The Kia Cadenza, a full-size sedan, underwent rigorous testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to evaluate its safety performance. This article provides a detailed analysis of the Kia Cadenza’s crash test ratings, focusing on its performance in various frontal, side, and roof strength evaluations. These ratings apply to the 2017-2020 Kia Cadenza models, reflecting the vehicle’s design and safety features during this period.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The driver-side small overlap front test assesses the protection offered to the driver in a collision involving the front corner of the vehicle. The 2017 Kia Cadenza Premium 4-door model was tested, and the results are summarized below.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/Thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower Leg/Foot | Good (G) |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good (G) |
The Kia Cadenza achieved a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap test, indicating a high level of protection. The structure and safety cage held up well, maintaining the driver’s survival space. Injury measures for the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, and lower leg/foot were all rated “Good,” signifying low risk of significant injuries in this type of crash. The driver restraints and dummy kinematics also performed well, contributing to the overall positive outcome.
Action shot during the Kia Cadenza driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.
Post-crash dummy position in the Kia Cadenza driver-side small overlap test, indicating well-maintained driver survival space.
Frontal and side curtain airbags effectively protected the head in the Kia Cadenza driver-side small overlap crash.
Maintained driver space and low injury risk to legs and feet for the Kia Cadenza in the small overlap test.
Technical Measurements – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measurement Category | Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | ||
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | cm | 4 |
| Footrest | cm | 5 |
| Left Toepan | cm | 3 |
| Brake Pedal | cm | 3 |
| Parking Brake | cm | 10 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | cm | 1 |
| Steering Column | cm | 0 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | cm | 4 |
| Upper Dash | cm | 4 |
| Lower Instrument Panel | cm | 4 |
| Driver Injury Measures | ||
| Head HIC-15 | 146 | |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 0.9 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment | Nm | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 | |
| Chest Maximum Compression | mm | 23 |
| Femur (Left) | kN | 0.5 |
| Femur (Right) | kN | 0.4 |
| Knee Displacement (Left) | mm | 3 |
| Knee Displacement (Right) | mm | 2 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Left) | % | 0 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Right) | % | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Left) | 0.51 | |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Right) | 0.33 | |
| Tibia Axial Force (Left) | kN | 2.4 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Right) | kN | 0.9 |
| Foot Acceleration (Left) | g | 73 |
| Foot Acceleration (Right) | g | 65 |
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap test mirrors the driver-side test but evaluates the protection for the front passenger. The Kia Cadenza also received a “Good” overall rating for passenger-side protection.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Acceptable (A) |
| Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/Thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower Leg/Foot | Good (G) |
| Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good (G) |
While the overall rating is “Good,” the structure and safety cage received an “Acceptable” rating in the passenger-side test. However, injury measures for the passenger remained “Good” across all body regions, and passenger restraints and dummy kinematics were also rated “Good.” This indicates effective protection for the front passenger in a small overlap frontal crash.
Technical Measurements – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measurement Category | Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Passenger Side) | ||
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | cm | 6 |
| Footrest | cm | 9 |
| Right Toepan | cm | 4 |
| Center Toepan | cm | 1 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | cm | 2 |
| Center Dash | cm | 6 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | cm | 4 |
| Upper Dash | cm | 10 |
| Right Lower Dash | cm | 9 |
| Passenger Injury Measures | ||
| Head HIC-15 | 97 | |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 0.8 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment | Nm | 6 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.13 | |
| Chest Maximum Compression | mm | 19 |
| Femur (Left) | kN | 0.2 |
| Femur (Right) | kN | 0.2 |
| Knee Displacement (Left) | mm | 0 |
| Knee Displacement (Right) | mm | 1 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Left) | % | 0 |
| Knee-Thigh-Hip Injury Risk (Right) | % | 0 |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Left) | 0.35 | |
| Maximum Tibia Index (Right) | 0.46 | |
| Tibia Axial Force (Left) | kN | 1.5 |
| Tibia Axial Force (Right) | kN | 1.1 |
| Foot Acceleration (Left) | g | 55 |
| Foot Acceleration (Right) | g | 54 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
In the moderate overlap front test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a deformable barrier. The Kia Cadenza again earned a “Good” overall rating in this assessment.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Leg/Foot, Left | Good (G) |
