Background: Some of the biggest strides made in recent automotive circles have been from Asia’s low-cost automakers. Hyundai Motors, Korea’s largest automaker and Kia Motors, the country’s third-largest manufacturer, both have experienced tremendous growth in the United States the past two years. The combination of entry-level pricing, improved quality and the industry’s longest warranties have added up to a successful formula. Kia Motors began selling automobiles in the United States in 1994.
Kia entered this market on the west coast with Portland, Ore. selected as its debut city. The compact Sephia sedan was the first vehicle marketed. Kia then began expanding its dealership network east while adding to its product lineup. The Midwest area was the last region of the country Kia conquered in 1998. By then Kia had opened approximately 500 dealerships. Hyundai Motors became Kia’s parent company a couple of years ago. Daewoo Motors, Korea’s remaining automaker was recently absorbed by General Motors, the world’s largest automaker. The name Kia is derived from the Chinese language and means to arise. Kia Motors Corporation of Seoul, South Korea, was founded in 1944 as a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts. Kia was the first Korean company to produce internal combustion engines and first to build a passenger car.
Kia Motors sells vehicles in more than 120 countries including Latin America, the Middle East and Europe. Our test-drive vehicle this week, the 2002 Sedona, is Kia’s newest vehicle and the first minivan offered in the U.S. by a Korean automaker. The front-wheel-drive Sedona measures in at 194.1 inches in length, skewing more towards the shorter end of the minivan spectrum, not necessarily a bad attribute since some consumers don't desire driving larger-sized minivan. But Sedona’s key attribute may be its bottom line. The easy-to maneuver, seven-passenger Sedona is the lowest-priced six-cylinder minivan sold in America. Besides the all-new Sedona, the 2002 Kia lineup features the mid-size Optima sedan, subcompact Rio sedans and wagons, compact Sephia sedan, compact Spectra hatchback and sedan and the compact Sportage SUV available in two and four-door versions. All vehicles are assembled in South Korea.
Engine/Trim levels: The 2002 Sedona comes in two trim levels: entry level LX and up-level EX. Both are powered by the same V-6 powertrain, a 3.5-liter, double overhead cam engine with multi-port electronic fuel injection delivering an impressive 195 horsepower. The engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. It’s the most potent engine in Kia’s lineup. The 195 horses compares very favorably to more established, six-cylinder minivan rivals.
The similar-sized Mercury Villager cranks out 170 horses while the slightly smaller Mazda MPV generates 160 horses. The sole engine powering General Motors’ trio of front-wheel-drive vans (Chevrolet Venture, Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Montana) delivers 185 horses. The majority of minivans sold in the United States utilize six-cylinder powertrains. Chrysler, the company who virtually invented this family-friendly market back in the mid 1990s, is one of the only players still offering a four-cylinder engine in its marketing mix.
Standard equipment: Both LX and EX include the following items standard: air conditioning, power door locks, front power windows, rear window defroster, power mirrors, electric windshield de-icer, tilt steering column, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette stereo, power rack-and-pinion steering, power side mirrors, intermittent front wipers and rear wiper. The up-level EX includes a compact disc player and roof rack standard; in LX these are optional. A power sliding moonroof and front fog lights are optional only in EX. A rear spoiler is optional in both trims.
Price: Kia dropped off an uplevel, 2002 EX edition with a cost-efficient starting price of $20,995. After factoring in options including anti-lock brakes, leather package, sunroof and two-tone paint, the bottom line ended up at $23,805 including a $595 destination charge. This figure represents the most opulent Sedona available from Kia. The base LX edition includes a starting price of only $18,995. The lowest priced Mazda minivan, a Mazda MPV DX, checks in at $20,675. A Mercury Villager Popular lists for $21,340 while a Chevrolet Venture Value edition lists at $21,380. Dodge offers a no-frills, four-cylinder Caravan eC with three-speed automatic transmission and very little amenities for just under $17,000.
Interior: Sedona may be a late arrival to the minivan sweepstakes, but many noteworthy interior nuances are borrowed from successful ideas already in play. In between standard front bucket seats is a foldable tray table with beverage holders capable of handling big bertha-sized beverages. Several minivans including the larger Ford Windstar utilize this idea because when collapsed, an aisle opens up to the center row. Another trendy design is the placement of the automatic transmission gearshift.
