Kia Sedona   Women's view

Families on a budget may find Kias Sedona People Carrier Appealing. Motoring writer June Neary checks it out

Ive always thought that People Carrying MPVs were a good idea. The problem is that Ive also always found them rather pricey. So I was interested in Kias latest Sedona, priced from around £15,995. Heres an affordable top-specification full-size people carrier for the price of smaller mini-MPVs like Renaults Scenic or Vauxhalls Zafira.

Or look at it this way: youre getting a big, fully-loaded seven-seater for Focus or Mondeo estate money. Among similarly-sized MPVs youd get little more than an entry-level model for what you pay for the top Sedona. If the Kia can deliver at this money without compromise, then it should be a winner and ideal for family buyers.

Customers who opt for cars like these want plenty for their money and the Sedona doesnt disappoint. All models from the entry-level GS model up have dual sliding rear doors and seven seats with an eight-way adjustable drivers seat. Removable seats have been fitted for those wishing to keep their chiropractor in club class, with both middle and rear rows able to be hauled out. This gives an absolutely cavernous load area that doubles up the Sedonas versatility.

Both the middle and third rows of seats can slide on runners and its possible to recline them and fold them in half but thats about the extent of the cars party pieces. The seats can come out too, of course, raising the carrying capacity of the Sedona from 364 litres to 1,753 when the rears come out and then 3,440 litres if you convert your Kia into a sexy two-seater. A walk through section between the front seats meant that I had Club Class style legroom in the second row. Gripes? Well, when the need arose to carry a lot of bags in the back, the rearmost seats had to be slid forward to their foremost extent and this limited legroom for adults.

I also thought that taller drivers may want a little more height adjustment on the front seats. Aside from that and an optional roof-mounted DVD screen that obscures rear view mirror vision, ergonomics are largely good.

This Kia also tops its direct rivals by offering a sophisticated 2.7-litre 24-valve quad cam V6 petrol engine. The alternative engine is a 2.9-litre, 16-valve direct injection turbocharged and intercooled diesel.

Consequently, Kia can claim the only V6-engined entry level MPV and one of the sectors most powerful turbo diesels - a 185bhp common-rail number in the CRDi. Automatic transmission is available, giving the Koreans another advantage as some European rivals dont yet offer a self-shifter with a diesel engine. Fuel economy, not always a People Carrier strongpoint, also looks reasonably promising. Dont expect the car to handle like the Ford Galaxy/VW Sharan/SEAT Alhambra-type rival you might also be considering.

But then exemplary on-the-limit road manners are not generally high up the priority list of customers for cars like these I suppose. On the road, I found the CRDi Sedona I tried to be a leisurely performer, accelerating to 60mph in 15 seconds, but at least its acceptably refined at cruising speeds (though accelerate it hard and it becomes a little vocal.

As Ive said, this is the Sedonas strongpoint. Not only do you pay less you also get plenty for your cash. The range opens with the GS, then moves up through LS to the well equipped TS models. Most get rear parking sensors while the top spec car also benefits from active headrests, ESP stability control and traction control for added security.

Even the entry-level variant gets air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, remote central locking, roof rails and a small conversation mirror so you can see what the kids are up to in the back. Move up to the LS and youll also get climate control, electric side doors, privacy glass, metal dash inserts and leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter. The top TS version is fitted with leather trim, cruise control, front seat warmers and electric adjustment for the drivers seat as well as 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Sedona isnt quite as classy to own or to drive as some of the other MPVs Ive driven. But then it costs a lot less. As a package, I thought it made a lot of sense. Families will want to try one.

21st February 2008