Found on Edmonds.com

My Review of our new Kia Sedona 2006

Yes, you'll need to get past any stigma associated with the Kia name. Kia is
climbing the ladder just like Honda and Audi did years ago and gaining
respect as their cars improve. We checked out the Honda and Toyota entries
and the Kia just seemed to do everything as well and in some cases better.
The handling of the Kia is certainly up there with the Honda, perhaps a hair
better. Power is excellent. This van is probably faster than it needs to be.
I've read 0-60 reports of 7.1 and 7.3 seconds and even prior to break-in the
van feels very quick. Build quality appears to be quite good with nice fit
and finish.

Our fully loaded example has power sliding doors and a power rear hatch. If
you have kids these come in really handy and are fun to show off as well.
The doors will sense an obstruction and open if need be. They can also be
operated manually. Locks prevent a child from opening them from inside.

Inside you get a full leather interior in gray or beige. Go with the gray as
it will wear better. Front seats are 8 way and 4 way power. The driver's
seat is a bit short on legroom for taller drivers. I'm 6.3 and would like
another inch or two. There's no reason for a seat to be short on legroom on
a large van. Passenger and rear seats have a LOT of room. Even the split
bench fully aft is pretty good and the middle seats will also slide forward
making this true 7 passenger vehicle. Make no mistake about it; this is a
pretty luxurious interior by any standard. We found the Honda a bit more
stark, but the Odyssey and Sienna are equally plush when fully loaded.

The rear seats tuck away into a storage well, but the procedure is a bit
awkward and could use some refinement. Overall it works okay. When the seats
are out the well is a great place combined with the cargo net, but some sort
of retractable cover would really be nice to hide gear.

The loaded EX also comes with a killer Infinity stereo/DVD rear seat
entertainment system. I know it's a cliche to refer to a sound system in a
car as "killer" but you really need to hear the 13 speaker system in action
to realize how much better it is than any other. The top of the line Honda
and Toyota don't even come close. The flip down DVD screen is a mere 8
inches. I consider that size adequate, but others are larger. On the other
hand, unlike the larger screens, the Kia's doesn't block as much of the
rearview mirror so it's a better tradeoff for safety. The system also has IR
remote control and IR fed headphones that work well and very comfortable.
Popping in a copy of Star Wars III I was treated to true 7.1 Surround sound.
The center channel is mounted in the middle of the dash, a bit away for the
rear seats, but it works very well. The picture quality is typical for these
systems, but many people will hear sound that is superior to their home
systems. There is depth, clear highs and fairly impressive midrange that
surprised me and I'm someone who's owned stereo systems costing 9K. It's
that good. On the other hand, you can question the logic of such an
elaborate system in a car. A lesser system like the ones from Toyota or
Honda are still "just fine." But as long as Kia is giving them away, I'll
keep mine!

On the port side of the cabin are jacks for plugging in a camcorder, or
X-Box type game system. Amazingly Kia neglected a Ipod/Sat. radio jack up
front and you'll need to correct that at your local stereo shop for
aftermarket help. Also missing at this luxury level is integrated
navigation/GPS, but expect that on the next year's model. Buy a Garmin I5
and you'll do just fine.

Unlike many other vans on the market, the large middle windows actually roll
down! This is a very welcome feature to say the least. The rear windows also
wing out with the press of a button. 2nd road passengers no longer have that
bus window feeling.

The 3rd road is less comfortable than the 2nd of course. These are seats
that fold down into the floor and the only seats to do so on board. Kia's
research showed that most people never stowed or removed the second row, so
they left those as fully comfortable chairs with armrests. The 3rd row,
because it's stows in the floor, is inherently less comfortable, but they
really aren't bad at all. 3rd row passengers get cup-holders, a small
storage bin and the inputs for video game consoles.

Each row of seats has port and starboard AC/Heat vents and the second row
has it's own dedicated controls for temp and fan speed. Shotgun gets dual
AC/Heat controls so the driver and passenger don't compromise and heated
seats with 5 way settings. Very nice.

There are really too many little extras in vans of this size and luxury
level to list here. The fully loaded Kia Sedona for 2006 also gets memory
seats/mirror/pedal, homelink controls for the garage, backup proximity
sensor, power sunroof, 2 way adjustable headrests, fold away snack tray, and
quite a bit more.

Back to Driving the Sedona....it is not quite like a car, but close enough
that an hour or two of driving will have you pretty well acclimated.
Acceleration is strong at almost all points of the powerband due to a
healthy amount of torque. On the highway the ride is quiet and subdued. Wind
noise is well controlled. I'm certain that the new Sedona is quieter than my
Subaru Tribeca and that's quieter than a Lexus RX330. At cruising speeds
above averages that most people would drive this van, the Sedona remains
composed. Fast lane changes are not a problem, but steeper turns produce a
bit more body roll than I'd like. There are moments when the Sedona will
remind you that it's actually a 2 ton plus van and not a car. You must learn
when those moments are likely to come up.

