Kia Sedona unveiled at Portomaso
Newly launched Kia Sedona continues to receive accolades when at last month's Chicago Auto Show MotorWeek announced its selection as 'Best Minivan' in its 2007 Drivers' Choice Awards. The recognition marks the first time KIA has received a Drivers'...
Newly launched Kia Sedona continues to receive accolades when at last month's Chicago Auto Show MotorWeek announced its selection as 'Best Minivan' in its 2007 Drivers' Choice Awards. The recognition marks the first time KIA has received a Drivers' Choice Award from the long-running automotive television programme.
"Sedona has been a smash hit with both consumers and the automotive press since its debut last year, and receiving this award from the venerable and well-respected team at MotorWeek is further proof of the impact the vehicle has had in the marketplace," Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of Kia Motors America, said.
MotorWeek evaluated more than 150 cars and trucks for this year's Drivers' Choice Awards, focusing on superior performance, technology, practicality and dollar value from the consumer's perspective. The winning vehicles were put through a battery of road and track tests as well as comprehensive comparisons to competitors.
"The second-generation Korean-branded design matches all the best features of its rivals, and then beats them in price and powertrain warranty," John Davis, executive producer, host and creator of MotorWeek, said.
"The leaps that KIA has made in perceived quality with each new vehicle are well documented and Sedona is just the latest example. From school bus to apartment moving, minivans are the most versatile vehicles on the planet, and this one is tops."
Powered by a 2.9-litre CRDi engine, standard features on the Sedona, which was launched by local agents Easysell Kia (Malta) Ltd of Qormi, last month in both LX and EX versions at Portomaso, include remote central locking, electric windows on all for doors (an improvement on the outgoing model), air-conditioning with vents on all seven seats, five-speed gearbox, power steering, courtesy lights, tray tables on seat backs and an improved interior.
There is a foot-operated park brake (creating more interior space), double airbag in front with side airbags, sunglasses holder and (on the EX) an altimeter. Prices start at Lm14,800 for the LX. The new Sedona is 4,810 mm long, 1,985 mm wide and 1,760 mm high (including roof rails that can carry up to 75 kg), it features rear sliding doors and can also come with rear tinted (25 per cent) windows.