| Leg/Foot, Right | Good (G) |
| Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics | Good (G) |
The “Good” ratings across all categories in the moderate overlap test reaffirm the Kia Cadenza’s robust frontal crash protection. The structure, driver injury measures, and restraints all contributed to this top score.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Measurement Category | Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | ||
| Footrest | cm | 5 |
| Left Footwell | cm | 10 |
| Center Footwell | cm | 8 |
| Right Footwell | cm | 6 |
| Brake Pedal | cm | 5 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (Left) | cm | 0 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement (Right) | cm | 2 |
| Steering Column Movement (Upward) | cm | -3 |
| Steering Column Movement (Rearward) | cm | 5 |
| A-Pillar Rearward Movement | cm | 0 |
| Driver Injury Measures | ||
| Head HIC-15 | 183 | |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 0.1 |
| Neck Extension Bending Moment | Nm | 15 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 | |
| Chest Maximum Compression | mm | 31 |
| Femur Force – Left | kN | 1.1 |
| Femur Force – Right | kN | 0.9 |
| Knee Displacement – Left | mm | 1 |
| Knee Displacement – Right | mm | 1 |
| Maximum Tibia Index – Left | 0.50 | |
| Maximum Tibia Index – Right | 0.31 | |
| Tibia Axial Force – Left | kN | 1.3 |
| Tibia Axial Force – Right | kN | 2.1 |
| Foot Acceleration (Left) | g | 77 |
| Foot Acceleration (Right) | g | 61 |
Side Crash Test: Original Test
Side impacts pose significant risks, and the Kia Cadenza’s performance in the side crash test is crucial. The Cadenza achieved the highest rating of “Good” in the side impact evaluation.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and Safety Cage | Good (G) |
| Driver Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/Leg | Good (G) |
| Driver Head Protection | Good (G) |
| Rear Passenger Injury Measures | |
| Head/Neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/Leg | Good (G) |
| Rear Passenger Head Protection | Good (G) |
The Kia Cadenza demonstrated “Good” protection for both driver and rear passenger in a side impact scenario. All injury measures and head protection assessments received “Good” ratings, highlighting the effectiveness of the side airbags and structural design.
Kia Cadenza and crash barrier immediately after the side impact test.
Side airbags deployed and occupant compartment damage visible in the Kia Cadenza after the side crash test.
Grease paint indicating driver’s head protection by side airbags in the Kia Cadenza side impact test.
Grease paint showing rear passenger head protection by the side curtain airbag in the Kia Cadenza.
Technical Measurements – Side Crash Test
| Measurement Category | Criteria | Test ID VTS1701 | Test ID CES1704 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side) | |||
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | cm | -16.5 | -16.0 |
| Driver Injury Measures | |||
| Head HIC-15 | 266 | 306 | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 0.3 | 1.1 |
| Neck Compression | kN | 0.9 | 0.4 |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection | mm | 31 | 41 |
| Shoulder Lateral Force | kN | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection | mm | 32 | 40 |
| Torso Average Deflection | mm | 28 | 34 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection Rate | m/s | 4.20 | 4.53 |
| Torso Maximum Viscous Criterion | m/s | 0.43 | 0.58 |
| Pelvis Iliac Force | kN | 1.7 | 1.8 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum Force | kN | 1.8 | 1.7 |
| Pelvis Combined Force | kN | 3.5 | 3.4 |
| Left Femur L-M Force | kN | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Left Femur L-M Moment | Nm | 205 | 187 |
| Left Femur A-P Moment | Nm | -18 | 45 |
| Passenger Injury Measures | |||
| Head HIC-15 | 85 | 67 | |
| Neck Tension | kN | 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Neck Compression | kN | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Shoulder Lateral Deflection | mm | 10 | 13 |
| Shoulder Lateral Force | kN | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection | mm | 15 | 16 |
| Torso Average Deflection | mm | 12 | 13 |
| Torso Maximum Deflection Rate | m/s | 2.44 | 2.08 |
| Torso Maximum Viscous Criterion | m/s | 0.15 | 0.13 |
| Pelvis Iliac Force | kN | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum Force | kN | 2.3 | 0.0 |
| Pelvis Combined Force | kN | 2.5 | 0.0 |
| Left Femur L-M Force | kN | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Left Femur L-M Moment | Nm | 44 | 92 |
| Left Femur A-P Moment | Nm | 41 | -39 |
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is a critical factor in rollover accidents. The Kia Cadenza demonstrated a “Good” roof strength rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Curb Weight | 3,727 lbs |
| Peak Force | 16,840 lbs |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | 4.52 |
With a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.52, the Kia Cadenza’s roof is more than capable of withstanding forces exceeding its weight, earning it a “Good” rating and indicating robust protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection is evaluated through head restraint and seat testing. The Kia Cadenza’s power leather seats received a “Good” rating in this assessment.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Dynamic Rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/Head Restraint Geometry | Good (G) |
The dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry both earned “Good” ratings, indicating effective whiplash protection for occupants in rear-end collisions.
