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The 2016 Kia Sedona Review: What do you use your car for? If its primary job is moving lots of people, then a minivan is probably your best choice. I know you may be grimacing and shaking your head. “Me, drive a minivan?” A lot of people bypass the minivans in the showroom and focus their attention on crossovers, those car-based SUVs. Those tall wagons look cooler, seem more macho, or are just trendier. But if space efficiency is your prime consideration, driving a minivan is worth it. Hello Kia Sedona.
The Kia Sedona minivan is a darned nice looking package. The proportions have to be somewhat boxy to give you all that space, but the Audi mindset of Peter Schreyer, the head of Kia (and sister division Hyundai) is unmistakable, even in this realm. Yeah, there were no Audi minivans to design, but this is a handsome vehicle. There are actually 19-inch chrome alloy wheels here. You get dual sunroofs. There’s a hands-free power tailgate. This is living large.
Every Sedona moves its 4,600 pounds of girth around with a strong 3.3-liter V6 engine through a six-speed automatic. 276 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque are the power stats. For EPA numbers, it’s 17 City, 22 Highway, and 19 Overall. I averaged 20.1 mpg. Green scores are 5 for Smog and 4 for Greenhouse Gas.
There’s nothing here to especially incite environmental activism, but these are not surprising figures for a more than two-ton people hauler. Remember, though, that this cruiser could replace two regular cars with its big family hauling abilities.
So, how much can you haul in the Sedona? With all three rows of seats up, full of people, you can still carry almost 34 cubic feet. That’s twice what a standard trunk will hold. Drop the third row seats and you’re up to 78.4 cubic feet. Lower the second row and you’re up to a mammoth 142 cubic feet. How many flat-screen TVs or bags of mulch is that?
Here’s another important number - 5. That’s the number of stars the Sedona earns in the Government Safety Ratings. That’s the top score. You can thank Kia’s Iso-Structure design, with extra rigidity, along with reinforced roof pillars, larger diameter welds, and other factors. There’s also the usual host of electronic safety tech features, including Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, Rollover Mitigation, and more. It’s what customers expect from a car built for schlepping your loved ones around.
The SXL Technology Package, for only $2,800, brings in a whole passel of modern-day goodies, such as Xenon HID headlights with automatic high beam on & off, a Lane Departure Warning System, a surround view mirror, smart cruise control (to set the distance from the car in front), and a 115 Volt power inverter in the luggage area. It never ends.
The Sedona is a pleasant vehicle to spend time in. The Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control keeps everybody comfortable. The Infinity Surround Sound audio system gives the big hauler a concert hall ambiance. The Nappa leather seats are cushy soft.
I drove a lot of freeway miles during this test week, and it felt like you could head for almost anywhere and it would be smooth sailing. There’s loads of insulation, so it’s very quiet in there. The Smart Cruise Control makes it easy to “set it and forget it” on long trips. My Bright silver SXL tester had the optional rear seat entertainment system for $1,095, which would help the miles melt away for rear seat passengers.
The Kia Sedona is built in Korea, using virtually all Korean parts (only 2% U.S. / Canadian content). Many Korean brand cars are built in the U.S. today, but this is not one of them.
When you’re shopping for a minivan, of course you’ll likely look at the popular Chrysler, Honda and Toyota models, they’re the sales leaders, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you neglected to cross-shop the Kia Sedona. By Steve Schaefer © AutoWire.Net
The 2016 Kia Sedona Bottom Line Review provided by:
Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
The Bottom Line: The 2016 Kia Sedona is named after the Arizona artist colony & retirement community with all those cool red rocks, and is in its second year of the current design iteration. Little has changed, as you might expect. It still comes in five levels: L, LX, EX, SX, and SXL, and prices haven’t budged since the 2015 models, not a penny. So, you can grab the L model for $27,295 and work your way up to the SXL at $40,795. New upgrades for 2016 include a rear back-up camera in all models, upgraded tricot cloth in the lower L and LX trims, standard heated front seats in the EX level, eight-passenger seating with the Technology package in the SX and SXL, and snazzy chrome accents on the side sills of the SXL. Not much, but remember, it doesn’t cost you a dime more than the 2015 equivalents. And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
Bottom Line Review provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
“Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question or comment for Tony send it to TonyLeo@pacbell.net or visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net - And remember: “You Are What You Drive ©”
Column Name: The Sedona is a nice looking minivan
Topic: The 2016 Kia Sedona
Word Count: 945
Photo Caption: The 2016 Kia Sedona
Photo Credits: Kia Internet Media
Series #: 2016- 34
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