In today’s automotive world the word minivan seems to almost be blasphemy. With the number of SUVs on the market it’s obvious that we as car buyers have turned to these crossovers to be the right choice for us to drive, but there are still some great minivans to choose from. The Kia Sedona has changed its stripes with is new launch last year and now offers you several choices to make the right decision as to what kind of minivan you want it to be. This van can be an economical eight-passenger people hauler or it can offer a bit of a premium design with wood trim, leather seating and room for seven.
A van that was just redesigned doesn’t necessarily need an y new upgrades, but the Sedona does have a few including a rearview camera that is now standard on all trims. The EX now has heated front seats, and the top SX and SXL trims add a Technology package and can now have seating for eight.
What makes a minivan a great choice over an SUV? Comfort is certainly a factor. Typically an SUV offers third row that isn’t of much use for more than small children and is very uncomfortable for adults. The Sedona has a third row which offers good space and comfort, in fact the entire interior of the Sedona is comfortable, allowing you to enjoy the smooth ride and great features offered in the van. There is also plenty of additional space behind the third row for storage and cargo in order to make this a great vehicle to take on vacations or other long road trips.
Typically, a minivan is also better for price than an SUV. The same size SUV will have to be of the larger model and usually starts pricing well over $35,000. For the Sedona the price begins at $27,295 for the base L model and heads all the way to $41,000 for the top of the line SXL trim. The mid-range EX begins life at nearly $33,600 which is a great value and usually the right choice for those looking for a great van at a fantastic value. You can’t get an SUV with as much space or feature for these prices, making a market that still can prefer to purchase a minivan.
At these base prices, what you get on your Sedona starting at the L trim level is a satellite audio system with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, USB and auxiliary inputs, a rearview camera, a conversation mirror, twelve cup holders, tricot fabric seats, airbags, traction and stability control, hill start assistance control and the ten year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
Moving up the ladder of models you see the LX adds an eight-way power driver’s seat, roof rails and power folding outside mirrors. The Ex comes in with power operated sliding doors, a power liftgate, leather seating, Kia’s UVO infotainment system, a backup warning system and tri-zone climate control. Continue up to the SX and you add the Infinity premium audio system, and eight-inch touch screen with navigation, ventilated front seats, blind spot monitoring and LED headlights. Finally, at the top of the line the SXL adds Nappa leather, lounge seating, dual sunroofs, and a heated steering wheel. There are a few stand-alone options including smart cruise control, forward collision warning and lane departure warnings that can be added.
As a great new van that is only in its second year of this generation, the driving is excellent. The first thing you will notice is the fact that the cabin is nearly silent. This noise suppression certainly makes this one great family vehicle. With a smooth ride suspension that allows the van to be able to make turns and reach speed without jolting all the passengers around makes this a great place for your family to enjoy a nap or just relax on the ride to the next destination.
I told you this minivan was versatile and had multiple uses. A couple ways it shows itself to do just that is from the seating configurations. The second row captain’s chairs are near luxury with foot rests and a long recline to mimic first-class airplane seating. These seats can then fold up against the front seats and the third row can fold completely flat to give you a flat floor. The Sedona is a great minivan for the whole family to enjoy and for you to be able to haul family or cargo wherever you need to go.
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