Technical Measurements – Head Restraints & Seats
| Measurement Category | Criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Geometry | ||
| Backset | mm | 34 |
| Distance below top of head | mm | 0 |
| Seat Design Parameters | ||
| Pass/Fail | Pass | |
| Max T1 acceleration | g | 12.9 |
| Head contact time | ms | 57 |
| Force rating | 1 | |
| Neck Forces | ||
| Max neck shear force | N | 0 |
| Max neck tension | N | 551 |
Headlights
Headlight performance is graded based on visibility and glare. The Kia Cadenza has two headlight variations, with ratings varying by trim level.
Technology & Limited Trims (LED Projector Headlights)
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall Rating | Acceptable (A) |
The LED projector headlights available on the Technology and Limited trims received an “Acceptable” overall rating. Low beam visibility was good on the left side and fair on the right straightaway, and good on curves. High beam visibility was good on the right straightaway and fair on some curves, but inadequate on the left straightaway. High-beam assist helps compensate for some low beam limitations.
Premium Trim (Halogen Projector Headlights)
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall Rating | Poor (P) |
The halogen projector headlights on the Premium trim received a “Poor” overall rating. Both low and high beam visibility were inadequate in various scenarios, particularly on straightaways and curves, indicating a need for improvement in headlight performance for this trim.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are evaluated for their ability to avoid or mitigate collisions with other vehicles. The optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system on the Kia Cadenza (2019 models) achieved a “Superior” rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Superior |
| Forward Collision Warning | Meets requirements |
| 12 mph Test | Collision Avoided |
| 25 mph Test | Collision Avoided |
The Kia Cadenza’s optional front crash prevention system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, earning a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian crash prevention systems are increasingly important. The optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system on the 2019-2020 Kia Cadenza (Technology and Limited trims) received an “Advanced” rating for daytime pedestrian detection.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Advanced |
| Crossing Child (12 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 11 mph |
| Crossing Child (25 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 15 mph |
| Crossing Adult (12 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing Adult (25 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 19 mph |
| Parallel Adult (25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel Adult (37 mph) | Impact speed reduced by 34 mph |
The system demonstrated effective pedestrian detection and collision mitigation or avoidance in various scenarios, achieving an “Advanced” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchor ease of use is evaluated for LATCH systems. The Kia Cadenza received a “Marginal” rating for its LATCH system.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Marginal (M) |
While the Kia Cadenza has LATCH hardware in multiple rear seating positions, the system was rated “Marginal” due to issues like lower anchors being too deep in the seat and difficult to maneuver around.
Child Seat Anchor Details by Seating Position
| Position | Tether Anchor | Lower Anchors | Rating Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tether anchor available, easy-to-find location | Lower anchors too deep, difficult to maneuver around | Marginal rating due to lower anchor access |
| 2 | Tether anchor available, easy-to-find location | No lower anchors available | Not rated for lower anchors |
| 3 | Tether anchor available, easy-to-find location | Lower anchors too deep, difficult to maneuver around | Marginal rating due to lower anchor access |
Conclusion
The Kia Cadenza demonstrates strong crashworthiness, achieving “Good” ratings in most IIHS crash tests, including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength evaluations. While headlight ratings vary by trim and the LATCH system is rated “Marginal,” the Cadenza offers overall excellent safety performance, particularly in crash protection. The optional front crash prevention systems further enhance its safety profile, making the Kia Cadenza a safe choice in the full-size sedan category.
