Topic: 2015 Kia Sedona

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US review from September 17th

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/09/17/2015-kia-sedona-first-drive-review/

[dkaz]

I've managed to dig up features in the LX and EX models. Nothing on the SX and SXL yet, except I know the SXL comes with nappa leather like the Cadenza. But expect HID, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, lounge mode 2nd row seats.

No word on Canadian pricing yet, but the US pricing looks like $26,795(USD) for the LX, $32,995 for the EX, $36,995 for the SX, up to $42,995 with all the options ticked. That means the Canadian LX plus power package price could be around the Sienna LE price and $1,000 less than the Odyssey EX, while the EX could be in Sienna SE and Odyssey EX-RES territory.

LX standard features:
Brake Assist and Hill-Start Assist
Cornering Brake Control
Roll Over Mitigation
4-wheel Disc Brakes
Rear park-assist sensors
LED positioning lights
Front fog lights
Power exterior mirrors with LED turn signal indicators
Dark-tinted rear privacy glass
Satellite radio
Bluetooth connectivity
USB port & auxiliary audio input jack
Front and rear power outlets
Front and rear manual air conditioning
Conversation Mirror
Power windows
Power door locks
Cruise control
Tilt steering wheel
Floor mats
17-inch steel wheels with wheel covers
Seven passenger seating
Available eight passenger seating

LX Power package:
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with a reversing camera display and a universal garage door opener
Power sliding side doors
Automatic headlights
17-inch aluminum wheels

EX features:
LX Power package
Dual-zone automatic climate control,
Leather seats
Power-adjustable heated front seats
Heated side mirrors
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Woodgrain cabin trim
Chrome exterior trim,
Solar-control windshield
Illuminated visor vanity mirrors
Power rear quarter vent windows
Roof rack
Trip computer
Compass
Power tailgate
Upgraded audio system
Available navigation system
Available premium audio system,

EX Luxury package:
Rain-sensing wipers
Power-adjustable pedals,
Memory for the driver's settings
Power sunroof.

[neil]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-kia-sedona-first-drive-review

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Exterior colours:
Snow White Pearl ** (SWP)
Sterling * (3D)
Aurora Black (ABP)
Graphite * (ABT)
Merlot * (BGD)
Midnight Sapphire * (BLA)
Titanium Brown * (MBN)

$200 charge for metallic * and pearl ** paint

Interior colours:
gray cloth standard on all models, except:
SX+:  gray leather
SXL, SXL+:  Nappa leather, two-tone burgundy/beige for Snow White Pearl, Graphite, Merlot, Titanium Brown
Camel/black for Sterling, Aurora Black, Midnight Sapphire.

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Sedona L - $27,495
Sedona LX - $29,995
Sedona LX+ - $32,395

Sedona SX - $35,595
Sedona SX+ - $35,995

Sedona SXL - $40,995
Sedona SXL+ - $45,995

destination and delivery - $1665

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Key features
Sedona L: - $27,495
3.3L GDI V6 engine, 276 hp, 248 lb.ft.
6 speed automatic transmission with Active ECO system
7 – seater
17” steel wheels with covers, 235/65R17 LRR tires, temporary spare tire
6 airbags, ABS, ESC, HAC
projection headlights
body coloured outside door handles
rear spoiler
rear chrome garnish
privacy glass with solar windshield glass
body coloured, power, heated sideview mirrors and signal repeaters
front and rear splash guards
power front and 2nd row windows and obstacle detecting driver window
trip computer
steering wheel mounted cruise control
tilt and telescopic steering wheel
front centre armrest with storage
12V power outlets: centre fascia and luggage
12 cup holders
conversation mirror
illuminated vanity mirrors
map, room and cargo lamps
driver seat height adjustable
2nd row 'slide-n-stow' side seats
3rd row 60/40 folding and sinking seats
anti-stain cloth seats
AM/FM/CD/mp3/ Satellite radio with 4 speakers
AUX and USB ports
keyless entry with panic alarm
central door lock (driver and passenger)
impact sensing door unlock
a/c (front and rear) with rear controls

