“We would like to invite you to the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) for the unveiling of the 2015 Kia Sedona, our all-new midsize multi-purpose vehicle (MPV),” said John, Kia Motors of America communications manager.

“Are you sure you want me to attend?” I replied. “My audience is boomer women.”

“One of the targets for the Sedona is active empty nesters,” said John. “We have higher sales among boomers. Your demographic group likes the height of the vehicle, the comfortable passenger seats, and expansive cargo space.”

The XXL is the top line model and quite luxurious.

The trip included a two night stay at the Westin in NYC, so I was agreeable.

I had never been to the NYIAS. My late husband M and son D often went to the New York auto shows to see all the new cars. I was never one to swoon over cars. If I had to decide between buying a new car or remodeling my bathroom, the bathroom always won.

Yet after seeing the 2015 Sedona and hearing the highlights from Ortho, Kia vice president of product planning, I was captivated. It was almost as though the Sedona embodied my spirit, my soul, and my 50+ lifestyle.

♦ “The front of the Sedona has a confident face,” said Ortho. “Someone who drives this vehicle is confident not scared.” (That’s me, me, me. I’m definitely becoming more self-assured and less fearful during my life after 50.)

♦ “The Sedona has a more athletic stance,” said Ortho. (That’s me, me, me. I’m a sporty boomer girl since I left my full-time job. Bicycling, yoga, walking – all regularly fuel my fitness tracker. What’s that you say? There’s more room to fit skis and golf clubs? I don’t play golf and I don’t ski. What about boogie boards? I do have a boogie board at my condo on the corner at the Jersey shore. Wonder how many boogie boards will fit in that large cargo space?)

♦ “The Sedona has a fresh look,” said Ortho. (So do I. So do I. Thanks to my stylist Elizabeth, I too have a contemporary and casual style on the outside to complement my optimistic and bright attitude on the inside. I do hope the Kia PR team noticed the hip and cool DLX jeans that I was wearing at the show. My jeans did not ‘bag, sag or stretch’ as I walked the entire Javits Convention Center.)

♦ “There are reclining bucket seats in the back of the Sedona,” said Ortho. (OMG! That was all Ortho had to say and I was ready and willing to climb in, put my feet up, and lounge –which is exactly what I did. A truly luxurious experience.)

♦ “The Sedona has multiple safety features to prevent you from veering off the road, watch your blind spot in the rear, and help you remember where you parked your car,” Ortho added. (Hmm, hmm, hmm. This sounds like the perfect vehicle to compensate for my middle-aged memory loss. I always seem to forget where I parked my car at the airport or train station parking lot, sometimes even at the supermarket.)

How do I look in the new 2015 Kia Sedona? Don’t you love the recliners?

Is it time to sell my townhouse and move into a Kia Sedona?

Henry, Kia technology strategist, shared elements about the vehicle’s next generation infotainment system. “Each owner has a My UVO account that enables text alerts when there are any service issues,” Henry said. “In addition, the driver’s seat has memory so you can program the seat for your height, temperature, and other personal details. There’s also voice activated navigation – say where you want to go and it will take you there.” (Wow-o-wow! What fun it would be to drive cross-country in the Sedona? I would no longer need my son D in the passenger seat to navigate. Instead, I could invite my boomer blogger friends to join me. There are plenty of USB ports throughout the cabin to give multiple tablets, laptops, and smartphones a daily charge.)

Is it time to sell my townhouse and move into a Kia Sedona?

By the end of the day, I was betwixt and between. I downsized three years ago when I sold my house and moved into a townhouse. I do have a two car garage but it hardly fits my 10 year old Honda Accord and my 10 year old Honda Civic. If I sell both cars, all my furniture, and the townhouse I could easily move into a Kia Sedona and take it on the road for the next few years. Might be fun to travel the U.S.A. as I figure out “what’s next” during my life after 50. (I did travel cross-country when I chaperoned a teen tour when I was 21. Would be fun to do a repeat trip 30+ years later without all the adolescent drama.)

Ooh, ooh, ooh, this decision is really difficult. The 2015 Sedona isn’t available until later this summer so I have time to decide. Meantime, if Kia could add a jacuzzi tub to the XXL model I might be sold. What do you think?

Judi

It was fun to hang with other creatives at the NYIAS. Top: Us the Duo musical couple. Bottom: l. to r. Me, Amy from MomsSpark.com, Jenna from SurfandSunshine.com, and photographer Cielo.

P.S. – Check out the awesome creatives I hung out with during the NYIAS: Amy, from Oklahoma blog Mom Spark; Jeana, editor of Surf & Sunshine; Cielo of Cielo Roth Photography; and Us The Duo Michael and Carissa, the cutest folk-pop couple, who just became Vine’s first major label signing. Yes, boomer girls, you will be hip and cool when you tell your kids that you know about Us The Duo. Be sure to watch their custom Vine video for Kia Sedona.

Dear Readers: My blog has been nominated by SeniorHomes.com for a 2014 Best Senior Living Award. Finalists are determined by popular vote (total Facebook likes). Voting ends on April 28th, 2014. I hope you will take time to click on the logo on the left to vote. Thanks in advance for your support.