The Kia Cadenza does 22.6 mpg combined (19.6 city, 27.9 highway), which works out to about $1,699 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Kia Cadenza engine, compared
The Kia Cadenza was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 19.6 / 27.9 | 2014–2020 | $1,699 |
What that actually costs
The Kia Cadenza burns a gallon every 22.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 531 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.142 |
| Fuel per year | $1,699 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,495 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$231 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,764 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Kia Cadenza gives up 8.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.9 out there against 19.6 in town, a 42% drop worth $583 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 19.6 mpg | $1,959 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.9 mpg | $1,376 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.3 mpg (42%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Cadenza changed over the years
The Cadenza peaked in 2020 at 23 mpg (20 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2016 at 22 — 1 mpg apart, or $75 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2020 car does 23. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2019 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2018 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2017 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2016 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2015 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2014 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 7 EPA ratings of the Kia Cadenza — 1 engine across 2014–2020. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,764. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Kia Cadenza get?
22.6 mpg combined on average — 19.6 in the city and 27.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2014–2020.
How much does a Kia Cadenza cost in fuel per year?
About $1,699 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,495 over five years, or 0.142 dollars a mile.
Which Cadenza engine is the most economical?
The 3.3L 6-cyl at 22.6 mpg.
Is the Cadenza good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Cadenza figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Kia Cadenza is $2,764 against the $1,699 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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