Driven: 2018 Kia Sedona LX

Of a dying breed.

2y ago
2.5K

Of a dying breed.

(Here at Left Hand Drive, the goal is to help round out your automotive experience, to bring awareness to unconsidered and underappreciated aspects of the driving world. Pains are taken, sacrifices are made, indignities are endured so that you, the discerning Drivetriber, can learn just a little bit more.

Even a minivan gets driven and reviewed.)

A recent visit to a local auto show seemed to confirm my suspicions: Minivans are a nearly dead breed. Out of the 200-or-so vehicles at the show, only one I found could be called a minivan: a Toyota Sienna tucked shamefully in a back corner. The times, they have a-changed.

A child of the 1980's designed for hauling families and their stuff, they once were both ubiquitous and a much ridiculed bane of suburban life. They were a sign that its driver had given up and resigned themselves to a life of carting kids to their activities and leaving no time - or joy - for themselves.

Fast-forward like an old cassette tape some thirty-odd years, and we find that minivans are being replaced by SUV's and crossovers, and fewer of them are currently offered than even ten years ago. Relegated to more of a niche role now, they have still kept advancing along with the rest of the automotive world to more modern times. Meet the 2018 Kia Sedona.

Competing with the likes of the Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, and the Honda Odyssey, the Sedona offers the utility, comfort and space expected in this class, along with a competitive amount of tech and other niceties for its occupants. And while even wearing a blindfold you would never mistake it for a Corvette or an M3, it does have enough oomph to get out of its own way. How very unlike some of its ancestors.

The Sedona makes its first impression with its size. Right away, you notice there isn't much "mini" about it, but the exterior is actually handsome and in keeping within the current Kia family design. Unlike, say, the Sienna’s massive slab siding, the Sedona’s well-placed creases give it a bit of subtle style. The lower trim levels like the L and LX do make use of black plastic faux vents that fill the spaces where fog lights are found on higher trims, announcing to the whole world that you cheaped out.

Inside, the “big” theme carries on. The wide expanse of dashboard includes a 7-inch "UVO" touch screen for various functions, including AM/FM/Satellite radio with USB and auxiliary connections. (No disks, thank you. Too eighties-ish, I guess.) To its right is enough space for *two* glove boxes. The center console also has storage space galore, and includes a sliding arm rest, a two level storage bin with sliding tray, two cup holders next to the automatic gear selector, a cup for holding sunglasses, and a 12-volt power outlet.

All that helps the Sedona fulfill its expected role as the people mover quite well. Three rows of seating are available for up to eight people if really needed, although that amount of seating greatly restricts the cargo capacity. A roof rack is also provided standard. Seating is reasonably comfortable for a long haul, although those sitting in the center seats in the middle and back rows will likely find them particularly narrow. The back row of seats folds down into a cubby just inside the tailgate, leaving seating for five and reasonably large luggage space with a flat floor. The middle row of seats can be removed from the vehicle entirely in two sections, making for a truly large cargo space when the back seats are stowed.

As far as the "mover" part of the people-mover equation, Kia stayed with something fairly tried-and-true. All Sedona's are powered by a transversely mounted, Hyundai—built 3.3L, dual overhead cam V6 with dual continuously-variable valve timing that makes 276-hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. It is a respectable engine, enough for the Kia to accelerate into traffic and make passing moves without a lot of angst and sweaty palms.

The Kia’s 3.3L V6 is only partly visible by opening the hood. At least you can change half the spark plugs in your garage. (This is what it looks like with the engine’s plastic glamour cover removed.)

The Kia’s 3.3L V6 is only partly visible by opening the hood. At least you can change half the spark plugs in your garage. (This is what it looks like with the engine’s plastic glamour cover removed.)

Power gets to the front wheels through an electronically controlled six speed automatic gearbox with overdrive which can also be shifted manually. All of that hauls around 4443 lbs of curb weight, and even empty the Sedona feels heavy. The 276 horsepower feels merely adequate, even with only a driver inside. The four-wheel disc brakes with ABS feel OK but take their time bringing the Sedona to a stop. Then again, it's a minivan - no one really expects blistering performance here.

Fuel economy nudges toward gas-guzzler territory. EPA estimates for the Sedona are 18 mpg in town, 24 on the highway and 20 combined. I managed only 22.5 mpg highway, and 20.4 in combined driving, so the EPA estimates seem a bit optimistic.

There are some quibbles - some small and some not-so-much. Popping the hood open, it is immediately apparent how hard the engine will be to service. For instance, only the spark plugs on the front side of the engine are accessible - the ones in the rear are buried under bodywork. That might translate to expensive shop visits for even routine services.

There is a sense the Sedona that it tries to be upscale - and some of the higher trim Sedonas sure price that way - but some cheapness still seeps out. Leaning against the Sedona's side while pumping fuel flexes the bodywork (it bounces back). IT is a bit embarrassing at the pump when you lean against the Sedona's side, then jump away feeling as though you've ruined the body work. Inside, the USB and AUX connector plate flops around a bit in the center console. And the red LED clock looks like it came straight outta Radio Shack.

The more-important electronics themselves don't seem quite up to snuff, either. Several times when turning the engine off, the system seemed to loose track of the key fob, emitting the bong-bong sound that something was wrong. The only way to correct it was to push the engine start button again to restart the car, then shut it off again.

All that makes the Sedona, while handy for big hauls or long hauls, seem a bit confused. It has good looks for a modern minivan, has at least adequate power, and is certainly spacious enough. Yet these are vehicles that at least once-upon-a-time were daily workhorses. The Sedona comes across as less than efficient (and therefore expensive) and flaky where it either shouldn't be or needn't be.

Prices for the base-level Sedona L start at US$27,000. The LX, like the one driven here, starts at US$29,000. Optioned with carpeted floor mats and the LX Essentials Premium package pushes the price of the one driven here to US$32,590 (including the destination charge). For those who want the maximum-effect SX Limited, prices start at US$42,000, and can option out at as much as US$46,400.

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12 February 2019 ..... Written by: Todd Nielson ..... Photos by: Todd Nielson

#lefthanddrive #smalltribesrule #kia #sedona #driven #review

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