Four variants of the all-new Sedona, Kia’s replacement for the Carnival II, go on sale this month. The Korean has a long list of standard features and is priced to compete with the Chrysler Voyager and other stalwarts of the MPV brigade.
Four variants of the all-new Sedona, Kia’s replacement for the Carnival II, go on sale this month. The Korean has a long list of standard features and is priced to compete with the Chrysler Voyager and other stalwarts of the MPV brigade.
Kia Motors SA spokesman Justin Levy told CARtoday.com that the Sedona was completely different to the Carnival and aimed at customers between the ages of 28 and 45, most of them married, family orientated, practical and sensitive to value.
The exterior design of the Sedona is sleeker, or at least less overtly bus-like than that of its predecessor. The front of the Sedona is characterised by a wide colour-coded bumper, chunky grill, four-level headlamps (incorporating a load-levelling device), fog lamps and an air-intake cover on the bonnet of the two diesel-powered models. Other exterior details include recessed chrome door handles, dual sliding doors, large folding mirrors, an integrated roof rack, body-coloured bumpers and seven-spoke 15-inch alloy wheels.
The interior has a 2-2-3 split seating configuration with independently controlled middle and rear air vents and removable seats with adjustable armrests and headrests. Leather trim is standard throughout the range, as are air-conditioning, ABS, central locking, dual airbags, electric windows, electric drivers seat, keyless entry remote control system, power steering, cruise control and a radio/tape/cd combination sound system.
The driver’s seat is eight-way electrically adjustable and there are volume control buttons on the steering wheel. Seatback tables, under-seat trays, cup holders, shopping bag hanger with hooks and a 12V power outlet complete the interior fitments list.
The Sedona will be available in two engine configurations, a 2,5 V6 petrol and 2,9 CRDi.
The quad-cam 24-valve 2,5-litre V6 has an electronically-controlled variable-flow intake system and produces maximum power of 101 kW at 5 600 r/min and 224 N.m of torque at 4 000 r/min. Power is transferred to the front wheels via an electronically controlled four-speed automatic five-speed manual transmission.
The 2,9-litre four-cylinder 16-valve common rail direct injection diesel engine delivers 106 kW peak power at 3 800 r/min and 310 N.m of torque at 2 000 r/min. The model will also be available with either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.
Kia says its CRD engine was constructed with vibration-reducing aluminum and mounted to the frame with oil-filled rubber bushings.
The suspension system comprises MacPherson struts (with a stabilising bar in front) and five-link coil springs with nitrogen-filled gas shock absorbers. The wheelbase is 2 905mm long and the front and rear track 1625 mm wide.
Apart from the dual airbags, the safety specification includes an energy-absorbing steering column that collapses to prevent injury in the event of an impact, pre-tensioning three point safety belts and a high-mounted brake light.
The Sedona 2,5 manual costs R249 995, 2,5 automatic R259 995, 2,9 CRDi manual R254 99 and 2,9 CRDi automatic R269 995. All models are sold with a three-year/100 000 km warranty, one-year/unlimited km roadside assistance and three- year/60 000 km maintenance plan.
