Click image to enlarge Images courtesy: Kia

All-new in 2006, the Kia Sedona receives a slight horsepower increase, from 244 hp to 250 hp, and the EX with Luxury Package now receives a rear-seat DVD entertainment system as standard equipment.

The Sedona uses a 3.8-litre V6, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Seating is seven-passenger, with second-row captain’s chairs that flip and fold with the touch of a lever, or that can be removed entirely; the 60/40 third-row seat folds completely into the floor.

Features on the LX include 16-inch steel wheels, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, front seat side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, heated mirrors, variable intermittent wipers with de-icer, intermittent rear wiper/washer, CD stereo with six speakers, air conditioning with tri-zone controls, power second-row and third-quarter windows, power locks with keyless entry, cruise control, tilt steering column, and front-row folding extendable centre table.

The EX adds 17-inch alloy wheels, eight-way power driver’s seat, fog lights, roof rails with crossbars, wheel-mounted audio controls, leather-wrapped wheel and trip computer with compass.

The EX Power adds power-adjustable pedals, auto-dimming mirror, garage door opener, dual power sliding doors and power liftgate.

The EX Luxury adds electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist system, electronic brake distribution, power sunroof, automatic climate control, heated leather seats, driver’s seat memory and woodgrain accents.

The Sedona is a sister car to the Hyundai Entourage – although the base Kia is $500 less than the base Hyundai. Both are also the only minivans to earn top ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS in crash tests. There are less expensive people-haulers available, but the Sedona’s size classifies it as a long-wheelbase model, so be sure you’re comparing apples to apples, and don’t forget all those airbags.