Automotive Reviews
Posts tagged Kia
2009 Kia Sedona
01184 days
“It’s a minivan,” was the comment from my copilot when we picked up the Kia Sedona.
“Well, that much is obvious,” I replied.
“No, I mean it’s seriously a minivan. It’s not trying to be anything else at all.”
That observation sums up the Kia Sedona nicely, actually. This minivan isn’t trying to be stylish, or appealing to your active lifestyle, or even dazzling you with high technology and amenities. It isn’t trying to pass itself off as a “crossover” vehicle or any kind of SUV. The Kia Sedona is a minivan, dammit. That’s what some people need, and that’s exactly what the Sedona offers; pure, undistilled minivan-ness at a decent price.
If you’re looking for a minivan, style is a secondary concern. The Sedona’s got handsome lines that don’t stand out much. At a glance, it looks to be a couple of years behind the styling curve, with a droopy nose, a plain grille bisected by a body-colored strip and upright lines. The Sedona’s rear is a study in indifferent styling. Short- and long-wheelbase models are offered.
If you’re looking for a minivan, you want three-row seating that’s comfortable enough for adults front to rear, and you’ll find that here. Dual power sliding doors open widely enough to let everyone inside, and there are enough cupholders for everyone. The rear seat folds into the floor when it’s not needed on long-wheelbase (LWB) models, opening up over eighty cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats and there are still over thirty cubic feet available when it’s in place. The entry-level short-wheelbase (SWB) Sedonas have a removable third-row seat. Folks who want to load their minivans up with options are usually out buying $40,000 Honda Odysseys, but the Sedona will set you up with standard Sirius satellite radio, and air conditioning, an available leather interior, power rear vent windows, power tailgate, DVD and a new-for-2009 navigation system, if you’d like. From the driver’s seat, there’s a nice, predictable instrument panel, a handy convex mirror for keeping an eye on preadolescent passengers, and a tallish seating position that’s friendlier to short-legged drivers than long-legged ones.
If you’re looking for a minivan, you don’t have anything to prove when the light changes, and the Sedona’s 3.8 liter 24-valve V6 engine offers an adequate balance between power and efficiency. The engine produces 250 horsepower, enough to keep the Sedona competitive with some of the surprisingly powerful minivans out there. The relatively light throttle kicks out the generous low-end torque a bit harshly, giving the impression that the Sedona’s perhaps faster than it really is, but is twitchy once up to speed and difficult to modulate. The five-speed automatic Sportmatic transmission is smooth and the Sedona offers a comfortable freeway ride. It doesn’t appreciate being driven aggressively, a common trait among minivans.
If you’re looking for a minivan, you’re more concerned about adequate braking and family safety than cornering ability. Four-channel, four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution are a vital part of this package, naturally. Front,side and three-row side-curtain airbags are standard equipment. The Sedona picks up a five-star safety rating from NHTSA. A tire pressure monitor offers early warning for potential blowouts. The four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear end keeps the Sedona on all fours with a minimum of waddle or head-toss, so it’ll do. Traction control and electronic stability control are also included on all Sedonas.
If you’re looking for a minivan, you’ve got plenty of other things calling for attention from your budget, and Kia absolutely excels at making vehicle purchases easier on the wallet. Prices remain reasonable, with a base Sedona coming it at just over $20,000. My tester was a long-wheelbase, top-of-the-line Sedona EX, and it stickered for $32,220, putting it in the heart of the SUV market. Kia’s 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is also along for the ride. If you’re looking for a minivan, the Kia Sedona might be your destination. And if you’re not looking for a minivan, why did you read this far?
Specifications: All specs are for the 2009 Kia Sedona EX LWB.
Length: 202.4 in.
Width: 78.1 in.
Height: 69.3 in.
Wheelbase: 113.8 in.
Curb weight: 4600 lb (est.)
Cargo space: 32.2 cu.ft (all seats up); 141.5 cu.ft. (all seats folded)
Base price: $26,195
Price as tested: $32,220
Engine: 3.8 liter 24-valve DOHC V6
Drivetrain: five-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 250 @ 6000
Torque: 253 @ 3500
Est. mileage: 16/23
2009 Kia Borrego
01255 days
Rather than bursting onto the three-row SUV scene, the Borrego slipped quietly in the side door, nodding politely to anyone who caught its eye but not making a big production of its arrival. It’s got seven seats, enough power to tow and haul, and comfortably burly styling, and that’s enough to get it into the club.
