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SPACE ACE

Families on a budget may find Kia’s Sedona People Carrier Appealing. Motoring writer June Neary checks it out.

A Woman's View - Will It Suit Me? I’ve always thought that People Carrying MPVs were a good idea. The problem is that I’ve also always found them rather pricey. So I was interested in Kia’s latest Sedona, priced from around £15,995. Here’s an affordable top-specification full-size people carrier for the price of smaller mini-MPVs like Renault’s Scenic or Vauxhall’s Zafira. Or look at it this way: you’re getting a big, fully-loaded seven-seater for Focus or Mondeo estate money. Among similarly-sized MPVs you’d get little more than an entry-level model for what you pay for the top Sedona.

The Practicalities

Customers who opt for cars like these want plenty for their money - and the Sedona doesn't disappoint. All models from the entry-level GS model up have dual sliding rear doors and seven seats with an eight-way adjustable driver's seat.

Removable seats have been fitted for those wishing to keep their chiropractor in club class, with both middle and rear rows able to be hauled out. This gives an absolutely cavernous load area that doubles up the Sedona's versatility. Both the middle and third rows of seats can slide on runners and it's possible to recline them and fold them in half but that's about the extent of the car's party pieces. The seats can come out too, of course, raising the carrying capacity of the Sedona from 364 litres to 1,753 when the rears come out and then 3,440 litres if you convert your Kia into a sexy two-seater. A ‘walk through' section between the front seats meant that I had Club Class style legroom in the second row.

Gripes? Well, when the need arose to carry a lot of bags in the back, the rearmost seats had to be slid forward to their foremost extent and this limited legroom for adults. I also thought that taller drivers may want a little more height adjustment on the front seats. Aside from that and an optional roof-mounted DVD screen that obscures rear view mirror vision, ergonomics are largely good.

 

"If the Kia can deliver at this money without compromise, then it should be a winner – and ideal for family buyers."

Behind the Wheel

This Kia also tops its direct rivals by offering a sophisticated 2.7-litre 24-valve ‘quad cam' V6 petrol engine. The alternative engine is a 2.9-litre, 16-valve direct injection turbocharged and intercooled diesel. Consequently, Kia can claim the only V6-engined ‘entry level' MPV and one of the sector's most powerful turbo diesels - a 185bhp common-rail number in the CRDi. Automatic transmission is available, giving the Koreans another advantage as some European rivals don't yet offer a self-shifter with a diesel engine. Fuel economy, not always a People Carrier strongpoint, also looks reasonably promising.

Don't expect the car to handle like the Ford Galaxy/VW Sharan/SEAT Alhambra-type rival you might also be considering. But then exemplary on-the-limit road manners are not generally high up the priority list of customers for cars like these I suppose.

On the road, I found the CRDi Sedona I tried to be a leisurely performer, accelerating to 60mph in 15 seconds, but at least it's acceptably refined at cruising speeds (though accelerate it hard and it becomes a little vocal.

Value for money

As I've said, this is the Sedona's strongpoint. Not only do you pay less - you also get plenty for your cash. The range opens with the GS, then moves up through LS to the well equipped TS models. Most get rear parking sensors while the top spec car also benefits from active headrests, ESP stability control and traction control for added security.

Even the entry-level variant gets air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, remote central locking, roof rails and a small ‘conversation mirror' so you can see what the kids are up to in the back. Move up to the LS and you'll also get climate control, electric side doors, privacy glass, metal dash inserts and leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter. The top TS version is fitted with leather trim, cruise control, front seat warmers and electric adjustment for the driver's seat as well as 17-inch alloy wheels.

Could I Live With One?

The Sedona isn't quite as classy - to own or to drive - as some of the other MPVs I've driven. But then it costs a lot less. As a package, I thought it made a lot of sense. Families will want to try one.