Every family needs a minivan. Problem is, nobody wants one. They exude practicality rather than adventure, and signal that life is on hold rather than actively pursued. But anyone who has twisted a back muscle in a crowded parking lot while wrestling a toddler into and out of a child safety seat through the rear door of an SUV can instantly understand the appeal of a minivan's sliding side doors. And once a parent overcomes vanity in favor of sensibility and actually lives with a minivan, it becomes indispensable.

Families growing tired of strained muscles, lousy fuel economy, and the potential for rollover in high-profile SUVs might be ready for the redesigned 2006 Kia Sedona. With few exceptions, the new Sedona appears poised to tackle the best minivans on the market through a compelling combination of safety, utility, design, performance, and craftsmanship.