2014 Kia Cadenza “Luxury Features” Commercial: Movin’ On Up [The Ad Section]

I guess it makes sense for Kia to keep trying to make a go of it in the entry-luxury segment, if for no other reason than it gives satisfied customers of the brand another rung to climb in the lineup. The Amanti clearly didn't get the job done, but I can't imagine who would have bought that weirdness at any price, unless they planned to enter the 24 Hours of LeMons. But having stuck with the commitment to shoot high, at least this time Kia has a reasonable contender in the new 2014 Cadenza. Looking at the Cadenza, Kia president and Hyundai/Kia head designer Peter Schreyer obviously remembers what he learned at Audi (especially when penning the rear end), and after a morning spent online comparing the big Kia to other entry-luxury brands (Lincoln and Acura among them), I'd say the Cadenza holds it own pretty much across the board. I haven't personally driven one, but one acquitted itself fairly well in a comparo (despite placing fifth of six). So now all Kia has to do is convince people to buy one, which is where this commercial comes in. "Luxury Features" is one of three introductory Cadenza spots, and in my opinion it's the best. "Change" reminds me of factory-supplied footage that dealerships use for sale commercials, and "Impossible to Ignore" uses a weak analogy to suggest to potential buyers that Kia has come a long way by asking, "Remember the girl you didn't notice in high school?" By definition, people don't remember things they didn't even notice, so I find it a strange premise. And why are they apologizing for past Kia models? The "Impossible to Ignore" tagline doesn't require that and I think it insults previous and current owners. But "Luxury Features," which looks like it was edited from "Reunion" outtakes, presents a compelling case for the Cadenza without historical reference. For starters, the car looks fantastic. The paint looks glossy and 10 feet deep, and the lighting is perfect in every shot. Ditto the camera angles and the announcer's read. And having a David Bowie soundtrack ("Let's Dance," albeit a 2013 remix by InFiction) doesn't hurt, either. The detail shots look comparable with those of other luxury makes, and the steady stream of features confirms that Kia isn't just for hamsters anymore. Comparison Test: 2014 Chevy Impala vs. 300, Charger, Azera, Cadenza, Avalon Instrumented Test: 2014 Kia Cadenza Instrumented Test: 2014 Kia Forte Sedan 2.0L Automatic Yes, some purists will argue that you need rear-wheel drive and a V-8 to play in the luxury arena, but 293 horsepower provides more than enough oomph to earn you a speeding ticket on the way to the country club or charity gala, and the Cadenza won't be Kia's ultimate player in the luxury arena: The 7-series–esque, rear-drive Quoris will handle those duties when it arrives in the near future. But even on its own, the Cadenza's looks, features, and attention to detail some to me to be on par with similarly priced Acuras, and this commercial lets us know that without resorting to the self-important posturing that characterizes Acura's new "Made for Mankind" campaign. Award-winning ad man-cum-auto journalist Don Klein knows a good (or bad) car commercial when he sees one; the Ad Section is his space to tell you what he thinks of the latest spots. The ad's rating is depicted via the shift pattern at the bottom, but everyone has an opinion when it comes to advertising, so hit Backfires below and tell us what you think, too. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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