IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 27th, 2004 – The minivan remains the mainstay of American families, and in just three short years on the market, the Kia Sedona has become one of the top choices for buyers looking for value, quality and safety. For 2005 the Sedona gains some freshening inside and out, enhancing its high-value position in the hotly contested minivan market.
Safety is a main priority, and the Sedona has earned the Federal government’s highest safety ratings – Five Stars – for the driver and passenger frontal impact, front and rear seat side impact crash tests. According to information released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Sedona was one of just five minivans to be awarded the five-star rating in both frontal and side impact crash tests for the 2004 model year.
The front-wheel-drive Sedona epitomizes Kia’s tradition of well-built, high-value vehicles that offer more than the buyer might expect. Powered by a high-tech 3.5-liter 24-valve dual overhead cam V6, the Sedona offers the largest displacement engine currently available in an import minivan. It produces 195 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 218 lb.-ft. of torque at 3500 rpm on regular fuel.
The engine is mated to a sophisticated five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. The EPA-certified fuel economy for the Sedona is 16 city / 22 highway.
The Sedona, which is available in both LX and EX trim levels, is built on a steel unibody platform with a 114.6-inch wheelbase. At 194.1 inches in length, it is five inches longer than the Dodge Caravan SE and six inches shorter than the Dodge Grand Caravan. The independent front suspension is comprised of MacPherson struts, coil springs and a stabilizer bar, while the rear suspension uses a beam axle located by a five-link design with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. The vehicle’s predictable handling is aided by power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.
For stopping power, the Sedona offers hydraulic, vacuum power-assisted brakes with 10.87-in. vented front disc brakes and 11.6-in. rear drums, up from 10.0 inches in previous model years. A four-sensor, four-channel computerized antilock brake system is available as an option on both the LX and EX models.
The Sedona’s standard dual sliding doors open to reveal a versatile and comfortable interior. Sedona’s generous list of standard equipment in both trim levels includes an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and a four-way adjustable passenger seat. In the LX trim the seats are manually controlled, while in the EX they are power-operated. Additional passengers will enjoy the reclining second-row and third row seats, which slide forward and rearward and can also be removed. In the LX, the standard second-row configuration is a bench seat, while in the EX captain’s chairs are standard. For 2005, second-row captain’s chairs are newly optional on the LX. Three passengers will find ample room on the third row split-bench seats. All the rear seats come equipped with rollers for easy removal.
Minivan buyers want space and versatility, and that’s just what the Sedona gives them. The vehicle offers 150.5 cubic feet of passenger space, and its interior is filled with useful storage areas. Up front, the Sedona offers an overhead console, a handy storage box on the instrument panel, two gloveboxes and a lockable storage bin under the front passenger seat. In the rear there are additional storage areas, including handy seat-back map pockets. Behind the third row of seats, there is 21.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and the cargo area expands to 70.6 cubic feet once the rear seats are removed. A center tray table with convenient cupholders is standard on both the LX and the EX, and there are a grand total of 10 cupholders strategically located throughout the vehicle.
Both the LX and the EX models offer an available DVD entertainment system. In addition, the Sedona offers two sound systems to satisfy even the most discerning audiophile. Standard on the LX is an AM/FM/CD system with six speakers. The EX kicks it up a notch by offering an AM/FM/stereo/cassette/CD player and two additional tweeters. Standard on both models are three 12-volt power access points – one on the dash, one in the third row and one in the cargo compartment – to plug in auxiliary items such as TVs, laptops and cell phones.
In keeping with the Kia tradition of high-value entry models, the Sedona LX is packed with unexpected standard features and includes power front windows, power mirrors, power door locks, front and rear air conditioning, illuminated ignition key slot and map lights in the overhead console. There are also reading lights for the second and third row passenger, front door courtesy lights and a rear cargo area light with a convenient on/off switch. Sunglass and garage door opener storage is also provided in the overhead console.
The upscale style of the Sedona’s interior is matched by its exterior design. The front grille is a fine mesh design, bordered by high intensity headlights. The standard wheel covers on the LX simulate the look of alloy wheels, while the EX features the real thing as standard equipment. The rear of the vehicle is distinguished by large, multi-function stop/turn/tail/reverse lamps and an indented side-sweep provides a “wedge” look to the vehicle’s profile.
Other standard features in both the base LX and luxury EX models include cruise control, full instrumentation including tachometer; electric rear window defroster; tilt steering column; variable intermittent front wipers; rear wiper/washer and a battery saver for those “senior” moments when one leaves a door ajar just before departing for a two-week trip abroad—ensuring that your car can be started when you return to the long-term lot at the airport.
The EX ups the convenience ante by offering standard power rear quarter windows that allow the driver and third-row passengers to open and close the windows with the touch of a switch. With so many standard features on the EX model, the list of options is short but impressive: power tilt/slide moonroof, leather package, body-colored roof rack and rear spoiler.
Because it is so full of features the Sedona LX really can’t be called a “base” model, but it is priced like one with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $20,200, making it the lowest-priced import minivan in America. The luxury EX trim level starts at an MSRP of around $22,000, plus the $540 destination charge.
2003 Kia Sedona #1
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Originally Posted by Fletch123
