Kia Cadenza 0–60 Times
The Kia Cadenza 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 7 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Motor Week and more.
The fastest tested Kia Cadenza is the 2014 Kia Cadenza Limited Sedan, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.20 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 14.80 seconds at 97.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested Kia Cadenza is the 2017 Kia Cadenza SXL Sedan, which took 7.30 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 15.50 seconds at 94.0 mph, according to Motor Week.
Out of all the Kia Cadenza tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 6.64 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 15.04 seconds at 95.40 mph.
Fastest 0–60
6.20sec
2014 Limited Sedan · stock
Average 0–60
6.64sec
Across 7 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
15.04sec
@ 95.4 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
7.30sec
2017 SXL Sedan
Across 7 verified runs, the Kia Cadenza ranges from 6.20 to 7.30 seconds 0–60, with a 6.64-second average.
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Kia Cadenza Performance Overview
Kia’s Cadenza occupied the brand’s full-size sedan performance space from 2014 to 2020, with 7 verified tests covering three model years in U.S. production form. Across that span, every tested example used a naturally aspirated gasoline V6, beginning with the VG-generation car’s 293-hp Lambda II 3.3 GDi. Early results set the model’s quickest benchmark immediately: the 2014 Limited Sedan reached 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, and a 2015 Premium Sedan followed at 6.5 seconds, establishing the first-generation VG (2014–2016 in this data set) as the quicker phase on average.
The YG generation, introduced for 2017, shifted slightly in output to a 290-hp 3.3-liter V6 while remaining front-drive and gasoline-only. Initial YG testing produced the model’s best quarter-mile result, with the 2017 SXL Sedan running 14.8 seconds at 95.8 mph, though its 0-60 time was a slower 7.3 seconds. Later YG tests tightened that spread: the 2019 SXL Sedan posted 6.7 seconds to 60, and the current-generation best came from the 2020 Technology Sedan at 6.5 seconds. As measured here, the Cadenza closed its run as a consistently mid-6-second sedan with no hybrid or electric variation.
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Kia Cadenza 0–60 Times by Generation: VG to YG
2 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YG | 2017–2021 | 6.75s | 6.50s — 2020 Technology Sedan | 4 | The YG generation (2017–2021) averaged 6.75 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 2020 Technology Sedan at 6.50 seconds. Output was 290 hp across 3.3L V6 configurations. |
| VG | 2010–2016 | 6.50s | 6.20s — 2014 Limited Sedan | 3 | The VG generation (2010–2016) averaged 6.50 seconds to 60 mph across 3 tests, led by the 2014 Limited Sedan at 6.20 seconds. Output was 293 hp across 3.3L V6 configurations. |
YG
2017–2021
Avg 0–60
6.75s
Fastest
6.50s
Tests
4
2020 Technology Sedan
The YG generation (2017–2021) averaged 6.75 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 2020 Technology Sedan at 6.50 seconds. Output was 290 hp across 3.3L V6 configurations.
VG
2010–2016
Avg 0–60
6.50s
Fastest
6.20s
Tests
3
2014 Limited Sedan
The VG generation (2010–2016) averaged 6.50 seconds to 60 mph across 3 tests, led by the 2014 Limited Sedan at 6.20 seconds. Output was 293 hp across 3.3L V6 configurations.
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Kia Cadenza 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
7 tests · 3 years
▾
2020 Kia Cadenza
1 verified run
Avg 0–60
6.50
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
14.90
sec
Recorded Tests
1
#03
2020 Kia Cadenza Technology Sedan
6.50sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
14.90s
¼ mi @ 96.3 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.50 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 14.90 sec
- Trap Speed
- 96.3 mph
- Engine
- 3.3L V6
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 8A
- Horsepower
- 290 hp
- Torque
- 253 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,715 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 12.8 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 20 C / 28 H / 25.7 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Sedan
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #3 of 7
How we verify Kia Cadenza performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Kia Cadenza trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Kia Cadenza 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Kia Cadenza performance FAQs
10 questions
The 2020 Kia Cadenza Technology Sedan runs 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds. In the same test, it covered the quarter-mile in 14.9 seconds at 96.3 mph. That makes the 2020 model one of the quicker Cadenzas on record, matching the best time seen for the second-generation YG car.
The quickest Kia Cadenza on record is the 2014 Cadenza Limited Sedan, which reached 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. That same car is also the fastest stock Cadenza recorded. Across all 7 verified Cadenza tests, the average 0-60 time is 6.64 seconds.
The fastest stock Kia Cadenza is the 2014 Limited Sedan at 6.2 seconds from 0-60 mph. All 7 Cadenza tests on record are production vehicles, so the overall quickest run and the quickest stock run are the same car. No modified examples change that ranking.
The YG Kia Cadenza, sold from 2017 to 2021, averages 6.75 seconds from 0-60 mph across 4 tests. Its quickest recorded run is 6.5 seconds by the 2020 Technology Sedan. YG cars on record use a naturally aspirated gasoline powertrain with 290 horsepower.
The VG Kia Cadenza, sold from 2010 to 2016, averages 6.5 seconds from 0-60 mph across 3 tests. The fastest VG example is the 2014 Limited Sedan at 6.2 seconds. Recorded VG cars use a naturally aspirated gasoline setup rated at 293 horsepower.
The fastest second-generation Kia Cadenza is the 2020 Technology Sedan, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. That is the quickest run recorded for the YG generation, which spans 2017 through 2021. Across 4 YG tests, the generation averages 6.75 seconds to 60 mph.
The fastest first-generation Kia Cadenza is the 2014 Limited Sedan at 6.2 seconds from 0-60 mph. That makes it not only the quickest VG-generation car, but also the fastest Cadenza overall on record. The first-generation VG averages 6.5 seconds across 3 tests.
The Limited Sedan is quicker than the SXL Sedan in recorded 0-60 testing. Limited models average 6.25 seconds, with a best of 6.2 seconds, while SXL models average 6.83 seconds, with a best of 6.5 seconds. On record, the Limited trim holds the stronger acceleration numbers.
Yes. The 2020 Kia Cadenza Technology Sedan ran 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds, which matches the best SXL Sedan result. Across multiple SXL tests, that trim averages 6.83 seconds, so the 2020 Technology is quicker than the typical SXL result and equal to the quickest SXL run.
Across all 7 Kia Cadenza tests, the average quarter-mile time is 15.04 seconds at 95.4 mph. The quickest quarter-mile run is 14.8 seconds at 95.8 mph by the 2017 SXL Sedan. The 2020 Technology Sedan is close behind at 14.9 seconds with a 96.3-mph trap speed.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
Motor Week
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Kia Cadenza can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Kia 0–60 times
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