2020 Kia Sedona

Starting at $27,980 the Kia Sedona with its 3.3L 6-cylinder engine makes a convincing case for itself. With the new 8-speed transmission replacing the 6-speed, the drive is smoother than ever before. Despite all the plus points, the Kia faces stiff competition from the minivans like Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Sienna, and Honda Odyssey. Let's see how the Kia performs.

The Kia Sedona comes in four trims, starting with the Sedona L at $27,200 all the way to the most premium minivan - the Sedona SX - priced at $41,100. While the Sedona L is great for using as a fleet vehicle, upgrading to the EX or even the SX is highly recommended if you're planning on using the minivan as a daily driver.

Model	L	LX	EX	SX
MSRP	$27,200	$30,000	$33,300	$41,100
Key Features	17-inch wheels	Power-folding mirrors	18-inch wheels	LED foglights
	Automatic headlights	Power-sliding doors	Roof rails	Sound-reducing windshield
	Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel	Rear privacy glass	Keyless entry and push-button ignition	Ventilated front seats
	Height-adjustable driver seat	2nd-row bench seat (increasing passenger capacity to eight)	Leather-wrapped steering wheel	Heated second-row seats
	Slide-N-Stow forward-collapsing second-row captain's chairs (seven-passenger configuration)	Power-adjustable driver's seat and a six-speaker audio system	Auto-dimming rearview mirror	8-inch touchscreen
	Stain-resistant cloth upholstery		Driver information display	Surround-view camera
	60/40-split reclining and folding third-row bench seat		Leather upholstery	Navigation system
	Dual-zone climate control (with front and rear controls)		Heated front seats	Voice-controlled infotainment
	7-inch touchscreen		Wireless phone charger	Harman Kardon surround-sound system
	Rearview camera		Kia's Uvo3 eServices communications
	Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration		Front and rear parking sensors and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert
	4 sound system with USB and auxiliary audio input jacks

We Recommend

The Kia Sedona EX coming is the best value-for-money trim in the minivan in the lineup. You can equip the optional EX premium package which adds upgraded shock absorbers, adaptive cruise control, and tri-zone automatic climate control.

Other than the overly light steering, the Sedona is very easy to drive. The … minivan is easy to maneuver in tight parking lots. -Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

With a thrifty 3.3L V6 under the hood powering the front wheels, the Kia Sedona makes a modest power of 276 hp and torque of 248 lb-ft. Although lackluster performance may not be a dealbreaker for most, the unimpressive 8-speed automatic transmission often mix shifts and is a hassle in stop and go city traffic.

Models	Kia Sedona L minivan	Toyota Sienna L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE
MSRP	$27,980	$32,160	$27,595	$28,340	$31,085	$30,285
Engine	3.3L V6 Gasoline Direct Injection	3.5L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.5L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.5L V6 Ti-VCT
Transmission	8 Speed Automatic	8 Speed automatic	6 Speed Automatic	9 Speed Automatic	9 Speed Automatic	6 Speed Automatic
Horsepower	276 hp@ 6000rpm	296 hp@ 6600rpm	283 hp@ 6400rpm	287 hp@ 6400rpm	280 hp@ 6000rpm	287 hp@ 6600rpm
Torque	248 ft-lbs@ 5200rpm	263 ft-lbs@ 4700rpm	260 ft-lbs@ 4400rpm	262 ft-lbs@ 4000rpm	262 ft-lbs@ 4700rpm	254 lb-ft @ 4500rpm

The Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica more powerful minivans with a beefier V6 making 296 hp and 287 hp, along with the Ford Flex with a similarly powered engine. The Kia Sedona has the least power of the lot with 276 hp to the wheels. The 9-speed automatic in the Pacifica and the Odyssey are smoother and reliable.

Acceleration

Although acceleration figures may not tell you the full story about the minivan's full capabilities, however, the Kia Sedona takes less than 8 seconds to reach 60 miles an hour from a standstill, and onward through the quarter-mile in about 16 seconds. Despite the soft suspension, the Kia Sedona holds onto the tarmac pretty well when accelerating.

