Author Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Kia Sedona (Read 10860 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** August 05, 2015, 06:30:37 am »

Too cool for school.

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SKYMTL · « **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2015, 10:02:50 am »

A 50K minivan. Ugh.

And 15L/100KM without AWD? What is this, the 90s?

If I was looking in this segment, I'd completely ignore this dinosaur. I could get a fully equipped Ford Flex Limited AWD Ecoboost for the same price.

vasyapirh · « **Reply #2 on:** August 05, 2015, 10:18:29 am »

this has less utility than other vans. there are better "cruisers" out there for ~50K

Noto · « **Reply #3 on:** August 05, 2015, 10:49:25 am »

I think Brendan hit the piggy on the nose here...this isn't a family minivan - it's a grown-up person's ride.

I had a friend in law school whose father was wealthy, fat, and incapable of bending. He drove a Chrysler T&C because it was easier to get in/out of and gave him enough cargo capacity for his Krispy Kreme runs.

So, too, is my Edmonton Buddy's father a fan of plush, big rides. His wife now drives the Santa Fe XL, but they often are left wanting for more space. This would be ideal since they don't often use more seats, but want more space and luxury. It helps that they like the Korean brands.

I do see the market for this...but how big is it?

bombastic · « **Reply #4 on:** August 05, 2015, 11:23:04 am »

"Official ratings are 14.2 L/100 km on the highway, and 10.5 L/100 km in the city." - shouldn't this be the other way around?

Northernridge · « **Reply #5 on:** August 05, 2015, 11:29:32 am »

I've no idea how long it will last or how well made it is but this is my favourite minivan.

It's the Cadillac of minivans.

random006 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2015, 11:45:50 am »

The Four Yorkshiremen sketch reference sums it up nicely, from the sound of it.

random006 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 05, 2015, 11:51:27 am »

Based on the comparo done a while back, it does seem that they aren't aiming for the typical young but growing family market. It's quite expensive and from the sound of it not as easily reconfigured as its rivals.

So, who is supposed to own this thing? Perhaps Noto's anecdotes provide the answer: Older, well-to-do folks who value comfort and ease of ingress / egress above all else.

Northernridge · « **Reply #8 on:** August 05, 2015, 11:53:58 am »

Automakers seem to be flirting with premium/luxury options at the top of every segment.

What's next, luxury pickups?

Kris78 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 05, 2015, 11:57:18 am »

So, if this is really a 4 passenger car with occasional rear seats, how is it a better choice than a well equipped 3 row CUV such as a Highlander Limited?

Quote from: Noto on August 05, 2015, 10:49:25 am

I think Brendan hit the piggy on the nose here...this isn't a family minivan - it's a grown-up person's ride.

Definitely at this trim grade, but I wonder if the cheaper models are more family friendly. Still, the GC is still the value leader, and the Odyssey/Sienna have a pretty good lock on being the most functional...

Quote from: Northernridge on August 05, 2015, 11:53:58 am

What's next, luxury pickups?

We already covered this. By definition, trucks can't be luxury vehicles.

(Yes, I'm being sarcastic)

SKYMTL · « **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2015, 12:17:51 pm »

Quote from: Northernridge on August 05, 2015, 11:53:58 am

What's next, luxury pickups?

We already covered this. By definition, trucks can't be luxury vehicles.

(Yes, I'm being sarcastic)
[/quote]

The Lincoln Blackwood would like a word with your sir!

tooscoops · « **Reply #11 on:** August 05, 2015, 12:32:54 pm »

everyone now expects luxury and feels... well darn it, i deserve it!... so they go for it... after all, this one is only an extra 60 bucks per payment more probably than the more base one they started off looking at... too bad that's plus taxes and biweekly over 7 years.

nice vehicle though. i feel this will be a big hit in florida. i originally though the american market would be slower to accept the korean brands, but they seem to be picking them up by the boatload down there.

pretty much the opposite end of the spectrum from the grand caravan... it chose utility over comfort and kept the price down, this says phooey to the utility that people expect from something this size and gives them lavish surroundings... i think this will be huge in the states and a small market up here... sort of like the difference between the grand caravan and town and country was in the years past.

dkaz · « **Reply #12 on:** August 05, 2015, 01:32:51 pm »

Although I have zero regrets buying the exact Mazda 3 I wanted brand new, minivans are a dime a dozen on the used market. Still, having a used market depends on people snapping these up brand new, so march on new car buying soldiers.

random006 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 05, 2015, 02:34:10 pm »

Interestingly enough, the most recent (2015) APEAL study by J.D. Power and Associates places the Kia Sedona as the minivan which has the most gratified buyers. Now, I know how we regard those J.D. Power studies but for now, the new buyers are being bedazzled by all the goodies and sumptuous luxury in the beast.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/in-photos-what-the-most-gratified-new-car-buyers-drive/article25778703/

It looks like DKaz is getting his wish re. new car buyers.

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #14 on:** August 05, 2015, 04:41:36 pm »

This review, like the vehicle reviewed, is perfectly cromulent. I had to look that word up and I consider myself a bit of a wordsmith. Spell check doesn't believe it's a word and dictionary.com says it's slang.

If I were in the market for a van, this would be it.

Kris78 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 05, 2015, 08:44:30 pm »

Quote from: Angry Chicken on August 05, 2015, 04:41:36 pm

This review, like the vehicle reviewed, is perfectly cromulent. I had to look that word up and I consider myself a bit of a wordsmith. Spell check doesn't believe it's a word and dictionary.com says it's slang.

I had to look it up as well, and I consider myself a bit of a Simpson's fan!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_the_Iconoclast

The English language has certainly been embiggened by its inclusion.

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #16 on:** August 06, 2015, 04:54:37 pm »

Quote from: SKYMTL on August 05, 2015, 10:02:50 am

A 50K minivan. Ugh.

And 15L/100KM without AWD? What is this, the 90s?

If I was looking in this segment, I'd completely ignore this dinosaur. I could get a fully equipped Ford Flex Limited AWD Ecoboost for the same price.

in a recent comparo here between the Kia, the Toyota and Honda, all 3 vans finished in a virtual dead heat (something like 1.5 points separated first to third)...Kia isn't targeting the $20k Chrysler (which will be discontinued soon enough), they are targeting the Honda and Toyota brands specifically, and seem to be doing a respectable job in terms of the vehicle itself (being competitive).

mmret · « **Reply #17 on:** August 06, 2015, 07:51:59 pm »

I have to give it to Kia for bringing an actually nice interior (materials and design) and modern technology to the minivan segment.

This is what will put pressure on Honda and Toyota to up their game and bring the same features you can get in a Highlander or the new Pilot. After all the top trim of these vans costs very close to the same money and without the need to budget for AWD systems in the BOM.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

mixmanmash · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2015, 11:47:45 am »

Quote from: SKYMTL on August 05, 2015, 10:02:50 am

A 50K minivan. Ugh.

And 15L/100KM without AWD? What is this, the 90s?

If I was looking in this segment, I'd completely ignore this dinosaur. I could get a fully equipped Ford Flex Limited AWD Ecoboost for the same price.

Yep. I had one as a rental in Phoenix and I found it pretty hard on fuel, to the point a Sienna with AWD would be about par. The FCA twins are better on fuel in my personal experience.

Snowman · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2015, 12:36:04 pm »

Who will buy this?