Kia Offers Glimpse of New Sedona
Kia’s picture released today again references an MPV, further suggesting the brand wants to move away from the “minivan” segmentation of previous generations.
April 10, 2014
Kia releases yet another teaser image of the ’15 Sedona today, ahead of the vehicle’s debut next week at the 2014 New York International Auto Show.
The automaker says the Sedona rides on an all-new platform and will have Hyundai/Kia’s 3.3L gasoline direct-injected V-6 engine, as well as Kia’s UVO infotainment system.
Today’s image is the first time Kia has assigned the name Sedona prior to the debut. Previous releases on the model have referenced the automaker debuting a new “multipurpose vehicle” in New York.
Kia’s picture today again references an MPV, further suggesting the brand wants to move away from the “minivan” segmentation of previous generations.
At the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Kia showed a concept, the KV7, described as a van, not a minivan.
“All we’re trying to show is we can challenge the perception of what the traditional minivan is and show there is a different way of executing it,” Michael Sprague, executive vice president-sales and marketing for Kia Motors America, told WardsAuto of the KV7.
In later interviews, Sprague said Kia still was debating whether the Sedona would take on the boxier, more Soul-like shape of the KV7 or retain traditional minivan proportions.
Today’s image suggests the latter, with more of an extended nose and rounded roofline.
As it sold down the current-generation model in 2013, Kia delivered just 7,079 Sedonas last year, off 59.6% from 2012’s volume.
The Honda Odyssey was WardAuto’s Small Van segment-leader in 2013, with 128,987 deliveries.
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