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2018 Kia

Cadenza

Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.3 L

Kia Cadenza: best and worst years
2018 Kia Cadenza

Closest available photo (2019 model year); you're viewing the 2018.

2019 photoMercurySable99CC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Large CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S8)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
290
Power to weight
0.080 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.32
Cyl
6EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Start-stop system
NoEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
28 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG City
20 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG Comb
23 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,700EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
CO₂
383 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Eco Score
5/10EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Smog score
3/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Length
196 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
74 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
58 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
112 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
3,633 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Pass. Vol
108 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Cargo Vol
16 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.

Recalls
1
Owner complaints
6

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE71%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER29%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 7 total.

Kia Cadenza: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • AQ23002Openopened Nov 17, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

51 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Dec 9, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGSPS797

    PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or for

  • Apr 17, 2025POWER TRAINTSB_TRA046_R5

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.

  • Mar 27, 2025FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMWTY034_TSB_R2

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT (WTY034) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY034) to diagnose the ‘Malfunction Indicator Lamp’ (MIL) accompanied by DTC P0088 and, if necessary, replace the high-pressure fuel pump on 2019-2021 MY Sed

  • Sep 21, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMWTY034_TSB_R1

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT (WTY034) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY034) to diagnose the ‘Malfunction Indicator Lamp’ (MIL) accompanied by DTC P0088 and, if necessary, replace the high-pressure fuel pump on 2019-2021 MY Sed

  • May 25, 2024ENGINEWTY034_REIMB

    WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY034) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension program launch.

  • May 25, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMWTY034_OWNR_YG

    WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY034) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the high-pressure fuel pump in 2017-2020 MY Cadenza vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service.

  • May 23, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMWTY034_TSB

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT (WTY034) - his bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY034) to diagnose the ‘Malfunction Indicator Lamp’ (MIL) accompanied by DTC P0088 and, if necessary, replace the high-pressure fuel pump on 2019-2021 MY Sedona vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2018 through July 8, 2020, 2017-2020 MY Cadenza vehicles manufactured from June 2, 2016 through October 15, 20

  • May 23, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMWTY034_QA

    WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY034) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY034.

  • and 43 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.