BREAKING: Kia Sedona Receives New Fog Lamps for 2019
Automotive trade shows typically provide little more than early access to vehicles you’ve already read about for months. But every so often details emerge that are so incredibly hot, you can’t even begin to fathom why God chose to trust you with them.
At this week’s 2018 New York International Auto Show, Kia Motors America unveiled a refreshed 2019 Sedona minivan, which — get a load of this — has totally new fog lamps. These babies aren’t even remotely the same shape as the outgoing version’s bulbs. Those old round heaps are over and done with; we’re entering an entirely new era of illumination, folks.
To be accurate, the new Sedona actually has entirely new front and rear fascias but, after staring at the 2019 model for several minutes, the only standout upgrade seems to be the fog lights. Which is strange because, when compared with the older model, it becomes immediately apparent that the refresh worked some legitimate magic on the family wagon. Don’t believe us? Well, here is a visual sample of the 2018 Kia Sedona:
Comparatively hideous, right? It’s like seeing identical twins but in a scenario where one is obviously far less attractive. A real-world example of this phenomenon would be Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, but we don’t have to tell you that — it was definitely the first thought that crossed your mind. Poor Mary-Kate… or is it Ashley that’s the ugly one?
Additional mid-cycle updates include the addition of an eight-speed automatic and a new rear entertainment system to keep the kids engaged in something other than screaming. Replacing the previous model’s single overhead screen is a pair of 10.1-inch touchscreens located on the back of the front seats. Still an optional extra, the new entertainment system also has smartphone-mirroring.
Otherwise, the Sedona marches into the future relatively unchanged. It keeps the venerable 3.3-liter V6 and misses out on the handful of tech upgrades that graced the refreshed 2019 Kia Optima — but only because it already had those features.
[Images: Kia Motors]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Our ‘11 Quest SV with 187k is still better IMHO. Methinks I’ll keep it a little longer, at least that’s what the wife demands.
I think it's a darned fine looking van. I'd much rather have a small truck from Kia though. How 'bout it, guys?