We cannot overstress the importance of some of the convenience features that have been coming out the past few years. Just take the smart key as an example, a simple invention that ensure you don't have to go bag-diving to look for the key. Another great device is the powered liftgate, which is a lot of help when you're at the supermarket and have your hands full with groceries.
Many premium automakers offer a powered liftgate and Ford was among the first to feature it as an option on mainstream motors like the Focus. But Kia is the type of company that likes to have the most features and their all-new 2015 Kia Sedona is the pefect exampled. Just launched in on the US market, the all-new minivan has a powered liftgate that simply senses when you're approaching the rear of the vehicle with the smartkey in your pocket. You just stand there for 3 seconds and the Sedona will figure out that you need the trunk to be opened for you. So you don't have to make any of those weird gestures with your foot under the bumper any more.
That's not all though. You can also order the 2015 Sedona with Smart Welcome, a feature which automatically illuminates the door handles and unfolds the power retractable side mirrors when a vehicle key fob is detected. Convenience features also include Kia's Surrond View Monitor, which is great if you're not comfortable parking in tight spaces, and a standard 115-volt power outlet.
Available this fall from $26,795, the new Sedona minivan is powered by a new 3.3-liter V6 rated at 276 horsepower. Fitted with direct injection and a reworked 6-speed automatic gearbox, it will do up to 24 mpg highway.
Worth a quick note is the fact that the Ford C-Max, which Kia makes fun of in the video, is available as standard with a hybrid powertrain that returns 42 mpg city and 37 mpg highway for even less money ($24,170). And in any case, these two vehicles aren't even in the same class.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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