Getting into a Sedona could prove painful. Maybe I’m the problem, but on two different occasions the exterior door handles pinched my fingers, resulting in at least one blood blister. Good thing the Sedona supplies a welcoming interior.
Generally impressing and never depressing, the quality of the Sedona SXL’s interior materials is, in many respects, a step above expectations. The upper half of the cabin is, for the most part, rendered in soft-touch materials that look and feel good. The bottom half of the cabin is, for the most part, composed of durable, low-gloss plastic that’s easy to clean.
Kia’s latest interior design ethos emphasizes a horizontal control-panel layout employing large buttons and knobs arranged in logical groups. This makes it easy to perform commonly used functions, though on one occasion the infotainment screen did not show the climate control system’s temperature setting when I cranked up the heat, which led to some frustration as we tried to determine just how hot it would eventually get inside the Sedona.
Stain-resistant fabric is standard for the Sedona L and LX models, an important detail that should not be overlooked. Leather seats are included in the EX and SX. The SXL comes standard with soft, premium Nappa leather, but if you want that second-row center seating position, which slides forward to put a baby even closer to Mom and Dad, then you’ll need to accept a downgrade in terms of leather quality.
Both of my test vehicle’s front seats offered heating, ventilation, and multiple power adjustments, and the Sedona SXL is equipped with a heated steering wheel. With nighttime low temperatures in the mid-30s, I actually used that latter feature on my early morning run to the airport. Both front seats offer excellent comfort, impressive thigh support, and soft places to rest both arms while driving.
Depending on the trim level, heated second-row seats, rear climate controls, and sliding-door window sunshades enhance comfort for outboard passengers. To mix and match legroom and comfort for everyone aboard the Sedona, the second-row seats slide forward and back on tracks in the floor, which have large enough gaps to easily swallow cereal, gummy bears, or even smaller toys. Instead of placing the seats on a pedestal with integrated sliding adjustment, the tracks are necessary to facilitate Kia’s Fold-N-Stow approach to maximizing cargo volume.
Basically, the Fold-N-Stow second-row seats collapse vertically against the front seat backs in order to serve two purposes. First, it helps with loading passengers into the third-row seat. Second, it precludes the requirement of removing the second-row seats in order to maximize cargo space.
Fold-N-Stow is not standard for the Sedona SXL, because this version of the van is equipped with so-called “first-class lounge seats.” My test vehicle’s 8-Passenger Technology Package swapped these out in order to install a removable jump seat between the two outboard seating positions, and Fold-N-Stow came along for the ride.
The center jump seat is useful for new parents who want their child secured in the center of the Sedona, which is the safest location in the vehicle. It slides forward to put the child closer to the front seats, and when it's not in use, the seatback folds down to provide a center console with cup holders and a small storage tray.
Adults can ride in the Sedona’s third-row seat, though it lacks cushioning and thigh support compared to other seating locations. Overhead vents help with heating and cooling this area, and side window shades are available to reduce sun glare. Note that when children are riding in the third-row seat, their heads are 25 inches away from the rear glass, nearly double the distance offered by the Kia Sorento crossover SUV.
A height-adjustable, hands-free power tailgate and a rechargeable flashlight mounted to the side of the cargo area help to make loading luggage easier. Simply stand behind the Sedona with the key fob on your person, and the tailgate powers itself open after a few seconds. The well behind the third-row seats can hold 33.9 cubic feet of cargo. If you fold the 50/50-split third-row seats into the floor, the Sedona supplies 78.4 cubes of cargo room. Slide the Fold-N-Stow seats forward, and maximum capacity measures 142 cubic feet.
By the way, those first two measurements are just short of what a Chevrolet Suburban provides, while the Sedona’s maximum capacity number exceeds that of the leviathan SUV.