Chevrolet Impala vs Kia Cadenza Review and Road Test 

Same price, same fuel economy, bigger engine, bigger trunk, larger back seats, better suspension, better "road manners", quieter cabin, lower baseline pricing, more comfortable front passenger seat, more torque, more horsepower, half a second faster 0-60. Based on those comparisons i would say the impala should have won...

so let me get this straight, the impala is better in almost every way, has a better luxury driving experience, and looks better but you like the kia more? lol what?

I would take the Impala. Consumer Reports gave it 91 points. Rating higher than cars costing tens of thousands more.

Interesting that the tester finds the Impala slightly better in most every key metric. Then he picks the Kia as the winner. Say what? While the author likes the Impala's styling better, he (1) thinks the Kia's more conservative styling will age better. He says the Impala driver's seat is great, but he (2) likes sitting in the Kia better. So, based on these two small, subjective, and counter-factual points, he picks the Kia over the Impala. Conclusion: If you're in the market, try both cars for yourself, and make up your mind based on your own experience.

I own 2 2014 Impalas - an LTZ and an LT2. The LTZ has 9600+ miles and the LT2 2000+ miles. I purchased the LTZ in June, 2013 when it was first built in the Oshawa, Canada plant;the LT2 in Sept. 2014. Both cars have mostly identical features with the exception of some chrome and air-conditioned seats on the LTZ. Gas mileage averages 18.5 in the city and 22.5 on the highway. However, although both have similar features, they have similar flaws. Poor front pillar visibility; sloppy radio tuning, transmission sluggish, seems to follow braking in hard stops; 20" rims are useless in snow and ice, stick to the LT2's 19" wheels. The LTZ is tintcoat red and is a head-turner everywhere it goes. Overall, I agree with most of the reviews -- a 9 out of 10. Nobody's perfect, but having owned 12 Impala LTZ's and LT2's since 2000 (combined) I can honestly say that this new model is a game-changer and far superior to past models.

I have this impala LT loving it still

I liked this review although I'm much more a fan on the Impala. The square styling seems much more classic than the bubbly Kia. Also a bare bone Impala starts at $26,860 where as the Kia starts at $35,100 which is a huge difference. If you don't need/want all the extras you can definitely get the Impala for much cheaper.

I'm really thinking about getting a Cadenza. 2014s and 2015s are dirt cheap right now and it looks like everyone else has an Impala anyway. You don't see Cadenzas out much on the road.

I never heard so much double speak in a comparison video in my life!!! ... "I like the Chevy better, but I'd buy the Kia" .... WTF???

I would take the Impala over the Kadenza any day! Great job GM

12:19 "Thanks to wearing essentially the same size rubber."

ok.even though the impala was better overall id rather drive the kia. thats what i got from this video.

Well I agree the guy doesn't know what he's talking about. I own a 2017 Impala Premier and its a great vehicle. I have it in the pearl white with the 20 inch wheels and the light interior and I get a lot of compliments on it. The most important part is though that I love the car and the only way to really know for yourself other than listening to a biased guy that contradicts himself is to go test drive one and see for yourself. If you haven't checked a GM out lately you might be short changing yourself. Don't take my word for it though. Go see for yourself.

The NEW cadenza is better. Keep in mind, this video is old, and the cadenza has since been updated, with the impala still behind. The cadenza has the best in class warranty with better features for the money. Also, the impala's interior felt very chintzy when we test drove it. Cadenza felt more luxury, and had more room. We even liked Cadenza better than the ES350.

Every metric he noted in driving slightly favored the Impala. Then, in conclusion, he picks the Kia because of its driving characteristics. And oh yeah, the air vents too...LOL!

