Why the Sedona SX Might Make More Sense Than the SXL

Although a few options differentiate the Sedona SX and SXL, but with the technology package added, both come equipped with auto-leveling HID headlights, High Beam Assist, a 115-volt power inverter in the cargo area, front and rear parking sensors, a multi-camera parking system, adaptive cruise control, forward collision and lane departure warning as well as a heated steering wheel. Before adding any packages, the SXL’s $3,500 price premium gets you different front and rear fascia with chrome accents and chrome door handles. It rides on 19-inch chrome wheels instead of machine-finished 18s on the SX. Inside, you get dual sunroofs, Nappa leather, a leather- and wood wrapped steering wheel, and of course, lounge seating for two in the second row.

Although the Sedona SXL’s extra goods will make the Sedona look and feel more luxurious, they’re luxuries we can do without. The SX is really all we need. Unlike lower trim levels, the SX comes with an 8-speaker Infinity soundsystem plus navigation on an 8-inch screen. It’s a huge upgrade over the infotainment system in the lower trims.

We also prefer the Slide-N-Stow and removable second row over the SXL’s fancy lounge seats that make the Sedona a seven and not eight-passenger minivan. Although we have to get by without dual sunroofs, we get the added benefit of better mileage thanks to less weight (an EPA-rated 18/25 city/highway versus the SXL’s 17/22 mpg). Smaller wheels and thicker sidewalls may also contribute to our van’s nice ride.

Because of our needs, the Sedona SX was the right choice. But if you only need to transport seven and not eight passengers, don’t mind reduced gas mileage, and your kids can’t live without Nappa leather, consider the Sedona SXL.

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Kia Rises To Top Of Minivan Competition

When it comes to family drama, deciding whether to let a minivan sneak into the garage must rise to the top of the decision list.

There's no beating a minivan when it comes to sheer practicality. But many just can't stomach the minivans' frumpy image. They don't want to be accused by neighbors of being stuck in the 1980s.

That's a shame, because minivans still have some big advantages when it comes to space and fuel economy that most crossover SUVs can't match.

With that in mind, Cars.com and PBS' Motorweek set out to find the ultimate minivan, pitting five of the big names against each other in a competition to find the best model under $50,000.

"Although minivans get a bad rap as outdated "mommy-mobiles," they remain both popular and effective," says Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief of Cars.com. "Last year, about 500,000 of them sold in the U.S. They provide lots of family-friendly features, tons of cargo space, and they drive more like cars than ever before."

The contenders were the 2015 Chrysler Town & Country, the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan (a corporate sibling of the Chrysler), 2015 Honda Odyssey, 2015 Kia Sedona and the 2015 Toyota Sienna. About the only notable omission was the Nissan Quest. Nissan declined to participate.

The winner was a vastly refreshed model, the Kia Sedona. The judges scored it high for its SUV-like looks, but also its plush interior, tech features and quietness.

The price cap was intended to let automakers show what they could do for for the money. Many car shoppers never foot into a showroom without having set a maximum amount in their heads of how much they are willing to spend.

Each of the vehicles were tested for a week. They were driven on a 135-mile loop around Milwaukee to check fuel economy, driven back-to-back on the same course and then scored.

The expert judges were Jennifer Geiger, assistant managing editor for Cars.com; Kelsey Mays, senior editor for Cars.com, Jennifer Newman, assistant managing editor for Cars.com and Brian Robinson, producer for PBS' "MotorWeek."

The test also included a family. Andrea and Andrew Thueme of Manhattan, Kan., and their two children, Adaline, 2; and Arthur, five months. They put the cars through their paces in driving segments around Milwaukee, where the competition was held.

Andrew, 36, serves in the U.S. military and Andrea, 35, recently left the service.

Scoring was according to a formula. It was weighed 65% from the experts, 15% from the family shoppers, 10% from IIHS crash-test scores and 10% from the finish in the gas mileage drive.

While some vehicles clearly stood out, one area where the results were the closests was for fuel economy. Though minivans have a generally good reputation for gas thrift, the vehicles are so big that they aren't looking so good compared to other classes of vehicles.

All finished about a half-mile per gallon apart, The best was the Dodge Grand Caravan, with 23.9 miles per gallon during testing. Worst was the Sedona, with 23.3 mpg. Here is how the vehicles fared:

•2015 Kia Sedona SXL. High marks for the looks, interior, lounge-style seats, surround camera and how quietly it rode. Negatives were least amount of storage, configuration for cargo and the way it rode when fully loaded.

•2015 Toyota Sienna Limited Premium. The sales leader in the segment has nice all-wheel drive, drove well overall and lots of space. But there was some road noise, a higher price without the most safety features and it was harder to get into the third row of seats.

•2015 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite. Hey, it's got a built-in vacuum cleaner. Besides that notable feature, Odyssey has ample space, including in the third row of seats. The seats were also among the most comfortable. But the interior looked cheaper than the others, some of the tech features were hard to figure out, the ride wasn't that great and it cost more than the others.

•2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum. The flip seats, called Stow 'n Go seats, in the second row were a hit. So was the accelaration. But the electronics are dated and some testers didn't like the handling, transmission or steering feel.

•2015 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Plus. The one provided the most for the money, coming in around $33,000. But it has the same advantages and disadvantages as its corporate stablemate, the Chrysler.

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