Kia Sedona A Great Family Car

• Anco BaardWell, that‘s new. A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) from the Koreans that actually looks good. While the Kia Sedona isn‘t the first MPV the Koreans have attempted, it certainly seems to be the best one they‘ve made. It slots in nicely in their line-up as well, offering a (large) family-friendly offering between the Cerato and Sorento.

While the Sedona is no Rio in the styling department, it certainly isn‘t bad looking. There‘s little frumpiness to the styling, with large wheels sitting nearly flush with the body, panel gaps that are tight and a third-row window that tapers with a sense of drama foreign to the segment.

The front end sees a generous splash of chrome to it, while the facia remains distinctly Kia. The rear end is a clean affair with traces of a VW Toureg evident. The overall package is easily the best looking MPV on the market currently.

Overall, the interior design didn‘t have us fawning, but the look mimics the clean lines of the exterior. And, aside from a few hard plastic pieces at the top of the instrument panel, the interior comes across as expensive – at least in the SXL model we tested.

Two-tone leather seats, gloss-black trim, and thoughtfully designed gauges are all typically the purview of premium brands, yet here they are in a Kia minivan.

The radio and centre console controls are simple and intuitive, and the touch-screen navigation system works quickly and logically.

We were slightly annoyed by the fixed console between the front seats, though, as it‘s removable in most vans to allow for easier cleaning, additional storage opportunities and passing through to the rear cabin.

Minivans aren‘t purchased for their looks, though. What a minivan needs to do really well is haul humans and cargo. The Sedona‘s cargo capacity maxes out at 142 cubic feet, which falls a little shy of the Honda Odyssey‘s 149 cubic feet.

Total space for passengers comes in at 158 cubic feet for the Sedona, versus 170 for the Odyssey. It‘s worth mentioning that the EX models come in 11-seater configuration for whenever you need to transport a rugby team.

Little effort is required to drive the Sedona. The steering is light and the van is remarkably manoeuverable. The suspension is supple despite the 19-inch wheels, and the 2.2l diesel motor delivers its power with creamy indifference. A 3.3l V6 petrol, churning out 199kw, is also available for those who need to get to their destination slightly faster.

While we rank engine power as an important safety feature, minivan shoppers likely will be more interested in the Sedona‘s collision-warning system, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree camera views.

These features put the Sedona in a class of its own safety wise and ensures the safe transportation of your family, but is not available on all models.

The Sedona is a great option for families. It offers enough space for the largest of families and is easily the best styled MPV of the lot.

The safety features are a standout point and alone make the Sedona worth the money.

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