 19th century the word came to represent a principle of composing large scale works.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonata

wow i really jumped the gun when i bought my used rental fleet 2012 impala haha

Alan

I drove a few, those are nice cars. If your price was right, you got a great deal. See post below.

I wouldn't say that...they are still a great value for the "bang for your buck" end of it! As long as it was Certified.

Here are C&D's results of a similar comparo:

1. Toyota Avalon. +Fit and finish, acres of room inside, simple controls, quiet cabin. -Hard front seats, small nav screen, shades of cheapness. =Toyota shocks us into arrhythmia with a winner.
2. Chevy Impala. +Best ride, limo room inside, potent powertrain, lowest price. -Still a spendy Chevy, interior doesn't quite cohere, steering and brakes could use more life. =GM mostly nails the target.
3. Dodge Charger. +Tighter chassis settings, perkier cabin trim, a butch design dripping with nostalgia. -Seats disliked by all, drives huge but inside space suffers, unloved nav console. =A big cruiser for folks not ashamed of their tattoos.
4. Chrysler 300S.+Stiff structure, racer brakes, still looks badda bing! -Lumpy seats, coal-mine interior, cramped back seat. =A regal heavyweight that doesn't feel dynamic enough.
5. Kia Cadenza. +Elegant, buttoned-down, lots of buttons, engine and trans as good as the Toyota's. -Needs more structure, steering is soft and bland, highest as-tested price. = Reasons to not buy a Kia are steadily falling away.
6. Hyundai Azera. +Snappy sheetmetal, feature-laden, everything you see and touch feels good. -A brittle ride causes body reverb, heavy steering, no fun in turns. =Another Hyundai that looks great but drives meh.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f19/cd-avalon-impy-charger-118745/