I stumbled across this review recently and I thought it was interesting. In August of 2013, I wanted to buy a new car. When comparing vehicles, I chose a 2014 Impala 2LTZ over the Kia Cadenza. I totally agree with reviews and comments here, don't get me wrong. The Cadenza was a fine vehicle, and felt very luxurious. Much like Consumer Reports' review, I found the 2LTZ clearly handled better. It should be pointed out that the Impala's suspension is tuned differently for each wheel size as well as tier level. My father has parkinson's and this Impala is also the *only* full size sedan he feels comfortable in, too. He finds it very easy to access, and that was important to me and speaks volumes about the great design. So far, it has been extremely reliable and VERY good in winter weather. It stops extremely well on ice, and the ESC is very effective. I have driven it through about 8" of snow and it made it home without me having a fear of getting stuck. Do I think the Cadenza sucks? No way. I think they are both great. The Impala 2LTZ had more features for the money and the impressive poise while driving was more important to me than looks. I do absolutely love the Impala's interior as well as the exterior, however.

Why is it a bad thing that GM offers customers more options when it comes to trims, packages, and options? I feel that’s a good thing and makes for a far better customer experience at the dealership.

I feel that KIA cars have a more feminine design. The Impala has a more masculine aggressive look.

You need to bring the LTZ to notice the exhaust kits buddy !!!

Another great review! I enjoy the detail you get into. Good job. :)

i believe that american automakers are truly listening what people want. Style and has mileage just i proved over the years. I hope the quality is good, only time will tell. I would buy the impala over cadenza. even though cadenza is cheap so is resale value is gonna be too low compared to impala. so my choice will be impala,

All of yall is wrong. The impala is hand's down the best full size sedan on the market.

I'm going to stay out of the "this car company's warranty is a fraud" commentary. For every email I get about Kia or Hyundai not honoring their warranty I have a10 more saying the warranty saved their bacon at 90,000 miles. I suspect this has more to do with your dealer than the car company.

Alex, I loved the dual shot of your in the both trunks...you are upping your game sir!! lol

The Impala clearly looks better inside and out. I just dislike the cheap and unsatisfying form of manumatic used in it.

I agree with you 100%, I could NOT believe he said he liked the Impala tail's better, that is absolutely rediculous. The cadenza LED tails are KILLER!!!

Flight, you must be joking. Camrys and Corollas are nothing but cheap plastic boring poopy-boxes. American cars used to be that. No longer. GM is doing an amazing job--just look at the finest sports sedan in the world hands down--the Caddy CTS V-sport.

Awesome comparison! Thank you. It would be interesting to watch a battle between Chrysler 300 and Genesis. PS. It may be useful to comment on look of tail lights and headlights at night.

The Impala is a much better looking car, but both dashboards seem a bit disappointing.

Impala's tail lamps look too simple and perhaps the worst part of the car.

Seriously no one cares which air vent looks better, total waste to bring up things like that. You could have done a side by side comparison of the steering wheel controls, much more useful for a potential buyer. No visible exhaust on the Impala is a deal breaker to a lot of people, they want to see pipes! Its clear the Cadenza taillights look better, idk what you were looking for, boring unappealing on the Impala? You chose the Cadenza even though you undermined it the whole video. Trying to hide bias?

Chevy Impala, Bad Ass!!!!!!!

The Kia has a different look for sure and that's all very subjective. The Kia offers some features not available on the Impala and a slightly better value. The warranty proposition cannot be overlooked. It has a 5 year 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and a 10 year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty with free scheduled maintenance for 3 years 37,500 miles. The basic warranty coverage from GM and Kia are identical in scope.

How did the cadenza win ? The impala won in most of your comparisons.

I was more than surprised to her him say that the taillights look better on the Impala, when I first saw the new Impala I found the tail lamps totally out of place and way too small, on the Cadenza they're big, wrapped around the side, and are LED!

I know, I know. There's no accounting for taste. I have the love for Impala tail that dare not speak its name.

Im a former GM employee and I own two Gm vehicles and I won't purchase another!!! My wife and I have been screwed over several times on warranty repairs! There's a joke around the GM plants that before you buy a GM car, find out if it was made on a Monday or Friday cause if so...it'll be a piece of §hït due to do many people missing work and just not giving a Damn on those days. I've also worked for Kia and watched a many satisfied/loyal customers had not only watch repairs taken care of with no

I rented a new Malibu and was surprised how much I liked it. Is the Impala better, I don't know I would have to drive one. But I think I would rather have a 2004 crown victoria and rule the road with that

Cadena and Impala both are not luxury full-size cars. I think the full size sedan must with a big trunk over 18 cubit feet. Cadenza, Availon, 300 with small trunks are almost like mid-size cars. If not choosing Impala, just buy V6 Accord, V6 Passat, Fusion 2.0 Ecoboost or 2015 Sonata 2.0 turbo.