Sedona LX - $29,995
(adds to L)
8-seater
17” alloys with 235/65R17 LRR tires
roof rails
automatic headlights
LED positioning lights (bar-type)
power folding sideview mirrors
blind-zone driver mirror
power driver seat (8-way) with power lumbar (2-way)
heated front seats
cooling glove box
Bluetooth with UVO infotainment system and rear view camera
steering wheel mounted audio controls
6 speakers
rear parking sensors
auto-dimming rearview mirror and Homelink system
leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
windshield wiper de-icer

Sedona LX+ - $32,395
(adds to LX)
power dual sliding doors
OLED instrument cluster
2nd and 3rd row sunshade blinds
power passenger seat (8-way)
smart key with push button start

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Sedona SX - $35,595
(adds to LX+)
18” machined alloys with 235/60R18 LRR tires
smart power liftgate
LED light bar taillights
heated steering wheel
blind-spot detection system (deletes blind-zone driver mirror)
vehicle stability management
drive mode select system (comfort/Eco/Normal)
fog lights
enhanced supervision cluster (replaces OLED)
USB charging port
tri-zone automatic climate control
auto de-fog system
'Clean Air' climate ionizer
chrome door handles
chrome window mouldings
inside chrome door handles
power driver lumber (4-way)
2nd row heated seats (outboard/cushion only)
solar glass
aeroblade wipers
obstacle detecting windows (all)
portable cargo light
illuminated glove box

Sedona SX+ - $35,995
(adds to SX)
7-seater
leather seats
memory driver seat

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Sedona SXL - $40,995
(adds to Sedona SX+)
19” chrome wheels with 235/55R19 LRR tires (Continental brand)
premium Nappa leather seats
air-cooled front seats
2nd row luxury captain's chairs (deletes rear heated seats)
2nd row aviation-style headrests
leather/wood steering wheelbarrow
dual-panel sunroof
Xenon HID headlights (auto leveling)
LED positioning lights (bulb type)
projection fog lights
front and rear parking sensors
dual 110V inverters (household outlets – console and cargo area)
stainless steel door scuff plates

Sedona SXL+ - $45,995
(adds to SXL)
advance smart cruise control
8” Multimedia interface
voice-activated navigation system
premium Infinity audio system
360 degree camera monitoring system
lane departure warning system
smart high beam system
front collision warning system

[dkaz]

I called most of the features!  Except the EX is an SX.

I wonder if the luxury captain chairs and aviation style headrests will be similar to what's in the Toyota Alphard?



It's more like a luxury business jet than a minivan. Seriously, Toyota needs to slap a Lexus badge on it and sell it here. It rides on the same platform as the Sienna.

[dkaz]

Ok, here are the Sedona SXL's "luxury" seats and "aviation" headrests:



SX for me.

[Noto]

It's a nicer minivan for those who aren't yearning for maximum space or AWD.  The fuel economy is rather disappointing, though not awful.

Top end pricing is pushing it, I think.  $5k for the SXL+ is a bit much.  $3k, maybe.

Sh~t, minivans are getting expensive.

[dkaz]

The features for the price in the lower trim levels are very appealing. The compromised cargo room due to the non removable second row seats and lack of front row pass through however is something to keep in mind. With that said, is still 4,000 litres, same as my old 99 Sienna with the rear seats removed. The Odyssey and Sienna are both rated at 4,200 litres each. My current Odyssey is 4,130 litres. The Sedona is no longer, taller, or wider than the Sienna or Odyssey, so I wonder how did they manage that?

