Topic: 2015 Kia Sedona

[Noto]

Hmm....it looks smaller - I assumed it was.  Sh!t, another whale.

[conwelpic]

some people think the Sedona is the only one with a fixed console, the Town and Country comes that way, but the shift lever is on the dash.

Here's dimensions comparisons between the five rivals 

[dkaz]

The Town & Country as well as the higher trim level Dodge Grand Caravan (standard on the Crew Plus, optional in the Crew) have a fixed console but it's low and not designed as a fixed armrest. You can still fold the arm rests up and step over with ease.

I'm not knocking the concept completely. Maybe the minivan segment needed a nudge towards being more cool and stylish. I love being coddled in my Mazda 3 for example. If it has a more car like seating position, it might be intriguing. Until one of us has to rush to the back to deal with the kids.

[Noto]

Here's dimensions comparisons between the five rivals 

Sienna seems like the 'sweet' spot based on that chart for driveability and cargo flexibility.  The Odyssey is undoubtedly the biggest, and may drive the smallest, but it really is a behemoth.

But yes, the Sedona is perfectly competitive here.  Good for Kia.

[conwelpic]

I think I recall reading some time back that the Dodge Grand Caravan will be discontinued and merged under the Chrysler name plate as one, but not sure when this might take place.  Anyone heard further in this regard?

[pi314]

That's for the US, nothing concrete for Canada AFAIK

[neil]

Just like dodge slaps 7k on the hood all the time, I'm assuming there will be some form of incentives - whether it be financing or cash off.

KIA's image has certainly improved though... in 2008 when my parents bought their rondo my dad's employees made a lot of fun of him for buying a KIA (it was my mom's car but still)... and this was certainly a huge step up from the 1993 Accord wagon and 1990 Corolla in the driveway . Today, that kind of reaction isn't as common.

In 2008, the LX Sedona had $10k on the hood, advertised at $19995, plus freight pdi. 

[dkaz]

I haven't driven the new Odyssey yet. But I've had a 194.1" long 1999 Sienna with a whopping 40 foot turning circle and torsion beam rear suspension and now have a 201.2" long 2000 Odyssey with a slightly better 37.7 foot turning circle and a double wishbone rear suspension.

While the Sienna had a more comfortable ride by far, that was the only advantage it had. Despite being shorter, the Sienna was terrible in the parking lots with its wide turning circle and seriously turned me into a stereotypical Asian driver. The Odyssey on the other hand is noticeably easier to park despite being 7.1" longer, and I find myself misjudging the required turn in to get into a parking stall a lot less than the Sienna. Also the Sienna felt like a rollover hazard, although I still drove it like my 3 anyway knowing it actually wouldn't. lol. My Odyssey on the other hand feels pretty complacent when taking turns faster than what a minivan should and stays almost as flat as my Mazda 3 does.

FYI, here are the turning circles for modern minivans, ranked from best to worst:

2015 Odyssey - 36.7 feet
2015 Sedona - 36.8 feet
2015 Sienna - 37.5 feet
2014 Grand Caravan/Town & Country - 38.0 feet

My 2012 Mazda 3 has a turning circle of 34.1 feet. The Nissan Micra and Scion iQ are 30.2 and 26.4 feet respectively.

I think I recall reading some time back that the Dodge Grand Caravan will be discontinued and merged under the Chrysler name plate as one, but not sure when this might take place.  Anyone heard further in this regard?

I believe the Dodge Grand Caravan will continue on in Canada as it's the stronger seller here.

[conwelpic]

just came across this article

http://www.autonews.com/article/20140926/OEM01/140929900/chrysler-to-idle-ontario-minivan-plant-for-12-weeks-in-2015-for#

"Chrysler now offers two minivans in North America, the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan. The Dodge minivan will be phased out and Marchionne has said the next-generation van will be a Chrysler, but he has not said it will still be called the Town & Country."

it doesn't appear that he's differentiating between Canada and the US.

[neil]

just came across the article

http://www.autonews.com/article/20140926/OEM01/140929900/chrysler-to-idle-ontario-minivan-plant-for-12-weeks-in-2015-for#

"Chrysler now offers two minivans in North America, the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan. The Dodge minivan will be phased out and Marchionne has said the next-generation van will be a Chrysler, but he has not said it will still be called the Town & Country."

it doesn't appear that he's differentiating between Canada and the US.

There is no question the DGC nameplate is going away in Canada.  We will get stripper models of the T & C here, which the US has had for years. 

[Noto]

FYI, here are the turning circles for modern minivans, ranked from best to worst:

2015 Odyssey - 36.7 feet
2015 Sedona - 36.8 feet
2015 Sienna - 37.5 feet
2014 Grand Caravan/Town & Country - 38.0 feet

My 2012 Mazda 3 has a turning circle of 34.1 feet. The Nissan Micra and Scion iQ are 30.2 and 26.4 feet respectively.

That's why I love my Forester - 34.8' turning circle - almost as good as the Mazda3.

FWIW, I think all modern minivans have become far better - even the worst there at 38' isn't that bad.  Far better than the old 40'+.  Hell, the Nissan Maxima's TR is 37.8' (minivan territory).

I love driving subcompacts in the city - the rear wheel essentially pivots as the thing circles.  Fricken hilarious.

[Travel360]

My sienna does it at 36.8 ft , way better than a lot of mid size cars!

[tooscoops]

it looks like they will be building both old model grand caravans and new "t&c" or whatever they want to call it for the first year... so still a year away before even that happens.

my turning radius in the jeep is around 41 i think... for it's size, fine... plus, if there is something like a curb preventing a full circle, i just go over it.

[Noto]

plus, if there is something like a curb preventing a full circle, i just go over it.

And that, my friends, is why you buy a Wrangler.

[Solstice2006]

Went over a curb with my Odyssey yesterday, as the middle lane was blocking the left lane that I need to get into, hopped on to the median.

[dkaz]

my turning radius in the jeep is around 41 i think... for it's size, fine... plus, if there is something like a curb preventing a full circle, i just go over it.

Lol. Like a boss! I should've done the same with my Sienna, it was certainly high enough.

Can't in my lowered Odyssey. I'm going for an adjustable on the fly air ride suspension next minivan.

[conwelpic]

US video review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVoQXnwPbnc&list=UU3qM33hHgedfi7qTKKgIApg

Canadian review (but was done in the US)

http://driving.ca/kia/sedona/reviews/road-test/minivan-review-2015-kia-sedona

[conwelpic]

a Canadian first impression

http://beta.auto123.com/en/car-reviews/2015-kia-sedona-first-impression/59503/

(noticed an error in the article, is says you get leather if you move up to the SXL+, it should be the SX+)

[conwelpic]

8 passenger setup

[dkaz]

Hm that is nice. Looks like an LX+ trim judging by the cloth seats and roll up shades.

I still have an issue with that high belt in the 3rd row, but whoever's back there will be busy on their iPads anyway so maybe it doesn't matter?