What's New
The 2021 Kia Sedona returns with minor changes. The most notable being the elimination of the former base model, reducing the number of trims from four to three.
Part of the third generation introduced in 2015, the Sedona is a comfortable and spacious minivan, but it's a little bit behind the times when it comes to standard active safety
Choosing Your Kia Sedona
The Sedona is available in three trims: LX, EX, and SX. Pricing starts at $31,520 including destination for the LX and reaches $42,620 for the range-topping SX.
Engine Choices
The Kia Sedona comes with one engine choice: a 3.3-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Power travels to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission for this people carrier.
The Sedona returns an EPA-estimated 18 miles per gallon city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 combined.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Sedona seats eight passengers. The front seats are wide and supportive with sufficient shoulder, back, and hip support. Both the second- and third-row bench seats hold three each with ample leg room present.
The middle seat in the second row can fold into a console, thanks to Kia's Slide-n-Stow system. This effectively makes for second row captain's chairs. As for the third row, it's best left for children, but with 34.8 inches of leg room, it isn’t the smallest space in its class.
The Sedona’s cargo capacity measures 33.9 cubic seat behind the third row or 78.4 cubic feet behind the second row. Storage capacity mushrooms to an outstanding 142 cubic feet behind the first row.
Safety Features
On a family vehicle like a minivan, it's disappointing that there are no standard or available active safety features to be found on the base LX trim.
Beginning with the EX, Kia makes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors standard. The SX further adds adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and a surround-view camera system.
The SX's safety goodies can be added to the EX via the EX Premium Package ($4,800), which also includes many convenience and comfort upgrades.
Connectivity
Kia equips the base Sedona with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, Sir Eyes Free, and a six-speaker audio system.
The EX trim brings in a wireless charging pad. The SX, meanwhile, gets an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, satellite radio, HD radio, voice recognition, and a Harman Kardon audio system.
A rear seat entertainment system is available for $1,500 on the EX and SX.
The standard LX comes with projector beam headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, dual power-sliding rear doors, a tilt and-telescopic steering column, full power accessories, air conditioning, an eight-way power driver's seat, and cloth seats.
The EX adds multiple upgrades over the base model. The outside gets automatic and soft-closing power-sliding rear doors, roof rails, and 18-inch wheels. The interior is seriously improved with leather upholstery, heated front seats, push button start, and second- and third-row sunshades.
In addition to the aforementioned safety features, a host of convenience upgrades are bundled in the $4,800 EX Premium Package. These include a sunroof, three-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-way power passenger seat.
The SX builds on the EX with the Premium Package. It brings in full LED lighting, automatic high beams, a hands-free power liftgate, chrome exterior door handles, and heated and power-folding side mirrors. In addition to the 8-inch touchscreen, the interior includes the sunroof, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, three-zone automatic climate control, and eight-way power passenger seat.
Compare Sedona Trims Side-By-Side
With the former base L trim gone, the 2021 Kia Sedona LX is a decent place to start. However, if you want many of the amenities common to this segment, then choose the EX with the Premium Package.