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comparison MSRP ranges:

Sedona - $27,495 - $45,995, colour charge $0-$200 (7 any model); destination and deliver - $1665

Grand Caravan - $27,995 - $41,895; colour charge $0-$225 (6-8 depending on model); D&D - $1695

Town and Country - $42,695 - $48,695; colour charge $0-$225 (5-8 depending on model); D&D - $1695

Sienna - $30,690 - $48,700; colour charge $0 - $255 (4-8 depending on model); D&D $1690

Odyssey - $30,250 - $48,310; colour charge $0 (2-5 depending on model); D&D $1695

[Noto]

comparison MSRP ranges:

Sedona - $27,495 - $45,995, colour charge $0-$200 (7 any model); destination and deliver - $1665

Grand Caravan - $27,995 - $41,895; colour charge $0-$225 (6-8 depending on model); D&D - $1695

Town and Country - $42,695 - $48,695; colour charge $0-$225 (5-8 depending on model); D&D - $1695

Sienna - $30,690 - $45,875; colour charge $0 - $255 (4-8 depending on model); D&D $1690

Odyssey - $30,250 - $48,310; colour charge $0 (2-5 depending on model); D&D $1695

Not that I care to fix, but that's a bit inaccurate - the Grand Caravan has a $20k version, and the Seinna goes up to $48k with AWD.

My concern here is that Kia is essentially saying that it can go head to head with the best out there, but it no longer offers the value incentive that people crave before they leave the comforting busom of the name "Toyota" or "Honda".

[conwelpic]

comparison MSRP ranges:

Sedona - $27,495 - $45,995, colour charge $0-$200 (7 any model); destination and deliver - $1665

Grand Caravan - $27,995 - $41,895; colour charge $0-$225 (6-8 depending on model); D&D - $1695

Town and Country - $42,695 - $48,695; colour charge $0-$225 (5-8 depending on model); D&D - $1695

Sienna - $30,690 - $45,875; colour charge $0 - $255 (4-8 depending on model); D&D $1690

Odyssey - $30,250 - $48,310; colour charge $0 (2-5 depending on model); D&D $1695

Not that I care to fix, but that's a bit inaccurate - the Grand Caravan has a $20k version, and the Seinna goes up to $48k with AWD.

My concern here is that Kia is essentially saying that it can go head to head with the best out there, but it no longer offers the value incentive that people crave before they leave the comforting busom of the name "Toyota" or "Honda".

your right about the Sienna, I didn't expand to the packages on the AWD $41,380 version.  The prices I quoted are MSRP not the discounted cash prices, Dodge and Chrysler do that so often that people think its the regular price, makes you wonder if that's the only way they can sell their minivans by constantly offering $7-8k discounts.

[Noto]

It's funny - I'm a bigger proponent for Kia than I am Hyundai.  Not sure why, entirely, but it seems like Kia's division of the same parent company appears to care more about the final product than the overall marketing.

This Sedona seems like a great revival of the Minivan.  It covers a niche that the others don't - compact-ish, for a minivan.  Minivans used to be smaller (I grew up in a 1992 Previa) but could still swallow a full-sized couch.  These days, the exterior footprint is simply huge and that is a deterrent for many would-be drivers.

I just feel that this Sedona is priced more like a Hyundai would be - too competitive for its own good.  At $2k less, with more features, buyers are persuaded to give it a look.  At the same price, or a few hundred more, a few 'features' MAY not be enough to sway someone looking at the reigning twin-champions to take a walk to the Kia dealership.

The Grand Caravan, though having some good tricks, doesn't compete head-to-head with the Sienna/Odyssey, and pricing shows that.  The Sedona is trying to by price, but I'm not sure Kia/Hyundai are "top" players yet.  They still have a few more years to prove themselves before they will win North Americans over.  Just my opinion - and I mean it constructively.

Take for example your Soul - what other car is like it?  The Cube?  The Element (defunct)?  The Soul is unique and it sells on that basis.  It's good for the Kia brand.  Same with the Rio, a larger-than-normal subcompact with heated seats for $15k.  That's what sells - cheap with value, or niche-filling.  I'm concerned that the Sedona balance its goals well enough.

[pi314]

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.

[dkaz]

I could see that. It seems easier to compare the Sedona with the Odyssey than the Sienna...

