Kia’s seven-passenger Sedona minivan was redesigned for 2006; no word at the time of this writing on changes for 2007 but they are expected to be minimal. The Sedona is designed to compete with offerings from Honda and Toyota by offering similar features for less money.

The latest Sedona rides on a longer wheelbase and features a roomier cabin with seven-passenger seating, including a standard 60/40-split third-row seat that folds flat into the floor for cargo-carrying flexibility. The minivan packs a 3.8-liter V-6 engine with 240 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque that drives the front wheels via a five-speed Sportronic automatic transmission with manual-shift capability. Its ride and handling benefit from a four-wheel independent suspension. As befits a family vehicle, safety features are plentiful, including front-side and side-curtain airbags that extend across all three rows of seats, and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes.

Stability control, a tire pressure monitor and active front headrests (to help reduce whiplash injuries in a crash) are optional. A host of amenities that today’s minivan buyers have come to expect are all available, including power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, power-operated side doors and rear liftgate and a backseat DVD video player. Kia adds a shortened base model to its minivan lineup for 2007. All Sedonas seat seven, have a 250-hp V6 engine, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate. Base models are 5 inches shorter in wheelbase and about 13 inches shorter overall than regular models.

All have removable 2nd-row bucket seats that slide fore and aft. The 3rd-row seat in short models is removable and splits 50/50. Regular versions have a 60/40 3rd-row bench that folds into a floorwell. ABS and traction/antiskid control are standard. So are front side airbags and curtain side airbags covering all seating rows. Short models come in a single trim. Standard-length Sedonas offer LX and uplevel EX trims. EX is available with a Luxury Package that includes leather upholstery, sunroof, power-adjustable pedals, rear obstacle detection, and heated front seats.

Another exclusive EX package bundles power sliding side doors with a power liftgate. DVD entertainment is also available. The Hyundai Entourage from Kia’s corporate parent shares Sedona’s basic design, but does not offer a short model. Sedona’s performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Entourages. All Kia Sedonas are