Yeah, I'm really interested as to when this is going on sale. From what we've heard in terms of news, I'd say we're still a way's off. August would be my guess at the earliest?
It's interesting to note that the Sedona is still Kia's top seller.....that's pretty odd, considering the various segments they compete in.
I'll be trading in my 2001 KIA Sportage for this van. From the one website linked on this forum http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_chicago/sedona/pages/z16Sedona.htm It states: 2006 Kia Sedona ON SALE: Late 2005 ESTIMATED PRICE: about $20,000 Heck yeah, I'll be buying one as soon as my butt gets back to the states. Look out dealers come June 06. So are least I get to read y'alls review while I'm waiting for my date to return to the states.
Looks like the 06 Sedona is the "VQ" in the home market. The noticeable difference is a slightly goofy headlight treatment. I tried posting a link but it didn't work. It was shown at the Seoul Motor Show and you can probably find it with a search for 2005 Seoul Motor Show.
I like the front end on the VQ looks better than the US version. I tried waiting for the 06 but my 96 S-10 died got an 05 LX Sedona for $15,800 I am really impressed at this price I doubt there will be any deals on the 06 for a while.
I think the Kia Motors logo they use on the Korean Sedona looks a bit nicer. Anyone know if the logo is available in the aftermarket in the U.S. or if Kia is considering using the Korean logo here in the States? I know that the Korean electronics company, LG, recently switched from using their Lucky Goldstar badge to the smiley face, which they had used in Korea for years.
Looks like there will be yet another version of the 06 Kia Sedona. It will be the Hyundai Entourage introduced in spring 06. The few details available imply that it is essentially a Sedona. I would guess it would have a few cosmetic changes.
Shoot, I'd pay $28,000 if the Entourage has a nav system and everything the 2006 Sedona is supposed to have. It would still be $10,000 less than an Odyssey Touring, be as well or better equipped (opening third row windows and memory seat that controls more than just the seat), and you wouldn't be forced to accept the PAX run flats.
Yeah, I could probably see the EX-L with nav and res, although we have really gotten used to the memory seats in our two VW Passats. But still, at $28,000 or even $30,000 or so, the Entourage would be $4,000 to 6,000 less than a less-than-comparably equipped Ody (and again have real memory seats and opening third row windows).
You're right mrblonde49, the 2006 Sedona spec sheet does not reflect a nav system. That's exactly one of the things that I am hoping the Entourage, presumably more upscale than the Sedona, will add---to help make the Entourage more upscale and help distinguish it from the Sedona.
By the way, Edmunds is reporting that the Entourage will begin production in November and go on sale in mid-January as a 2007 model (I'm assuming that means November, 2005 and January, 2006). That's sooner than I had thought. That means the Entourage would go on sale approximately six months or so after the new Sedona.
I continue to believe, against the mainstream view, that Kia is being positioned as the higher-end brand. Or at least Hyundai *plans* to position Kia as the higher-end brand. I swear I read that a while back in a magazine (which doesn’t necessarily make it true). Still, nobody around Town Hall seems to agree.
Currently, the XG350L max price is $27,299 MSRP. The Amanti, which is mechanically similar, tops out at $29,860 MSRP. That's a big $$ difference. Plus, Amanti offers Electronic Stability Control; I believe this is not available on XG350L. Similarly, the Kia Optima midsize sedan’s max price is a few hundred dollars higher than the Sonata’s. Plus, Kia has had a minivan the past 4 model years which is one of the most expensive vehicles in the Hyundai/Kia stable. No minivan yet for Hyundai.
If Hyundai truly is the higher-end brand of the 2, then why aren’t the similar Hyundais more expensive than the similar Kias?
Either way, I anxiously await the arrival of the new 2006 Kia/Hyundai minivans.
the next generation Hyundai Azera is supposed to be more "upscale" than the Amanti.
I'm hoping the Entourage will have Navigation... Honda wants $34K for the Odyssey with NAV, and I'm certainly willing to pay it, (although I'm sure I can get it for less than MSRP) but if Hyundai can come in with a cheaper entry that has a longer warranty, I'll put the Entourage right at the top of a list that includes:
Honda Odyssey EX-L RES-NAVI Toyota Sienna XLE w/ Pkg. 8 Ford Freestyle Limited (the 2006 ordering guide says it's getting a Navigation system)
I probably won't be buying a new van until the end of 2006 at the earliest, so the Entourage/Sedona should be out by then...
