Kia Sedona Review

The Kia Sedona may not be the first name you think of when shopping for a minivan, but it's definitely been one that should be considered. Right out of the gate, the Sedona had almost everything needed to be a success in the minivan segment, but it was pudgy, weighing some 400-700 pounds more than its rivals, which blunted acceleration at higher speeds and didn't do much for cornering ability. Still, overall performance was relatively refined, if not exciting.

With the second-generation Sedona benefiting from a diet and more power under the hood, Kia's minivan is no longer huffing and puffing to catch up to the more expensive class leaders. Plus, it delivers in the key areas of build quality, passenger comfort, crash test scores and storage space. It's definitely worth a look as a used model, though this year's Sedona has been eclipsed by some redesigned rivals. While those class leaders may be pricier, they are generally more impressive family haulers.

Current Kia Sedona
The Kia Sedona minivan seats seven passengers, with second-row captain's chairs and a 60/40-split third row that folds into the floor. Sized on par with most other minivans, the Sedona offers plenty of legroom for all three rows, though the third-row seat suffers from a low cushion and limited headroom that may reduce it to kid-only transport. Maximum cargo, although a few cubic feet short of the class leaders, is still generous at 142 cubes, and plenty of cubbies abound for quick stowage of things like cell phones, purses and snacks.

Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 271 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard. This makes the Sedona a rather swift minivan, and in road tests, we found the Sedona to be surprisingly nimble, with a rather lightweight feel. However, the ride isn't as refined as some newer minivans, which tend to move down the road in a more sophisticated manner.

On the inside, the Kia Sedona features a rather modest design. Its cabin is not at all unattractive, just plain. Most materials throughout the cabin are of adequate quality, but there are a few cheap-feeling elements and switches that detract from an otherwise positive impression. Gauges and controls are well placed and legibly labeled, with the exception of the less-than-intuitive manual climate control.

Available in LX and EX trim levels, even the most basic Sedona comes with a full complement of safety features, rear parking sensors, front and rear climate controls, keyless entry, full power features, satellite radio, Bluetooth and a USB audio jack. The EX gets additional power-operated features, and it can be further equipped with leather, a DVD entertainment system, a navigation system and a rearview camera.

Overall, the Sedona is a respectable choice for a minivan, but it's worth noting that the 2011 vans from Chrysler, Honda, Nissan and Toyota have all been updated or redesigned, leaving the Sedona as the oldest model on the market. In terms of refinement and extra features, Kia's van doesn't quite measure up. It does well in terms of value, though, so you'll certainly want to make a few comparisons before reaching a decision.

Used Kia Sedona Models
The current Kia Sedona minivan, which represents the vehicle's second generation, debuted in 2006. Originally, this Sedona was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 that produced 244 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. It was bumped up to 250 hp from 2007-'09, but was dropped back to 244 for 2010. The current 271-hp engine didn't debut until 2011.

From 2007-'10, the Sedona was offered in a short-wheelbase model that gave up 5 inches to the regular Sedona and featured a 50/50-split removable third-row bench. It was offered in base trim only. Another change consumers should be aware of is that tech features like satellite radio, a USB audio jack and navigation were not available until the 2009 model.

The first-generation Kia Sedona ran from 2002-'05 and went with the "most features for the money" strategy. But in addition to providing a lot for families on a tight budget, the Sedona also boasted excellent build quality and impressive crash test scores. However, compared to its successors, this Sedona was 400 pounds heavier and its modest 3.5-liter 195-hp V6 didn't help matters. Two trim levels were offered: well-equipped LX and plusher EX.

The debit side of the ledger included a portly weight of 4,800 pounds (anywhere from 400-700 pounds heavier than its competitors), somewhat lazy handling and mediocre steering feel and response. This Sedona also lacks a fold-flat third-row seat and therefore doesn't offer as much cargo flexibility and capacity as some other vans with that feature.

Consumers have praised this Kia Sedona for its comfortable seating, roomy cabin, quiet ride and high crash test scores. Issues noted by owners have included some instances of electrical gremlins involving door locks and the air-conditioning. Only minor detail changes, such as slight revisions to the grille and taillights, occurred during this Sedona's four-year run, so condition and mileage should be the chief considerations when shopping for one.