In the dog-eat-dog world of minivan sales, the four-door, front-wheel-drive-only (FWD) 2010 Kia Sedona, though far from the top dog, puts up a good fight. Its low base price combines with decent performance and an over-achieving number of standard appearance, comfort, and convenience features to produce a kennel full of value, enough that the Sedona was a “Recommended Pick” by Consumer Guide in 2009. Available in three trims, the Base, LX, and EX, the Sedona offers 141.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the long-wheelbase EX and LX versions, while the shorter Base version packs 121 cubic feet, plenty of roaming room for Fido and friends. Both of the seven-passenger higher-end trims feature a fold-down third-row bench seat, while all trims feature front and second-row captain's chairs. Unfortunately, these second-row seats must be removed as opposed to simply folded for full utilization of the Sedona’s cargo area. While perhaps not offering the value of the Sedona, Nissan’s Quest, Volkswagen’s Routan, and Toyota’s Sienna, as well as a pair of Chrysler minis and, of course, the top-dog Honda Odyssey, are certainly worth a look or two. A single powertrain offering equips the 2010 Kia Sedona lineup, this being the venerable 3.8-liter V6 and well-regarded five-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This pairing puts out 244 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque, good enough to haul 3,500 pounds of trailer when the available hitch and wiring are selected. Mileage for the V6 engine is estimated at 17/23 mpg. Unfortunately, Kia offers no all-wheel-drive (AWD) option for the Sedona. Standard appearance, comfort, and convenience features for the 2010 Sedona are plentiful and well-placed. The Base trim offers 16-inch steel wheels, a roof rack, power windows, door locks, and mirrors, front and second-row captain's chairs, front and rear air conditioning, cruise control, tilt-wheel steering, a USB/iPod interface, and a single-CD player with eight speakers and three free months of satellite radio service. The midlevel LX trim adds 14 inches of overall length, premium cloth upholstery, and split-folding third-row seating, while the top-shelf Sedona EX throws in 17-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats, power rear quarter windows, dual power-sliding rear doors, a trip computer, and a universal remote garage door opener. Options, except for the available trailer towing package, are limited to the long-wheelbase (LWB) LX and EX trims and include a power moonroof, power liftgate, power-adjustable pedals, rear-seat DVD entertainment, a DVD navigation system, leather upholstery, parking assist sensors, a rearview camera, and tri-zone climate control. Considered one of the safer minivans available, the 2009 Sedona was named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This reputation continues for the 2010 trims, with four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, dual front side-mounted airbags, two- or three-row head airbags, front active headrests, and side-impact door beams all standard equipment. The LX and EX additionally feature standard backup sensors, and the EX also sports standard front fog/driving lights. Owners of the highly regarded 2009 Kia Sedona praise its value and fuel efficiency, but lament the lack of AWD availability. Owners also complain about the Sedona’s lackadaisical acceleration, as well as some less-than-impressive interior materials and workmanship. Intrusive road and wind noise, uncomfortable seats, and a curiously low resale value plague owners, too. However, impressive passenger and cargo room, as well as powerful warranty coverage and its numerous standard amenities, leave owners with few regrets in choosing the wallet- and family-friendly Kia Sedona.