2015 Kia Sedona: The Minivan is Redefined
The 2015 Kia Sedona made its long-awaited debut recently in New York at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. It’s the final chapter of a complete Kia model makeover led by Peter Shreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer.
While it is still meant to compete with the likes of the Toyota Sienna, Dodge Caravan and Honda Odyssey, what’s initially striking is that the new Sedona is dubbed a “multi-purpose vehicle” rather than a minivan. This is for good reason, as the 2015 Kia Sedona looks almost as much like a crossover vehicle as it does a van.
The 2015 Kia Sedona is Unlike its Rivals
Additionally, one look and you can easily recognize the front grille and headlights as being very similar to the new luxury Kias, the Cadenza and K900.
On the inside, it’s not your average minivan, either. Its center-console gear selector mimics that of several crossover vehicles, giving the driver of the new Sedona the feeling that they are not piloting a minivan. An interesting new feature are second-row bucket seats that fold up vertically, right behind the front seats, with the simple pull of a lever. Known as “Slide-n-Stow” seating, it is a fast and efficient way to create additional cargo room in the back when your task calls for increased space.
Increased Power
Under the hood of the new 2015 Kia Sedona you’ll find a 3.3-liter V6 engine that creates 276 horsepower, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. While the engine is smaller than the previous generation’s 3.5-liter engine, it actually produces seven more horsepower.
But this Kia is not just looks alone; not by a longshot! 2015 Kia Sedona buyers can choose from a host of innovative safety and security features, such as a 360-degree exterior camera, a forward-collision warning system, blind spot monitoring, and an updated “infotainment” system that can actually send alerts when the Sedona travels above a certain speed or travels outside a certain area (both very practical features for the parent or guardian of a new driver).
Expect to see the new 2015 Kia Sedona in showrooms later this year.