Driving Experiences With New Sedona

geolehman · 03-22-2006, 11:21 PM

Just bought my wife the new loaded Sedona. Drives confidently and solidly. Great power, all the extras work perfectly. According to computer only 15 mpg the first 150 miles of 50/50 city-rural road driving. Anyone else willing to say they paid as much for a Kia as they might have paid for a Japanese vehicle? Will likely have to run into ground to get full value for money from this but looks like a vehicle that should last awile.

Am thinking these Kias (have had a Rio, now have a 2005 Spectra, & bought son a 2004.5 Specta) are very good vehicles. New 2007 Hyundai van looks to be identical, should help raise awareness that Kia has reached parity with other players as Hyundai has a very good reputation here abouts.

Tried out van on back country road with frost boils, potholes and 90 year old aunt-in-law in the middle seat. Sedona did not display one rattle, and was firm and well controlled. Auntie did not complain!

Formerly have had several Grand Caravans, latest with sport suspension, were good
vans but not in league with the new Sedona. George in Wisconsin.

bert · 03-23-2006, 05:52 PM

Hi George,

My wife and I bought a Grand Carnival a few weeks ago and are very happy with it (as are the kids). I agree with you about the power and general driving experience, and share your concern about the mpg. It's probably still a bit early to be certain about fuel usage.

I was interested in your comment regarding paying the same amount for a Kia as for a Japanese vehicle. Things are a bit diffferent here in Australia. The cost of a base model people mover/minivan with side curtain airbags (an essential for us given our kid carrying requirements) down here is ...

Kia Grand Carnival (3.8l 5 speed auto) = $38,500
Honda Odyssey (much smaller vehicle than US model with 2.4l 4 cyl with 5 speed auto) = $45,000
Toyota Tarago (2.4l 4cyl with 4 speed auto) = $50,000
Chrysler Voyager (3.3l 4 speed auto) = $56,000

Given these costs, the Kia was really the only option for us. Add to this the fact that it is more spacious and 50% more powerful that the competition, and I am confident that we made the right buying decision.

Bert.

kzoogene · 03-23-2006, 06:15 PM

Bert,

Were those prices $US or $A? $A I hope...........

Kzoogene

bert · 03-23-2006, 06:22 PM

Kzoogene,
Yep, these are Australian dollars, so may be of ne direct relevance to you guys in the US. Just thought you may be interested.
Bert.

kzoogene · 03-23-2006, 06:28 PM

Bert,

Was just curious, the difference in price is what is startling! But is probably about the same here, except that the Honda would be about same as Toyota. Honda claims a premium in the Great Lakes area anyway. Probably so many in Calif. that they come a little cheaper there.

Kzoogene

geolehman · 03-23-2006, 06:46 PM

Good to hear from you.

When saying cost the same am comparing a loaded Sedona to base Japanese .... and hard to get a Toyota or Honda van here without paying a premium and waiting.

Don't have a need for all the extras, I still drive my 1982 VW camper all summer without air etc., but am pampering the Mrs. The memory seats will especially suit as she cursed me every time she had to readjust the mirrors and seat. The auto adjust pedals will hopefully keep her head and chest away from the air bag, she was too close in our previous vehicle.

Regarding economy we are in early spring and at freezing in the day to 5 degrees C below at night, seems to take 15-30% at least away from my other vehicle's mileage. Figure in 5-10% for break-in (I hope) and possible to match or exceed the Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3L we just traded. Lets compare notes in the time to follow! George

bert · 03-23-2006, 07:16 PM

George,
Our weather is a bit warmer here at present. It is down to 34 degrees C today, but was 44 degrees C the day we test drove a black Grand Carnival which had been sitting on the dealer's lot all day. At least we were able to test that the aircond works well in this model.
The airconditioning has been running constantly so far, and am sure this impacts on economy. As suggested, will compare notes later.
Bert.

Esses · 03-25-2006, 02:16 AM

Kia Grand Carnival (3.8l 5 speed auto) = $38,500
Honda Odyssey (much smaller vehicle than US model with 2.4l 4 cyl with 5 speed auto) = $45,000
Toyota Tarago (2.4l 4cyl with 4 speed auto) = $50,000
Chrysler Voyager (3.3l 4 speed auto) = $56,000

And don't forget that you can still get the "old" model Carnival (2.5 V6/5-sp manual/4-sp auto) for $29 990-00 drive-away. Ours is now (12 500 km) averaging 25 mpg in town & up to 30 mpg highway.

ahfrederick · 03-27-2006, 10:41 PM

Well it looks as those you all are happy with the change KIA made to the Sedona. The wife and I are IMPRESSED with the new looks and the features it has. I got an email from KIA (prolly like the rest of you) to test drive the Sedona and get a $25 Gift Certificate to Best Buy/Target/etc.. whatever you choose. NEWayz, still haven't done that just yet.. but hopefully sometime this week!

kruhland · 03-28-2006, 09:22 AM

I didn't get an email, so I emailed Kia to see if it was a manufacture incentive or a dealership incentive. Out of curiousity.