When the Kia Cadenza was launched in Manila, they had tigers guarding the car in a glass case. The tigers were supposed to symbolize the power, aggression and the stately attitude of the car.
More than a hint of luxury: Ventilated, electric massaging seats and the extendable knee rest are a blessing on long drives while I found the flaccid headrest quite relaxing to press one’s neck against. The full version also comes with memory-programmed electric driver seats. The responsive rear blinds and side mirrors that go down as you shift to reverse, complement the rear view camera in easing out parking hurdles. Significantly, these are comforts that you normally sign up for with your Mont Blanc.
Cabin lighting: If lighting can make a subject photogenic, it does a great favour for the Cadenza’s interiors. The control panel, otherwise unassuming in daylight, turns impressive with the hint of phosphorescent blue that lights up the dials. The questionable presence of aluminium panels below the dash and on the door is also redeemed by the underside glow of red that comes on with the lights. In emulating the luxury defined by the Lexus ES, Cadenza highlights its own interiors with soft red lighting on the handles, foot wells and doorsills.
Sound effects: Noise interferes with the luxury concept in the Kia Cadenza. While it’s irksome to hear the wind chatter above your own, the engine too isn’t one of those quieter ones. Though I should admit, in an adventurous mood, it is sometimes invigorating to hear the V6 roar, announcing the magnificent power like the two smoke-spitting parallelograms at the rear also do!
Despite the higher decibels of everything else, the AC works effectively and quietly – unlike its noisy counterparts in many other cars in the segment.
The Cadenza sure makes you feel big by itself and complacent about the good size of luxury you amassed for the little you spent. But on careful scrutiny, it fails to hold them together with the stamp of class and refinement, which are still an extra mile ahead of the curb that Kia aspires to negotiate more smoothly than it does now.
