The Sacramento Bee's view

Is it safe? … Man, is it ever!

The reworked-for-2006 Kia Sedona has pulled off one of the greatest doubles in auto safety engineering history.

Not only did it win the top-drawer, five-star safety rating from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it also was awarded a Gold Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2006. In IIHS crash tests, the Sedona had top ratings in frontal, side and rear impacts.

“The Sedona is the best minivan we’ve tested,” said IIHS President Adrian Lund.

That’s super-impressive in this day and age.

And yet, many of you are likely thinking right now: Yeah, but it’s still a minivan.

OK, so it’s not exciting. I’ve been over this ground before.

Here’s what is exciting: Mom can drive six kids to soccer practice and be reassured that if some red light-running moron smacks into her Sedona, chances are that everybody is going to survive the crash in good shape…including the vehicle.

But what can a Kia minivan offer beyond that? Let me count the ways.

The tester was the Sedona LX, the cheaper of two trim levels with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $22,995 — a nice number in an era of $30,000-plus vehicles for transporting more than five.

For that price, Sedona LX buyers get standard features that include electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, triple-zone air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, removable second-row captain’s chairs and fold-into-the-floor third-row seats.

The package includes the sensational Kia limited powertrain warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles. And needless to say, the safety package is all-encompassing. The Sedona is awash in air bags, active head restraints, crumple zones and impact-absorbing materials.

It’s hard to imagine feeling better in any other uncool vehicle on the market.

While minivans may get a bad rap on the cool-factor front, it does not mean tepid performance, certainly not with the ’06 Sedona.

During my week in the vehicle, the 3.8-liter, 24-valve, dual-overhead-cam V-6 engine with 244 horsepower performed with a good amount of gusto.

No, it did not snap my head back during hard accelerations, but the V-6 did emit a growl not normally associated with a minivan. And it easily whipped into freeway traffic and zipped up hills with a full load of passengers.

The Sedona can tow an additional 3,500 pounds, if you wish. Handling was sedan-like. Steering was pretty much effortless; I was surprised how easily the Sedona snaked around tight parking lots.

Seating in all three rows was comfortable, although those in the third row might need to squirm to avoid a tangle of legs. The center stack of controls was stylish and easy to use.

The Sedona’s exterior is definitely minivan-like, but the aerodynamic shape is pleasing.

With the second-row seats removed and the third row folded, cargo-carrying capacity is a whopping 141.5 cubic feet. That’s enough to carry a few soccer balls … and maybe the soccer goal posts.

Nice touch: The small folding table with four cupholders between the front seats. Two couples can use it to stop and play a few hands of bridge, while enjoying four beverages. By the way, the cupholder count from bumper to bumper is 14.

Gripes? I have a few:

— There was a little too much sway for my comfort level in a prolonged curve taken at 55 miles per hour. I found myself backing off the gas to preserve that all-important center of gravity. I never felt on the verge of losing traction — just a little more lean than I liked.

— My field of vision from the driver’s seat seemed limited, prompting me to swivel my head around like a manic gerbil whenever I backed out of a parking space.

— The Sedona is not a Corvette. OK, that’s not its fault, but you would think so from the way modern motorists get their kicks by gleefully dissing minivans.

As for me, I’ll accept a minivan for what it is — a nimble carrier of people and cargo. Throw in dozens of standard amenities, a monster warranty and a bulletproof safety record, and I’m feeling pretty good about the Kia.

Uncool maybe, but good.

KIA SEDONA AT A GLANCE
Make/model: 2006 Kia Sedona LX
Vehicle type: Seven-passenger, four-door, front-drive minivan
Base price: $22,995 (as tested, $23,815)

Engine: 3.8-liter V-6 with 244 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 253 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm

EPA fuel economy: 18 miles per gallon city; 25 mpg highway

Transmission: Electronic five-speed automatic with overdrive

Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion

Brakes: Power-assisted, four-wheel discs on front and rear (with anti-lock and other braking-enhancement features)

Suspension: Independent, MacPherson strut-type on front; multi-link on rear (coil springs and stabilizer bars front and rear)

Fuel tank: 21.1 gallons

Interior volume: 172.3 cubic feet

Maximum cargo volume: 141.5 cubic feet

Curb weight: 4,387 pounds

Track: 66.3 inches on front and rear

Height: 69.3 inches

Length: 202 inches

Wheelbase: 118.9 inches

Width: 78.1 inches

Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds

Tires: P225/70R16 all-season radials

Port of entry: Irvine

About the writer: The Bee’s Mark Glover can be reached at (916) 321-1184 or mglover@sacbee.com.