It’s located near the bottom of the center console similar to the popular Lexus RX 300 sport utility. This location also keeps the front center aisle open to foot traffic. Another trendy nuance found in more prestigious vehicles are air vents atop the front doors adjacent to the window allowing air to circulate and defrost the area near side view mirrors. To the right of the gearshift is a cubby hole useful for stowing tollway coins and a cloaked ashtray and cigarette lighter. Above is the ventilation system with four dials controlling front and rear fan speed, temperature and direction. Along the sides are columns of square buttons for rear-window defroster, fog lamps and cruise control on-off. Remaining cruise functions are located in the center of the steering wheel. Two vents surround the hazard light button atop the center console.
Our EX trim level included polished wood enhancements surrounding the center console, extending to the front doors. The driver’s door is also home to front power window controls, power side mirror and power lock operations. The simplistic, easy-to-read analog instrument panel features a center speedometer flanked by a left side tachometer and right side gauge with fuel, temperature and vertical secondary gearshift indicator. Headlights operate from the turn signal stalk while a right-side steering column appendage activates front windshield wipers. The back windshield wiper turns on via a far left-side dashboard button. The ignition cylinder is located on the right side of the steering column. A digital clock is positioned up high near the rear-view mirror adjacent to map lights and push buttons controlling the power sunroof. Atop the dashboard is yet another storage bin with cover.
Seating comfort: Sedona includes standard seating for seven with three rows of seats. The LX edition includes a two-passenger center-row bench seat while the EX features two center-row bucket seats. Bench style, 50/50 split third-row seating accommodating three riders come standard throughout. Center and third-row seats are removable in both trims. Third-row seat backs fold flat onto cushions for added flexibility.
There is room enough behind the third row to stow grocery bags or small coolers. A few competitors, including the Honda Odyssey and Mazda MPV have third rows that flip and fold directly into the floor, eliminating the need to haul third-row seats in and out when extra room is needed. Maneuvering into Sedona’s third row is made a little easier by second row seats that slide forward enough so travelers can maneuver to the back. Cloth seating comes standard, but the EX edition offers an optional leather seating package. In front, the two bucket seats are manually adjustable in LX while EX editions include power-adjusting features.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 114.6 inches
Overall length: 194.1 inches
Overall width: 74.6 inches
Overall height: 69.3 inches
Curb weight: 4,709 pounds
Exterior: Sedona features manual dual sliding side doors as do just about every 2002 minivan sold today. Throughout the mid 1980s and early 1990s, during the infancy stage of front-wheel-drive minivans, rear sliding doors were generally the single variety on the driver’s side. Since it’s an entry-level minivan targeting families on a budget, the all-new Sedona opted not to offer power sliding rear doors as an option this time around. Sedona comes in one standard length. Domestic minivans from General Motors and Chrysler have regular and extended length varieties.
Sedona’s 194.1 length falls in between traditional regular and extended lengths. Power sliding door windows do not roll down (as is the case with most competitors) and third-row windows pop open from the side for increased ventilation. A square, non-locking fuel door is on the left rear fender while a whip radio antenna is kitty corner on the right front fender. Good-sized side view mirrors that fold in when needed are body colored in EX. The rear door, hinged at the top, opens up from the bottom as one unit.
Fuel economy: One drawback of the 3.5-liter V-6 coupled with the standard automatic transmission is below average fuel economy. Expect 15 miles per gallon around town and 20 m.p.g. highway. This compares with figures of 18 m.p.g. city and 26 m.p.g. highway generated by the larger and very popular Honda Odyssey. The gas tank holds 19.8 gallons of regular, 87 octane unleaded fuel.
Safety features: Dual front air bags, side-impact door beams, child safety locks on sliding rear doors, 2.5 mile-per hour impact front and rear bumpers and energy-absorbing steering column are standard fare in both trim levels. A keyless remote entry system is optional in EX, but not offered in LX. Anti-lock brakes are optional in both editions. Side air bags and traction control are not offered.
Final thoughts: Sedona checks as the lowest-priced V-6 minivan available. Yet, it offers many features that American consumers have come to demand including air conditioning, power windows, rear window defroster, cruise control, automatic transmission and power locks. Upscale minivans have dual power sliding rear doors and back seat video entertainment centers, but Sedona can be excused for not offering these since it’s targeting consumers on a budget.
Considering this is a first effort introducing a minivan into the U.S. market, Kia did a commendable job. Kia, like parent company Hyundai, offers the industry’s best extended warranty program with a 10-year 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Also included at no extra charge is a five-year, 60,000 miles basic warranty and five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance. |