2006 Kia Sedona - The Car Connection

How to Redesign a Vehicle:
The 2006 Kia Sedona

Linked below is thecarconnection.com's detailed review of the redesigned Kia Sedona minivan. The outgoing Sedona had a few good features, but was 400 lbs heavier than its similarly-powered competition. It also did not have quite as much room as most competitors, and it lacked interior flexibility. On the plus side, it was relatively cheap and came with an outstanding warranty.

According to Thecarconnection.com, Kia has addressed all the shortcomings of the old model, and generally goes toe-to-toe with the class leaders. The new van has 15% more interior volume, but weighs 400 lbs. less than the model it replaces. It now has a fold-flat rear seat and other features including a panoply of airbags and all the electronic safety features under the sun.

Finally, Kia boosted the engine power with a new DOHC 3.8 liter V-6 that makes 244 horsepower and 253 ft.lb. torque. This matches the class-leading Honda Odyssey in horsepower and beats everybody in torque. Kia mached this with a new 5-speed automatic transmission.


Here's where GM Ford and DC dropped the ball. All three of them sold more minivans in the previous generation than Kia, yet none of them invested the money to put a new powertrain in the most recent redesigns. GM and Ford slightly bored out their old engines and used the same tranny. Chrysler tweaked the old engine and used the old tranny. The result: Ford's Freestar is being laughed out of the market. GM's vans soldier on for the loyal faithful but are ignored by everybody else. As a result, GM May also abandon the 1.1 million unit minivan market. Chrysler's vans were saved by Sto-N-Go seats. That might be good enough to make due until a redesign with a new powertrain comes in 2007.


2006 Kia Sedona - The Car Connection