Big deal or not, this vehicle represents a number of important milestones for Kia. In addition to being the largest Kia product offered in the U.S. to date, it’s also the first to be offered with a V8 engine. The Borrego is an important step in broadening Kia’s lineup, enabling the young Korean company to compete with Toyota, Ford and other mainstream, high-volume manufacturers.
The Borrego is handsome, with bold, muscular lines and a big grinning Kia family grille. The wide stance and squared-off styling make it look larger than it is in photos. The sloped front end is nicely styled. LED turn signal repeaters in the mirrors and chrome detailing give the Borrego an upscale look. From a distance it’s a bit more anonymous, blending effortlessly with the herd of Explorers and Durangos, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The kicked-up rear window has hints of Lexus GX470, and it’s no surprise that a couple of onlookers asked if the Borrego was a Lexus. The monochromatic, top of the line Limited provides a bit more distinction with blacked-out trim and chrome accents on the door handles.
Passenger capacity is par for the course. The third-row seats are tight but fold neatly into the floor. The second row has ample legroom, and of course the front seats are comfortable enough for road trips. The cabin is rationally laid out almost to the point of being generic. Kia offers a generous list of standard equipment, including standard SIRIUS satellite radio and a backup alarm. Options include a rear-seat entertainment system with an eight-inch screen and a voice-activated navigation system, just to keep the Borrego current with the rest of the class. The Borrego Limited offers exclusive content, such as Bluetooth connectivity, a pushbutton start, smart key and heated rear seats.
Suburban accouterments aside, this is a real truck, with a separate body riding on a strong hydroformed frame. The Borrego rides on a double-wishbone front suspension with a multi-link rear. Coil-over springs are used front and rear. The ride quality is decidedly sloppy, especially on rough pavement. The Borrego’s smooth and steady on the freeway, but road irregularities set the large tires and optional eighteen-inch wheels to bouncing and the soft-ish suspension to porpoising, resulting in a decidedly truckish ride. It doesn’t feel confident in emergency maneuvers, though it never exhibited any signs of losing control.
Though the handling is competent, Kia hasn’t skimped on the safety equipment either. Electronic stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes are standard equipment. For off-roading, hill-start assist and hill descent control keep the Borrego sure-footed. A tire pressure monitoring system is also included. Front, side and side-curtain airbags are par for the course; the knee airbags available in the V8-powered Borrego are above and beyond.
V8 power means that the Borrego doesn’t want for acceleration or capability. Kia’s all-new all-aluminum 4.6 liter V8 is a DOHC unit that puts out 337 horsepower, making it among the most powerful in the class. The Borrego will tow up to 7500 pounds. Fuel economy is surprisingly respectable, at 15/20 in V8 models, and this mid-sized SUV provides adequate power on the freeway and around town. The V8 is nearly silent, making for a calm cabin. A 276-horsepower 3.8 liter V6 is also offered. The V8 comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive Borregos use a Borg-Warner Torque-On-Demand system that automatically transfers power to slipping wheels.
Kia’s ten-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty applies to the Borrego as well. It’s a good, solid first-time entry into the market for Kia. Now the trick is to make it more interesting. For the time being, the pricing is, as it always is with Kias, a compelling reason to overlook a lack of distinction. Borrego pricing starts at just over the $30,000 mark, with a decently-equipped four-wheel drive EX like my tester stickering for $32,995. Add in a navigation system, sunroof, leather interior and luxury package and you’ll still have a Borrego that comes in under $40,000.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2009 Kia Borrego EX.
Length: 192.3 in.
Width: 75.4 in.
Height: 71.3 in.
Wheelbase: 114.0 in.
Curb weight: 4621 lb.
Cargo space: 12.4 cu.ft. (all seats up); 97.6 cu.ft. (seats folded)
Towing capacity: 7500 lb.
Base price: $32,995
Price as tested: $39,295
Engine: 4.6 liter DOHC V8
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 337 @ 6000
Torque: 323 @ 3500
Fuel capacity: 20.6 gal.
Est. mileage: 15/20