Models	Kia Sedona L minivan	Toyota Sienna L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE
0-60 MPH	7.9 sec	7.0 sec	7.9 sec	7.4 sec	6.6 sec	7.0 sec
Quarter mile	16.1 sec	15.4 sec	15.7 sec	15.6 sec	15 sec	16.8 sec
Engine	3.3L V6 Gasoline Direct Injection	3.5L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.6L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.5L V6 Regular Unleaded	3.5L V6 Ti-VCT
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.4	8.0	8.9	8.0	8.0	9.2

The fastest one to 60 is the Honda Odyssey taking merely 6.6 seconds, most sedans can't manage that. Followed by the Ford Flex with 7.0 seconds on the clock. The Kia Sedona ties with the Grand Caravan taking the same time in the 60 mph sprint, however, the Dodge pulls ahead in the quarter-mile.

Ride and Handling

The Kia Sedona ride is outstandingly plush and compliant, a prerequisite for minivans during long tours or if you're planning to use it as a daily driver. Even though the Kia is quite smooth for the city streets, maneuvering tight spaces are quite a feat in itself. At higher speeds, the road holding ability and good driving dynamics shine through

The competition, however, benefits from driver-assist features like collision warning, which makes the job of city driving and parking much easier. The Honda Odyssey and the updated Chrysler Pacifica handles well not only in the city but also on the highways.

Braking

The minivans brakes work quite well considering the massive curb weight, however, the pedal feels mushy and the suspensions have a hard time keeping up with sudden braking. Using brakes continuously through the day does not cause any significant brake fade.

Model	Kia Sedona L minivan	Toyota Sienna L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE
Brake Front (in.)	12.6	12.9	11.9	13	12.6	12.8
Brake Rear (in.)	11.9	12.2	12	13	13	13.0
Curb Weight (lbs.)r	4411	4430	4510	4330	4354	4637
60-0 MPH (ft.)	118	N/A	N/A	145	N/A	125

Among the minivans tested for their braking distance, the Kia Sedona has the shortest stopping distance of 118 feet when stopping from 60 miles an hour. The Chrysler Pacifica takes the longest, 145 feet of tarmac to stop from 60 mph.

Although untested by the EPA for fuel economy, the Sedona chugs like its Oktoberfest. With a decent 21 miles to the gallon combined fuel economy, it's can fit your fleet as an efficient work van. Comparatively, the other minivans in the segment boast similar numbers of 22 miles to the gallon, ergo the high gear ratios in the 9-speed transmission make the drive surprisingly efficient on highways.

Model	Kia Sedona L minivan	Toyota Sienna L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE
MPG (city)	18	19	17	18	19	16
MPG (highway)	24	27	25	28	28	23
MPG (combined)	21	22	20	22	22	19
Range (city/highway)	380/506	380/540	340/500	342/532	371/546	298/428
Tank Capacity (gal)	21.1	20.0	20.0	19.0	19.5	18.6

The Sedona is plenty comfortable for a long road trip packed with people and cargo. SX models benefit from reclining second-row seats, and these captain's chairs represent some of the most comfortable in the class. - Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

Engineers at Kia haven't just worked on the outside, they have also added a few more bells and whistles on the inside. The Sedona offers a wide range of family-friendly features and ergonomics to the users. Materials feel premium, more so than the rest of the minivans along with reclining seats, extendable footrests, and options like heated seats and leather upholstery.

Model	Kia Sedona L minivan	Toyota Sienna L minivan	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE
Passenger capacity	7	7	7	7	7	7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.8/63.9/40.9	41.0/65.0/40.5	40.1/63.8/41.1	39.8/63.7/40.7	40.7/63.1/40.9	41.8/58.4/42.6
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.4/63.1/41.1	39.7/64.6/37.6	39.6/63.0/39.0	39.3/64.1/36.5	39.5/61.6/40.9	40.5/58.1/44.3

Infotainment System

With upgrades like optional smartphone connectivity, wireless charging, dual-touchscreen 10-inch rear-entertainment, and Harman Kardon audio system, the 7-inch infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be upgraded to an 8-inch unit. USB and Bluetooth connectivity

Cargo Capacity

The Kia Sedona has seats that can be stowed to increase the cargo capacity of the minivan, essentially converting your people carrier into a full-fledged cargo hauler. Boasting 142 cubic feet more than the Chrysler and the Dodge. The sliding doors and the huge rear door miles loading and unloading the van child's play.

