I can agree with some of, but not all of that. I did a full-review earlier this year, including a test-drive, on a top-line Sedona SXL. Now, granted, that is not an inexpensive vehicle (starting at 39K), and it is far nicer inside than less-expensive versions of the Sedona....which tend to be more along the lines of what you listed. One of the reasons why the seats are not easily removable is that they come with so many different functions, depending on price-level.......First-class Lounge-seating in the rear, Stow and Go features, seat heating/cooling, etc.... I agree that it lacks a specific Kiddie-entertainment system, but most of today's kids above toddler-age have their own electronic toys and gadgets for amusement...automakers don't necessarily have to provide them. And on the road, I found the Sedona SXL's manners and refinement as good as the Sienna or Odyssey. Now, of course, that did not include a test-drive of cheaper versions, where you (and Consumer Reports) may have a point about its comparison to other minivans. But, even so, IMO, it's difficult to imagine the Sedona in a "Worst New Vehicle" category.
I think that very highly depends on the perspective you were reviewing the Sedona from.
With respect, I don't think you reviewed the Sedona from the perspective of a family with kids, or a large family. Those are a large percentage of minivan buyers, and a very large percentage of minivan drivers are females (with kids).
Also to add, the Sienna has had optional "lounge chair" 2nd row seats for years now, before the Sedona. Significantly, those 2nd row optional lounge chairs on the Sienna
are removable. In fact, looking at the top 3 competitors in the segment, all of them have removable or 100% stowable 2nd row seats. So this applies to the Caravan, Odyssey, and Sienna. The 2nd row in the Sedona is
not removable, regardless of whether you pick the base model without lounge chairs, or the top end model with lounge chairs. So given the fact that even the non-lounge 2nd row chairs in the Sedona cannot be removed, that is a glaring omission in a vehicle segment where seating and cargo flexibility is paramount.
With regards to the rear entertainment system, the key point here is
choice. The Sedona simply doesn't offer the choice or option that the competitors do. Kids these days having access to lots of gadgets and electronic toys is irrelevant. What if one day the kids forget their gadgets at home? The flexibility of having a built-in rear entertainment system still remains a big selling point.
With regards to interior quality and ride, let's assume that ALL minivans in the segment are "good enough". If you put that aside, then the Sedona's omissions compared to the key competitors still remain glaring. A 1st row seating area with very low storage space. So low, that a female driver has nowhere to put a purse close to her. She could put it on the passenger front seat, but that's a far and inconvenient reach. The top competitors ALL have highly flexible and large center front storage between the front seats for things like purses. A 2nd row seating area that is a lot less flexible then competitors in the segment. A third row seating area not as good as the class leaders. Finally, a cargo area behind the third row that is smaller than the class leaders.
