2006 Kia Sedona Review

Sedona Lands a Knockout

Kia, the less known Korean auto manufacturer is actually Koreas oldest builder of automobiles. Although this modest builder of value-added vehicles is one of the newer brands in the U.S., they have a manufacturing history dating back to 1944. Kia is now one of the fastest growing car companies in the States. As mega auto-manufacturing conglomerates, such as GM, close plants and drop model lines, Kia goes quietly about increasing its market share, and not just in here at home, but worldwide. That is of course impressive, but familiarize yourself with the huge leaps in build quality and reliability that Kia has achieved in a remarkably short period of time and you are likely to be blown away.

Kia has focused on two key objectives in the manufacture of its automobiles: value and quality. As of today, the new Sedona minivan is their value and quality “gem in the crown.”  Put by a product and planning manager for Kia, “This vehicle is new from scratch.” That means it is not a warmed-over 2005 edition, which was a darn decent van in its own right. Kia has proven itself to be a fast learner. Considering that the previous generation Sedona, which hit the market in 2001, was Kias first attempt at a North American style minivan, they have nailed the category in just their second try.

During the launch of the 2006 Sedona, this product planner explained that Kia knew its new van would have to be a segment leader in styling, safety, convenience and power if it was to succeed. Those exact qualities have bred huge life into Toyotas Sienna, Hondas Odyssey, and, well, at least created an initial stir around Nissans Quest, and Chrysler Groups Caravan and Town & Country duo are still the segment leaders due to innovative seating flexibility and other segment firsts, so the bar has been set extremely high. The kicker in this equation is value. Core to Kias marketing strategy is “value,” so providing the essential elements while adding reverse sticker shock by offering the new model at a price well below the noted competitors would be the challenge.

It would appear that overcoming challenges is a Kia specialty. They have salted the new Sedona with styling equally as attractive and modern looking as any of the big nameplates. But Kia isnt relying on style alone to attract the family dollar. Their Sedona comes with a 244-horsepower, 3.8-liter (232 cu in) V6 engine, split flat-folding third row seating, second row seating that tumbles forward or can be easily removed, rear sonar park assist, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, six airbags, dual side-curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring and tri-zone air conditioning as standard or available equipment. Also available are the usual power-operated assists such as keyless entry and power mirrors along with dual sliding doors and drop-down side glass. Impressed yet? If not, just wait. You will be.

The Sedonas plentitude of horsepower and high-end equipment is not accompanied with the big-ticket pricing that stalks its three toughest import rivals. Plot the price range of the 2006 Sedona on a graph against similarly equipped minivans and it becomes visually apparent. It enters the pricing arena much lower than the others and tops-out, with all the bells and whistles, in the competitions mid-level price range. Lastly, the drive: if what youve read fails to impress, driving the new Sedona is sure to.

The introductory drive Kia planned for journalists attending the Sedonas coming-out event was ambitious to say the least. This wasnt about tooling around flowerbeds in nicely manicured parks, it was about hitting the highway and knocking-off high mountain passes and hairpin turns in damp foggy weather. Kias confidence was obviously bolstered by the hardy dose of 244-horsepower and the potent 253 pounds-feet of torque residing beneath the Sedonas sleek nose. Incidentally, that horsepower rating exceeds the specs offered up by both the Nissan Quest and the Toyota Sienna, but falls short of the 255-horsepower embraced by Hondas most recent Odyssey van.

Interestingly though, the Hondas torque rating of 250 foot-pounds is slightly shy of the Sedonas healthier rating of 253, and when it comes to grunt work such as pulling trailers and slogging up steep terrain, torque is king. The Sedonas all-new 4-valve per cylinder powerplant delivers 50 more ponies than last years V6 and has gained a 9 percent increase in city fuel-economy and a 12 percent gain on the highway, where the Sedona is no slouch. The sizeable aluminum mill includes Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) in its bag of performance-enhancing tricks.

Despite advertising campaigns depicting minivans sliding unhindered through four-wheel drifts and being tossed-about like sports cars, they are not high performance machines, and, are neither impressively fast on straight-aways nor quick in corners. During the years though, since Chrysler sparked the minivan flame in the mid-80s with their “Magic Wagon” lineup, the minivan has evolved into a peppy, decent handling, rectangular-shaped and somewhat maxi-sized people mover.

