SEDONA & BE QUIET AT THE BACK (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 120

If you're in the market for a used MPV, you're probably a reluctant purchaser. This is a necessity buy rather than something that's going to stir your blood. As such, surely it makes sense to minimise your expenditure and go for the value option. At least that's what Kia hopes is the case with its Sedona seven-seat MPV model. Why not take one step further and let somebody else swallow that initial hit of depreciation? A used Sedona lessens the pain of having to wave goodbye to 2+2 sports coupes. If your better half is understanding, maybe that's where the saving you make on a used Sedona could go. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?

Modelsword count: 13

Models Covered: (5 dr MPV 2.5 petrol, 2.9 diesel [S, SX, GSX, Executive])

Historyword count: 263

The Kia Sedona was introduced to UK buyers in September 1999 alongside the Shuma hatch and the Clarus saloon. This all-out assault failed to garner much of a beach head on these shores, but undoubtedly gave Kia dealers something to shout about. The Sedona was a revelation. How could anybody pitch a seven-seater MPV with a generous level of standard trim and a modern V6 engine at prices which started from under £14,000? Value for money was always the primary weapon in Kia's arsenal, but with the Sedona they had wheeled out the big stick, the weapon of mass destruction that would slay all rivals with its overwhelming cheapness. Except that it didn't happen like that. People still bought their Ford Galaxies, Renault Espaces and Scenics as if they'd been living on a diet of fertility treatment and oysters. The range consisted of two engine choices, a 2.5 V6 petrol unit as used in the top Rover 75, and also the 2.9-litre turbocharged and intercooled diesel. Trim levels ran through S, SX, GSX, and Executive, each with the option of an automatic or manual transmission. 2001 saw the introduction of a 143bhp common-rail diesel engine and a facelift for the Sedona. Revisions to the Sedona's exterior included revised front bumpers and headlamp clusters. Probably the most noticeable change was the deletion of the old car's 'toothy' front grille, replaced in this instance by a smoother slatted number. A wider rear screen and smoother rear bumpers completed the facelift and bottom tuck. A new bigger Sedona showed up in 2006 to replace this model.

What You Getword count: 364

Should you manage to land a used Sedona, you'll get an awfully large piece of nearly new vehicular real estate for your money. All models from the entry-level S model up have dual sliding rear doors and seven seats with an eight-way adjustable driver's seat. Kia has mounted the gear lever or automatic transmission selector high on the centre console, allowing a walk-through layout with easy access from parents' front seats to the kids in the rear. Having just two seats in the centre allows you to walk right to the back row to read the riot act, too. The twin 'captain's chairs' in the second row can be swivelled to face the front or rear and also slide forwards or backwards. The individual second row seats fold forward to provide work tops for those in the rear row which can also slide forward and back to vary the luggage-to-people ratio. To maximise luggage space when carrying four, you can fold the rear seat vertically and slide it forward. It also reclines or turns into a bed. The first two rows all have armrests and only the centre rear head restraint isn't height adjustable. Rear passengers can control their own heating and cooling and there's a six-speaker stereo system for music throughout. Standard equipment on the base S model includes driver and front passenger airbags and a side impact protection system, power adjusted and heated door mirrors, front electric windows, electric aerial and variable-delay wipers. Nor must we forget eight interior lamps, 11 cup holders and numerous storage bins. Move on up to the SX and you gain alloy wheels, air conditioning and anti-lock brakes. The GSX adds electric folding door mirrors (well worthwhile if you often park on narrow streets), electric driver's seat adjustment with pneumatic lumbar support, an electric tilt/slide sunroof, electric rear side windows and remote central locking. Finally, there's the Executive with full leather upholstery, leather steering wheel and a radio/CD player with extra speakers, plus steering wheel remote controls. At this level, you're getting a very generous amount of equipment for money that would get you only on to the lower rungs of the European or Japanese MPV ranges.

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