Amid all the expectation surrounding the new Sorento, the Kia Sedona MPV almost arrived unnoticed at the test track. By the end of the test week, however, every judge agreed that it is a better tow car than its new 4×4 brother.

Where the Sorento sometimes felt a bit vague, the Sedona stuck doggedly to the driver’s intended course. When slowing from 70mph the Al-Ko ATC system picked up a slight sway from the caravan, but nothing untoward.

Through the lane-change test the Sedona’s back end was pushed around by the caravan but again, the Kia always had the last word.

The biggest issue when towing was the challenge of putting so much power through the front wheels. The parking brake held the outfit on the 1-in-6 test slope, but it was easy to spin the wheels when pulling away. Having towed with a Sedona in the past, we know how this becomes a bigger problem in wet weather.

As an MPV, the Sedona puts space over sophistication. Even in the third row there’s reasonable head and legroom, but the seats don’t fold into the floor like those of many people carriers’. Instead, you have to lift them out if you want more luggage space, and its heavy work.

Fuel economy of 37.7mpg isn’t great for a diesel MPV, and it’s a shame that resale values aren’t stronger. Even so, this is a lot of car for the money, and there’s little it can’t tow.