Why would he show only the impala's interior? On and on about the impala... Biased?

Terrific reviews & presentation. Alex, no one can ever accuse you of being short on facts. On to 'something completely different' - that's very interesting music at the end - sounds a bit ominous, like something from a TV crime show :-)

Amazing thorough and clear review. Job well done!

I can't believe anybody can say one car looks different than another anymore. For the last couple years pretty much every car from each manufacturer looks almost identical give or a take a couple SMALL details. When this video first started and they showed both cars, if someone just glanced at them they look pretty much exactly the same. Its this way in every class, small, full-size, SUVs, Crossovers, pickups etc.

you need to compare the kia to an equally equipped impala not a LT. Where as the LTZ has WAYY more crome than the cadenza.

How’s that resale value holding up! 2014 Lexus still commands a premium even with a100k miles

He was certainly right about aging better, the kia cadenza sells for less and has a longer life span... plus I'd argue it's body style actually aged far better. Also in general the candenza has more toys interior wise on average especially for the price in modern standards.

Great review!!! Can u please review audi a6

The Impala is the winner for me

I would lean toward the impala, since I had chevy lumina and it was good to me for 15 years till some buttholes stole it and wrecked it otherwise it would have kept running......Kia seems to have come a long way since the 90s....they aren't as plain as they used to be

Impala looks more manly Kia is for girls. Impala design is much better. I hate these bubbly cars out now. Impala has better shape.

2:40 insert jaws theme song, KLM tail crosses the screen lol

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the new Impala. I've driven both vehicles for days at a time. Simply put the ride of the Cadenza is smooth and soft and the Impala in the LTZ trim feels like a 'big' sport cruising cars. The ride is definitely firmer and it is not as quiet. But I really enjoyed it on some twisty road. I've disliked Impalas until they made this new body change, but I think it looks good. For longevity though, I would buy the Candenza

Kia and Hyundai taking over the car industry.

Interesting, most of the commenters on RU-vid think I hate American cars.

the impala look like a classic car

That Kia's face looks like what the E60 BMW should have looked like

5.52 sec to get to 60 is very impressive. Are you sure you guys got 5.5 and not 6.5? That is almost as fast as a Taurus SHO with the 3.5 Ecoboost.

There is no way the tail lights in the Impala look better than the ones on the Cadenza. I don't like any of the cars and honestly I think that the Cadenza is better looking. I believe that the new K900 is gorgeous, but at $70k++ who will buy any of these brands... Let's get real, you will not spend that amount of money for a Kia when you can buy an Audi, jaguar, BMW , etc...

you basically said impala was better in ever way yet you picked the kia. i just find it interesting that you go on and on about how the impala beats the cadenza yet you still pick the cadenza. i personally would pick the cadenza as well but to me an impala just feels like a rental like many of their vehicles.

Why are you guys bitching that the impala had more features but he chose the cadenza. He was not "paid off", it's just his opinion on which car he likes better. Even tho the cadenza losses in some factors, I would still choose it just because it looks like a nice car

Very nicely done. I went with the Impala and loving it.

I have 45$(window motor) in parts in my 03 silverado with 215,000 miles. I just hauled 2 ton of gravel a couple weeks ago for 20 miles with ease in my half ton pick up. doubt if there has ever been a ford,toyota or honda on the face of this planet that can say that!

I would take the impala. What strange to me is that the impala with the gray interior feels cheap but with the black or tan interior it feels very high quality. That really baffles me..

nice review - how about a review on the Q50 ?

That Kia is nice looking. I'll take one of those please.

I am torn between these two cars. The Cadanza sure looks like a good car, but I feel like the Impala is better. Now if Chevy can make a car to compete against the Kia K900, that would be nice.

I bet the Kia will be better in 0-60 when the Chevy is in the shop.

