Controls worth praising though are the large rotary wheels that administer heating, ventilation and air conditioning for the front and rear areas of the van. These dials are simplistic and intuitive to operate. I wish more manufacturers would place functionality over fashion and abandon the little button trend for HVAC controls. Sedona's HVAC controls are housed in a center pod, along with a stick shift for the transmission. That's a 5-speed automatic gearbox by the way, when many of Kia's competitors are still fumbling away with outdated 4-speed transmissions - another major coup for Kia.

For such a reasonably priced vehicle, Kia has done a marvellous job with the entire Sedona interior. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

The van's gauge cluster, including a tachometer, is nicely placed directly in front of the driver's sight line and easily viewed through the upper half of the steering wheel - some other vans are trifling with center mounted gauges.

For such a reasonably priced vehicle, Kia has done a marvellous job with the entire Sedona interior, including its tasteful application of wood-like trim on the doors and centre pod in EX models. At present, Kia does not offer a navigation system in the Sedona. Hopefully one will present itself soon, but I can appreciate that Kia buyers have thus far bought into the brand to save money more than buck up for expensive electronics. Still I can think of nothing worse than being lost in a strange town, with a van full of kids who have passed their bedtimes and entered the "I hate this trip" zone.

Minivan stigma aside, I would have no problem making a daily driver out of the Sedona. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Okay, so we've dealt with some of the Sedona highs and lows, not to mention family issues, now let's talk driving as that is a critical part of what a road test is all about. In a word, driving the Sedona is a pleasure. Minivan stigma aside, I would have no problem making a daily driver out of the Sedona. The driving dynamics emphasize comfort over performance, and rightfully so, given the family orientation of this vehicle.