For the driver all of the controls are well laid out and we've come to
expect this from most imports compared to the often terrible American made
entries. Kia has essentially hit the nail on the head with the new Sedona
for drivers, passengers and of course kids. When our two year old has a toy
crisis, my wife can get to the 2nd row and take charge with ease. This is
something our SUV could not do.

Parking the Sedona is something that will take practice if this is your
first minivan. This is not a small van and the driver is well up front.
Still, exhibit some confidence when you park and use the aft proximity
sensor. When reversing it beeps faster and faster as you approach an
obstacle. When it becomes a steady tone you're about 15 inches away. It
works great.

Because I've not broken the engine in I can't report on the MPG yet.

If you have a small child, a fully loaded 2006 Sedona EX will make for a lot
of smiles. I believe that the Honda and Toyota are also fine vans and you
really can't go wrong with them either. I don't like ANY of the American
entries or the Nissan Quest for whatever that's worth.

The warranty on the Sedona is 5 years overall and 10 for the
engine/powertrain. That's good news so long as i

The warranty on the Sedona is 5 years overall and 10 for the
engine/powertrain. That's good news so long as it doesn't have too many
problems. Trips for dealer service are never any fun free or not. Only time
will tell how well constructed Kia's first entry in maxed out minivan
segment really is.

With Kia's current rebates and some aggressive shopping we got our fully
loaded EX for $27'950. That included the 1000 rebate and a graduate rebate
of 400 dollars as well. That's an amazing price when you look at a Sienna
optioned out the same way which is around 5-6K more. Kia also threw in two
years worth of free oil changes, free remote starter and a second remote for
the DVD player. In a few months I'll update this and let folks know what
"new car bugs" turned up (There are always a few) and how Kia service dealt
with them here in NY. Cheers!
Capt RB

--
jlrogers±³©

The Boob continues to buy dorkmobiles. The only reason to buy one of
these things is the warranty therefore what people are finding is that
trade in or resale value down the road is zilch.

Ringmaster wrote:
The Boob continues to buy dorkmobiles. The only reason to buy one of
these things is the warranty therefore what people are finding is that
trade in or resale value down the road is zilch.



Who knew the STI is a dorkmobile??!!!

Sloco is so far behind the times he has no idea that the Sedona is now
among the finest minivans around....even if IT is a dorkmobile.

And more Jlrogers doesn't know I already posted that review here. Duh!
2 cars, a boat and a lot of fun toys in less than 10 months! Paid cash
for all but the Tribeca. What do you people DO that you have so little?


RB
35s5
NY

Maybe the people here have no need to brag.

--
jlrogers±³©

Hey Nutsy,

Right now,today, my Checking Account is over $30,000. Have an
appointment Monday with Merrill Lynch to make it start doing some work
for me. Also going the give Smith Barney etc a chance also.

Any suggestions? Remember I'm 80!

http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ThomPage

jlrogers±³© wrote:
Maybe the people here have no need to brag.

--



Who's bragging? It's just stuff. Anyone can make money and buy stuff.
Okay...maybe not Scotty, but most people. If you're so insecure as to
think it's bragging, then you have your own issues and I wish you
lot's-o-luck!


RB
35s5
NY

''BB "" wrote.....
My advice would be to figure out where to put it so that
if you end up in a
nursing home, they don't know about it.


That's good advice. When my MIL became ill, before she went
to a home, she gave a lot of money to her kids. That way SS
takes over once her bank account was used up (which doesn't
take long).
SBV

Do you have a savings account? Is it an interest earning
checking account? Is this a troll?

Thom, at the very least, I wouldn't keep that much in a
checking account. I moved most of my money into an ING
savings account, it's at 4.25% interest today. I keep a
small amount in my local bank, checking account, just to pay
bills and such. You can withdrawal the ING money at any
time, un like a CD. I don't like taking risks , as in
playing the market. I like CDs.

Scotty




"Thom Stewart" wrote in message
...
Hey Nutsy,

Right now,today, my Checking Account is over $30,000.
Have an
appointment Monday with Merrill Lynch to make it start
doing some work
for me. Also going the give Smith Barney etc a chance
also.

Any suggestions? Remember I'm 80!

http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ThomPage

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com..
..
jlrogers±³© wrote:
Maybe the people here have no need to brag.

--



Who's bragging?

You are, asswipe.

It's just stuff. Anyone can make money and buy stuff.
Okay...maybe not Scotty, but most people.


I have ''stuff'', I enjoy using my ''stuff'', but I don't
need to brag about it.


I'm so insecure as to be bragging, I have my own
issues and I wish you death!


RBB
35s5
NY

"Mys Terry" wrote in message

My advice would be to figure out where to put it so that if you end up in
a
nursing home, they don't know about it.

Oh Yeah... here's experience talkin'!! Billy still hates himself for not
hiding the money that was confiscated to pay for his male orderly.
Especially Tuesdays and Saturdays when he gets his prune suppositories and
tofu enemas.

CM-