Absolutely correct. At least as an option on the Entourage, assuming that is truly the upscale of the two upcoming minivans from Kia/Hyundai. All of the big players in the minivan segment offer nav systems (although the Dodge/Chrysler screen is, as I remember, so small and low as to be of restricted usefulness). The nav system in the new Ody would be a good system to emulate (large, easily viewable, voice commands, rear view camera on the Touring, etc). I'm counting on the Entourage having a nav system. Otherwise, except for some sheetmetal changes, how else could it make much differentiation between itself and the new Sedona?
have we gotten so lazy and addicted to technology that we can't drive to the grocery store or grandma's house without one... I can't think of but one instance in the last year that I would have needed one... not that I haven't used my big wal mart map ... love it ... jeesh what a waste of money ... i know most every where I go ... and the time i might could have used one in the strictest sense of using one ... I didn't really need one ... I was in a strange city ... Ft Lauderdale going on a cruise.... jeesh if I had been that lost I could have stopped for directions for free ... how much would you pay me to sit in your car and tell you where to go...
oh if i was in a screen on your dash for a thousand bucks and made you pay for satellite service then you would pay me....
if they stick the satellite system in for free or say one hundred dollars give me one ... enlighten me as to why this is an option that we all need to pay more money for ...
I'm not saying it isn't cool or gee whiz or if everybody else has one ... i wouldn't want one too ... but seriously i didn't need one yesterday ... and I drove all over the place ... i didn't get lost ... i know where I'm going 999 times out of a 1000 and for the one in a thousand it's not the end of the world to ask for directions ... is it? I can get some peanuts and coke when I do ... the satellite system doesn't offer that benefit does it... if I'm going stop for a soda, might as well get some directions.
are some of you driving out in the dessert, preparing for armageddon, think you may go where the mountain goats go ... I'm travelling on generally well marked US highways...
satellite system ... competitive need, i suppose ... satellite system in the real world ... who really needs it ... not me ... convince me otherwise ...
onstar is selling something a generally un-needed service and unless you are the one wrecked or trapped in the fallen powerlines in the backwoods of Montana ... you will never get your money's worth.
anybody get the idea of my counter point to the all the whoopie doo about a satellite system....some people have more money that sense ... will take on more debt than they should ... and are too materialistic for their on good.
now when's the new kia van coming out September? I think I'm going to get me one.
I would agree with that luvsamoney.It's probably just a fun toy for 90% of the people who buy them. But, who knows. Maybe, Navigation Systems in the future could also contact vendors on motorcycles to get you those peanuts and coke you were talking about...you know, pull up to driver side window and hand deliver it. Truely food on the go.
I am also excited to take a look at the new Kia. It was not available when the new car show was in my area in March. If I go to a dealer and say I'm not in the market to buy(TRUE)...but he insists on me taking it for test drive...oh well. :shades:
sometimes, a friend will tell me a restaurant that they recommend that I don't know how to get to, and I'll put it into my PDA/Navigation System and it'll take me right there without getting lost.
Its useful sometimes, but most of the times I don't use it...
I agree that most of the time I would not need a nav system. I, too, can get around town without it. But I am buying a van with the specific idea in mind that it will be used extensively for cross country trips with the family, to parts of the country, and cities, I am not familiar with. And then I expect it to come in very handy. Sure I can get maps, but it is hard to hold a map, or look at a map the wife is holding, while I'm trying to negotiate through a large city. And I would prefer not to have to get off an interstate, say, especially late at night, in a strange city, when I might not be in the best part of town, to ask for directions. Hey, you don't want a nav system? Don't buy one. But calm down about ten levels about those who do see a need.
Then we got it, because it cost only $800 more in the 04 T&C we were getting due to package comibinations. That was 16 months ago
Do we use it all the time? Nope
Is it worth the $$ we paid? Absolutely. I don't know about you, but I have had many problems with directions printed out from the net. With this, there may be some rare, minor differences, but it always get you where you need to go. And it's much safer than a map, particularly if you don;t have a co-pilot at the time
We'll have NAV from now on in our family vehicle.
My car, which is primarily a M-F car for driving to work? No need, probably won't ever get it. It's all about how you would use it.
