Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Smooth and refined, the Sedona’s V-6 is well matched to its people-moving mission and rarely transmits any harshness into the cabin. Around-town driving is stress-free, but hustling the Sedona up to highway speeds requires liberal use of the gas pedal. This Kia handles competently but doesn’t inspire backroad rowdiness—it is a minivan, after all. Unlike the Toyota Sienna, all-wheel drive is not an option here; neither is a hybrid powertrain, which will soon be a standard feature in the Toyota van. The Sedona’s ride is placid over smooth pavement, but it doesn’t soak up bumpy surfaces the same way the Chrysler Pacifica does. The heft of the steering wheel feels just right—not too heavy, not too light—and the Sedona is easily maneuverable at parking-lot speeds. Overall, we like the setup, even if the steering doesn’t provide a great deal of feedback.
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Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
While not as stylish as Kia’s latest interior designs, the 2021 Sedona’s cabin is at least spacious. Luxury-minded buyers will definitely want to look at the top-spec SX, with its reclining captain’s chairs in place of the second-row bench. First- and second-row passengers will find plenty of room to stretch out; smaller kids will be fine in the third row, but big kids may feel the pinch. All models come with a two-tone color theme that breaks up what might otherwise be a monotonous black interior. The materials feel high quality, but they could benefit from some cushioning or soft-touch wrappers on the armrests and center console. In our testing of cargo room, the Sedona fell short of all of its rivals by a wide margin due to its second-row seats that tilt and slide but cannot be removed or stowed in the floor. Small-item storage is good, particularly for front-seat passengers, but it pales in comparison to what the Pacifica offers.
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Overview
In the minivan game, the 2021 Kia Sedona doesn’t quite stack up against segment leaders. Its handsome styling gives it a kind of SUV look that strays from the very vanny silhouettes of the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey, but its cabin lacks the flexibility that both of those rivals offer. It’s falling behind in the driver-assistance department as well; none of Kia’s high-tech accident-avoidance tech is available on the base model, for instance, and that stuff remains optional on the mid-range EX. That said, the Sedona is a decent value proposition among minivans: The base model offers plenty of standard convenience features, and the top-spec SX provides a truly upscale experience, boasting reclining second-row lounge chairs with footrests. Rumor has it that Kia will unveil a new Sedona soon, which we imagine will better align with what the competition offers.
