Kia Sedona Minivan-2015

PREVIEW

The modern minivan class welcomes few newcomers. Perhaps that's because Honda, Toyota and Dodge/Chrysler have so thoroughly dominated the arena for years. Kia is not a newcomer, but its minivan has, at best, only picked at the fringes. The Korean automaker aims to change that with the 2015 Kia Sedona.

A strong character line from the front fender to the rear panel gives the new Sedona a crisp and creased look, enhanced by a similarly sculpted hood and front end. Eyebrow headlights flank a subtle variation of Kia's signature tiger-nose grille, and both the compact front and rear-end designs lend the new minivan a crossover-like presence. There's even a bit of Ford Explorer in the Sedona's rear quarters, which is not a bad thing at all, even if rear visibility is bound to suffer as a result.

The 2015 Sedona is built on an all-new chassis, yet retains most of its predecessor's dimensions. A 1.6-inch longer wheelbase opens up more legroom in all three rows and the Sedona is now available in both seven- and eight-passenger configurations. You can even opt for executive-class second-row seats with retractable leg rests. Second-row seats also slide forward and fold upright (against the front seatbacks) for optimal passenger- and cargo-carrying flexibility. An optional hands-free liftgate makes easy work for overloaded arms.

The Sedona's new body construction features added high-strength steel, adhesives and welds for improved rigidity. At the same time, revised suspension components and tuning should improve handling without sacrificing ride quality. Improved acoustic treatment should also help tame road and wind noise.

The 2015 Sedona gets a new 3.3-liter V6 engine -- the same one found in the Sorento crossover and Cadenza sedan -- rated at 276 horsepower. It pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.

To compete against established models, the Sedona's cabin will need to be resilient enough to endure a whirlwind of children, pets and cargo while still offering the premium, comfortable feel minivan buyers expect. Kia's newest models suggest this won't be a problem, offering some of the best bang-for-buck interior features and materials, including synthetic leather upholstery (Napa leather for the top-end SXL trim level), heated seats and the impressive Uvo voice command entertainment system. A high-power USB charging port and a 115-volt AC outlet ensure occupants' mobile devices won't run out of juice.

The Sedona will also offer most modern safety features, including forward collision alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and a 360-degree camera view.

The 2015 Kia Sedona arrives at dealers around October. Kia says pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date, but expect the Sedona to start well south of its Honda and Toyota rivals (which start around $25,000 and $27,000, respectively) and closer to the $21,590 starting price of a Dodge Caravan. Check back for a full review, including specs, driving impressions and buying advice as it becomes available.