#minivan

It’s going to be a great weekend getaway to the racetrack.

SEMA is an annual event that allows automakers, tuner companies and aftermarket firms to showcase their hottest, most exciting products. Surprisingly the folks at Kia have decided to bring a modified minivan. SAY WHAT?!

After a decade on the market, General Motor’s “mid-size” vans received their one and only update for the 1996 model year. The short wheelbase version of the van was dropped this year and styling was modified to better resemble the larger full-size GM vans. Base model Astros/Safaris featured a utilitarian front end complete with sealed beam headlights while higher trim models featured a more modern look with stacked horizontal headlights.

Apparently family values matter. Conservative politicians tap-dance around these issues, pundits prognosticate about their demise and segments of the driving population make them a central issue when it’s time to purchase a new vehicle. Not surprisingly they play a starring role in this week’s installment of Ask AutoGuide.

Chrysler’s “Stow ‘n Go” seating system makes converting the vans for optimal cargo carrying easy, but not easy enough.

An announcement  about Chrysler’s next generation of minivans is expected very soon although it in’t clear when that will happen.

Kia’s 2014 Sedona minivan is one of the latest vehicles to earn a five-star crash safety rating.