The generous dollop of horsepower propelling the new 4,646 pound Sedona EX is more than capable of hustling it along with respectable authority. Off-the-line pickup is better than most minivans, as is passing power, although dipping the right foot deep into the throttle is necessary to generate the hustle. Long steep hills that could easily drag down less robust vans were no match for the Sedona; maintaining or even surpassing speed limits on the steepest of grades was a non-issue thanks largely to a 3,500 rpm maximum torque rating paired with the Sedonas five-speed Steptronic-equipped autobox.

Also a non-issue in the new Sedona is noise, vibration and harshness. Kia has done an outstanding job of refining the operational smoothness of their big van while minimizing the usual irritants of engine, wind and road noise. Refined operation such as this really imparts a sense of quality; Kia can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of the competition in this regard. They can also be proud of the serene, car-like ride calibrated into the Sedonas 4-wheel independent suspension, making this 7-seater a very comfortable highway cruiser.

The offset to splendid ride comfort is of course handling. Although the Sedona is spry and nimble for a vehicle of its girth, like all minivans its nose-heavy - something readily apparent when entering a highway curve with a little too much bravado. But hey, within the handling expectations of family minivans, the Sedona has no apologies to make.

And dont expect to hear “sorry” when the need for speed evaporates. Throwing out the anchor at highway speeds failed to flap Kias unflappable van. Stops felt brief and composed despite what I perceived as a “mushy” feeling brake pedal. As mentioned earlier, the Sedonas strong, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes are wisely delivered as standard equipment. Thats a point some other manufacturers ought to take note of. Too bad Kias electronic stability program with traction control isnt available as standard equipment as well. This potential life-saving technology only arrives as part of the EX Luxury Package, which means lesser models do without the electronically expanded safety margin. However, Kia scored an inflatable bulls-eye with the installation of dual front-seat mounted side airbags and dual side-curtain airbags, in addition to the dual frontal airbags, all of which are provided as standard equipment - something family purchasers will be sure to take note of.

Undoubtedly those purchasers will also take notice of the Sedonas healthy dimensions. Its overall length of 202 inches eclipses that of the Ford Freestar, the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna, but not the slightly longer Nissan Quest that no one seems to be buying anyway. Except for the Freestar, the Sedonas maximum cargo capacity of 141.5 cubic-feet is less than the others. Slightly less cargo capacity could be a welcome trade-off if it means more passenger space, and the new Sedona has plenty of that. Headroom up front is plentiful, although additional legroom for the driver would be an asset to those towering more than 6 feet above terra firma. Even with the optional electrically adjustable pedals on my fully-loaded EX tester set as far back as possible, I could have used additional real estate to stretch my posts a little further, especially during long periods behind the wheel. Oddly, legroom on the passenger side is immense.

Moving about the Sedonas spacious cabin to access either the second or third row is quite easy and unimpeded. I was impressed with both the leg and headroom available in all rear seating positions as well as the associated comfort. During the drive route I spent some time sitting in the third row seat while my touring partner drove. I found the Sedonas rendition of this often cramped and cruel environ to be realistically comfortable, but given the choice the second row captains were by far more conducive to passenger euphoria.

Enhancing passenger comfort is something Kia was reluctant to skimp on in exchange for an even lower entry price point. As that certain product plannter 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 Sedonas 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 cant think of it - that a person would want or need in a minivan that the Sedona doesnt offer, save and except for a navigation system.

To those who currently own a first-generation Sedona, two welcome additions 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 dont 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 dont 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. Whats 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.

For all reasons mentioned, and some left for your personal discovery, the new Sedona encompasses all of the convenience and practicality expected in a modern, well-engineered minivan. It exhibits tremendously good build quality and imparts a strong sense of solidity when underway. Occupants are spoiled with refinement and comfort consistent with the most notable of minivans, and should the name Kia fail to conjure up images of reliability, check out their warranty. Kia backs its products with one of the best comprehensive warranties in the biz: 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Unlike my son, Kia has done its homework. In its second attempt at the minivan genre they have nailed it more tightly than some manufacturers who have been building such chariots of practicality for decades. The new Sedona delivers a value-packed punch too swift to be easily repelled by its worthy competitors. Have a look and let me know if you agree.