Like many of its competitors, the Sedona is remarkably easy to live with on a daily basis. The generous windowed surfaces result in excellent outward visibility and the cockpit has an airy feel to it. Despite being stuck with the largest turning circle diameter among minivans (by a slim margin, however), the Kia is easy to park.
In regards to interior space, only the new-for-2011 Honda Odyssey has more of it, but barely. Sitting in the Sedona feels like being in my living room. The two front rows of seats get captain’s chairs with armrests, and accessing the third-row bench is a piece of cake.
The rearmost seat folds relatively easily into the floor, but unfortunately, the second-row chairs are a hassle; they can’t be removed without a fight that you could very well lose, and be careful where you put your fingers. Chrysler’s Stow n’ Go is much better.
Still, The Sedona benefits from all the virtues of a minivan. No worrying about loading it up with stuff and figuring out how everything will fit, it just does. The side doors open easily for the kids and they have no trouble getting in and buckling up. And the sound system includes a USB port, allowing you to plug in a key containing hours of your favourite music. There is only one compromise in a minivan, and that’s being seen in it.
The EX Luxury model we’re driving also includes leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat with position memory, heated front seats, a power sunroof, SIRIUS satellite radio, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, three-zone automatic climate control, power-sliding side doors, a power-opening tailgate (which could be faster), power-adjustable pedals and a rearview camera. Luxury items they are, but nothing here that any other minivan doesn’t offer.
Visually, there are few clues revealing that this Sedona is a 2011 model. The most noticeable change, actually, is a new front grille that mimics Kia’s new corporate face better. It’s aging, but it’s still not a bad-looking van.
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| The rearmost seat folds relatively easily into the floor. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Auto123.com) |
In regards to interior space, only the new-for-2011 Honda Odyssey has more of it, but barely. Sitting in the Sedona feels like being in my living room. The two front rows of seats get captain’s chairs with armrests, and accessing the third-row bench is a piece of cake.
The rearmost seat folds relatively easily into the floor, but unfortunately, the second-row chairs are a hassle; they can’t be removed without a fight that you could very well lose, and be careful where you put your fingers. Chrysler’s Stow n’ Go is much better.
Still, The Sedona benefits from all the virtues of a minivan. No worrying about loading it up with stuff and figuring out how everything will fit, it just does. The side doors open easily for the kids and they have no trouble getting in and buckling up. And the sound system includes a USB port, allowing you to plug in a key containing hours of your favourite music. There is only one compromise in a minivan, and that’s being seen in it.
The EX Luxury model we’re driving also includes leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat with position memory, heated front seats, a power sunroof, SIRIUS satellite radio, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, three-zone automatic climate control, power-sliding side doors, a power-opening tailgate (which could be faster), power-adjustable pedals and a rearview camera. Luxury items they are, but nothing here that any other minivan doesn’t offer.
Visually, there are few clues revealing that this Sedona is a 2011 model. The most noticeable change, actually, is a new front grille that mimics Kia’s new corporate face better. It’s aging, but it’s still not a bad-looking van.
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| The most noticeable change, actually, is a new front grille that mimics Kia’s new corporate face better. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Auto123.com) |