The future Kia Sedona minivan appears in flux, as the Korean auto maker announces it is bringing back the second-generation model for ’14.
Two years ago, a Kia official told WardsAuto the third generation of the family hauler was due in 2013.
Kia later announced it would stop selling the second-gen model in ’12 but offer it up to the next-generation ’14 model’s launch in 2013.
The second iteration of the Sedona went on sale in early 2006 in the U.S.
Kia says for ’14 it has updated the minivan’s bumper and grille, added new 17-in. wheels, light-emitting diode positioning lights and standard fog lamps.
Inside is a “unique storage console for iPads and smart tablets,” Kia says.
Two trims, LX and EX, will be available. The LX will start at $25,900 and the EX at $30,900, both sans $850 destination and handling charge.
Pricing is up slightly from ’12, when the LX started at $24,900 and EX at $29,190.
Both grades continue to be powered by Kia’s 3.5L V-6, making 269 hp and mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Kia did not respond to a request for comment on when the next Sedona is due.
The auto maker had debated whether to push the vehicle’s styling in a funky direction, similar to Kia’s small Soul boxy compact, or retain a traditional minivan look and feel.
WardsAutodata shows Sedona sales fell 27.2% in 2012, to 17,512, well off the segment-leading Dodge Caravan, which tallied 141,468 deliveries.
