Kia’s ultimate luxury family tourer, the Grand Sedona, has been updated for 2019 model year.
It updates to the exterior include a revised front bumper, new LED daytime running lights, new bumper at the rear and a revised taillight cluster.
As part of the Grand Sedona’s mid-life enhancement, KIA Motors South Africa has also revised the model line-up of the local range, discontinuing the SX specification grade and adding a new, feature-rich EX+ specification to the line-up.
At the entry level, the enhanced Grand Sedona EX still features a raft of standard specification that includes, but is not limited to, air-conditioning (manual), automatic headlamp control (incorporating ‘Welcome Home’ and ‘Escort’ lighting), a centre console armrest with large storage binnacle, electric heated side mirrors, electric windows front and rear, rear park distance control and rear USB ports.
The model also gains a new seven-inch touchscreen integrating audio controls and the rearview camera, as well as Apple CarPlay (the Grand Sedona is Android Auto ready). The steering wheel incorporates remote controls for audio and Bluetooth connectivity, with six speakers as standard. Seats are upholstered in gray fabric. EX models ship as standard with a 7-seat configuration, but an 11-seat option is available on special order for customers who require more seating capacity. 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/65 R17 tyres are standard.
The new, higher-spec EX+ model sees an upgrade to automatic dual zone airconditioning and auto-folding and heated side mirrors with integrated side indicators, and also gains an electrochromatic rearview mirror, front and rear park distance control, front foglamps, glove box cooling, leather upholstery (as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift lever) and a wireless smartphone charger. The touchscreen is upgraded to a new 8-inch colour touchscreen with embedded Satellite Navigation, from which occupants can also control audio, whether it is a favourite radio station, via the USB/Aux jacks, or through their mobile device via Apple CarPlay (and Android Auto, once released in South Africa). Six speakers are standard. The new Grand Sedona EX+ is only available with a new 8-seat configuration, allowing more flexibility when an extra seat is needed.
The range-topping Grand Sedona SXL is only available with a 7-seat configuration, and builds on the feature-rich EX+ grade by adding Smart Entry with Push Button Start, Blind Spot Detection, a dual sunroof, LED headlamps with automatic levelling, LED fog lamps, LED rear combination lights, a Smart Power Tailgate, dual electric sliding doors, electrically adjustable driver and front passenger seats (adjustable eight ways, including memory function and 4-way lumbar adjustment), rear seatwarmers and an extra two speakers.
Previously also available with a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine, KIA has retained only the popular 2.2-litre ‘R’ turbodiesel engine, loved for its excellent mid- and low-range torque, for the enhanced Grand Sedona. The smooth and efficient engine produces 147 kW of power at 3 800 r/min, with maximum torque of 440 Nm available between 1 750 and 2 750 r/min. Featuring KIA’s fourth-generation fuel-injection system, the engine delivers greater fuel economy, performance and engine response while reducing engine noise. It reaches 100 km/h in 13,6 seconds, with a top speed of 190 km/h.
The vehicle also features an exhaust gas recirculation cooler to promote recirculation of clean, cold, low-pressure exhaust gas that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions and improves fuel efficiency. Finally, a newly adopted electronic swirl control valve in the intake manifold further reduces emissions by more carefully controlling the intake of oxygen to the combustion chamber. CO2 emissions are pegged at 208 g/km.
Notably, the enhanced Grand Sedona, like the Sorento SUV, benefits from the inclusion of KIA’s new eight-speed automatic transmission across the range. Designed in-house by KIA, the transmission boasts 143 newly-patented technologies and delivers a slick-shifting, more decisive drive while reducing emissions. Compared to other automatic transmissions, KIA’s new eight-speed unit requires fewer control valves, enabling a more direct mechanical link to the engine. This allows the transmission to shift more quickly than the outgoing six-speed automatic transmission, and enables more decisive acceleration.
EX+ and SXL models also gain an Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold Function, replacing the previous foot-brake.
Grand Sedona features a full complement of safety and driver assistance systems, including ABS brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), six airbags and ISOFIX child seat anchors. The all-electric windows also have a safety function that automatically halts the window closing if an obstruction – like a child’s hand – is detected. Drivers will also benefit from Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill-start Assist, while all models feature Park Distance Control at the rear, linked to a reverse camera displayed on the 8-inch colour touchscreen. EX+ and SXL models also gain front parking distance control.
All Grand Sedona models ship as standard with KIA’s industry-leading unlimited kilometre, five year warranty, as well as a standard 5-year/100,000km service plan and 5-years of roadside assistance.
“Some of the core reasons our customers love the Grand Sedona is not only its style and its practicality, but also the raised driving position and its car-like dynamics,” adds Crosse. “The enhanced Grand Sedona range retains all of those outstanding characteristics, but now brings even more flexibility to its award-winning cabin with the addition of an 8-seat derivative, and an even better drive thanks to the new 8-speed automatic transmission.”
KIA Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI EX 7-Seater R599,995
KIA Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI EX 11-Seater* R615,995
KIA Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI EX+ 8-Seater R629,995
KIA Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI SXL 7-Seater R782,995