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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday August 23, 2006 - 21 Auto EVERYTHING Kia Sedona underscores size with agility and flexibility FUSION By Richard Russell SPECIAL Kia continues to be the fastest growing automaker in the world. The relentless march into the mainstream and respectability, based on a steep learning curve applied to a steady stream of new product, is paying off. Kia might be South Korea's oldest automaker, with roots dating back to 1944, but it has been in Canada for only seven years. During that period, it and parent company, Hyundai, have become the seventh largest vehicle manufacturer in the world, selling more than 3 million units last year, only 223,000 shy of sixth place Peugeot-Citroën. While the perception might be that Kia's success results from inexpensive vehicles, the facts reveal a different picture, with only 23 per cent of sales coming from vehicles priced below $17,000. One-quarter comes in the $17,000-$20,000 range, 24 per cent in the $20,000-$25,000 area and 23 per cent in the $25,000-$35,000 bracket. For those doing the math, the remaining four per cent are above $35,000. All this by way of introducing the second-generation Sedona minivan. Not only is Kia's business growing, so is its customer base and acceptance as a mainstream player, here for the long term. Success in this industry requires a product range that offers existing customers a chance to move up. In the car segment the Kia ladder now has the Rio, Spectra, Magentis and Amanti. Sportutility vehicle buyers can go from Sportage up to Sorento. And now, Sedona owners can move up to the Sedona -- the new one that is. The second-generation Sedona is a definite move up from the first. It is larger -- the biggest minivan on the market. It is more powerful -- more horsepower than all but the Honda Odyssey, which it ties. The new Sedona is packed with standard features like sonar-based rear park assist, six airbags, ABS and tri-zone air conditioning, yet retains a cost advantage ranging from $2,000 on the low end to more than $10,000 at the upper end. Bill Porter, president and CEO of Kia Canada, says the Sedona is a key part of the company's business, accounting for about 20 per cent of sales volume. The lineup starts with the LX at $29,495. The $31,895 EX is expected to account for up to 65 per cent of sales. Optional power and luxury packages can be added to that. Kia's design team figured minivan buyers are more interested in the inside than the outside, so the new Sedona has plenty of neat features, storage solutions and seating arrangements. The second-row seats slide and recline and can be flipped and folded forward for easy access to the third row or removed. Passengers in that middle row will appreciate the power windows that slide down into the door. The third row folds completely into the floor and passengers in both second and third rows are protected by side-curtain airbags. In line with the move-up philosophy, the new Sedona is available initially only in long wheelbase format. This is a maxi-minivan, larger than anything else in its class. It is 200 mm (7.9 in.) longer and 15 mm (0.5 in.) taller than the first generation, and the wheelbase has grown 117 mm (4.6 in.). Interior space is up commensurately, and not only is there plenty of room in all three rows of seats, there is 48 per cent more cargo space behind the third row. Despite this, and a considerably stiffer chassis, the new Sedona weighs 70 kg (154 lb) less than the old. Ashort wheelbase version will follow in about one year. Motivation for the newer and lighter Sedona comes from a brand new, 3.8-litre V6 from the Gamma engine family. Producing 25 per cent more power than the current V6, this will be the bread and butter V6 for Kia. The standard transmission is a new 5-speed automatic. With 244 horses and 70 kg less weight to haul around, the new Sedona is positively sprightly. It also has plenty in reserve for those times when the seating or cargo capacity is being maximized. Despite its greater power, the new V6 provides 12 per cent better fuel mileage in the city and nine per cent more on the highway. A new independent rear suspension, combined with a sharp reduction in noise, vibration and harshness, puts the new Sedona at or near the top of the class in terms of ride, handling and long-distance comfort. During the intro we drove more than 500 km on a route through the mountains from Vancouver to Kelowna and appreciated not only the low noise levels, but the comfy seats as well. The Sedona is the fourth new Kia in the last year, following the Spectra, Sportage and Rio. 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