Perfect case in point is the Kia Grand Sedona people carrier that I've been rolling in - and I kind of use "rolling in" in a weak attempt to sound hip and vaguely gangster-ish. I'm sure it doesn't really work, but anyway. This big machine fulfills pretty much every automotive cliché, albeit in a good way.
It "drives like a car"
Bulk aside - and it's 5 155mm long, which is just fractionally shorter than the outgoing model - it's as easy to pilot as any smaller vehicle that you care to name. In fact, it's a deeply soothing machine to drive, with a 2.2 litre turbodiesel putting down 147kW and 440Nm between 1 750 and 2 750rpm. Power runs to the front wheels via a six-speed auto gearbox, and while there's also a 3.3 litre V6 petrol engine available, that's going to drink a little.
It's not just the driver who benefits. Kia designers say that "first-class air travel" was a major influence behind the design and layout of the cabin, and the Grand Sedona seats seven easily and comfortably, while there are also 11-seater variants in the range.
It has "everything that opens and shuts."
It is well specified
The high-spec SXL here comes with a 12-way power-assisted driver's seat. Front seats are also heated and ventilated, while the two main second-row seats are heated, too.
The two sliding rear doors are power operated, while inside the cabin where all is premium and upscale, you get a seven-inch TFT LCD screen that displays all journey information, plus an admittedly too-small 4.3-inch LCD TFT touchscreen that shows the rear parking camera as well as audio information. And speaking of audio, the SXL here comes with eight Infinity speakers.
Cruise control is standard, of course, so is front and rear parking assistance, a tilting and telescopic steering wheel, a dual-sunroof, and stowage space and cupholders aplenty. Another clever touch is that each passenger row can independently set is own air-con settings. Cleverer yet is that the seats are covered in anti-pollution upholstery allowing for liquid stains to be easily wiped away if noticed immediately. Pretty useful if you're toting kids.
It's "as safe as houses."
Body integrity and crash safety is hugely up over the previous model, and buyers get the likes of:
- BSD (Blind-Spot Detection)
- LCA (Lane Change Assist)
- RCTA (Rear Cross-Traffic Alert)
- ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
- Eight airbags
It has won awards
This big handsome beast recently won the JD Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) award in the Minivan, or Large MPV, segment. Plus the Grand Sedona was included on the influential Ward's 10 Best Interiors list last year.
Pricing and ownership
Yours for R679,995 - including, of course, Kia's five-year/150,000km warranty, and a five-year/100,000km maintenance plan.
An awful lot of vehicle, quality, and kit for the money.
