2008 Kia Sedona

My experience with the Sedona was rather limited - just an early morning drive from the airport during which I was more concerned with getting feeling back in my fingers than vehicle dynamics (it was -20 degrees with the wind chill). Still, I was pleasantly surprised when I got in the front seat and saw a modern, nicely turned dash staring back at me. It's a definite step up from what's in our Town & Country, which costs about $10,000 more, and it makes the whole minivan experience a bit less depressing. Just as with the Chrysler van, I was incredibly surprised by the Kia's acceleration. Having spent more time behind the wheel of large SUVs, it's something of a novelty to step on the gas of a big boat and feel it lurch forward with such energy.

I wasn't as happy with the ride. Granted, I was driving on Michigan roads and the tires were probably frozen blocks, but the amount of vibrations transmitted through the steering wheel made me very hesitant to go more than 65 mph.

David Zenlea, Assistant Editor