Comfort
The 2006 Kia Sedona EX is more comfortable than the LX, thanks to front seat armrests that actually work as armrests and nicer standard fabric or optional leather. The Sedona’s third-row seat is tight for adults.
Though the 2006 Kia Sedona is 15-percent larger inside than the previous model, accommodations in the third-row seat are tight at 34 inches of leg space. Chrysler, Dodge, Honda, and Toyota all offer more room for the way-back bench. Plus, the Sedona’s third-row cushion is hard, flat, and mounted rather close to the floor, lacking proper thigh support for adults. Taller people banished to the back of the bus will have their legs flush against the second-row plastic seatbacks, but foot space is decent. We’d recommend reserving these spots for kids only – especially on longer trips. In terms of comfort behind the wheel, the Sedona LX rates OK. The LX is equipped with a manually-adjustable driver’s seat that includes a seat-height adjuster, but those who like to sit tall need to know that as you crank the seat higher, the bottom cushion flattens out so you feel like you’re getting dumped toward the dashboard. Good thing that even at its lowest setting, the driver’s seat sits high enough that you don’t feel like you’re sitting on the floor. The LX has a tilt steering wheel, but it does not telescope and the Sedona’s power adjustable pedals are only offered on the EX trim, which also has an eight-way power driver’s seat. The driver’s seat in the Sedona LX did not soothe, the armrests did not ratchet and lay limply down near the driver’s lap, and we didn’t cover enough miles to determine what long-distance comfort might be. More seat track travel would be appreciated to keep longer-limbed drivers from resting their right legs on the hard plastic of the lower center console. The Sedona EX’s eight-way power leather chairs were better, partly because they came with ratcheting armrests for proper height adjustment. The upper door panels in the LX are upholstered in cloth that seems vulnerable to soiling over time, while the EX had an easy-clean vinyl – both were softly padded. Both models also offer manual lumbar support for the driver, and the front passenger’s seat sits high off the floor making it quite comfortable even if it lacks height adjustment. The Kia Sedona’s second-row seats slide fore/aft and recline to maximize leg room and comfort, a big benefit over the fixed rear chairs in the Dodge Grand Caravan. These standard captain’s chairs are firm, supportive, and sit tall, but could use a bit more thigh support for adults. However, after settling in over a 50-mile ride, we enjoyed cross-your-legs comfort.
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