Sedona seats seven at hatchback prices car review
26/02/13
By Peter Hayward
Driving Force
THE Kia Sedona is a full seven seat MPV and is reckoned to be tough, reliable and comfortable.
It’s as big as the Renault Grand Espace but it costs only the same as a medium hatchback and it’s no wonder that so many families choose one.
Unusually in such large vehicles, it even has a fair amount of boot space with all seven seats in place.
There is a choice of two engines - a good 2.9-litre four cylinder turbo diesel and a smooth but thirsty 2.5-litre V6 petrol.
At launch in 1999, the 2.9 turbo diesel had only 125bhp, which made it pretty slow, but this was increased to a much better 143 and then to 185bhp in post 2006 models.
The gearchange grows out of the centre console, making a usefully flat floor, and there's enough space to walk through both front and middle row seats to get to the back.
The ride is excellent - up to the best in class, but while the handling is safe, it’s not as good as the SEAT Alhambra or Peugeot 807.
Interior
The Sedona comes with three rows of seats in a 2-2-3 pattern, which is unusual. The middle two seats swivel in some models but they cannot be removed.
Centre and rear seats are adjustable for legroom and equipment - including aircon - is good in all.
FAST FACTS
Kia Sedona TD
Price: Pay about £5,800 for an ’08 08-reg GS, £10,300 for a ’10 10-reg LS
Mechanical: 185bhp, 2,902cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 122mph
0-62mph: 15.5 seconds
Combined mpg: 36
Insurance group: 10
CO2 emissions: 206g/km
Main rival: Ford Galaxy
Motors.co.uk value verdict:
