KiaCadenza2020Overview/kia/cadenza/2020/base/

2020 Kia Cadenza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Cadenza.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2020 Kia Cadenza pairs its eight-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel economy ratings of 20/28/23 mpg across city, highway, and combined driving. When viewed through the lens of the model's 2014–2020 complaint history, this vehicle emerges at the tail end of a steep downward trend, arriving just after reported issues plummeted from a peak of 110 in 2014 to a record low of four in 2019. For researchers, this positions the 2020 model year firmly within the most reliable era of the Cadenza's lifecycle, following a sustained period of steadily declining complaint volumes.

Model year2020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy20/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 660 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 660 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length195.7 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3770 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume108 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Cadenza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2020 Technology Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Technology Sedan 3.3L V66.50 sec14.90 sec290 hpFWD
2017SXL Sedan 3.3L V66.50 sec14.80 sec290 hpFWD
2017SXL Sedan 3.3L V66.70 sec15.00 sec290 hpFWD
2017SXL Sedan 3.3L V67.30 sec15.50 sec290 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts311.0-318.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15-17 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15.0-17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Front Wheel Hub177-199 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance660 cca

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 inch lbs., Step 2: 84-10848 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 84.0-108.0 inch lbs.48 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7020–23 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
At 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miFuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
47
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V022000Visibility:Power Window Devices And ControlsReported 21/01/2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Cadenza vehicles. The rear power windows can be operated by the driver's power window main switch after the ignition has been turned off and a front door is opened. As… Remedy: Dealers will update the Driver Door Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…
TSB_TRA046_R52025-04-17Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been…
WTY034_TSB_R22025-03-27Fuel/Propulsion SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP…
TSB_ELE3782025-03-20Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This…
TSB_ELE3612024-12-05Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE DEALER MODE FACTORY RESET - This bulletin…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cadenza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 Cadenza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cadenza get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.