I said it when they announced the SPEC sheet for the Sedona - NOT offering it is a mistake - people expect to have the choice these days
The only reason I can figure that the Sedona doesn't apparently have a nav system as an option is that they need something to distinguish the Entourage from the Sedona. With all of the standard features and options available on the Sedona (and we probably haven't seen a 100% list at this point) there isn't much else additional to offer other than a nav system (maybe also a back up system, a lot of the Sedona options as standard features, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power adjustable pedals, a little plusher interior, at least 50 cupholders , different sheet metal).
Yeah I thought so too but its going to be the opposite. Hyundai is aiming the main Hyundai brand directly at Toyota/Honda for refinement and quality and Kia will be aimed at Mazda/Nissan being cheaper and slightly sportier.
They just announced the new strategy for the brands around Dec. or Jan. so when the newer models come out it will be a little more obvious. ex. Azera more upscale than Amanti, Tuscon more expensive than Sportage, New Sonata is slighty bigger than and probably more expensive than the new Optima coming out in Dec this year and so on...
After reading all these messages I decided to visit the local KIA dealer. Are grandparents that just got custody of a 7 & 10 year old grandchildren. There goes the retirement! You folks seem to have a lot more info; the dealer played pretty dumb. He did say that the new Sedona would be at the dealership December or January. Said they were going to have two lines of vans.
Are your dealers using an additional sticker. These vans were marked up 1700. for "protection junk and dealer paper work".
If you're saying that the current Sedona minivans at the dealer you went to are marked up, somebody's hoping for a lot of uninformed customers to come in in the next couple of months. I can't imagine any reason to buy a current Sedona when the new ones will be bigger, lighter, have a larger engine with more horsepower, and lots of new features--fold into the floor third row seats, for one. I also would not expect the price to jump substantially.
It's my understanding that the new Sedonas will probably arrive in October, or thereabouts, and the new Entourage, according to Edmunds, will be at the Hyundai dealers in about January, 2006.
I thank you and "Juice " for your response, very much appreciated. This was a dealer in Daphne, AL and he had an addendum sticker for over $1700., again for paint protection etc. and dealer paperwork. His initial price was the $4,000.rebate off the price that included the 1700. Once I started talking about the '06 he changed his story. The owner told me the '06 should be in December or January. Trust me, I do not want to buy an '05 when the '06 promises so much more. I was just trying to get some kind of pricing, which I never got. It looks like there will be a lot of dealers sitting on a bunch of cars come the end of the year. It appears the Chrysler 300 has imploded. The dealer across from the KIA dealer has had nine 300's on his lot for the last month. Believe I would buy the Amanti!
Thanks again for talking with old grand pa trying to raise two grandchildren. It is nice to know there are people like you out there!
My husband and I are interested in getting the 2005 Sedona EX. All of the models we have found with the exterior we like either have a sunroof (which we don't want) and DVD or no sunroof and no DVD. Does anyone know if Kia can install the same DVD system aftermarket on a model that didn't come with one? The dealer we went to said that they could install a DVD system (don't know if it's the same as the factory installed), but said that it wasn't as good and to just go to Wal Mart and get a system that hangs off the back of the seat. No thanks. It was suppose to be much better anyway. I want the DVD system in the ceiling for a reason. Thanks for any information. Kallen
I can't believe the dealer would turn down this aftermarket business! Seems like it would be fairly high-margin for them to do the job.
You should be able to find a reputable car audio shop to do a quality job on a factory-style install with fold-down from the ceiling LCD/DVD. I would look for a shop with a good reputation, maybe even a more expensive place that does higher-end car audio work, and avoid something like Best Buy. I'm not convinced that Best Buy's 'technicians' are well qualified to do this work right.
"You should be able to find a reputable car audio shop to do a quality job on a factory-style install with fold-down from the ceiling LCD/DVD. I would look for a shop with a good reputation, maybe even a more expensive place that does higher-end car audio work, and avoid something like Best Buy. I'm not convinced that Best Buy's 'technicians' are well qualified to do this work right. "
It still won't be as good as factory because the audio would almost definitely play thru an FM transmitter into the car stereo, and the quality just isn't the same
Well, the quality of the LCD screen on the factory system in our 2004 Malibu Maxx doesn't exactly blow me away. Going aftermarket, at least you are able to choose your own components and find something good.
