2009 Kia Sedona

NEW FOR 2009:

- New LX Base model

- Exterior colours: Crystal Blue, Clear White and Sunset Gold added

For 2009, the Kia Sedona minivan is now offered in a new LX Base trim line, bringing the total number of available trim levels to five.

A sister vehicle to the Hyundai Entourage, the Sedona uses a 3.8-litre V6, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Seating is seven-passenger, with second-row captain’s chairs that flip and fold, or that can be removed entirely. The 60/40 third-row seat folds completely into the floor. Trim levels are the LX Base, LX, EX, EX Power, and EX Luxury.

Features on the LX Base include 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input, Bluetooth connectivity, power locks, power front and middle-row windows, variable intermittent wipers, intermittent rear wiper, privacy glass, heated power mirrors, front and rear mud guards, visor vanity mirrors, cloth seats, and active front head-restraints.

The LX adds keyless entry, power rear quarter windows, cruise control, roof rails, and rear parking assist.

The EX adds 17-inch alloy wheels, electronic stability control, trip computer, chrome-accented grille, solar control glass, fog lamps, step lamp, illuminated ignition, illuminated vanity mirrors, eight-way power driver’s seat, and wheel-mounted audio controls.

The EX Power adds dual power sliding doors, power liftgate, power-adjustable pedals, and rain-sensing wipers.

The EX Luxury adds dual-zone automatic climate control, Sirius satellite radio, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power sunroof, metal grain interior accents, leather-wrapped wheel, and heated leather seats with eight-way power driver’s adjustment.

The Sedona offers a great deal of content for the price, and the new base model provides an even better buy-in for consumers, although it lacks the electronic stability control that requires two more steps up the trim ladder. Although the minivan market has shrunk considerably, it’s still a hotly-contested segment, and this one should be on the test-drive list.