2006 Kia Sedona Review

Kia's first Sedona minivan was marginal, but the ambitious South Korean automaker's redesigned second-generation Sedona is good enough to compete with highly regarded Chrysler, Honda and Toyota minivans. It's arguably the best Kia vehicle yet sent to America.

The larger, more powerful 2006 Sedona from Hyundai-owned Kia trumps every comparably equipped minivan on price and all minivan producers on warranty coverage -- except for the similar 2007 Hyundai Entourage. The warranty includes 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage.

The 2002-05 Sedona minivan was overweight and underpowered. Nevertheless, it attracted 50,000 to 60,000 buyers annually mainly because of its bargain prices, high equipment levels and generous warranty.

Kia moves fast, as it's come up with a competitive minivan only the second time around. Toyota, for example, took four swings at the minivan market before succeeding with its first really successful minivan, the Sienna.

The new front-drive Sedona comes in a single body length, and is nearly 8 inches longer overall, with a wheelbase (distance between axles) stretched more than 3 inches. It's dimensionally very close to the rival Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan and Honda Odyssey.

It's hard to beat Korean automakers on standard equipment levels, and the base $22,995 LX thus has such items as front/rear air conditioning, tri-zone climate control, tilt wheel, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, intermittent front/rear wipers and power windows, mirrors and locks with remote entry.

The $25,595 EX adds items including power front seats, MP3 player and larger wheels and tires.

The few options include a $1,200 rear DVD entertainment system to keep kids quiet and a $2,400 Luxury package for the EX that has a rear-obstacle detection system, leather upholstery, heated front seats, power adjustable pedals and a power sunroof. There's also a $1,000 Power package for the EX with power sliding rear doors and a power liftgate.

Both versions have seven-passenger seating with a standard third-row seat that deftly folds into a deep cargo well with the help of triggering straps.

The third-seat area is roomy enough for two tall adults, but the 60/40 split seat, itself, is short and flat. A wide space between the sliding, removable second-row bucket seats makes it easy to enter or leave the third row.

Newly standard are anti-lock disc brakes with a brake assist feature for surer panic stops and traction and stability control systems.

New standard safety items include front side air bags and head-protecting curtain side air bags that cover all seating rows.

The smooth, sophisticated 3.8-liter 244-horsepower V-6 replaces a 3.5-liter, 196-horsepower V-6. The new Sedona is no featherweight at 4,387 pounds, but is 400 pounds lighter than its predecessor, thanks to such components as an aluminum engine and lighter new transmission.

The new engine feeds power through the slick, responsive five-speed automatic, which has a manual shift feature.

Estimated fuel economy is 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.

The best performance is gotten with premium gasoline, but regular-grade fuel can be used without harm, although performance falls off a little without premium.

With premium fuel, the Sedona scoots from 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds and provides good merging and 65-75 mph passing times. The engine loafs at 1,900 rpm at 65 mph, although there is minor wind noise at highway speeds with the radio switched off.

The Sedona isn't quite carlike. It is solidly built, but a few soft rattles can be heard inside the cabin when driving over bumpy roads.

Steering is quick but rather numb, and handling is average. There's noticeable lean in curves taken quickly, although the Sedona doesn't feel tippy. The ride is supple, and the brake pedal has a progressive action. Stopping distances are short.

It's easy to get in, thanks partly to oversized door handles, and occupants sit fairly high. Those in front face a huge windshield and can get comfortable in supportive seats. Gauges are easily read, and the shifter juts from the center dashboard stack that also contains easily used audio and large climate system controls.

Front doors have pockets and bottle holders, and even the third-row area has cupholders and a bottle holder. Dual front cupholders are conveniently placed on the console, which also contains cleverly designed sliding cupholders for second-row occupants, who have good leg room

Cargo can be loaded easily through the low, wide rear opening. The power liftgate moves slowly, and isn't hard to manually open or close more quickly. However, its power feature would be handy if one had arms full of grocery bags. The cargo area is decent with the split third seat upright, thanks to a deep cargo well into which that seat folds when more cargo space is needed.

The hood glides up on a gas strut, and most fluid filler areas are conveniently located at the front of the engine compartment.

Kia figures on selling about 60,000 Sedonas annually in America but should top that number easily if it sends enough of them to dealers. 
2006 KIA SEDONA
PRICES: $22,995-$25,595

LIKES: Larger. More power. Well-equipped. Fold-flat third seat. Long warranty. Very competitively priced.

DISLIKES: Small third seat. Minor cockpit rattles. Highway wind noise.