Kia Sedona minivan loads up on features but downloads prices
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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SEDONA, Ariz. -- Dramatic sandstone spires and rust-red buttes surround the mile-high community of Sedona, which draws sightseers year-round to bask in the mountainous landscape, hike the mysterious canyons of ancient Anasazi people, or shop for Western art and souvenirs in galleries that line Sedona's main drag on Arizona 89A.
For a recent drive through Sedona, though, sidewalk shoppers along 89A seemed less interested in viewing artwork or red ramparts towering over the town than checking out the new minivan we had parked at curbside.
Several of these Sedona tourists pointed to the crisp and clean lines of the vehicle, where a tall band of cladding in contrasting color wraps around the base of the body below sleek geometric forms with raked front grille and windshield plus tall expanses of dark windows rising above a sliding slab door on each side.
Yes, there are three rows of seats inside for as many as seven passengers, we reply to the curious, and yes, there's a large V6 engine aboard that feels gutsy despite the minivan's bulk and the power-sapping altitude at Sedona.
Yet the aspect of the wagon that provoked the greatest curiosity concerned its nameplate, as spelled out in shiny chrome letters on the flip-up tailgate.
"Do you get the irony?" One Sedona tourist asked. "This minivan's named Sedona too."
And it's true: Korean automaker Kia selected the scenic Arizona image of Sedona to define a new four-door minivan that joins Kia's car line as a 2002 model.
Steering Sedona to the site of its namesake mountain resort seemed the appropriate gesture to experience all nuances of its personality, regardless of the thin air.
Besides, the warm afternoon sun lighting those red bluffs reflected glowing images in the minivan's smooth sheetmetal to make our photographs even more dramatic, and canyon roads leading to Sedona the village showed off the easy-driving spirit of Sedona the minivan.
Although the assembly of Sedona occurs at Kia's vast production facility in South Korea, styling for exterior and interior elements was filtered through Kia's American design studios in Irvine, Calif. As a result, the overall appearance of Sedona seems rather familiar in a shape and format similar to other minivans on American roads.
It was first seen four years ago as a concept from Kia displayed at the Chicago Auto Show.
Subsequent production models rolled out under the name of Carnival for sale in markets outside the United States. However, for the demanding audience in America -- where minivans flourish with clever designs under keen competition -- improvements for power and seat design were needed to make a Kia minivan attractive to American consumers.
In the meantime, the Kia brand was acquired by the larger Korean automaker Hyundai with its extensive array of efficient powertrains. The transaction brought access for Kia to Hyundai's engine arsenal, and Sedona becomes the first Kia vehicle to carry a Hyundai engine.
That plant -- a 3.5-liter V6 with dual overhead cams and multi-port electronic fuel injection -- produces 195 hp at 5500 rpm and 218 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm, but runs on regular unleaded 87-octane fuel.
It connects to a sophisticated electronically-controlled five-speed automatic transmission.
As a team, the engine and transmission instantly elevate Sedona to competitive level for V6 minivan power.
And Sedona's powertrain delivers more than enough spark to propel a hefty minivan into the fast lane when commanded.
Sedona also looks good in terms of its package size, the functionality of cabin space and seat arrangements, plus the built-in safety systems and long list of preferred features as standard equipment. The standards include air conditioning, power-operated controls for doors and locks and mirrors, three rows of seats for seven people, privacy glass, cruise control and a tilting steering wheel, variable intermittent front wipers and rear intermittent wipers, multiple storage bins, even rear flip-out quarter windows and a sound system with six speakers.
But Sedona looks best when viewed from the bottom line.
The first of two trim editions -- Sedona LX -- carries a MSRP sticker of $18,995. Tack on the unavoidable delivery fee of $595 and that figure bumps to $19,590.
Deluxe Sedona EX provides more, from decorative external features like bright aluminum wheels, body-colored trim elements and foglamps to interior fittings such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power controls for front bucket seats and two buckets added to the second row, power for rear quarter windows, a CD deck for the audio system and keyless entry.
Sedona EX tallies to $20,995 plus the delivery fee.
Load up the deluxe model with all options -- anti-lock brakes, leather upholstery, a sunroof and two-tone body trimmings -- and the maximum price only reaches to $24,100.
As a bonus, Kia the manufacturer supports Sedona with an impressive guarantee called the Long Haul Warranty. The program extends well beyond protection for other vehicles. Sedona's powertrain is insured for ten years or 100,000 miles and there's a five-year or 60,000-mile shield against defects plus five years with unlimited mileage for a roadside assistance program with emergency towing service.
These combined factors, from the handsome design to strong V6 power, attractive prices and the extensive warranty, make an impressive statement of value for Sedona, with prices pegged for thousands below competitors.
It's the ideal size too, constructed on a unibody platform with wheelbase stretching to 114.6 inches. That positions Sedona in the middle between other minivans with short and long wheelbases.
The suspension is conventional, with independent MacPherson struts up front and a five-link beam axle in back. Steering stems from power assistance for a rack and pinion mechanism, with brakes utilizing discs in front and rear drums.
Safety gear includes a steel structure reinforced on sides plus front and rear crush zones, on-board dual air bags for front seat riders, three-point seat belts with adjustable anchors, and upper and lower tether anchors to secure a child's seat in the second row.
The spacious cabin has two hinged doors up front, twin side sliders and the rear gate hinged on top.
Seats behind the driver flip, fold and tumble, or may be removed entirely to expand cargo capacity.
Also, storage compartments show up in surprising places, such as two glove boxes in the dash, a top-of-dash bin or the lockable box hidden under a front seat.
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| 2002 KIA SEDONA VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact 4-door minivan
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| Model Options: |
Compact 4-door minivan
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| Wheelbase: |
114.6 inches
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| Overall Length: |
194.1 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 3.5-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/5
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/opt. ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front)
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| Gross Weight: |
5895 pounds |
| Towing Capacity: |
3500 pounds |
| Gas Mileage: |
15/20 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 19,590 to $ 24,100 |
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