When the Sedona arrived, we were all excited, pleasantly surprised. It was an LS model, black, with rear tinted windows. Electric sliding rear doors were easy to open, but were quickly made child friendly with a disabling button on the front overhead console, and further child locks on the doors themselves. Even the rear quarter-light windows could be opened electronically!
Because of the sliding doors, we were able to get the kids in and out of the Sedona VERY easily despite there being very little space on the narrow part of the drive.
We pulled one of the 2 rear seats out in seconds, giving us a large boot for suitcases, bags and jackets. The seat was quite heavy, but fairly easy to carry. We noted roof rails were available if needed. Inside the car, there were compartments and drink holders everyway, including on a central folder-away picnic table between the driver and front passenger.
Our first journey was to Huddersfield for a party at a soft play area, followed by a second gathering in Wakefield. Our friends smiled at the Kia stating that it looked very smart. At the end of the day we took a couple of hours' trip down the motorway to Wigan for an overnight stay. The journey was comfortable and smooth with the suspension taking out all of the bumps allowing the kids to snooze. The hotel car park was on a steep slope which the Sedona handled very easily – aided by an automatic gearbox.
The next day we drove to Lytham St Annes, a lovely little town south of Blackpool. The weather was unusually hot, but the tinted windows kept the sun off the kids. The split cabin air conditioning also helped. We played children's songs on the CD player to drive the adults mad, but keep the kids quiet – then later used the radio to calm down. The stereo system controls here very easy to use.
Motorway driving was easy, but would have been helped with a speed limiter / cruise control. Gear changes were smooth and intelligent. The power was there when needed, but there was a 2 second delay. For the first day, the fuel gauge didn't appear to move at all.
At the end of the day, the Sedona was easy to spot in the car park being head and shoulders above most cars, and look smart even next to some other, far more expensive MPVs. We drove back to Wigan for another overnight stay.
The next day we went to Warrington for Gulliver's. The car park was full and the overflow, grass car parks were in use. The Sedona handled the grass well. We were concerned however, about keep the floor mats clean if it rained and the grass became muddy (it didn't) – and so put some sheets down in the car. After Gulliver's, we drove home.
The next day we drove to Skipton using minor roads. The Sedona felt bigger than a standard car, but handled OK around corners.
Once the fuel gauge started moving, it seemed to move quicker than you'd expect, but, it was a big car with a 2.8l engine.
The next day we set off for the east coast, and Bridlington. Some friends had told us that a marina was going to be built there and that the town was picking up again. To our delight, we found a small fair with a mini London-eye still big wheel. It was expensive, but a pleasant experience. At the end of the day, we drove up the coast to Scarborough to sample the vibrancy, before returning home.
The Kia was fun to drive, and fun for the passengers, and we were sad to see it go. Most of all, we'll miss the 3 full sized ISOfix seats in the centre row.
Hotel
Lytham St. Annes Windmill
Bridlington