Today’s new car shopper is looking for versatility and economy, with more and more buyers turning toward SUVs and crossovers or small, fuel-efficient EVs. With the large sedan segment shrinking now more than ever, some brands are struggling to keep the biggest of their sedans at the top of the rankings. But one non-luxury brand is here to prove that it can make a luxury-like sedan and pull off the best one of the year, with the 2020 Kia Cadenza.

The Kia Cadenza tops experts’ full-size sedan rankings

Car and Driver recently released its 2020 Editors’ Choice list of the year’s best vehicles. With a multitude of new cars to choose from, its choice for “Best Full-Size Sedan” surprisingly doesn’t go to the most expensive or luxurious sedan available.

In fact, Car and Driver experts love the 2020 Kia Cadenza so much, it takes home the title of Best Full-Size Sedan of 2020. The newest Cadenza performed so well on Car and Driver’s road test, it receives an impressive overall rating of 9 (out of 10), boasting “luxury-car comfort” at “a steep discount.”

It’s not just Car and Driver’s experts noticing the tremendous value buyers get with the new Kia Cadenza. The 2020 Kia Cadenza also tops the rankings of Consumer Reports, coming in as the second-best-rated vehicle in the large car segment.

Shocking experts on the road test, the Kia Cadenza earned a near-perfect score of 91 (out of 100), helping bring its overall score to an impressive 85 (out of 100). But what about the 2020 Kia Cadenza has experts so enamored?

The best and worst of the 2020 Kia Cadenza

The 2020 Kia Cadenza thoroughly shows-off the brand’s move toward luxury vehicles, even in the shrinking, large car segment. Although the Kia name was often associated with affordability and economy, the latest Cadenza proves buyers can enjoy luxury features at affordable prices.

The sole, six-cylinder engine is powerful and makes up to 290 hp. It’s paired to a smooth automatic transmission and refined suspension. The powerful engine is still economical, earning around 31 mpg on the highway.

Buyers don’t have to sacrifice performance or technology, with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a suite of driver-assistance features now offered standard. These standard safety features include a navigation system, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more.

According to the review by Car and Driver, the 2020 Kia Cadenza has a “classy, well-built cabin” and a “high-quality, elegant interior” that makes driving and riding in the sedan comfortable and enjoyable.

The best part of the Kia Cadenza is its beyond-reasonable price, which even when fully-loaded, won’t break the bank. The 2020 Kia Cadenza is available in two variants, with the base Cadenza Technology starting out at around $40,000 and the better-equipped Cadenza Limited starting out at around $45,000.

How does the Kia Cadenza compare to the rest of its segment?

Although there are some other cars in the segment that come close to matching the Kia Cadenza’s price tag, there are none that come close to offering the same value as the Cadenza. Buyers can find a new Toyota Avalon or Chevrolet Impala for around the same price, but after considering what you get for the money, the Kia Cadenza is the better bang for your buck.

Not only does the interior of the Cadenza offer luxury-like features, but what’s under the hood is high-performing enough to match. As if that isn’t enough, few brands can compete with Kia’s standard safety features and manufacturer’s warranty, which includes five years of roadside assistance.