Its sales having plunged in the 12 years since Sedona first landed in North America, Kia instructed Peter Schreyer, the former Audi automotive designer, to execute an inspired makeover. He introduced features that are more characteristic of a soccer mom’s favourite vehicle, the SUV. The goal? Make the minivan cool again.
The
brand’s honeycomb grill is finished in satin metal and flanked by headlamps
that squint at you like a pair of lion’s eyes. The flattened hood resembles the
crossover utility style, similar to the maker’s Sportage.
The window line, accented by a chrome strip, slopes down toward the back to
provide a sleek – opposed to boxy – appearance and a muscular rear spoiler
complements the rear window. Inside, a centre console accommodates the
gearshift in SUV-like
fashion, adding storage and the advantage of blocking tykes from sliding
through the opening to sit on mom’s lap.
For
all us cable-TV customers barred from choosing the channels we actually want to
watch, here is an automotive
antidote to address the frustration. Kia
offers seven different packages, or trims, allowing customers to pick and
choose. For instance, the base L model includes air, keyless entry, power
windows/locks and cruise control. The SX features an eight-speaker Infinity
auto system, a 110-volt outlet, LED taillights, a power liftgate and memory
settings for seats and mirrors. Bump up to SX Limited and you get 19-inch
wheels, household electric outlets, Nappa leather seating with decorative
cross-stitching, a console in the second row, projection fog lights, parking
sensors and more. The second-row captain’s chairs fold back and a La-Z-Boy-ish
leg rest pops up, so the kids are sitting in first-class … flying overseas …
spoiled.
Safety being of
highest priority to minivan buyers, the Korean auto maker has constructed 76
per cent of the body with high-grade steel from its own mill. Torsion is
stiffened, and on Southern California freeways the steering seemed responsive,
feeling more like driving a car than piloting a
yacht on English Bay. In the class, its 276-horsepower engine is more powerful
than all but Chrysler’s Town & Country (283 hp). We heard occasional light
whistling at speeds more than 100 km/h; otherwise, the ride was quiet and
smooth. Downside: It is not available in all-wheel drive, leaving Toyota as the
only auto maker offering an AWD minivan.
Kia labels the remodelled Sedona a
Multi-Purpose Vehicle in a
futile attempt to dodge the minivan stigma.
However,
parents accepting all that comes with parenthood should feel their image is
safe while they’re hauling the kids to the hockey rink, ski hill or a birthday
party in the new-look Sedona – even when the other parents ask about their new
“minivan.”
You’ll like this car if ... You
secretley desire a minivan but wonldn’t dare make the move on frumpier-styled
competitors.
TECH SPECS
Base price:
$27,495; as-tested: $45,995
Engine: 3.3-litre V-6
Drive: Six-speed automatic
Fuel economy
(litres/100 km): 13.2 city/9.7 highway base model, 14.2/10.3 with SXL
Alternatives:
Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town & Country, Nissan Quest
RATINGS
Looks: Trends more toward SUV than traditional minivan
with aggressive mesh grille, muscular front, high window line, optional 18- and
19-inch wheels, higher ground clearance, shifter between the front seats.
Interior:
Available heated and ventilated front seats (Nappa leather in the more
expensive trim), leg rests in the second row, 12 cup holders, eight-inch
display screen. The centre console has storage space and allowed Kia to enlarge the dashboard
screen.
Technology:
Canadian version is minus sophisticated telematics.
Performance:
Quiet, responsive, surprising feel with the electronic steering, anti-lock
braking, cornering brake control, stability control, traction control, hill
assist and roll-over prevention.
Cargo: Not much room for
the hockey bags when eight people are along for the ride, but flipping down the
third-row seat more than doubles the space to 78 cubic feet while accommodating
five passengers. In most trims, the second-row seats collapse, bringing cargo
to 142 cubic feet or the same size as the smallest enclosed U-Haul trailer.
The Verdict
8.0
Distinguished
look and feel versus a traditional minivan.
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