Kia Makes Improvements to Sedona Minivan

I drove the new Kia Sedona this year and, frankly, it had a few issues. I liked much the minivan had to offer then, and now. The 2015 model I tested had vague steering, a sometimes choppy ride in back, a heavy feel and a radio that unexpectedly jumped from FM to AM to satellite.

The tested 2016 SXL, a dark blue metallic top-of-the-line model, had none of those issues.
Steering — there are three choices at the push of a button — was much more responsive, no matter the mode. Normal delivers a firmer feel, but not as heavy as it seemed in my previous test. Eco mainly tames acceleration to increase gas mileage. The comfort setting delivers a lighter feeling wheel, but not as sloppy and vague as before.

The last time I drove the Kia Sedona was in January, so I suspect its stiff rear suspension was a product of cold winter weather. The new model rode smooth and well-controlled in all circumstances, including a drive on some of Bay View's bumpiest streets.

The heavy feel of the earlier test drive was handled, I feel, by this van's steering being more responsive. And the psycho radio? I had no issues with this one. Dial in a station, touch the screen and it locks in the channel.

Sedona is a fine minivan from many perspectives, a key one being that this one will seat up to eight passengers, with a second-row bench. The interior is quiet and the van looks as sharp as a minivan can look. Kia uses a less angled nose that it believes makes Sedona look more like an SUV.
I like the 3.3-liter V6 engine, which features continuously variable valve timing and direct injection. The van gets up to highway speeds in a respectable distance and without much engine noise to bother the folks inside.

The 6-speed automatic is smooth and efficient. Braking is good, with traction and stability control standard. The SXL comes with 19-inch tires, up from 18-inchers on lower-level models.
The base L model starts at $27,295 and features the same engine and transmission as this top level SXL. The test van starts at $39,900 with an $895 delivery fee. This one also added a tech package for $2,800 and a rear-seat entertainment system for $1,095. The screen for that flips up from the rear of the front seat's center console, a bit different from other vans. Most screens flip down from the roof.
Interior room is generous; no one will feel cramped.

The SXL features a third-row seat that folds down into the cargo area behind the seats. That area is deep, so even with three rows of seats in place you can carry a hefty amount of cargo. Middle-row seats slide up and back to create more legroom. If the third row is folded down and you're carrying cargo and kids, the second-row passengers can adjust the seats to boost legroom. Kia calls these Slide-N-Stow seats, and they are standard even on the base L model. They flip forward and stow against the front seat backs.

The test van's dash was light gray over charcoal gray, same for the doors and seats. The SXL features leather seating. There was black gloss trim around the dash gauges and screen and on the console.
I liked the seats, which were fairly flat, but comfortable with mild side-contouring on the seat bottom and backs. The driver's seat includes power lumbar support and two memory settings, controlled by buttons on the door.

Sedona's dash layout is attractive, with two main gauges and a large digital computer readout between the speedometer and tach. All buttons on the dash are large and easy to use, as are five knobs to adjust the radio and dual heat controls. Even the buttons on the touch screen radio are large and easy to use.

Kia wisely puts buttons to open the power sliding side doors and hatch on the key fob and overhead inside the van.

Standard is a voice-command navigation system, blind-spot warning system, Infinity surround sound audio system, backup camera, heated steering wheel and UVO telematics.

The technology package adds a lane departure and forward collision warning system, Xenon headlights, smart cruise control, chrome side sill trim and a 115V power inverter in the cargo area. The package also includes a surround view monitor, which is helpful in tight parking spots, plus just cool to watch as you back up.

I got 19.9 mpg this time in about 60% city driving. That compares with 17.2 mpg in similar driving, but in below-freezing temps, on the earlier test. The EPA rates this van at 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

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