Kia Sportage – third- and fourth-gen, side-by-side

The fourth-generation Kia Sportage, which was revealed in September before making its official debut in Frankfurt, should be arriving on these shores sometime next year, but we’ve got an early view of how it shapes up to the outgoing third-gen SL before it gets here, courtesy of a simple side-by-side comparo.

The photos are from Korea – two generations of the SUV happened to be parked next to each other, and snaps were duly taken by reader Jie Jun Teng. The new QL has been on sale in South Korea for months now, having been launched there in early September (before Frankfurt).

The current SL Sportage has presence, but as the photos show, the QL’s front has incredible heft – massive would best describe that face next to the old one; certainly, there’s no shortage of bumper on the new car. It’s also quite visually imposing at the back, which features among other things sharper LED rear lights and a chrome trim strip providing linkage between the units.

Design-wise, the new Sportage has improved aerodynamics, and it’s also a more refined offering mechanically – NVH levels are down compared to the current one. The interior is also an advancement in terms of material and trim.

Engine options for the new Sportage include a new turbocharged 1.6 litre T-GDI petrol engine which makes 174 hp and 265 Nm of torque and a 1.6 litre GDI petrol offering 130 hp and 161 Nm. A new seven-speed double clutch transmission (DCT) is dedicated to the 1.6 litre T-GDI engine – a choice of six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission works with all the other mills.

The current Kia Sportage facelift sold locally – be it two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive form – is powered by a 2.0 litre Nu MPI four-cylinder petrol engine developing 154 PS at 6,200 rpm and 191 Nm at 4,700 rpm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

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2017 Kia Cadenza news: next-generation luxury sedan teased in new images

Kia is gearing up for the release of the second-generation Cadenza, the automaker's large front-wheel drive luxury sedan. The next-generation Cadenza is set to succeed the current model, which was released in South Korea back in 2010.

"The all-new Kia Cadenza will set new benchmarks for cutting-edge design, interior quality and contemporary luxury when in goes on sale in overseas markets in 2016," said Kia in a press release.
Kia has released three teaser images that preview the Cadenza. From these images, it is clear that the forthcoming sedan will feature a restyled exterior and will be built using more premium materials.
The 2017 Kia Cadenza seems to have been inspired by Kia's Sportspace and Novo Concept cars. There are also design similarities with the 2016 Kia Optima.

The Cadenza sedan comes with a sleek and sporty design. With a wide and low stance, it looks sharper and more aggressive. The new Cadenza will come with an elongated bonnet, Kia's signature "tiger-nose" grille, tapered headlights, grid-patterned fog lamps and square exhaust tips.

The tall sedan also comes with sharper styling lines including a high-set beltline, clean body panels and a long sloping roofline. With its unique design, the next-generation Cadenza will be instantly recognizable.

The 2017 Kia Cadenza may still be powered by the current model's 3.3-liter V-6 engine mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is also rumored that Kia will unveil a second powertrain option – a smaller four-cylinder hybrid engine.

The upcoming four-door luxury sedan will also come with a fresh, updated and elegant new look. While the sedan's interiors maintains the horizontal layout of its predecessor, it will feature more premium and high-quality materials. Car enthusiasts can look forward to seeing soft-touch materials and metal accents inside the cabin. The 2017 Kia Cadenza will also be more spacious than its predecessors.

The 2017 Kia Cadenza sedan is expected to make its official debut next year and arrive at U.S. dealers by fall 2016.

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Kia gives us a glimpse of the second-generation Cadenza sedan

The Kia Cadenza is a full-size premium sedan meant to go up against cars like the Buick LaCrosse and Nissan Maxima. With a new Maxima on the market, and a new LaCrosse to follow in the next year, the segment is once again heating up. Kia's making sure its product is up to date, too, and what you see here is the first look at the Cadenza's second generation, set to launch next year.
Compared to the current model, the next Cadenza looks far more angular. It's longer, lower and wider -- a little less cartoonish than the current offering. The character line running the length of the body is also a bit stronger, and there are far more sharp edges hidden in the front fascia. The rear end looks to extend Kia's current design language, with large, flowing taillights and more of a fastback shape coming off the roofline.
The interior's rendering looks far more production-ready than the rest. The general focus on horizontal lines continues, and Kia mentions that there will be a new focus on high-end interior materials. Familiar Kia touches abound, like the steering wheel and the grouping of physical switchgear beneath the infotainment screen. All in, the Cadenza's new interior looks like it belongs on the brand's flagship K900 sedan.
If this second generation seems to be hard on the heels of the first, your assumption would be correct. The US received the first-gen Cadenza in 2013, halfway into the car's global lifecycle. Thus, the time has come to crown a successor to the throne of surprisingly cheap luxury. Kia says the new Cadenza will launch in 2016, but specifics about price and market availability are nonexistent.

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