Although not a big player in the minivan market, sales fortunes should improve for Kia with the completely transformed 2015 Sedona.
Designed as a minivan, company publicists advertise the Sedona as a multi-purpose vehicle. By that they mean minivan, but they try to avoid that word as it connotes suburban boredom. Apparently a multi-purpose vehicle functioning as a minivan is not boring. Potential buyers can decide for themselves.
Offered in three new trim levels, the L, SX and the premium SX Limited, the midsize Sedona just might be the best looking among this year's crop.
In appearances, Toyota's Sienna approximates that of the Sedona. Honda's Odyssey and Dodge's Grand Caravan and Chrysler's Town & Country come across more bulky.
Complementing the vehicles functionality, is a muscular cab-forward design with smooth features, 1.6-inches longer wheelbase, with reduced front and rear overhangs. Around back, the rear design features LED taillights, integrated bumper guard and standard roof spoiler.
Restyled and configured interior provides more front shoulder room, greater leg room in the front, second and third rows, as well as a slightly higher hip-point, improving outward visibility for the driver. Second row Slide-N-Stow tracked seating slides and folds upright to allow for “on-the-go” cargo hauling, eliminating the hassle of removing heavy and cumbersome seats.
The all-new Sedona also offers the choice of second row “First Class” lounge seating that can be positioned rearward for astonishing legroom and provides retractable lower-leg rests and airplane-style winged headrests.
When the two rear Sedona rows "disappear" cargo capacity is 142 cubic feet. The third row is lowered into a cavity to create a flat and carpeted floor. That flat and carpeted floor continues almost to the first row as the second-row seats are not removed or folded flat, but slide forward and flip up to stow tightly against front seats.
This maximum cargo capacity is good but does not match that of the 150 cubic feet in the Sienna, the 148.5 in the Odyssey or the 143.8 in the Chrysler-Dodge products.
In the SXL model of the Sedona, the middle row seats recline. If passengers in the middle row want more comfort, there are two footrests serving the bucket seats.
In powerplants, towing ability and amenities these vehicles are comparable but each manufacturer will have a peculiar upgrade (seating for eight). Pricing will differ, but most trim levels are in the high $20,000s to high $30,000s. One of the exceptions is Honda's $44,600 Touring Elite. But Honda's entry LX model is $28,975 so less expensive Odysseys are in the company minivan mix.
The Sedona is priced from $26,100 for an L model and will elevate to $39,700 for an SXL. All Sedonas share the same 3.3-liter, dual overhead cam 276-horsepower V6 engine that replaces the 3.5L V-6 in the previous-generation. The new engine is tuned for enhanced mid-range torque, offering 248 lb.-ft at
5,200 rpm, and 3,500 –pound towing capacity. Sedona comes with standard-equipped six-speed shiftable automatic transmission, disc brakes, and basic power features (exterior mirrors, door locks, windows).
Other shared attributes include variable intermittent wipers, projector beam headlights, rear wiper and washer for the heated rear glass (with timer), rear spoiler, locking fuel-filler door and 235 tires on either 17-, 18- or 19-inch wheels.
Power front driver's seat is shared by the SXL with other upgrade models, but the SXL alone has LED positioning lights, front fog lights projector beam, roof rails (chrome finish), 19 inch alloy wheels (chrome finish), parking assist with front and rear sensors, surround view monitor, Nappa (unblemished) leather, heated steering wheel and first class lounge seating for the middle row.
Standard on the SXL are power sliding rear doors and liftgate. A liftgate power button is on an overhead control panel in front, as well as on the key fob. A navigation system with an eight-inch color screen, smart start, remote entry, an Infinity surround sound system, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert, rear camera display, plus power-fold exterior mirrors are standard fare also.
There are tri-zone climate controls and a rear air conditioning system.
This is an agile minivan and seemed to turn on a dime. Official turning circle (curb-to-curb) is 36.8 feet. Insulation is fine but not perfect. Road noise does intrude, but not disastrously.
Leg room is good for adults who are taller than six feet in both front and second rows. In the third row the official leg room measurement is 34.8 inches or seven less than each of the first two rows.
During our individual test weeks in the SXL with two or three adults aboard in combined city and country driving, including an Interstate or two, the 4,720-pound minivan averaged 18.9 miles per gallon. In this regard, it is not a world-beater. Regular unleaded gasoline is recommended for the 21.1-gallon fuel tank.
Instrumentation is placed well, climate and sound controls were relatively simple to see and manipulate. The simplicity of the interior includes space between second row buckets to reach the third row.
Besides what has been mentioned above, standard safety fare includes stability and traction controls, brake and Hill-start assist system, a four-wheel antilock braking system, antilock brakes, cornering braking control, roll over mitigation, seatbelts with headrests, side (front) and front airbags, overhead side curtains for three rows, anchors and tethers for children.
Warranty coverage is five years or 60,000 miles with roadside assistance, and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain.
FAST FACTS
Vehicle: SXL model of 2015 Kia Sedona
Type: front-wheel-drive, seven-passenger, three-row minivan
Price: $39,700
Delivery: $895
Engine: 3.3-liter, 276-horsepower dual overhead cam V6
Transmission: six-speed shiftable automatic
Towing: 3,500 pounds
Fuel tank: 21.1 gallons
Fuel: regular
Weight: 4,720 pounds
Wheelbase: 120.5 inches
Length: 201.4 inches
Width: 83.1 inches including mirrors
Height: 69.1 inches with roof rails
Ground clearance: 6.7 inches
Turn circle: 36.8 feet
Leg room: 40.9 inches front, 40.6 inches second row, 34.8 inches third row
Cargo: 142 cubic feet, 78.4 cubic feet behind upright second row, 33.9 cubic feet behind upright third row
Tires (235), chrome alloy wheels: 19-inch
Brakes: discs, 12.6-inch front, 11.9-inch rear
Suspension: struts, shocks, stabilizer bars front and rear, coil springs and multi-links in rear
Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles with roadside assistance, 10 years or 100,000 miles powertrain