5.5 is correct, remember that the 3.6L DI engine has an excellent torque curve and the Impala is considerably lighter than the Taurus SHO. The lack of AWD also results in less loss. Of course the SHO whips the Impala's rear in every other performance metric, but the delta in acceleration was eye opening.

Impala's interior is much more aesthetically pleasing.

Cadena's rear legroom is only 36.8 inches and front legroom 45.5 inches. Accord v6 (rear 38.5, front 42.5) and Passat (rear 39.1, front 42.4). 2015 Sonata (Rear 35.6, front 45.5). Fusion (rear 38.3, front 41.1) Fusion is even better than Cadena in both rear and front legrooms.

You must be kidding... Just look at how the side windows are shaped on the car. They move to the back and wrap around EXACTLY the same way. The headlights and tails are pretty much the same basic shape, just slightly different designs. Front bumpers have the exact same features...again just slightly different in shape. A few of my friends were over with a subaru impreza and a mitsubishi galant parked in line with each other, another friend glanced at them and thought they were the same car...

The trunk part had me confused

If you ever tried to use a Kia warranty you would say that the Impala has a better warranty. While going through the video You liked many more things and gave the edge to Impala in most matchups except you felt the Kia would age better. you said also that you felt the Kia was a better value BUT your getting a larger, roomier,(and in my opinion a better looking with a nicer interior car with the impala for the same price.

The Impala is not very good in snow or very wet roads. If you live in the Northeast you will find that out soon enough. Better interior colors would be a plus if GM decides to offer it. If you have the black interior and had the winter we had this year the road salt will be all over the black rugs. Both are nice looking but jury is still out for me on the quality.

Wait... isn't the point of a large car is for a large back seat and trunk?

Cadenza for sure!

A typical Impala V6 driver is NOT gonna get 19 mpg in local stop and go traffic...More like 15 mpg.

i think i'd be very comfortable in the backseat of the Cadenza and i don't care if you don't care Alex!

"A more comfortable feel to it" Dude it's like me saying a 1990's kia drives better than today's Optima lol

Who would ever think an Impala would be priced at over $40K one day.

I don't think this was a fair match up. He should have gotten the highest trim level of both cars. The Impala 2LTZ has integrated exhaust with chrome tips. And it has push start ignition plus more amenities. This doesn't count.

That weird flap on top of the Impala's dashboard looks weird and the outside styling is boring. I'll take the KIA.

What about OnStar?

Why do you call tail lights "headlamps" at 2:43 ? Did you "doobie" before the shoot or do you drive in reverse?

Why brag about the impala the whole video and then pick the Kia?

i think the chevy wins because its not only a mode of transportation, you will get there faster and comfortably

Between the two.. I'd Choose Cadenza over design and reliability.

Most of the video is about the Impala's interior. Video title is wrong and misleading.

Yo that srceen is tight cops will never no that it comes open and u can lock it

Where did you film this video? It's close to an airport, right? I just want to know which airport is it? :)

Hmmmm the rear end of the impala looks like a hyundai sonata..

All Cadenzas are probably in the junkyard now with a blown 3.3L motor, after it went out with no warning.

Guess we know who paid for this comparison .. Lets talk about how many Chevy recalls you can expect in a typical 3 to 5 year first ownership.. guaranteed Chevy will beat Kia in that category as well...

Alex, would you pick the Acura TL over these two? Nice review!

I didnt say their warranty was a fraud. But its not as good as GM's. Like not fixing a bad transmission at 36k miles because it was not brought in to dealership for a trans. filter change at 30k miles. And once again you liked many more things about the Impala than you did the KIA as several people have pointed out, except you THINK the KIA will age better. You gave every reason why the Impala was a better value but said Kia was with nothing to back that up.

I will take a car that made from a company that has not been in bankruptcy.

Haha, clever editing for the trunk review.

The Cadenza looks better than the Impala. I'd rather have an Avalon over either.

Yeah great video and all, but I'd never be able to say I drive a "KIA" with a straight face.

Your comparison video isn't nearly as good as your one-machine in depth review. And the main reason is because you focus on weird points. These are family sedans. And try to be more objective and let each of us decide on areas like styling and preference. Funny thing is, as flawed as this is you're still better than other reviewers.