I would say very few people will be concerned that the audio quality via FM modulator will be subpar for their tastes. Most of these systems are for kids anyway.
Maybe if you live in a sparsely populated area, it works well. I live outside NYC and you get interference from other stations all the time. I had an FM modulator for my MP3 player and was thrilled when I was able to upgrade to a direct AUX input into the stereo. HUGE difference
good point, hadn't thought of that. still, as juice mentioned, headphones seem the way to go. i definitely don't like listening to Air Bud: World Pup blasting out of the speakers while I'm driving down the road. It may be music to my 4 yr old's ears, but not mine!
I always thought after market was once the vehicle was on the lot ready to be sold, but someone told me that they can still install it at the dealership and it's not considered after market and therefore should be able to get the same system with the same quality as if it were installed at the factory. Is this true?
"KIA" is probably considered some sort of logo, but in normal written text it is Kia - just as it is Ford, not FORD. Strange, though, to see KIA so much in the ads - as if it is an abbreviation or something.
I don't know what, if any, A/V equipment Kia allows its dealers to install on new vehicles and still qualify for manufacturer warranty.
Never having an aftermarket A/V system installed in a vehicle, I cannot speak from experience. But it would seem difficult to impossible for any LCD/DVD system installed after the vehicle is manufactured, to be as cleanly installed as a factory-installed system.
When I think of 'factory-installed system' I think of a system installed at the vehicle factory, installed while the vehicle is being assembled. Installing factory-provided equipment at the dealership is still an 'aftermarket system' in my mind.
Comments
It's interesting to note that the Sedona is still Kia's top seller.....that's pretty odd, considering the various segments they compete in.
From the one website linked on this forum
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_chicago/sedona/pages/z16Sedona.htm
It states:
2006 Kia Sedona
ON SALE: Late 2005
ESTIMATED PRICE: about $20,000
Heck yeah, I'll be buying one as soon as my butt gets back to the states.
Look out dealers come June 06.
So are least I get to read y'alls review while I'm waiting for my date to return to the states.
-Jaz
I like the front end on the VQ looks better than the US version. I tried waiting for the 06 but my 96 S-10 died got an 05 LX Sedona for $15,800 I am really impressed at this price I doubt there will be any deals on the 06 for a while.
At that price, who cares about resale? You didn't pay anything for it to begin with. LOL
-juice
And as the cars improve it would seem like a timely change.
-juice
-Jaz
-juice
If they made the Sedona come in with Nav at anywhere less than $34,000, I'll take a serious look...
You're right mrblonde49, the 2006 Sedona spec sheet does not reflect a nav system. That's exactly one of the things that I am hoping the Entourage, presumably more upscale than the Sedona, will add---to help make the Entourage more upscale and help distinguish it from the Sedona.
By the way, Edmunds is reporting that the Entourage will begin production in November and go on sale in mid-January as a 2007 model (I'm assuming that means November, 2005 and January, 2006). That's sooner than I had thought. That means the Entourage would go on sale approximately six months or so after the new Sedona.
Currently, the XG350L max price is $27,299 MSRP. The Amanti, which is mechanically similar, tops out at $29,860 MSRP. That's a big $$ difference. Plus, Amanti offers Electronic Stability Control; I believe this is not available on XG350L. Similarly, the Kia Optima midsize sedan’s max price is a few hundred dollars higher than the Sonata’s. Plus, Kia has had a minivan the past 4 model years which is one of the most expensive vehicles in the Hyundai/Kia stable. No minivan yet for Hyundai.
If Hyundai truly is the higher-end brand of the 2, then why aren’t the similar Hyundais more expensive than the similar Kias?
Either way, I anxiously await the arrival of the new 2006 Kia/Hyundai minivans.
I'm hoping the Entourage will have Navigation... Honda wants $34K for the Odyssey with NAV, and I'm certainly willing to pay it, (although I'm sure I can get it for less than MSRP) but if Hyundai can come in with a cheaper entry that has a longer warranty, I'll put the Entourage right at the top of a list that includes:
Honda Odyssey EX-L RES-NAVI
Toyota Sienna XLE w/ Pkg. 8
Ford Freestyle Limited (the 2006 ordering guide says it's getting a Navigation system)
I probably won't be buying a new van until the end of 2006 at the earliest, so the Entourage/Sedona should be out by then...
