Family Friendly Doesn’t Have To Mean Compromise: 2015 Kia Sedona Rocks A Road Trip
Guest Contributor
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The 2015 Kia Sedona impresses, with comfort, luxury & great safety features.
The first question people ask when you announce the arrival of your first, second or even more babies, is “when are you going to get a minivan?” In fact, minivans have been the brunt of parenting car jokes for years. Moms and dads swear up and down that they won’t succumb but in reality minivans are popular with families for a reason; they fit your life.
Easy navigation and a top-notch touch screen Credit: Sarah Pittard for AGirlsGuidetoCars
Does that mean that your minivan needs to be a lame mom-mobile? Not if you are driving the 2015 Kia Sedona.
The Kia Sedona is a mix of minivan and luxury car packaged nicely for families. With options like dual sun roofs, an Infinity surround sound audio system, and 19” chrome alloy wheels, no one is going to laugh at your ride.
Don’t be surprised if you get asked for a tour compliments of its good looks. Credit: Sarah Pittard for AGirlsGuidetoCars
Instead like me you’ll be surprised at the number of questions you are asked and people wanting to know more about the Sedona. I was surprised when the valet driver at a hotel we visited pulled me aside and asked me for a tour of the vehicle. He was a father of two and was blown away by the good looks and incredible features available in the Kia Sedona.
Safety features that rock
Finding our way in the Kia Sedona Credit: Sarah Pittard for AGirlsGuidetoCars
The Kia Sedona I test drove was equipped with the SXL Technology Package, which included a lane departure warning system, smart cruise control, surround view mirror and forward collision warning system in addition to the front and rear parking assist system.
Easy handling and a smart-looking dash. Credit: sarah Pittard for AGirlsGuidetoCars
I loved the cameras surrounding the van and found it easy to park, reverse and pull into small spots with ease. The lane departure warning system meant that lane changes were less stressful on busy highways with the kids laughing and chatting in the middle row.
Kid friendly features
Happy kids, happy parents. Credit: Sarah Pittard for AGirlsGuidetoCars
In reality, if you have a minivan you probably have kids. Maybe even a few of them. Kia thought of everything when assembling the 2105 Sedona, from integrated sunshades to swiveling electronic plugs that fit any kind of electronics charger your kids may need. The spacing in the van is also really easy to maneuver through, meaning less bumping into each other and complaining. I particularly loved the fold-in-the-floor 3rd row, which is a necessity for bringing home all those big boxed items your kids seem to need. In addition, we were traveling with 3 scooters and two large suitcases and had sufficient room in the trunk without folding down the seats.
Stylish and roomy with seating for seven. Credit: Sarah Pittard for AGirlsGuidetoCars
What did my kids love the most about the Kia Sedona? The magic doors. Forget about the days of tiny fingers being slammed in big sliding doors as the Kia Sedona is equipped with dual power sliding doors and a smart power tailgate. The doors and tailgate open and close at the push of a button and when shut by hand move slow enough that these accidents will be a thing of the past. If you don’t show your kids the button, it’s adorable to watch them yell “open sesame please” every time they approach the vehicle.
I particularly loved the remote keyless entry system that meant when I was lugging stuff for me and the kids, the car recognized when I was outside of it and unlocked the doors. I always got a kick out of the mirrors moving out as I walked by with the key as it was as if the Sedona was waving hello.
Minivan regret -I could have bought a Kia
Plenty of room for the kids and the comfort and quality you expect. Credit: Sarah Pittard for AGirlsGuidetoCars
The truth is that among parents you may hear of people fighting the urge to get a minivan but you don’t often hear of any after purchase regret. I recently traded in my minivan for a smaller vehicle and have been regretting it ever since. Had I seen the 2015 Kia Sedona when it was time to make the trade, I wholeheartedly believe I would have chosen it.
WHAT WE LOVED:
- Tri-Zone automatic climate control
- Luxurious ride for all passengers
- Easy to use navigation system
- Dual sunroofs that mean you can catch some rays with or without the kids joining in
- Front and rear parking assist system
- The SXL Technology Package: making the ride easier and safer for you and the kids.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Uses regular gas
- Gas mileage is 17 in the city, 22 on the highway; 19 overall
- Not yet rated for safety
- Base price: $39,700. Price for the model we drove, with SXL Technology Package: $43,295
- 10 year /100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty
- 5 year / 60,000 mile warranty
- 5 year / 60,000 mile roadside assistance
Note: The Kia Sedona was provided for a test drive; opinions expressed are my own.