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2004 Kia Sedona Road Test

More Than Expected

Okay, so youve come to your senses and accepted the fact that a minivan is for you - or rather for the family. At least thats what youll be telling the SUV and sports car crowd at the gym.

As you visit dealership showrooms youll surely realize that nicely equipped minivans are not cheap. Of course the dealer has strategically situated a similarly priced convertible next to the minivan on display allowing the mind to escape free from the ties-that-bind, a visualization of you and your new sports model travelling down a country road with the wind in your face, sipping an Americano and eating Tim bits. Your partners elbow in your ribs shatters that short-lived nirvana like a stick of dynamite in a china shop.

Back to the challenging business of selecting a minivan that incorporates the two critical

So youve finally decided that your family needs a minivan? Kia might just have exactly what youre looking for. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

elements of every purchase, quality and value. Well, the Korean auto manufacturer, Kia, has hugely simplified that challenge. Applauded for their ability to deliver sensational value, Kia continues to evolve and mature with each passing year. That maturation is reflected in the Sedona, which was one of just four minivans to be awarded the five-star rating in both frontal and side impact crash tests for the 2003 model year, according to information released by the National Highway and Transportation

The Kia Sedona "offers more value and comfort than youd probably expect, as well as the peace of mind of knowing it comes with the federal governments highest safety rating," states Kia Account Director Mike Dillon. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"The takeaway is really quite simple," said Kia Account Director Mike Dillon. "The Kia Sedona offers you more value and comfort than you probably expected, as well as the peace of mind of knowing it comes with the federal governments highest safety rating."

Although 7 inches shorter than Hondas large Odyssey minivan, the nicely sized Sedona is 5 inches longer than the base Dodge Caravan.

All of the Sedonas bits and pieces fit together accurately, more so than on an American made minivan I recently tested. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

The Sedona is eye pleasing from any angle too, but not eye-popping. The exterior design is definitely - yawn - mainstream if not a little like Fords Windstar and Freestar designs; not that theres anything particularly wrong with that. Its just that the design envelope has been nudged ahead by the likes of the new Toyota Sienna and Nissan Quest vans, which leaves the mainstreamers a little further downstream.

One thing Kia has done well with the Sedona is ensure that all of its bits and pieces fit together accurately, more so than on an American made minivan I recently tested. The dual sliding

Once inside the vault-like Sedona interior, I was immediately impressed with the touch and feel factor. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

doors, standard on the Sedona, opened and closed with ease and a reassuring thunk, as did all of the Sedonas conventionally opening portals. Once inside the vault-like Sedona interior, I was immediately impressed with the touch and feel factor. Surface finishes impart a sense of quality and refinement usually associated with a pricier product. But thats the Kia way, more-quality-for-fewer-greenbacks.

Seating in the well-appointed cabin of the Sedona can take on several configurations, depending on the buyers preference and pocketbook. My test model featured leather seating and second-row captain-style chairs. Standard seating is cloth covered and standard for the second-row

All Sedona models feature power windows, heated power mirrors, front and rear air conditioning, cruise control and lots of interior lighting and storage. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

is a two-passenger folding bench that can be easily removed and pushed on a small set of wheels attached to the underside. The third-row seat is a 50/50-split bench capable of accommodating up to three narrow rear-ends. Either or both sides of the split rear-bench can be removed and wheeled into storage. Although Kia has made the seat removal process as painless as possible, they have missed the mark by not designing a third-row that tumbles into the floor when not required. Many of the competing minivans have adopted this design, which has been eagerly embraced by many-a-parent. Chrysler currently leads the disappearing seat competition with second row bucket seats that also drop completely flat into the floor. Toyota

Sadly, Kia has not affixed audio controls to the Sedonas steering wheel. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

and Nissan second row seats fold forward but not as flush to the floor as the Dodge and Chrysler vans.

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