Oaklee’s guest post by Jasmine from SimplyRealMoms.com
Earlier this month I was invited by Kia Motors to attend their media introduction of the 2015 Kia Sedona and 2015 Kia Soul EV. If you have been following Simply Real Moms then you know what a huge fan I have become of Kia and I was excited to get behind the wheel of both vehicles, especially the Kia Sedona.
Ever since I can remember I have had a negative taste in my mouth for minivans. I can’t really pinpoint why but they remind me of a car for older, stay-at-home moms. Moms who have around 4-5 children, and I swore I would never own one. I have been inside a few minivans and have even driven one for 3 months during a campaign but I was never sold. I consider myself a very modern mom. I like things that look good and I like to drive vehicles that make me feel young because, well… I am. I refuse to drive anything that makes me feel older than I am and a vehicle I would be embarrassed driving my children around in. Until recently I had never met a minivan that fit into the look and feel I wanted in a vehicle.However that all changed the minute I sat inside the new 2015 Kia Sedona.
It was a beautiful day in Southern California. TerriAnn, my drive partner from DrivingMamas.com, and I walked out of the presentation room to choose which Sedona we would be driving for the day. As I glanced at the 20 something Sedona’s waiting to be driven I couldn’t help but notice how attractive the design was. Something that has honestly never crossed my mind before in a minivan (I will use the word “minivan” loosely as Kia is referring to the 2015 Sedona as a multi-purpose vehicle). With European-inspired styling similar to that of a CUV, the Sedona definitely caught my eye.
Kia has done some serious cosmetic surgery to the exterior of the 2015 Sedona. They’ve stepped up their game and added some dramatic changes like a bolder, more aggressive front grille, LED daytime running lights, and a more sport looking body. Once we chose our Sedona, we hopped into the MPV, buckled up and prepared to take off on our drive route.
During our drive we had driver switch points which allowed us both to get time in the driver and passenger seats. I claimed the passenger seat as mine for the first leg as it allowed me to get familiar with the vehicle before driving it.Once TerriAnn and I were cleared we were on our way. From freeway, to country we took the Sedona all across Southern California.
The 2015 Sedona was impressive with minimal noise and a smooth ride. From a passenger’s stand point the seating inside the MPV was extremely comfortable. I mentioned on several occasions I could see myself taking the Sedona cross country. The plush leather seats hugged as you sat in them and really offered a luxurious feel.
The back seats offer innovative first class lounge style seating. Your children and passengers will forget they are in a MPV with these fully extending head and foot rests and reclining seats. Yes, even the third row reclines.
The 2015 Kia Sedona is available in both 7 or 8 seat capacity. As a mom to only two boys, I have learned the importance in extra seating and could definitely see myself utilizing the 7 seating capacity as we usually have friends or family in town.
The back seats can be moved around with ease. Whether you need to move them forward, back, or remove completely, Kia made it easy. When the back seating area is not needed, Kia introduced an industry first with their slide-n-stow. Slide-n-Stow converts passenger mode to cargo mode instantly. For back seat passengers, they can enjoy features made for technology with a USB input and an outlet to plug their electrical devices in.
Now I know as a parent the most important question is… does it come equipped with a DVD player? Unfortunately the answer is no and looks like Kia has no plans to add this option any time soon. I know this is a deal breaker for a lot of parents however, word is they will be introducing a package you can add to the Sedona that will be centered around an iPad. So we will see once more details are released. For me, I really wish Kia would consider adding the DVD player as an option. I would definitely pay more up front then having to install a third party DVD player somewhere else.
Kia made the right change when they moved the shifter to the center console in the 2015 Sedona. This design re-change really opens up the driver and passenger areas and allows that 8″ screen to be in the spotlight. The dashboard inside the 2015 Sedona is also driver focused as all the instruments are slightly turned towards the driver. Not really noticeable to the passengers, but definitely a huge difference to the driver. Kia is stepping up their A game with some of the safety features found in the Sedona. On that beautiful 8″ screen, backing up has never been made so easy and so safe. While backing up the screen turns into a split screen where you not only get your normal back up camera view, but you also see an aerial view of your car. Seriously can not begin to tell you how amazing and helpful this is.
Along with the new back up camera feature, you can find great safety features like: Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, and Smart Power Lift Gate which will auto lift the door to the cargo area as long as you are standing near it with your key fob. No need to worry about where your key is or that your hands are full with either the kids, groceries or both!
One of the most impressive safety features is actually for you parents with teenagers, teenagers who are of driving age. Parents of teens will love the UVO technology in the 2015 Kia Sedona as you can set curfew, speed limit, and location alerts in the car.
The 2015 Kia Sedona, whether you call it a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, really changed my mind on how I view this type of vehicle. I honestly forgot on several occasions I was driving a “minivan” as it drove aggressively, more like a CUV/SUV. I drove the Sedona up mountains and down, over the speed limit, and was able to keep up with a sports car. Once it proved to me it can keep up with my active lifestyle, I was sold.
The 2015 Kia Sedona will be available in 5 models and you will be happy to know they will be starting under $26,000 and topping out at about $40,000. Affordable, attractive, and for any one really, even if you don’t have children.
Stay tuned for our first impression of the 2015 Kia Soul EV, but in the meantime…. check out TerriAnn and my parody to Katy Perry’s California Gurls. Kia put us to the test to change the lyrics of any song about California to be about Kia and not only did we deliver, we won 3rd place!
Thanks again Kia for an amazing event, as always!
Disclosure: Kia flew me out to Southern California. All expenses were paid. However opinions are 100% my own.
About Jasmine
Jasmine is the Co-Founder of Simply Real Moms. She resides in Northern California with her husband and two sons, Ethan and Austin. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay area where she studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Her current passion is traveling. She wants to travel the world and give her children the memories she wished she had growing up. Being able to show them the world is something you can never teach, it’s an experience. When she isn’t traveling with her family you can find Jasmine behind the wheel of the latest cars, attending baseball games, or wine tasting her way through the Napa Valley.