As a
latecomer to the van market segment in Canada, such improvements mean steady
inroads into the sales of more traditional competitors. For Kia, the decision to make an all-new van
meant a total reassessment of what consumers wanted in such a vehicle and then
figuring out how to make it.
To get
the desired result, marketing types figured that the 2015 Kia Sedona
had to be offered in seven different trim levels. The base L version, although
well-equipped and starting at $27,495, has steel wheels with covers and is not
equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. The LX, with Bluetooth, alloy wheels and
plenty more starts at $29,995. The LX+ starts at $32,395 and adds such nice
touches as power-sliding side doors, a power passenger seat, pushbutton start,
a smart key and more.
A move
to a more luxurious and even better-equipped Sedona will start with the SX
at $35,595 and the SX+ at $35,995. At the peak of comfort and equipment is the
SXL, which breaks the $40K barrier coming in at $40,995. The only trim level to
be offered with navigation as well as a few other creature comforts such as a
360-degree camera system, front collision warning and much more carries a
sticker price of $45,595.
One wag
put it that Kia has picked up
the rad cap and slid a new Sedona underneath, and then changed the rad cap.
This may not be quite true, but everywhere you can’t see and most places that
you can, the Sedona is different. Since Kia owns electronics firms,
foundries and steel companies, it should come as no surprise that not only do
the design studios come up with practical ideas, the structural engineers
figure out how to make it work in collaboration with their partner firms.
The end
result is chassis that has up to 76% high- or ultra-high-strength steel in it.
For starters, there is a perimeter of UH Steel that acts as a safety cell for
occupants, providing extra protection from front to rear and top to bottom in
case of an accident or rollover. Extra benefits of such a design include a
stiffer chassis so the 2015 Kia Sedona, which is
a bit wider and lower than the previous generation, handles better and is
quieter inside.
Part of
this quietness is also due to upgraded interior materials. Sound deadening has
not only been increased, but computer placement of the materials ensures that
Sedona is the quietest inside that it can be. Exterior design along the
roofline, mirrors and in the wheel wells ensures that turbulence is as low as
possible (drag coefficient is a car-like 0.29) which also helps keep the
interior peaceful.
How
quiet is quiet? Not many of us know what the decibel readings mean so think of
it this way: at road speeds, you can talk in a normal voice between first- and
second-row seats. You can probably hear when your kids start to misbehave and
banish one to the third row before serious parental interference is required.
All
Sedonas will have three rows of seats. The second row is a stow-and-stand unit
rather than a stow-in-the-floor arrangement. Kia engineers could
not build a seat that was comfortable enough (by their standards), so they
developed a system where the seat stands up behind the front row, taking up
just a few centimetres of space. The third row is a 50/50-split seat that folds
into the large rear cargo well to provide a flat load floor. The biggest choice
at this point is if you want a seven- or eight-seat Sedona.
The
standard question in cargo circles is “can it hold a sheet of plywood?” The
answer is no, followed by the comment that Sedonas are more likely to be used
to haul antiques, potted plants and small home items. Larger things like
plywood and drywall tend to be delivered.
Suspension
components consist of a traditional-style MacPherson strut front/multi-link
rear setup. Only the power steering goes high tech; SX trims and up get
electric power steering, while the others use a more traditional hydraulic
system. All versions have four-wheel discs, electronic brake force distribution,
brake assist, hill start assist and enough airbags to start your own political
party.
On
paper, the 2015 Kia
Sedona should drive like a car. Surprisingly, it almost does. The biggest
holdback to thinking you are in a car is the fact that your seat is at van
height, so you can see what is around you instead of staring at the lug nuts of
a semi’s rims. The other issue is that with the high seat, when the van starts
to roll a bit in corners, you are up so high that a couple degrees of tilt makes
you feel like you are about to fall over. Once you get used to all that, the
2015 Kia Sedona
can put a grin on your face and make those behind you wonder how you managed to
do what you just did, in a van!
Then
you can pick up your significant other, the kids or friends and drive in such a
sedate manner that no one would ever consider how well the van drives, just how
comfortable and convenient it is to use.
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