This latest-generation Sedona weighs 400 pounds less than the pre-2006 models in spite of being larger, thanks to use of aluminum in its construction. This reduced weight improves handling, acceleration and fuel economy. But the Sedona is no lightweight, and it didn't always feel like it had 253 pound-feet of torque. The five-speed automatic transmission kicked down a lot under pressure, as, for example, when running up a long steep grade with the cruise control set at 79 miles per hour.
On the way back to the city the next day, over the twisty two-lane, the Sedona was impressive in the curves, with power rack-and-pinion steering. The Sedona surprised us here. We drove it with a lot more spirit than your average minivan pilot, and found the turn-in to be precise, with no false moves. The suspension kept pace with our cornering, allowing very little body lean. The only chink in Sedona's armor appeared when zooming over a rise in the road, beginning at maybe 45 miles per hour, as the front wheels wanted to hang. But when the Sedona settled, it stuck with no wallow. At the other end of the road, in the dips, it felt just fine.
We used the disc brakes hard and they felt as good as the suspension.
The Sportmatic manual mode in the transmission was a pleasure. We have the feeling that drivers designed this new Sedona: Brits, in fact. We downshifted for corners and manually upshifted, and the transmission did exactly what we asked it to do, and rarely any more. The lever fit nicely in the heel of our hand.
The engine sometimes sounded a bit harsh under hard acceleration at low rpm, but now we're nitpicking, which is a compliment of sorts, because that's what happens with high-quality vehicles. At idle, it's so quiet that we once tried to start it when it was already running. Next Page