As Hyundai and Kia unveiled so many improved products within such a short time, watchful eyes would notice a slight dichotomy when it came to interior design. Namely, the first batch of cars tended toward a somewhat inelegant, pieced-together appearance while the later models (Azera, Optima, Elantra) possessed a grace and beauty almost on level with Lexus – at least to these eyes.
Well, the Kia Sedona falls into the former group. The center stack is a collection of style-free shapes, the dials are frumpy, the colors aren't exactly vibrant, and the fake wood comes from one of the lower-grade plastic forests.
On the other hand, the Sedona does have tons of storage space, a couple million cupholders, windows that open for everyone, power doors, power liftgate, power points everywhere, and second-row seats that are notably easier to take out and snap in than the Toyota Sienna’s. I suppose in a minivan, supreme functionality will suffice.
Brian Sy, Automotive Editor, 21,800 miles
billt9 says:
08:33 PM, 04/12/07
Looks circa 2000.
jerrywimer says:
07:07 AM, 04/13/07
Just imagine what the restyling / redesigned model will be like (whenever it gets here), just based on the observations you've made Brian. Hopefully in the process of inheriting the much better styling and design it'll retain the supreme conveniences!
mirth says:
09:28 AM, 04/13/07
Just drove one as a rental last week. Overall, it was just okay. It did all the things that a minivan should. I found the temp controls and cruise control confusing (had to look in the manual to find the cruise on/off switch). The fold-flat third roll was slightly harder to figure out than the Chryslers I've driven. Engine power was okay for around town, but it ran out of steam trying to pass on the highway. I give it a C+.
arumage says:
11:12 AM, 04/13/07
Find me a minivan the doesn't run out of gas passing on the highway. I haven't driven one yet. Maybe the new Sienna will do better with its 266hp V6.
SubyTrojan says:
12:24 PM, 04/13/07
Renault Espace F1 - 800 hp V-10 = Case closed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaW_35KPDBY
arumage says:
01:30 PM, 04/13/07
Let me rephrase. Find me a commercially available minivan that's not ugly as sin and doesn't run out of steam passing.
bluedevils says:
05:52 AM, 04/18/07
I expect Kia to improve the quality of the Sedona's interior, particularly the controls/displays, in the next model year or two. I haven't seen if the 2007 is exactly the same inside as the 2006.
The 2006 Sedona interior is a step backward in parts quality. Our 2002 EX had a much higher-end feel to the controls/displays than does our 2006 EX. I'm still happy that we traded up, because we got so much more functionality and usable space. But Kia *did* cut some corners on parts quality, and that isn't something you hear about in most of the reviews.
ateixeira says:
01:57 PM, 05/ 9/07
Supposedly the Entourage uses slightly higher quality materials in some places, and more sound insulation.
As an example, they Entourage Limited has electoluminescent gauges, which aren't offered in any Sedona.