Kia knows that only half a million of
you are willing to buy a minivan. For a market that is often the butt of jokes
and overshadowed by trendy crossovers, the minivan segment still represents a
big chunk of sales.
Still,
the minivan label carries baggage, and that’s one reason Kia is calling the redesigned 2015
Sedona
a Multi-Purpose Vehicle, or MPV. That’s also why, aside from exposed tracks for
the sliding side doors, the new Sedona is trying its best to look more like a
big, oversized, crossover SUV.
I mean,
check out those subtle front and rear trim bits designed to look like skid
plates, the large protruding nose, the squat rear quarter glass, and on my
top-of-the-line test vehicle, the oversized 19-inch aluminum wheels. The Sedona
even has 6.7 inches of ground clearance – that’s within an inch of a Ford
Explorer!
Not
that I’m suggesting off-roading excursions in the new Sedona. The company nixed
an all-wheel-drive option due to packaging requirements, which means the Toyota
Sienna remains the only miniv…umm, MPV…that can tackle a blizzard with four
driven wheels. Throw some winter tires on a Sedona, though, and you probably
don’t need to worry about Old Man Winter unless the snow is more than half a
foot deep.
In case
you haven’t noticed, modern Kias
are really good looking, and that includes the new Sedona. This people mover’s
got genuine style, inside and out. You can send a thank-you note to a guy named
Peter Schreyer, who came to Kia
from Audi and has transformed the automaker’s lineup in little more than half a
decade. At a glance, it is easy to see the Sedona is more stylish than other
minivans.
Our
Sedona minivan came in the upscale SXL trim level. We loved the leather
seating, and the fact that the front seats are heated and ventilated - the
leather and wood-trimmed steering wheel is also a nice touch. Our Sedona
minivan came in the upscale SXL trim level. We loved the leather seating, and
the fact that the front seats are heated and ventilated - the leather and
wood-trimmed steering wheel is also a nice touch.
Where
the Sedona falls a little short compared to key competitors is with regard to
cargo room. The Sedona carries 33.9 cu.-ft. of junk in its trunk when you’re
hauling eight people in all three rows of seats. Flip the third-row seat into
the floor with just one hand, and you’ve expanded cargo capacity to 78.4
cu.-ft. while still accommodating five passengers. Can you do that in a midsize
crossover SUV? Nope. By the way, that number is more than what a Chevy Suburban
can handle, too.
To
maximize cargo space to 142 cu.-ft., most versions of the Sedona have
Slide-N-Stow second-row seats that collapse against the front seatbacks. So,
while achieving maximum cargo capacity does not require removal of the
second-row seats like it does in the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, you will
give up a little bit of room for the convenience of not lifting heavy seats out
of the vehicle and stowing them in the garage. Also, it is worth noting that Kia’s Slide-N-Stow solution is
almost as effective as Chrysler’s Stow N’ Go seating arrangement.
My
Sedona SXL test vehicle, the top-of-the-line model, is not quite as adept at
hauling stuff because it is masterful at carrying people. The individual
second-row seats can be moved laterally inboard of the sliding doors, which
puts children closer to the center of the vehicle, which is the safest location
if you get into an accident. Additionally, the Sedona SXL’s second-row seat can
slide rearward to create a massive amount of legroom, and they fully recline
for comfort under this model’s dual panel sunroof. Better yet, they even offer
an ottoman-style leg rest.
Seriously,
can you name a crossover SUV that can do this, one priced at less than $45,000?
Good luck.
Proof
that life in a 2015 Kia Sedona can be a very nice comfy to be, even for those
in the second row seat. Proof that life in a 2015 Kia Sedona can be a very nice
comfy to be, even for those in the second row seat.
If you
don’t have that kind of cash for a new kid hauler, don’t worry. Kia
offers the 2015 Sedona in five levels of trim: L, LX, EX, SX, and SXL, which is
also known as SX Limited. The Sedona L starts at just $26,795, including the
$895 destination charge. Moving up the lineup, prices increase between $2,200
and $4,000 for each successive trim level.
My
Sedona SXL ($40,595) had the optional Technology Package ($2,700), which
includes adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning system, a lane
departure warning system, a surround-view monitoring system, and Xenon HID
headlights, for a total sticker price of $43,295. Don’t forget, that price
includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile
vehicle warranty with free roadside assistance. Ask the Honda or Toyota dealer
if they can match that.
As far
as comfort is concerned, Kia
is taking good care of you, especially if you’re sitting behind the Sedona
SXL’s leather- and wood-trimmed heated steering wheel. Premium Nappa leather is
wrapped around your seat, which provides 8-way power adjustment with 4-way
power lumbar support. The seat is exceptionally comfortable, and is heated and
ventilated in SX and SXL models. Plus, these versions of the Sedona include the
same range of adjustment for the front passenger. Less expensive versions of
the Sedona have cloth seats featuring YES Essentials stain-resistant fabric,
which is perfect for families.
My
Sedona SXL had terrific individual second-row seats, and even the third-row
bench seat was comfortable. I’m not the smallest guy on the planet, yet legroom
and foot room was adequate. Some people might find headroom too tight in the
rear-most seating locations, though.
The
2015 Kia Sedona
has transformed itself from complete minivan anonymity into a segment leader
with the new model's total redesign. The 2015 Kia Sedona has transformed itself
from complete minivan anonymity into a segment leader with the new model's
total redesign.
As for
how the Sedona drives, well, there’s no escaping the minivan moniker in this
respect. The 276-horsepower, 3.3-liter V-6 engine revs willingly, and the
Sedona feels strong enough for daily driver duties. Because Kia installs a full
center console in every Sedona, just like the ones you’ll find in a crossover SUV,
the transmission shifter is located here, and includes a manual shift gate if
you’d prefer to have greater control over the transmission.
With my
Sedona SXL model’s 19-inch wheels, handling is fairly impressive, and the
electric steering feels absolutely natural both on- and off-center,
demonstrating a clear improvement over early Kia executions of this technology.
The brakes are well calibrated, too, making it easy to bring the Sedona to a
smooth, drama-free stop.
One
thing some people might not like is the Sedona’s taut, sometimes stiff, ride
quality. Kia models are tuned to be a little sportier than mainstream vehicles,
and while I sure liked this particular driving characteristic, some people
might not.
Don’t
let this observation deter you from putting a 2015 Kia Sedona on your
consideration list. Let’s call it what it is – a minivan – and in that respect
let’s also say it is more stylish, functional, and fun to drive than other
vehicles like it. As long as it earns a 5-star overall crash-test rating from
the NHTSA and a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS), the new Kia Sedona effectively re-writes the rules for
minivans.
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