Trying to take a bigger slice of the minivan pie might not be as easy as just offering a competent vehicle, which the new Sedona certainly is.
Over a year, minivans represent about 1 million units or 6.5 percent of new-vehicle sales. And the majority of those sales are divided among DaimlerChrysler, Honda and Toyota.
Ford plans to cut the line on its Freestar minivan and fish in the fresher waters with other three-row people movers called crossovers.
And next year there will be another van from corporate colleague Hyundai - the Entourage - also based on Sedona. In 2008, there'll be a new Volkswagen van, cloned from the Dodge Caravan but with unique sheet metal.
Increased sales for the 2006 Sedona model will come from the U.S. domestics, Kia says.
"The minivan segment is still strong and represents an opportunity for us," says Ian Beavis, Kia's vice president of marketing. "Our plan is to continue in established segments and then expand into emerging segments. Please stay tuned."
Sedona arrives on a new platform with a new engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. And it is still expected to achieve five-star safety ratings. A short-wheelbase model, to compete with the Dodge Caravan, will go on sale in September.
Kia's minivan has been one of its best sellers, and the company benchmarked the top vans for its redesign. Pricing will start below the Dodge Grand Caravan.
Sold in two trim levels, the LX starts at $23,665 and the EX at $26,265, going to about $31,600 with all the options. The Dodge Grand Caravan with 3.8 liter V-6 is $27,830, the Honda Odyssey LX starts at $25,895 and the topline EX is $39,345.
The new Sedona has many enlightened points: It is longer and wider than the '05 van but 400 pounds lighter. The 244 horsepower, 3.8 liter V-6 is 20 percent stronger, but gives 13 percent better fuel economy, now at 18 mpg city, 25 highway. (The 244 hp, 3.5 liter V-6 Odyssey is rated 20/28.)
Kia's engine runs on premium or regular octane, but using the higher grade gives peak torque of 253 foot-pounds versus 251 on 87 octane.
Not that Mom or Dad will be out grabbing gears on the school commute, but the Sportmatic five-speed automatic allows manual shifting. Kia is emphasizing the van's new driving attitude.
The more rigid chassis and four-wheel independent suspension hold tight for enthusiastic driving, with little body sway or understeer in hard cornering. (I had to try because I've seen how harried parents sling these things around trying to get kids to school and appointments on time.)
The four-wheel disc brakes are larger and supported with ABS, electronic brake force distribution and Brake Assist, all standard. Other electronic aids include stability control, traction control and a tire-pressure monitoring system that identifies which tire needs air.
Highlights among the standard features include remote locking, three-zone air conditioning, fold-in-the-floor third-row seats and removable - but not stow-and-go folding - second-row captain's chairs, a "conversation" mirror to keep watch on a child seat and other youngsters in back, manual driver's seat height adjuster, CD audio, tinted side glass, power sliding doorside windows and cruise control.
Moving up to the EX adds 17-inch tires and alloy wheels, some exterior chrome trim, wood-grain trim on the center dash console, fog lights, better fabric on the seats, eight-way power driver's seat and four-way passenger seat, CD-cassette audio system, power rear quarter windows, trip computer and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob.
Opting for the EX also allows for a range of option packages, including:
- Power package, $1,000, of power sliding doors and liftgate.
- Luxury package, $2,400, adds leather-trimmed and heated seats with memory presets, power-adjustable pedals, automatic air conditioning, backup warning system, sunroof, steering wheel audio controls and an engine immobilizer.
- Entertainment package, $1,700, adds 13-speaker, 650-watt Infinity audio system with 7.1 surround sound, six-disc CD changer and DVD video system with 8-inch monitor and two wireless headsets.
- A stand-alone DVD system can be added to the LX for $1,200.
The Sedona is a good environment in which to plug in an expensive entertainment package. The cabin is solid and well-soundproofed, except for some wind noise coming around the front end and mirrors. There are umpteen cupholders for seven seats, and the third row folds into the floor without much effort.
There's enough room in the way-back for a limber 6-foot-2 male, with his knees pulled up. Kids will have no complaint, and the seatback has recline adjustment.
Good engineering and manufacturing allows doors that close with a good thunk, sliding doors that open and close without arm-stressing effort, and a neat and orderly fit of interior pieces. The quality of parts is durable.
The interior design is all familiar minivan ground, but Kia seems to have included all the best innovations, such as double glove boxes, a flip-up tray and cup holders between the front seats, a purse hook in the passenger area, a sunglasses holder above the driver door, fold-down front armrests, rear ceiling air vents that have dual action close and direction adjustment.
There are cheaper ways to build these vents, but Kia chose not to cut corners in many areas throughout this van.
The mundane element to Sedona is the styling.
And as eager as the Kia engine is to move the package, the nimbleness is hampered by a swing-wide 39-1/2-foot turning circle. That's an issue for a family vehicle that will find itself in all kinds of tight parking situations.
Inside, the sea of gray interior is dull but durable. The plastic wood in the EX is as fake-looking as cheap office-desk veneer, and much of the presentation underwhelms, despite the many soft-touch surfaces.
Kia hasn't built a better mousetrap than the best competitors, just a better mousetrap than it had before. Shoppers moving out of their kid-worn used vans will think they've entered the promised land after a test drive here. Especially if they had their hearts set on an Odyssey but just couldn't swing the payments.
SPECS BOX
2006 Kia Sedona
Body style: Front engine, front-wheel drive, seven-passenger minivan
Engine: Aluminum 3.8-liter V6 with 4-valves/cylinder, DOHC and continuously variable valve timing
Horsepower: 244 at 6,000 rpm
Torque: 253 foot-pounds at 3,500 rpm (using premium unleaded), 251 (on 87 octane)
Transmission: five-speed Sportmatic automatic
EPA estimated fuel mileage: 18 mpg city, 25 highway
Fuel Capacity: 21.1 gallons
DIMENSIONS
Cargo space: 32.2 cubic feet behind third row; 80.1 cubic feet third row folded
Length/Wheelbase: 202/118.9 inches
Front head/leg/shoulder room: 40.9/41.7/63.2 inches
Middle head/leg/shoulder room: 39.8/40.9/65.3 inches
Rear head/leg/shoulder room: 38.3/34/60.5 inches
Curb weight: 4,387 to 4,646 pounds
FEATURES
Standard equipment: Remote locking, three-zone air conditioning, 60/40 split fold-in-the-floor third-row seats and removable (not folding) second-row captain's chairs, conversation mirror, manual driver's seat height adjuster, CD audio, floor mats, tinted side glass, power windows-locks-mirrors and power second-row side windows, cruise control, 14 cup holders
Safety equipment: Dual advanced front air bags, front seat-mounted side air bags, full-length side curtain air bags, three-point belts at all seats and front seat-belt pretensioners with force limiters, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic stability control, traction control and brake assist
PRICING
LX: $23,665, including $670 freight charge; EX: $26,265
The Competition: Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Ford Freestar, Honda Odyssey, Chevy Uplander/Buick Terraza/Pontiac Montana SV6, Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna
Where assembled: South Korea
PLUSES: Honda Odyssey level of equipment and Dodge Caravan innovation for thousands less.
MINUSES: Traditional styling, durable but dull interior design, wide turning circle.
Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard@uniontrib.com.
© Copley News Service
