cars news 10: 2016 Kia Sedona SX Update 3: Living a Rough Life

I’ve been traveling a lot during the past two months, so I haven’t been driving my Sedona much. Unsurprisingly, my van has been on duty during my absence. This is good, but it seems to be living a rough life. In addition to the shrapnel damage I mentioned in my first update (which has yet to be fixed), a staffer scraped it against the tip of their rowing shell while backing out of their driveway. It left a long scratch on the other side of the van that a good detailer could possibly buff out. Another staffer who had it over the weekend was a victim of a hit and run while parked at a Whole Foods. Someone hit the passenger rear bumper and quarter panel while it was parked, scratching and chipping off the paint and denting the panel above the wheel. I think Brian Vance jinxed it when he advised not to fix the first dent because it will probably get damaged as soon as it leaves the body shop. Thanks, Brian.

A few other problems have developed while in the hands of others. The handle that operates the second-row Slide-N-Stow seats fell off. It looks like the screw that held it in place loosened. An easy fix, but it shouldn’t have broken in the first place. Also, the plastic trim in the rear cargo area by the rechargeable flashlight has cracked. Looks like something big crashed into it, perhaps an unsecured piece of luggage or equipment. Can’t tell for sure, so the car is not to blame; it’s just something I wanted to note. Someone must’ve spilled a soda or something sticky onto the center console, as well, because the driver’s cooled seat and drive mode buttons are now sticky. Turning on the cooled seats will also change drive mode. Again, not the car’s fault.

The poor thing may be getting used and abused, but I believe we’re not treating it any differently than how a family with kids would treat their minivan. Sticky buttons? Could be soda or maybe apple juice or Capri Sun. Two-foot scratch? Razor scooter mishap maybe? Damaged interior pieces? Could be the work of restless kids stuck in a car for hours during a family road trip. Hit and run? We’re in Los Angeles. It’s inevitable.

I’ll try to get her patched up or at least get an estimate before the next update. Fingers crossed nothing else happens before then. For now, off to the track with eight wheels and tires and track day supplies for a future cover story.

More on our long-term Kia Sedona SX here: