All-New 2006 Kia Sedona Debuts at the Chicago Auto Show
Completely Redesigned Minivan Adds More Room, More Power
And More Standard Safety And Convenience Features Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the all-new 2006 Kia Sedona minivan at the Chicago Auto Show. Already a popular choice for buyers looking for value, quality and safety, the completely redesigned minivan will offer more horsepower than its predecessor and will be substantially larger in all key dimensions, providing more passenger room and versatility. New features found on the all-new Sedona will include a standard fold-flat-into-the-floor third-row seat and available power-sliding doors and liftgate. The new Sedona is expected to go on sale in late 2005.
Útilizing an all-new platform, the new Sedona's longer wheelbase and increased length and width contribute to the minivan's nearly 15-percent improvement in passenger room over the previous Sedona. Fresh styling cues and additional standard and available equipment were designed to bolster Sedona's established position as a safety and value leader in the highly competitive minivan market.
'Sedona was Kia's best-selling vehicle in 2004, and historically speaking it is an incredibly important vehicle for the company, so we paid careful attention to every detail during its redesign to make sure this new minivan lived up to the tradition of its nameplate,' said Peter Butterfield, president of Kia Motors America, Inc. 'The all-new Sedona offers considerable upgrades, not just in styling and appearance, but in practical applications such as horsepower, safety equipment and standard and available features that will make it fully competitive in the segment with such vehicles as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.'
The original Sedona went on-sale in summer 2001 and quickly gained recognition for its tremendous value and generous list of standard comfort, convenience and safety features. In addition to earning the Federal government's highest safety ratings -- Five Stars -- for the driver and front- and rear-seat passengers in both frontal and side impact crash tests, the Sedona has received quite an impressive list of accolades, including:
• AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award – 2002
• Sport Truck Connection Television's 'Best Van' – 2002, 2003
• Winner, Strategic Vision Total Value Index – 2002, 2004
Safety First 
Serving as Kia's flagship safety vehicle, the original Sedona received the company's first Five Star crash rating for each seating position from the Ú.S. government. The next-generation Sedona will continue Kia's commitment to offering high levels of standard safety equipment, including six standard airbags (dual advanced front and front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags for all three seating rows).
Sensors controlling the front supplemental restraints determine the position of the seat, whether the seat belt is buckled, whether the front passenger seat is occupied, and the severity of a frontal impact before deployment.
A four-channel, four-sensor, anti-lock brake system (ABS) is also standard. This system incorporates electronic brake force distribution (EBD), which helps to distribute braking force to all four wheels in proportion to weight shifts during cornering. The EBD adapts to individual wheel grip conditions, which helps to improve both control and stability.
Additional standard safety equipment will include a tire pressure monitoring system and
active front seat headrests, while features such as an electronic stability program (ESP) and a traction control system (TCS) with brake assist will be available as part of an option package.
Enhanced Performance
With increased horsepower and torque, the all-new Sedona offers competitive power and performance in the minivan segment. Sedona's completely new 3.8-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine is expected to generate more than 240-horsepower --a 30-percent increase over the previous powerplant -- and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. This new aluminum block engine is mated to a five-speed Sportmatic™ transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)
Despite its increase in size, the new Sedona is expected to be significantly lighter than the previous model when compared on an equally equipped basis. With more power, less weight and a new chassis with 4-wheel independent suspension, the next-generation Sedona is designed to be more rewarding to drive than its predecessor and its competitors.
The new Sedona's four-wheel independent suspension system is comprised of MacPherson struts with coil springs and a stabilizer bar in the front, while the rear suspension uses a multi-link design with coil springs and a stabilizer bar.
Stopping power has increased with the addition of a power-assisted four-wheel-disc braking system with larger diameter vented front disc brakes (11.7-in.) and solid rear disc brakes (11.9-in.).
Sedona models come with new, larger wheels and tires, including 16-inch steel wheels and 225/70 R16 tires or 17-inch alloy wheels fitted to 235/60 R17 tires.
Spacious, Adaptable and Comfortable Competitively sized, the new seven-passenger Sedona's generous dimensions and unibody construction boost both passenger and luggage space, and greatly improved ride and handling. Adding to the Sedona's space and versatility, flip and fold second row seats provide easy access to third row seating and a new, simple-to-operate 60/40 split-folding -into-the floor third row seat is standard on all models to create a larger flat cargo area when the seat is folded, and providing a large rear cargo area when the seat is deployed
Available in two trim levels -- LX and EX -- the all-new Sedona maintains Kia's tradition of high-value by offering a generous list standard features and amenities. Besides ABS, six airbags and a five-speed Sportmatic™ transmission, the Sedona LX also comes with tri-zone air conditioning, sliding door power windows, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, captain's chairs for the second row and keyless entry with an alarm system.
The Sedona EX adds a chrome grille, fog lights, eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar, heated power mirrors, AM/FM/Cassette/MP3/CD stereo system, auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power rear quarter glass, compass, roof rack and wood trim.
In addition to the LX and EX models' standard equipment, the all-new Sedona will offer several option packages for maximum convenience and entertainment. These options include: leather seats with front seat heaters, seat and outside mirror memory settings for driver, backup warning system, power sliding doors, power liftgate, power adjustable pedals, power sunroof and a premium entertainment system featuring a DVD player and 11 speakers.
Like all of Kia's vehicles, the 2006 Sedona will be covered by Kia's comprehensive
5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and five years of roadside assistance.
Pricing for the all-new Sedona, which will go on sale in late 2005, will be announced closer to launch.
Source - KiaAll-New 2006 Kia Sedona Reinforces Kia's Power to Surprise
Completely Redesigned Minivan is Larger, More Powerful and
Outfitted With Abundant Standard Safety and Convenience Features When the Kia Sedona first went on sale in summer 2001, it quickly gained recognition for its tremendous value and generous list of standard comfort, convenience and safety features. Among the accolades garnered in its premier year were the Strategic Vision award for 'Best Value' and the AutoPacific 'Vehicle Satisfaction Award.' The original Kia Sedona also received the company's first Five Star crash rating for each seating position from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Now, the completely redesigned, all-new 2006 Sedona continues the tradition of this nameplate, while offering more horsepower, larger dimensions and additional standard and available equipment, along with fresh styling cues and America's leading warranty.
2006 Kia Sedona Positioning Offering great value with a high level of standard features at a low price, the all-new Sedona is poised to contend in the highly competitive minivan segment that includes Dodge Grand Caravan, Chevrolet Úplander, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest, Saturn Relay and Ford Freestar. With a new 3.8-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine generating 244-horsepower – a 25-percent increase over the previous powerplant – Sedona offers class-leading horsepower. Sedona also provides customers with class-leading standard safety, including dual advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags and full-length side curtain air bags for protection in all three rows of seating. Additional standard safety features include front active headrests, electronic stability control (ESC), ABS with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), a traction control system (TCS) with brake assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
'The all-new Sedona presents a host of high-end, standard and available, value-added features, making it the best-equipped and most powerful minivan ever in Kia's continuously enhanced model lineup,' said Len Hunt, Kia Motors America executive vice president and chief operating officer. 'It is yet another example of Kia's exciting and enabling product offerings that extends throughout our entire line of vehicles.'
2006 Kia Sedona Positioning
'The Sedona is perfect for families with children as well as empty nesters because of its attractive looks, thoughtful practicality and numerous upscale amenities,' said Ian Beavis, vice president, marketing, Kia Motors America. 'And with its combination of class-leading power and safety it has a clear advantage in the segment.'
For Kia, the launch of the all-new Sedona follows the successful introduction of several new products. In the last four years, the Kia product lineup has grown to nine vehicles, with more customers shopping the Kia brand than ever before. The all-new Sedona arrives as Kia continues to create a larger presence with a broader range of products that offer high levels of quality, value and safety for American consumers.
