I have to admit, when I heard I would be test driving the 2015 Kia Sedona for a week I may have squealed just a little. Yes, I did, I squealed. I was excited and so happy to be getting behind the wheel of this awesome minivan. And yes, I did just say the words excited and awesome minivan together in one sentence and now I can honestly say, after driving this minivan for the past week, that I’m hooked Kia. The 2015 Kia Sedona is one winning design.
Design
Named Best New Car Design at the 2014 New York Auto Show, the Sedona has been redesigned throughout for luxury in every row. With a roomy driver and front passenger area and available second-row First Class Lounge Seating wrapped in Nappa leather trim, adjustable armrests, winged headrests, and retractable footrests (which made my daughter squeal with excitement), the Sedona proves to us that luxury and style can seat seven in a minivan.
Another feature I love is the cargo options. The Sedona’s Slide-N-Stow™ seating lets you easily fold the second row upright while the third row conveniently stows under the floor allowing ample space without having to remove any seats. How cool is that?! And did I mention the trunk area? When I shop, I really shop and need space for my groceries, goodies and what-not and with the Sedona, I’ve got just that. Space.
As for the interior design I could go on and on with details. Equipped with features such as multiple AC outlets (up to 8), Infinity® Premium Audio, USB charging and a glove box with built-in cooling (yes, awesome!), the Sedona is convenience for the modern world, accommodating all your high-tech must-haves while road-tripping.
The front exterior sports a bold front grille and has an SUV-like appearance that is sleek, muscular and oh, so sophisticated. The rear exterior has wrap-around glass, LED taillights, an integrated bumper guard and a sleek spoiler.
How about this feature? Power-Sliding Anti-Pinch Doors. You can go in and out with ease without getting caught. There are built-in sensors that will detect an object in the way. With four different devices to operate the doors, including the key fob, control is so simple and convenient. Another cool feature.
Comfort
Sun lover? No problem. You can take in the sunlight with the all-new Dual Sunroofs. Each power-operated sunroof and sunshade tilts or slides open at the push of a button. Nice. There are also three different comfort zones. The Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control features driver, front-passenger and rear zone temperature settings for heating and cooling.
The available Second-and Third-Row Retractable Sunshades offer an even cooler cabin when you need it and helps to protect rear passengers from sun glare. These sunshades, I found in the past week in Florida, are great to have while on the road.
The Sedona offers heated/ventilated seats. I like the sound of that. Heated front seats offer three heating levels for warmth and the ventilated front seats have three fan seatings to cool you down. Plus, the Sedona has available second-row heated seat cushions. Very nice.
Tech
The Sedona is loaded with cutting-edge technology to help keep you in control. Intelligent and responsive features such as Blind-Spot Detection (BSD), UVO Local Search Powered by Google™, Surround View (SVM), Smart Power Liftgate, and YES Essentials®
There are also all the warning systems that are so important.
- Rear Alert
- Blind Spot
- Collision
- Lane Drift
Safety
- Active systems – Sedona’s advanced active systems work automatically for a more controlled, precise handling in unpredictable driving conditions. Intelligent systems such as Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), and Traction Control System (TCS).
- Passive systems – The Sedona is equipped with passive safety systems designed to help protect you and your passengers. The advanced airbag system features sensors that detect impact levels and presence of a front passenger helping to manage airbag inflation. As for seat belts, every seat has three-point seat belts for over-the-lap and should straps,and the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system helps to securely install your child’s safety seat. The Sedona’s structure helps absorb and dissipate energy from an impact. Front and rear crumple zones help preserve structural integrity for improved protection.
All so good to know when it comes to safety for my family.
Drive
The Sedona’s powertrain delivers 276 horsepower and an exceptionally quiet and smooth drive. This is one of the first things I noticed when I got behind the wheel of this vehicle. Quiet and smooth. Under the hood is a 3.3-liter Lambda-II Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) V6 engine that packs 248 lb.-ft. of torque for the road. There is also a max towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and a 6-cylinder engine that offers an impressive 276 horsepower. I felt road-trip ready all week. The Sedona is confidence behind the wheel.
Overall, I couldn’t find any negatives or things I would want to change in the Sedona SXL. The ride was super smooth, the acceleration was excellent for a minivan and it was easy to maneuver. The 2015 Kia Sedona SXL model I drove this past week is priced at $43,295.
With all the features included, I felt completely safe and comfortable on the road and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
What do you most look for when shopping for a family vehicle?
Disclosure: I was provided with a 2015 Kia Sedona SXL for 1 week to review on behalf of Kia. As always, all opinions are honest and my own.