Performance
One category people often overlook when they are considering purchasing a minivan is performance. They know they are going to get a vehicle that can carry eight people and haul almost as much as a pickup, but they shy away from what the minivan has under the hood. With the Kia Sedona, though, you’ll want to check it out; it is all but guaranteed that you will like what you find there.
Driving the Sedona
The 2021 Kia Sedona is powered by a 3.3L V6 engine that is capable of generating 276 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with the powerful engine is an 8-speed automatic transmission that is ultra-smooth and makes for intuitive driving and handling. The engine also has an active eco mode and has an overall fuel economy that is very competitive. In the city, the Sedona gets 18 MPG. As you would expect, fuel economy on the highway is even more impressive at 24 MPG and, in all, makes for a combined fuel rating of 21 MPG. And with its large 21.1 gallon tank, that kind of efficiency means you won’t be going to the gas station to fill up the tank very often at all.
Surprisingly, even though it is so efficient, with all of this power comes great towing capabilities. With many minivans it's not even worth looking into the towing capacity because the engines are so sluggish and the total weight of what you can tow isn’t very impressive. That is not the case with the Sedona. With its 3,500-pound towing capacity, you can bring not only every member of your family, but your boat or other toys to put them in.
The overall level of performance from the 2021 Kia Sedona is unbeatable and makes it one of the best minivans of the year.
Interior
Rows of Seating
The inside of any minivan is what makes or breaks it, and the interior of the Sedona is definitely a winner. Things start off great with a spacious front row and the elegant captains chairs that include an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat so no matter who is behind the wheel they can find the position that is right for them. The front row has plenty of space and includes a generous 40.9 inches of legroom.
The second row is what sets the Sedona apart as it has room for three passengers which nudges the total passenger capacity to eight. The fabric of the seats is of the highest quality and adds to the Sedona’s style nicely. The second row is also where you can find the most legroom in the vehicle with 41.1 inches for your passengers to work with.
The back row rides extremely smoothly and is plenty wide to fit three passengers comfortably. And while there isn’t quite as much legroom in the third row as there is in the second, it is still pretty good at 34.8 inches. With all of this room for passengers in the Sedona, no one will ever be complaining about feeling cramped!
Cargo Space
For convenience and the ability to haul more cargo inside the Sedona, the seats do fold down - slide and stow for the second row and a complete flat fold for the third - to create a maximum cargo capacity that nearly matches a full-size SUV. At 142 cu.ft. of cargo room, you can fit just about anything, from furniture to sporting equipment in a Sedona. And if you need to bring both passengers and your stuff there is still plenty of room behind the third row at 33.9 cu.ft.
Cutting-Edge Technology
All of this functionality is nothing to say of the style and cutting-edge technology. The dual sliding power doors on both sides make getting in and out of the Sedona a cinch, and the 7” touch display is simply brilliant. It makes navigation and song selection easier and safer than ever. There is also a crisp and clear display of the rear camera so you can see what is behind you while you are backing up and trying to get into tight parking spots.
Finally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on the Sedona and complete the interior package nicely. With all of these features, you will never want to leave your vehicle. All told, the 2021 Kia Sedona is one of the most capable and comfortable rides you could imagine.
Safety
One thing that is always on the minds of minivan drivers is safety. With cargo as precious as infants, toddlers, and children of all ages, you want to make sure the minivan you choose doesn’t only perform well and have all the latest bells and whistles on the inside, but that it will protect your family when you need it most.
Safety in the Sedona
The Sedona is one of the safest minivans available and has a number of features that will protect your family in the case of an accident or keep one from occurring in the first place. Safety starts with airbags and the Sedona has plenty of well-positioned airbags throughout the cabin. There are not only dual front seat-mounted airbags but also dual front advanced airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. If an accident does take place, the airbags deploy and wrap the vehicle in a cocoon of safety.
If you opt for the Sedona EX, the second of the three available trims, you can even get a suite of driver-assist safety technologies that will make an accident even less likely. One of the great features is blind-spot collision warning, which lets you know when a vehicle is in a hard to see spot. Another is rear cross-traffic collision warning which alerts you if something might be behind you.
The top trim is the SX and starts at $41,500. If you go with the SX the list of safety features is even longer and includes lane departure warning, which lets you know when the vehicle is starting to drift into oncoming traffic so you can quickly and safely move back to your own lane. There is also auto emergency braking and warning technology, which can automatically apply brakes in some situations to avoid a collision or lessen the impact of one.
All of these safety features make the 2021 Kia Sedona an extremely safe ride and will give you peace of mind as you drive your family to soccer or across the country for vacation.