Sedona L is an Odyssey DX at $2,000 less, and is featured like a Dodge Grand Caravan SXT with a few packages that probably costs the same in the end. ($33k for an SXT minus $8k on the hood plus $500 for this option and $800 for that option) It's also like a Sienna base and $2,000 less like the Ody DX, but the Sienna does not have a power driver seat.

Sedona LX is like the Ody SE at $2,000 less, costs the same as the Ody DX and Sienna base but has quite a few more features. The trio also begins its 8 seater configuration here.

Sedona LX+ is almost like an Ody EX and Sienna LE except unfortunately it doesn't have automatic climate control. Where the LX+ excels is the 2nd and 3rd row sunshade, whereas the Ody and Sienna only have it on the 2nd row. The LX+ like the Ody EX has a proximity key, where you have to go all the way up to an Sienna SE where it's an option. The LX+ like the Ody EX and Sienna LE has power sliding doors.

Sedona SX is near Ody EX-L territory except minus the leather seats, and also pretty much head to head with a Sienna SE. I know someone here wanted cloth seats with a power tailgate, this is it right here.

The SX+ adds leather and becomes more of a Sienna XLE competitor as both the Sedona and Sienna drop back down to a 7 seater configuration from here, while the Odyssey continues on as the 8 seater all the way to the top of the line Touring model. What's odd though is that Toyota has dropped the XLE FWD so just the top of the line Limited FWD remains, while you can still get an AWD in XLE as well as LE and Limited. I would argue that the $30k Dodge Grand Caravan Crew Plus is also slotted here.

The lines blur a bit between the Sedona SXL and SXL+, Ody Touring, and Sienna Limited. The SXL+ has stuff you can't get in the Sienna and Odyssey like smart high beam and advanced cruise control. Even the Sedona SX has some class exclusive features, Nappa leather, front cooled seats, and dual sunroof panels.

I would say overall for the first time in many years, Honda and Toyota has some good competition. The lack of passthrough between the middle seats and the really tall beltline for the 3rd row windows might be a concern for us traditional minivan buyers but Kia has proven lately that they know a thing or two about selling to the masses.

[Noto]

I could see that. It seems easier to compare the Sedona with the Odyssey than the Sienna...
...
I would say overall for the first time in many years, Honda and Toyota has some good competition. The lack of passthrough between the middle seats and the really tall beltline for the 3rd row windows might be a concern for us traditional minivan buyers but Kia has proven lately that they know a thing or two about selling to the masses.

Thank you for doing all that research!  My suggestion was that even before you compare apples to apples, people will solely look at pricing.  To know which trim you want, you have to research the thing.  Most will stop if they look at pricing and think "hmm, it's the same price as the Odyssey/Sienna, I should just go with the one with long-standing reliability/etc"

That's my concern - but I dig the looks, I dig the features, and I dig the size.  Outward visibility is crap in all of them, IMO, compared to a Forester .

[dkaz]

This Sedona seems like a great revival of the Minivan.  It covers a niche that the others don't - compact-ish, for a minivan.

The Sedona is anything but compact-ish. Like the Odyssey and Sienna, it's about 202" long, 78" wide, and 68" high. Honda started the growth spurt to these current dimensions over 15 years ago with the 1999 Odyssey, Toyota followed suit with the 2004 Sienna and then finally Kia with the 2006 Sedona and its short lived sibling the Hyundai Entourage. The Dodge Grand Caravan was 200" long in the 96-00 model and remained unchanged in the 01-07 model, finally growing to match the rest in 2008.

Hopefully the manufacturers don't feel the need to grow the minivans anymore, even by an inch.

Thank you for doing all that research!  My suggestion was that even before you compare apples to apples, people will solely look at pricing.  To know which trim you want, you have to research the thing.  Most will stop if they look at pricing and think "hmm, it's the same price as the Odyssey/Sienna, I should just go with the one with long-standing reliability/etc"

That's my concern - but I dig the looks, I dig the features, and I dig the size.  Outward visibility is crap in all of them, IMO, compared to a Forester .

I really oughta do something more useful with my time. lol.