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WEEKEND ROADTEST: Kia Sedona 3 auto
publication date: Jan 9, 2010
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author/source: Robin Roberts
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Love or hate January sales, everyone appreciates a bargain.
The
thought you are getting more for less is appealing and satisfying. It’s
much the same with the Kia Sedona 3 Auto which is a highly equipped and
very big seven seater multi-purpose vehicle for less money than some
much smaller and poorer equipped family hatchbacks.
The Kia Sedona family comprises five models only
available with a 2.2 turbo-diesel engine but a choice of six-speed
manual or automatic transmission and three trim levels simply numbered
1, 2 or 3. Prices range from about £19,300 to £25,000.
The
powertrain moves the Sedona 3 with ease and not much noise. Lightly
laden it is brisk and even with four or five people aboard it is still
able to keep up with traffic in town. On main roads and motorways it
cruises with commendable composure and fairly good economy. | | You have the choice of letting the six speed automatic
do its own thing or you can select a semi-automatic mode and
sequentially move the lever through the box. Changes are very smooth and the ratios never left me
wishing for more acceleration or thinking it was running in too high a
gear. It is a good match to the engine. Underfoot, the brakes haul down speed in an undramatic
but effective manner with modest pedal pressure and good feedback while
the foot operated parking brake and manual release lever worked well
even if they were not conveniently placed. | |  | When in town the turning circle is good for a vehicle of
the Sedona’s size. Its clear visibility with low waistline and deep
windows was helped on the test vehicle by the fitting of a reversing
camera with the rear image displayed in a screen built into the
interior mirror. A natural place to put the monitor when you think
about it.
Very big and effective wipers front and back and good lights are further plus points.
The
instruments directly infront of the driver are big and clear although
not marked in great detail and cover the engine speed, road speed, fuel
level and engine temperature with warning lights for other alerts. Two
big, chunky column stalks operate lights and wipers and there are
buttons on the wheel spokes for cruise control and sound system.
Electric seats, powered mirrors and window buttons are on the driver’s
door along with the remote release for the petrol filler flap. An
altogether convenient layout.
The big central console carries the
gear selector below the air conditioning system controls and in-car
entertainment hub which includes plug in compatibility for auxiliaries
via standard DIN and USB links.
Heating and ventilation ducts abound
and the system works well to fill the cabin left and right, front and
back with any desired combination of settings. Those in the back have
their own dedicated and selectable system operated from a panel on the
left side of the roof. |  | | Access is extremely good and the test vehicle had
powered tailgate and twin sliding electric rear doors (above) with one-touch
open and close operation. Opening or closing these never failed to
elicit some favourable comment from passengers and the practicality in
a supermarket car park is really appreciated. A leather trimmed interior oozes luxury as well as
comfort. The driver’s seat is powered but even the manually adjusting
passenger front,second and third row seats offer a good range and the
recline on all is excellent. There is a low loading height behind the
tailgate and the rearmost seats quickly slide forward or can be tilted
to further increase capacity, or completely remove (right) if you have the
strength to lift them out as they are not flimsy things. | |  | As an MPV the Sedona is an excellent all rounder and the
sophistication of its controls mean it is not intimidating to drive
despite its size. It handles with ease as well and it has a fairly
neutral nature to its roadholding and displays no vices to cause
concern.
The noise levels are all low, the most noticeable probably
the road bumps and thumps, although they are rarely felt in the cabin,
and the engine has a deeper tone under hard acceleration but even then
it’s not unpleasant.
There are not really many truly big MPVs on the
market and the refinement and sophistication of the Kia Sedona 3 Auto
sets it apart from competitors in terms of value for money. Add to
these attribtues the very good warranty and you appreciate this is a
bargain which is very hard to walk away from, at any time of the year. ©Robin Roberts
|  | | Fact file: Kia Sedona 3 Auto
Price: £24,815
Insurance group: 14
Powertrain: 4cyl 192bhp 2.2 litre diesel, 6sp
Max speed: 122mph
0-62mph: 11.9sec |
| Fuel consumption: 38mpg | Emissions/ tax: 199gkm/ 26pc | | Running cost: 58ppm | Residual value: 33pc | Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited |
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