2006 Kia Sedona Minivan Unveiled at Chicago Auto Show

KIA MOTORS AMERICA PRESS RELEASE
Kia Motors America unveiled the the 2006 Kia Sedona minivan at the Chicago Auto Show. Already a popular choice for buyers looking for value, quality and safety, the completely redesigned minivan will offer more horsepower than its predecessor and will be substantially larger in all key dimensions, providing more passenger room and versatility.

New features found on the 2006 Kia Sedona will include a standard fold-flat-into-the-floor third-row seat and available power-sliding doors and liftgate. The 2006 Sedona is expected to go on sale in late 2005. Utilizing an all-new platform, the new Sedona’s longer wheelbase and increased length and width contribute to the minivan’s nearly 15-percent improvement in passenger room over the 2005 Kia Sedona. Fresh styling cues and additional standard and available equipment were designed to bolster Sedona’s established position as a safety and value leader in the highly competitive minivan market.

Peter Butterfield, president of Kia Motors America, Inc., stated “the 2005 Sedona was Kia’s best-selling vehicle and historically speaking it is an incredibly important vehicle for the company, so we paid careful attention to every detail during its redesign to make sure this new minivan lived up to the tradition of its nameplate. The all-new Sedona offers considerable upgrades, not just in styling and appearance, but in practical applications such as horsepower, safety equipment and standard and available features that will make it fully competitive in the segment with such minivans as the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey.”

The original 2001 Kia Sedona went on-sale that summer and quickly gained recognition for its tremendous value and generous list of standard comfort, convenience and safety features. In addition to earning the Federal government’s highest safety ratings of five stars for the driver and front and rear seat passengers in both frontal and side impact crash tests, the Sedona has earned the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award – 2002, Sport Truck Connection Television’s “Best Van” – 2002, 2003 Winner, Strategic Vision Total Value Index – 2002, 2004. The next-generation Sedona will continue Kia’s commitment to offering high levels of standard safety equipment.

With increased horsepower and torque, the all-new Sedona offers competitive power and performance in the minivan segment. Sedona’s new 3.8-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine is expected to generate more than 240-horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. This new aluminum block engine is mated to a five-speed Sportmatic™ transmission. Despite its increase in size, the new Sedona is expected to be significantly lighter than the previous model when compared on an equally equipped basis. With more power, less weight and a new chassis with 4-wheel independent suspension, the next-generation Sedona is designed to be more rewarding to drive than its predecessor and its competitors.

The 2006 seven-passenger Sedona is designed with generous dimensions and unibody construction to boost both passenger and luggage space, and greatly improved ride and handling. Adding to the Sedona’s space and versatility, flip and fold second row seats provide easy access to third row seating and a new, simple-to-operate 60/40 split-folding -into-the floor third row seat is standard on all models to create a larger flat cargo area when the seat is folded, and providing a large rear cargo box when the seat is deployed.

Available in two trim levels -LX and EX - the all-new Sedona maintains Kia’s tradition of high-value by offering a generous list standard features and amenities. Besides ABS, six airbags and a five-speed Sportmatic™ transmission, the Sedona LX also comes with tri-zone air conditioning, sliding door power windows, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, captain’s chairs for the second row and keyless entry with an alarm system.The Sedona EX adds a chrome grille, fog lights, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar, heated power mirrors, AM/FM/Cassette/MP3/CD stereo system, auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power rear quarter glass, compass, Kia Sedona roof rack and wood trim. Upgradeable options include leather seats with front seat heaters, seat and outside mirror memory settings for driver, backup warning system, power sliding doors, power liftgate, power adjustable pedals, power sunroof and a premium entertainment system featuring a DVD player and 11 speakers.

The 2006 Kia Sedona minivan will be covered by Kia’s comprehensive 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and five years of roadside assistance.