Kia Cadenza vs. BMW 5 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Cadenza and BMW 5 Series contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Kia Cadenza and the BMW 5 Series.
When we compare the Kia Cadenza's and the BMW 5 Series's specifications and ratings, the Kia Cadenza has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value, interior volume and base engine power. The BMW 5 Series has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Kia Cadenza's and the BMW 5 Series's specifications and ratings, the Kia Cadenza is a better car than the BMW 5 Series.
Pricing: A used 2020 Kia Cadenza ranges from $19,559 to $29,669 while a used 2020 BMW 5 Series is priced between $24,994 to $47,898.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Cadenza loses 46.9 percent of its value and the BMW 5 Series loses 57.1 percent of its value. This means the Kia Cadenza retains 10.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 5 Series.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Cadenza is 7.5 out of 10 while the BMW 5 Series' quality rating is 7.7 out of 10. This results in the Kia Cadenza being ranked 8 out of 8 Best Large Cars and the BMW 5 Series being ranked 11 out of 29 Best Luxury Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Cadenza is 7.4 out of 10. For the BMW 5 Series the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the BMW 5 Series a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Cadenza.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Cadenza’s base engine makes 290 horsepower, and the BMW 5 Series base engine makes 248 horsepower. The Cadenza is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 518 miles. The 5 Series is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 594 miles. This gives the BMW 5 Series the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Kia Cadenza. The Cadenza uses regular unleaded, and the 5 Series uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Cadenza, a large car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW 5 Series, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, and front shoulder room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$37,850
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large Cars)
$37,104
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large Cars)
$29,995 - $59,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$53,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$63,037
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$25,370 - $130,000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$25,271
Price Range:
$19,559 - $29,669
Category Avg Price:
(Large Cars)
$26,935
Category Avg Price Range:
(Large Cars)
$21,153 - $34,168
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
10
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
59,691
# Good or Great Deals:
5
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$33,568
Price Range:
$24,994 - $47,898
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$44,278
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$23,996 - $77,843
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
101
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
58,257
# Good or Great Deals:
29
Kia Cadenza Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW 5 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
6.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Cadenza
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Large Cars)
6.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Large Cars)
5.5 - 11
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
6.7%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 5 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
4 - 10.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
3.7%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Large Cars)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Large Cars)
1.1 - 4.3
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
32.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 32.7
Kia Cadenza Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 8Ranking
4 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
8 out of / 8Ranking
8 out of / 8Ranking
8 out of / 8Ranking
8 out of / 8BMW 5 Series Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 29Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Kia Cadenza Trim Levels
Limited, Technology
BMW 5 Series Trim Levels
530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
290 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
253 foot-lbs @ 5200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.077 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
257 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.066 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
370 / 518 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
450 / 594 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
107.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Cargo Space:
14 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3770 lbs
Width:
73.6 inches
Height:
57.9 inches
Length:
197 inches
Wheelbase:
112.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3746 lbs
Width:
83.7 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
194.6 inches
Wheelbase:
117.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Gravity Blue
Gray
Graphite Gray
White
Snow White Pearl
Brown
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Azurite Black II Metallic / Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Bluestone Metallic / Imperial Blue Metallic / Mediterranean Blue Metallic
Gray
Dark Graphite Metallic / Rhodonite Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Brown
Almandin Brown II Metallic
Silver
Champagne Quartz II Metallic / Glacier Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Beige
Not available
Blue
Not available
Brown
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Highlight / Black w/ Contrast Stitching
Gray
Not available
Beige
Canberra Beige/Black / Canberra Beige/Black w/ Contrast Stitching / Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching
Blue
Night Blue w/ Contrast Stitching
Brown
Caramel/Black / Mocha w/ Contrast Stitching / Tartufo
White
Ivory White w/ Contrast Stitching / Smoke White/Black
