Used Kia Sedona MPV 1999 - 2006 review

The Sedona is a Chrysler Voyager-sized people-carrier at what looks like a bargain price. However, don't think you're getting a modern, versatile MPV that drives well - you're not.

Instead, you get a roomy, unpretentious seven-seater with, at best, mediocre road manners.

The seven seats are arranged in a two-two-three layout and, on earlier cars, the rear three-seat bench was fixed and not designed for easy removal. Later cars offer a symmetrically split rear bench that lifts out - but it's incredibly heavy.

In either case, three children will fit on the rearmost row, but three adults will be cramped. The other two rows offer plenty of room, and the sliding rear doors make access easy.

The engines are passable, and the ride won't upset your passengers. But, the vague steering, so-so handling, sloppy gearchange and jerky throttle won't please the driver.

Equipment levels are decent, but there is no standard-fit alarm or deadlocks, which makes it vulnerable to thieves.

The Sedona gives you a lot of space for the price, especially the cheap V6 petrol version. All in all, that's probably the main reason people are attracted to a Sedona. However, it isn't such a bargain to run.

For a start, the V6 is likely to manage only 25mpg or so - and that will drop quickly if you like to hurry or drive in stop-start traffic.

The diesel fares noticeably better - reckon on mid-30s with sensible driving - but you have to balance the saving in fuel costs against the higher initial purchase price. For low-mileage drivers, the diesel may not make financial sense.

Insurance won't be too hefty, though - group 10 or 11, depending on trim level. And, that's just as well, because this is not a cheap car to maintain.

Typical service costs over three years are among the highest for a big seven-seater and will be hundreds dearer than, say, a Ford Galaxy, Citroen C8 or Renault Espace.

The 165bhp 2.5 V6 petrol needs to be revved, and performance is only as good as most rivals' 2.0-litre engines - but the thirst is decidedly 2.5 V6.

However, it sounds good and you can pick up a V6 much more more cheaply than the diesel, so it can make financial sense for low-mileage drivers.

Overall, though, the 2.9 CRD diesel is a much better engine. It's noisy, even on motorways, but its stronger mid-range pull means you don't have to work it so hard. It also has a range of over 570 miles per tank.

Both engines come with either a sloppy manual gearbox (which we prefer) or a performance-sapping auto.

All cars have air-con, front electric windows and a CD. LE adds alloy wheels, while SE - our favourite - gives you leather seats, an electric sunroof and automatic wipers, and SE+ adds side steps and reversing sensors.

Hunt down a cared-for example in the classifieds or, safer but dearer, buy from a Kia dealer. MPV specialists are worth a look, too.