It's baaack! This time, with a purpose... a multi-purpose
Despite rumors of their demise, the much maligned minivan remains alive, well and kicking. Why? Three-row minivans fulfill a vital suburban Chicago need; haul lots of kids and lots of stuff. For those seeking value pricing in a family-friendly transport, the totally redesigned, new-for-2015 Kia Sedona merits a close looksee.
Many automakers, Kia included, employ semantical word play to reposition a Soccer Mom perception in minds of potential shoppers. Fancy word designates such as 'Multi-Purpose Vehicle' dot media releases and advertising, with nary a 'minivan' reference.
With General Motors no longer offering a traditional minivan and Ford slowly returning to the fray with a three-row passenger version of their Transit Connect, domestic dominance falls to Chrysler (now a division Fiat Chrysler Automotive, or FCA), and even this birther of the modern, front-wheel-drive, garage-able minivan plans to scale back. After next year, the Dodge Grand Caravan fades into used car lots leaving Chrysler's Town & Country the sole traditional minivan from a domestic automaker. The Grand Caravan retirement sets the stage for an all-mid-size crossover at Dodge dealers.
Filling this void; a number of worthy Asian rivals including Toyota's Sienna, Honda's Odyssey, Nissan's Quest and the redesigned 2015 Sedona.
Sedona took a short hiatus during the 2013 model year, only to return in 2014 with few changes from 2012. This year's different. Sedona now sports a new engine, interior, personality and next-generation redo.
The all-new platform includes a wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) 1.6 inches longer than the 2014 product along with a standard rear spoiler and more trim selections than any time in its history. Sedona offers one standard extended wheelbase length; a change from earlier generations offering short and long varieties.
The sole naturally-aspirated engine powering all five trim levels is a 3.3-liter gas direct injected V-6 cranking out a competent 276 horses and connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. It's similar to the V-6 offered in Kia's mid-size Sorento five-door crossover and Cadenza premium mid-size sedan. It replaces a 3.5-liter generating 269 horses. The new 3.3-liter matches up competently with segment rivals, almost all of which are V-6s. As with most minivans sold in the U.S. front wheel drive comes standard. The only automaker now offering all-wheel drive as an option is Toyota and its Sienna.
Our Sedona's fuel economy checked in at 17 miles-per-gallon city and 22 mpg highway, average at best when compared with V-6 rivals in this category. Regular, 87-octane fuel fills the rather generous 21.1-gallon tank.
Peace of mind also sets Sedona apart. Both Kia and parent company Hyundai offer the industry's longest powertrain warranty for new vehicles sold in the U.S.: 10 years or 100,000 miles. No other minivan surpasses this powertrain coverage time frame.
Trim levels balloon from two in prior years to five include returning LX and EX plus new-for-2015 entry L, SX and top-effort SX Limited.
Seven passenger seating comes standard with L, LX, SX and SX Limited. The sole standard eight-passenger is EX with second-row bench. The three-passenger second row remains optional in LX and SX. All three-passenger third rows include 60/40 split manually folding back rests easily sinking flat into the floor when desired. No power-fold option is offered.
Entry L and LX come with manual sliding side rear doors and rear hatch; the remaining three trims add power assist. Second-row side windows power down while third-row windows remain static.
Pricing for a new base 'L' trim checks in at $25,900. Kia supplied a top-line, well stocked new-for-2015 SX Limited with a $39,700. A $2,700 Technology Package (lane departure warning, radar cruise control, forward collision warning) brought the bottom line to $43,285 after $895 destination charge.
Our SX limited is the only trim with heated and wood-trimmed steering wheel, Nappa leather seating upgrade, dual independent moon roofs above first and second rows and front/rear sonar sensors.
Despite its large size, maneuvering into the front buckets requires a simple sit down, not a jump up motion common in full-sized sport utilities. Sedona remains a candidate for beveled side-view mirror inserts allowing better viewing of blind spots. Many light-duty pickups now employ this low-tech, low-priced effective visual. However, the top-line SX limited does offer optional surround view camera feeds into the center screen from several perspectives.
Between front buckets are a full console with sliding covered dual inline cup holders, transmission shifter and arm rest. Many minivans relocate the shifter back to the steering column with a foldable tray between seats. Kia opted for a structured, sturdy mid-section.
The fuel door release button is found on the dash left of the manual tilt-and-telescope three-spoke steering wheel, with secondary audio thumb tabs at 9 o'clock and cruise control at 3 o'clock. Also mixed with cruise functions; a mode tab for thumbing through digital tutorials within the well-orchestrated instrument panel. A handsome midsection features a large eight-inch multi-purpose touch screen.
Dual glove boxes include a larger bottom bin and shallower, narrower upper tier. Portable electronic plug ports are found along the bottom center column with additional power ports inside the large, multi-configurable center arm rest.
Second row seats maneuver solely via manual muscle in all trims. Well-padded dual second-row captain's chairs standard SX-Limited include retracting ottoman-like leg rests and the opportunity for seats to move left-to-right as well as forward and back. It's the seating of choice if moving warm-blooded cargo more often than boxes and lumber. If human transport is less often a priority, all other trims (both seven and eight passenger varieties), include tracked, second row slide forward upright folding seats; optimizing cargo room. Sturdy, well-padded middle-row seats in SX limited remains intact at all times.
Reaching row three is best accomplished by maneuvering through the middle isle of Captain's chairs, Minimum third row headroom creates a seating area for three pre-teens. Generous noggin room is found in the first two rows.
When prone, the 60/40 split third row offers better than average behind-seat storage, thanks to a deep well-like pit where backs and seat cushions stow when flat cargo-carrying becomes a priority. Propping up the third row, accomplished from outside the rear lift gate, involves lift and pushing cushion/folded seatbacks forward until clicking into place, after which the pull of a long strap lifts backrests prone, all of which may be accomplished one handed. Well-marked guidelines and numbered diagrams assist the process.
In a sign of the times, drop down ceiling monitors showcasing DVD movies have gone the way of cassette tape players as portable multi-function mobile devices via for screen time.
Outside, exposed thin tracks guiding gliding side doors is found several inches below side windows. Some rivals better hide this rail immediately under window frames delivering a smoother side finish. The wide, narrow, elongated U-shaped grill gets filled with hash-type design. A rear lift gate wiper comes standard.
Pricewise, Sedona remains the one to beat. If such luxuries as power-folding second or third-row seats or mile-high fuel economy remain top-of-mind, check elsewhere. But this next-generation Sedona offers a well-executed interior and versatility expected from a finely-crafted mini...er multi-purpose vehicle.
2015 Kia Sedona
Price as tested: $43,295
Wheelbase: 120.5 inches
Length: 201.4 inches
Width: 78.1 inches
Height: 68.5 inches
Engine: 3.3-liter V-6
Horsepower: 276
Curb weight: 4,539 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway
Assembly: South Korea
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