Design
The 2006 Kia Sedona is stylish inside and out, constructed with quality materials, and boasts a control layout that won’t befuddle distracted moms and dads.
Making a minivan stylish is a difficult task accomplished by few, but with the 2006 Sedona, Kia gets it exactly right. This minivan’s proportions are balanced, in part because Kia pushed the wheels out as far to the corners as possible but also thanks to its clean, crisp, chiseled character enhanced by a strong shoulder line that runs from the headlights to the taillights. The only miscue is the exposed door track on either side of the Sedona, but since most minivans have these, you don’t notice it…much. Look at the 2006 Kia Sedona in profile and you might be surprised to see a roofline that curves sharply over the front seats and gently tapers to the rear, providing a subtle and sporty look in combination with a beltline that gradually sweeps up toward the D-pillar. Body colored trim and privacy glass come standard on LX and EX, and the pricier trim level gets a few chrome garnishes for a more upscale appearance. The new Sedona features clear-lens headlights, stylish wheelcovers on the LX and twin-spoke alloys on the EX, and vertical tri-color tail lamps that integrate nicely with the rear of the van. Kia is working hard to design appealing interiors constructed of quality materials, because the company knows that this is where owners spend the most time. In the 2006 Kia Sedona, the materials are of decent quality, but the Sedona LX’s Raschel seat fabric borders on mouse-fur and its pattern could stand to be more subdued. EX models get a nicer standard Moquette fabric. Most impressive, however, is the leather that’s optional in the EX. It feels really good – soft, smooth, almost plush, yet the seat is perfectly supportive. The EX model also gets a fake wood trim bezel surrounding the controls in the center of the dashboard – LX versions are a bit stark, especially with the gray interior, though there are subtle chrome accents to help keep the cabin from looking cheap. In terms of control layout, the 2006 Kia Sedona’s buttons, knobs, and displays are all clearly marked, large, and operate with the dampened heft and refinement of a luxury car. The end result is the impression of quality, and of designers who bothered to take the time to consider how a minivan is really used. The last thing distracted moms and dads need is to hunt around for primary controls while cruising out of the Mickey D’s drive-thru with a demanding brood aboard.
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