2015 Kia Sedona – A Strong Challenger

Minivans are not anyone’s dream vehicle, but for a lot of families they are a necessity. The all-new 2015 Kia Sedona delivers an unexpected combination of advanced features, comfort and versatility.

Officially, Kia doesn’t call the Sedona a minivan. Instead, it uses the label of “multipurpose vehicle.” Regardless of the title, the big boost in both functionality and style allows the Sedona to mount a strong challenge to perennial favourites, the Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey.

With Kia trying to move away from the negative stigma surrounding minivans, it tried to make the Sedona appear as much like a crossover SUV as possible.

The more muscular persona starts with Kia’s new signature “tiger nose” grille. That leads to an elongated hood and a high beltline running all the way to the rear. The back sports a roof spoiler and LED taillights.

Aside from looks, SUV drivers like a higher seating position. Kia factored that into the redesign of the Sedona, which boasts a commanding driving position.

The front seats are comfortable and the surrounding soft-touch materials and quiet cabin give the Sedona a premium feel. The big and clear central touchscreen is within easy reach and the infotainment system offers all the necessary features.

Kia didn’t stop with the driver though. Compared to last year, the Sedona has 1.6 additional inches between the wheels. This results in more room in all three rows. The Sedona is available in both 7 and 8 passenger configurations.

To help with the Sedona’s versatility, the third row seats fold into the floor to create a mostly flat cargo floor. Most models come with Kia’s Slide-N-Stow second row seats, which slide forward and hug the front seats. This system is not as intuitive as Chrysler’s Stow-n-Go, but the Sedona has about the same maximum cargo capacity with 142.0 cubic feet.

The only Sedona without a folding second row is the top-of-the-line SXL model. Instead, it boasts luxurious captain’s chairs that feature foot rests to pamper passengers. They also slide together to make accessing the third row easier.

The Sedona cruises quietly along the highway and is comfortable in town, thanks to its new 3.3-litre V6 producing 276 hp. Reported fuel economy numbers are accurate, but could be better.

Handling in the Sedona is stable and relaxing. When pushed, it has minimal understeer and body roll. Braking is also strong and a full suite of advanced crash avoidance features and driver safety aids are available to bail you out should you need.

To help parents further protect their kids when they are behind the wheel, the Sedona is available with Curfew Alert and Geo Fencing.

Other available convenience features include surround view cameras, a handy hands-free power liftgate, and power sliding doors.

At the end of the day, the Kia Sedona is comfortable with many amenities and available at a competitive price. And, with so few modern competitors, it’s certainly worth consideration.

What do you think about the 2015 Kia Sedona? Is it a vehicle that covers your needs, yet checks a few items off your want list?