The 2017 Kia K7 - a rival to the Toyota Avalon in the US.

The redesigned next-generation sedan features a sportier interior, more premium features, and will go on sale in the US later this year.

Kia chose the 2016 New York Auto Show to introduce the 2017 Cadenza to American customers, following its domestic market. The Cadenza is also known as the K7 in South Korea. In its new generation, the Cadenza features a redesigned exterior to compete with the Toyota Avalon, Buick LaCrosse, and Nissan Maxima in the US.

The 2017 Cadenza features a more youthful redesign with the signature "Kodo" grille, but with vertical slats. The headlights incorporate LED daytime running lights in a "Z" shape. The rear is sportier with a chrome horizontal bar connecting the LED taillights, dual exhaust pipes, and 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels.

Compared to its predecessor, the 2017 Cadenza retains the same overall length but increases in width and lowers in height. The slightly longer wheelbase provides an additional 12 mm of legroom.

Inside, Kia redesigned the 2017 Cadenza's interior to be sportier, using premium materials. Besides improved seats and a new UVO infotainment system supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the 2017 Cadenza offers options such as a head-up display (HUD), wireless charging, and a Harman/Kardon sound system. Additionally, American customers can opt for Nappa leather upholstery and the White Package with black wood-grain accents.

New safety features on the 2017 Cadenza include intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Kia equipped the 2017 Cadenza with a 3.3-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower. Power is transmitted to the wheels via a front-wheel drive system paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission, replacing the old 6-speed automatic transmission.

According to plan, the 2017 Kia Cadenza will go on sale in the US in late 2016, and pricing will be announced at that time.

According to VNE