Enhancing passenger comfort is something Kia was reluctant to skimp on in exchange for an even lower entry price point. As Brian Kim
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| Kia has equipped the Sedona the way North Americans like their vehicles, with plenty of standard features. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
explained it, Kia has equipped the Sedona the way North Americans like their vehicles, with plenty of standard features. Rather than list such content, let me assure readers that the Sedona's slate of standard gear is very good and likely better than most. The base Sedona model is the LX, followed by the EX. The EX can be taken uptown with either the Power Package or the Luxury Package - or ideally both. At such a point there is very little - at least I can't think of it - that a person would want or need in a minivan that the Sedona doesn't offer, save and except for a navigation system.
To those who currently own a first-generation Sedona, two welcome additions
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| To those who currently own a first-generation Sedona two welcome additions are important to note, the first being a flat-folding third row of seats and the second, power sliding side doors. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
are important to note. First, and one that I touched on as this review started, is the addition of a flat-folding third row of seats, which incidentally don't require the headrests to be removed, now commonplace in this segment but up until this all-new version unavailable in a Kia van. The second is the availability of power sliding side doors, also regular fare among luxuriously equipped minivans but not part of any package in previous Sedonas. The inclusion of a power rear liftgate puts the 2006 Sedona ahead of some in the class that still don't offer this convenient feature, while carrying forward the somewhat unique opening side glass, also powered, puts the Sedona in a limited class - most vans only integrate fixed side windows. What's more, the availability of a roof-mounted DVD entertainment system, with an 8-inch monitor, thirteen Harman/Becker speakers, wireless headsets and a remote, even in the lower LX edition, will be welcomed by families with younger children.