What I heard is that Hyundai will move up and try to be more luxurious while Kia will try to offer the sportier versions.
I'm not sure they'll be all that different, but we'll see.
-juice
oh if i was in a screen on your dash for a thousand bucks and made you pay for satellite service then you would pay me....
if they stick the satellite system in for free or say one hundred dollars give me one ... enlighten me as to why this is an option that we all need to pay more money for ...
I'm not saying it isn't cool or gee whiz or if everybody else has one ... i wouldn't want one too ... but seriously i didn't need one yesterday ... and I drove all over the place ... i didn't get lost ... i know where I'm going 999 times out of a 1000 and for the one in a thousand it's not the end of the world to ask for directions ... is it? I can get some peanuts and coke when I do ... the satellite system doesn't offer that benefit does it... if I'm going stop for a soda, might as well get some directions.
are some of you driving out in the dessert, preparing for armageddon, think you may go where the mountain goats go ... I'm travelling on generally well marked US highways...
satellite system ... competitive need, i suppose ... satellite system in the real world ... who really needs it ... not me ... convince me otherwise ...
onstar is selling something a generally un-needed service and unless you are the one wrecked or trapped in the fallen powerlines in the backwoods of Montana ... you will never get your money's worth.
anybody get the idea of my counter point to the all the whoopie doo about a satellite system....some people have more money that sense ... will take on more debt than they should ... and are too materialistic for their on good.
now when's the new kia van coming out September? I think I'm going to get me one.
I am also excited to take a look at the new Kia. It was not available when the new car show was in my area in March. If I go to a dealer and say I'm not in the market to buy(TRUE)...but he insists on me taking it for test drive...oh well. :shades:
Its useful sometimes, but most of the times I don't use it...
I'd like it though...
I made a mistake in 2002 by not ordering my Odyssey with Nav....
Then we got it, because it cost only $800 more in the 04 T&C we were getting due to package comibinations. That was 16 months ago
Do we use it all the time? Nope
Is it worth the $$ we paid? Absolutely. I don't know about you, but I have had many problems with directions printed out from the net. With this, there may be some rare, minor differences, but it always get you where you need to go. And it's much safer than a map, particularly if you don;t have a co-pilot at the time
We'll have NAV from now on in our family vehicle.
My car, which is primarily a M-F car for driving to work? No need, probably won't ever get it. It's all about how you would use it.
I said it when they announced the SPEC sheet for the Sedona - NOT offering it is a mistake - people expect to have the choice these days
They just announced the new strategy for the brands around Dec. or Jan. so when the newer models come out it will be a little more obvious. ex. Azera more upscale than Amanti, Tuscon more expensive than Sportage, New Sonata is slighty bigger than and probably more expensive than the new Optima coming out in Dec this year and so on...
Are your dealers using an additional sticker. These vans were marked up 1700. for "protection junk and dealer paper work".
People are paying in the $15s for a basic LX model, discounts are heavy and markups should be non-existant.
-juice
It's my understanding that the new Sedonas will probably arrive in October, or thereabouts, and the new Entourage, according to Edmunds, will be at the Hyundai dealers in about January, 2006.
Thanks again for talking with old grand pa trying to raise two grandchildren. It is nice to know there are people like you out there!
Kallen
You should be able to find a reputable car audio shop to do a quality job on a factory-style install with fold-down from the ceiling LCD/DVD. I would look for a shop with a good reputation, maybe even a more expensive place that does higher-end car audio work, and avoid something like Best Buy. I'm not convinced that Best Buy's 'technicians' are well qualified to do this work right.
It still won't be as good as factory because the audio would almost definitely play thru an FM transmitter into the car stereo, and the quality just isn't the same
I would say very few people will be concerned that the audio quality via FM modulator will be subpar for their tastes. Most of these systems are for kids anyway.
As the driver I would not want to have to listen to a movie playing in the back seat, no way. That's annoying. Get headphones.
-juice
Never having an aftermarket A/V system installed in a vehicle, I cannot speak from experience. But it would seem difficult to impossible for any LCD/DVD system installed after the vehicle is manufactured, to be as cleanly installed as a factory-installed system.
When I think of 'factory-installed system' I think of a system installed at the vehicle factory, installed while the vehicle is being assembled. Installing factory-provided equipment at the dealership is still an 'aftermarket system' in my mind.