Like all vehicles sold by Kia Motors America, the 2006 Sedona is covered by Kia's comprehensive 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and five years of roadside assistance.
Source - KiaAll-New Kia Sedona Earns Five Star Safety Rating From U.S. Government
Five Star Ratings Achieved for Frontal and Side Impact Crash TestsIRVINE, Calif., April 5, 2006 – The all-new Sedona minivan has earned the highest possible safety rating -- five stars -- for all seating positions in the latest frontal and side impact crash tests by the Ú.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Completely redesigned for the 2006 model year, the all-new Sedona builds upon a commitment to safety that was established with the first generation minivan, which earned the company's first five star crash rating when it debuted in 2002. The 2006 Sedona continues to offer a high level of standard safety equipment, including six standard airbags, front active headrests, electronic stability control (ESC), ABS with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), a traction control system (TCS) with brake assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
'We are extremely pleased with the all-new Sedona's performance and resulting five star rating in NHTSA's recent testing,' said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of Kia Motors America. 'The latest five star rating is further proof of our commitment to building high quality vehicles with unprecedented levels of standard safety and convenience features.'
With a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) that starts at $22,995, the all-new Sedona combines great value with a high level of standard features and equipment. In the recently completed January-to-March sales period, the Sedona had its best-ever quarterly sales with more than 17,000 units sold.
Available in two trim levels, LX and EX, all models feature an all-new, more powerful 3.8-liter 24-valve V6 engine, producing class-leading 244 horsepower. A longer wheelbase and increased length and width in comparison to its predecessor contribute to the minivan's nearly 15-percent improvement in passenger room over the previous Sedona. Comfort and convenience equipment such as fold-in-the-floor third row seating, three separate climate zones covering all three rows and available power remote-operated side doors and rear lift gate were designed to bolster Sedona's established position as a safety and value leader in the highly competitive minivan market.
Source - Kia2006 Kia Sedona Honored With 'Top Safety Pick' by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Kia Minivan Earns Top Honors for All-around Impact Crash TestsAlready having earned a five-star safety rating from the Ú.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the all-new 2006 Sedona minivan now has been awarded the Gold Top Safety Pick for its impressive performance with top ratings in frontal, side and rear impact crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
'We are extremely proud to learn that the Sedona was recognized yet again for its commitment to safety,' said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of Kia Motors America. 'Being the first minivan to earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick is yet another example of Kia's dedication to providing quality vehicles equipped with the highest level of standard safety features available.'
In order to receive a Gold Top Safety Pick Rating from IIHS, the vehicle must receive a rating of 'Good' – the Institute's highest rating – in all three categories of frontal, side and rear impact tests. Among the eight current minivan designs the Institute has rated, the Sedona is the only one that earns 'Good' ratings in all three Institute tests.
'The Sedona is the best minivan we've tested,' said IIHS President Adrian Lund. 'Other minivans have earned good front and side ratings, but they haven't achieved a satisfactory level of rear crash protection. The Sedona stands out as the first to get a clean sweep of good ratings across the board.'
The all-new 2006 Kia Sedona was the only minivan tested by IIHS equipped with standard active head restraints, and it stood out above other minivans in that it not only performed well in frontal and side impact crash tests, but also in rear impact safety tests.
'Many manufacturers haven't paid as much attention to occupant protection in rear crashes, compared with front and side crashes,' Lund points out. 'Kia deserves credit for designing the Sedona's seat/head restraints for protection in one of the most common kinds of commuter traffic crashes.'
Completely redesigned for the 2006 model year, the all-new Sedona builds upon a commitment to safety that was established with the first generation minivan, which earned the company's first five-star crash rating when it debuted in 2002. The 2006 Sedona continues to offer a high level of standard safety equipment, including six standard airbags, front active headrests, electronic stability control (ESC), ABS with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), a traction control system (TCS) with brake assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
Source - Kia