Model	Kia Sedona L minivan	Toyota Sienna L minivan	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	142.0	150.0	140.5	140.3	158.0	83.2

The biggest cargo bay award goes to the Honda Odyssey, with 158 cubic feet volume, the Honda has no equal. The Chrysler and Dodge have equal capacities of 140 cubic feet at the rear.

The minivan profile is two-box timeless, and the 2020 Sedona does well enough with what it's been given on the outside. The grille sits upright, framed by LED running lights and a generally light touch on the chrome. - Car Connection

Design and Dimensions

After a full aesthetics makeover, the Kia Sedona aligns with the modern Kia design language. Starting things off with the massive tiger-nose grille up front, the design transitions across the front fascia and along with the bodywork with smooth lines. There are no edgy elements, unlike most 2020 cars to make it look futuristic and gaudy. At the sides, you're greeted by huge sliding doors that reveal the cabin inside.

Model	Kia Sedona L minivan	Toyota Sienna L minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan SE	Chrysler Pacifica L minivan	Honda Odyssey LX minivan	Ford Flex SE
Curb weight (lbs.)	4411	4430	4510	4330	4354	4637
Length(in)	201.4	200.6	202.8	203.8	203.2	201.8
Width(in)	78.1	78.1	78.7	79.6	78.5	75.9
Height(in)	68.5	68.9	68.9	69.9	68.3	68.0
Ground clearance (in)	6.7	6.5	5.8	5.1	4.5	6.0
Wheelbase (in)	120.5	119.3	121.2	121.6	118.1	117.9
Track width (in) F/R	68.7/69	67.7/67.7	65.6/64.8	68.3/68.3	67.3/67.2	65.4/65.4

Kia Sedona is a minivan with the largest ground clearance of the lot, sitting tall at 6.7-inches from the ground. The Kia is also pretty narrow and short, positively affecting the maneuverability of the minivan. Aside from that, the Toyota is the shortest of the bunch, while the Flex is the narrowest. The Chrysler is the tallest minivan among the competition, while the Honda odyssey sits the lowest to the ground.

2020 Kia Sedona comes with a lot of standard safety features such as

• Automated Emergency braking
• Lane Departure Warning
• Adaptive Cruise control
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) And Roll Stability Control...
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st, 2nd, And 3rd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts

Kia Sedona vs Honda Odyssey

Honda Odyssey is one of the long-reigning class leaders in the minivan segment. Along with a plethora of features and creature comforts, comes an efficient engine and smooth transmission. The 280 hp Odyssey also boasts the largest cargo bay. The interiors on the Kia, however, feel more refined and ergonomically designed for the users. From the outside, the Kia Sedona is a stunning minivan compared to the edgy and awkward design of the Honda. If you don't mind the slightly smaller cargo bay and are looking for a budget minivan, the Kia is the better choice.

Kia Sedona vs Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica is another one of the good looking minivans along with the Kia Sedona. The Pacifica has a better and more powerful engine along with a smoother shifting 9-speed to go with better laid out interiors and infotainment. The Cargo capacity is nearly identical among the two, however, the Sedona benefits from a higher ground clearance. Between the two, the Chrysler Pacifica is the obvious choice.

Along with the aesthetics, the Kia Sedona comes with great interiors and ergonomic infotainment. The premium materials on the inside make the cabin habitable as a daily driver. The engine lacks flair and the transmission is very forgettable, but as a vehicle is not meant for high-performance driving the drivetrain is adequate for your needs.