NEW FOR 2015:
- All-new model.
When it comes to minivans, manufacturers know that space and convenience matter most. But what about visual appeal? With all the sacrifices minivan buyers typically make, need style be one of them? Kia thinks otherwise, and has demonstrated this with the new Sedona.
Where the old model delivered straightforward functionality, the new Sedona puts on the ritz. Wrapping an all-new platform is styling that’s much more SUV-like than before. The corporate “tiger nose” grille looks at home here, as does the jazzy belt-line. But the biggest transformation is inside.
The cabin’s styling draws inspiration from the Optima and Cadenza, features plenty of soft-touch plastics, glossy trim, and can even be had with Nappa leather upholstery. Second-row seats offer a new folding function for easy access to the third row, or First Class captain’s chairs that recline, slide, and feature swanky pop-up leg rests. The latter are fixed units; they cannot be removed or folded flat into the floor.
The Sedona ditches its older 3.5-litre V6 for a 3.3-litre unit that now packs direct injection. Although smaller, total power is up to 276 hp and torque to 248 lb-ft. All models use a six-speed automatic and drive the front wheels.
The Sedona is available in L, LX, LX+, SX, SX+, SXL, and SXL+ trim levels.
The Sedona L includes seating for seven, 17-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, body-coloured side mirrors and door handles, projector-beam headlamps, power first and second-row windows, tinted privacy glass, front and rear air conditioning, cruise control, power heated mirrors, keyless entry, power door locks, alarm, conversation mirror, two 12-volt power outlets, four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with satellite radio aux-in and USB jacks, 2nd-row Slide-n-Stow captain’s seats, YES Essentials stain-resistant cloth seats, six-way driver’s seat, front arm rest with storage, cornering brake control, trip computer, tilting and telescoping steering column, illuminated vanity mirrors, and an alarm.
LX adds seating for eight (removable middle second-row seat), 17-inch alloy wheels, LED positioning lights, front windshield wiper de-icer, six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, garage door opener, eight-way power driver’s seat, rear parking sensors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, steering wheel audio controls, automatic headlamps, power folding mirrors, roof rails, UVO infotainment system with voice control, cooling glove box, heated front seats, power driver’s seat lumbar support, reverse camera, and driver’s side blind zone mirror.
LX+ builds on LX with OLED instrument cluster, second- and third-row sunshade blinds, eight-way power front passenger seat, proximity key with push-button start and power sliding doors.
SX adds 18-inch wheels, Supervision instrument cluster, fog lights, chrome window trim, “Clean Air” ionizer, power tailgate, satin chrome interior door handles, power steering wheel, portable cargo flashlight, four-way driver lumbar support, LED light bar tail lights, aeroblade wipers, chrome door handles, tri-zone climate control, auto de-fog system, USB charging port, obstacle detection system, drive mode select system with Comfort/Eco/Normal settings, illuminated glove box, heated second-row seats, metal grain door garnish, and blind-spot warning system.
SX+ adds leather upholstery, driver’s seat and exterior mirror memory function, and seating for seven.
The SXL is a veritable boardroom on wheels. Included are 19-inch chrome wheels, projection fog lights, dual 115-volt power outlets, Nappa leather upholstery, luxury captain chairs with leg rests, 2nd-row aviation-style head rests, air conditioned front seats, front parking sensors, auto-leveling xenon headlamps, dual-panel sunroof, stainless steel door scuff plates, wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel, and wood grain interior trim.
Opting for the SXL+ adds navigation with eight-inch multimedia interface, premium stereo system with eight speakers and subwoofer, radar cruise control, lane-departure warning, front collision warning system, 360-degree camera system, and automatic high beams.
