As far as minivans go, the Sedona is great looking. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
It helps that Kia gave me a luxury-lined SXL+ model, which is outfitted as nicely as most anything in the class. OK, it’s not as tarted up as a full load Chrysler Pacifica, but its as-tested $46,895 window sticker doesn’t shock the senses as much as the $58,480 2017 Pacifica Limited I put through its paces recently. To be fair,
Other than the side-sliders, it’s difficult to tell the Sedona apart from its Sorento SUV sibling. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Unlike the all-new Pacifica, Kia’s minivan enters the 2017 model year with no new additions and one notable subtraction, the elimination of the SX trim line. Fortunately this year’s model doesn’t suffer from any lack of options, its available trims still including L, LX, LX+, SX+, SXL, and the just noted SXL+ model.
It’s an attractive van no matter the money spent, the Sedona’s long nose, bold yet elegantly simple grille, sporty fascia, low overall profile, and wide, solid stance making
Sedona SXL details are impressive. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
All of its trim lines feature nice chromed exterior detailing, auto on/off projector headlamps, heatable body-coloured side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a rear rooftop spoiler, and splashguards at each wheel, while features like a tilt and telescopic multifunction steering wheel, powered front and second-row windows, display audio with satellite radio, a backup camera, Bluetooth, illuminated vanity mirrors, a conversation mirror, seating for seven, “Slide-n-Stow” second-row seats, and all the expected passive and active safety features come standard for just $27,995 plus freight and fees. This makes it Canada’s most affordable minivan by some $2,500, at least when comparing pre-discount MSRPs.
Additional
Sedona SXL refinement goes above and beyond all Japanese competitors. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
The SXL+ cockpit is nicely arranged and filled with top-tier features. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
The $41,995 SXL adds HID headlights with auto-leveling and adaptive cornering, plus LED positioning lights, and projection fog lamps to the outside, as well as stainless steel door scuff plates on the way inside, and an enhanced LCD/TFT Supervision primary instrument cluster, an open and airy dual-panel panoramic sunroof, dual 110-volt household-style power inverters in the console and cargo area, impressively supple perforated Nappa leather upholstery, heat-relieving three-way ventilated front seats, more comfortable second-row luxury captain’s chairs that slide back and forth as well as side-to-side, with kick-out extendable leg rests no less, plus helpful front parking sensors, lane departure warning, and much more.
Unique
A large colour multi-info display occupies the centre portion of the primary gauge cluster. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
I’m a bit of a sucker for refinement hence I like my minivans nicely finished, and to this end the top-line Sedona boasts plenty of soft touch synthetics in key areas, such as the entire dash top, much of the instrument
A full 8.0 inches of high-resolution touchscreen makes for plenty of detailed navigation mapping. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
It all comes together nicely too, with good attention to detail, especially the switchgear’s various buttons and knobs that are made from quality materials, are well damped, and fit together tightly, the three clusters of controls on the centre stack especially impressive. The intuitively designed top row provides quick access to infotainment functions, in case you’d rather have an analogue button to find
The Sedona’s six-speed auto adds performance-enhancing manual mode. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
As also mentioned, the upgraded stereo was excellent, but I found it strange the Sedona can’t be had with a rear entertainment system. I’m guessing most families don’t splurge for this pricey upgrade with other van makers, especially when a set of tablet holders strapped onto the front seatbacks will suffice at very little extra cost if you already own the tablets, but rear entertainment systems have been profitable upgrades within the minivan sector for almost as long as minivans have existed so it’s odd to find them missing from the options menu.
While
Dual sunroofs make for a bright, airy cabin. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
These "more luxurious" second-row captain’s chairs don’t come with heated elements. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Also of note, despite a squared-off almost blocky rear design the Sedona isn’t quite as spacious as most rivals, with total interior space less than the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Chrysler Pacifica, although I’m not talking by much. In case you want to compare numbers, total Sedona interior volume measures 4,695 litres (165.8 cubic feet), while cargo space behind the last row is 960 litres (33.9 cubic feet), aft of the second row is 2,220 litres (78.4 cubic feet), and with the second row removed (good luck with that) is 4,022 litres (142.0 cubic feet).
Where the Sedona truly performs is on the road, thanks to a standard 276 horsepower direct-injected 3.3-litre V6 with 248 lb-ft of torque, this mated to a well-proven six-speed automatic with Sportmatic sequential shift mode. The SXL improves
Flip-out ottomans are kind of cool, but they can be uncomfortable at the calf for adults. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
The Sedona should be relatively trouble-free as well, or at least the Kia brand is doing
Access to the third row is good, and these three positions are plenty comfortable. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Fuel economy is not its forte either, its five-cycle Transport Canada rating being 12.9 L/100km city, 9.5 highway and 11.4 combined. This leaves it behind the Sienna’s 10.9 city/highway rating and Odyssey’s even better 10.7 combined results, let alone the Pacifica that leads with 10.6 combined. Only the Grand Caravan does worse with a city/highway rating of 11.8. I suppose I’m splitting hairs because none of these vans vary all that much from best to worst, but suffice to say the Sedona holds no bragging rights at the pump.
I’d hate to leave this review
The upgraded second-row seats don’t allow for as much cargo capacity. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
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