2002 Kia Sedona Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This South Korean automaker's first minivan has standard V6 power and 7-passenger seating. Sedona comes in a single body length and is about the size of a Toyota Sienna. Base LX and uplevel EX models are offered. Both use a 195-hp 3.5-liter V6 teamed with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Dual sliding rear side doors are standard, but power doors and side airbags are unavailable. ABS is optional. The LX's 2nd-row seat is a bench; the EX has buckets, plus standard heated outside mirrors, fog lights, keyless entry, and alloy wheels. EX-only options include a sunroof and leather upholstery. Kia is owned by Hyundai and duplicates Hyundai's warranty: 5-year/60,000-mi. bumper-to-bumper, 10/100,000 powertrain, and 5-year/unlimited roadside assistance.

Competition

Though the competition has heated up, we feel that the new Dodge Caravan is still one of the best minivans you can buy. It offers all of the creature comforts in a pleasing package at a fair price. Our other Best Buy is the Honda Odyssey. It's a little bit smaller than the Dodge, but more sporty to drive, and it has a super-convenient flip-and-fold-away rear seat.

Trailing at a close second are the Recommended Chevy Venture and Toyota Sienna. Though these vans are comparably priced and offer loads of neat features, we feel they can't match the road manners of our two Best Buys. Also garnering Recommended ratings are the Chrysler Town & Country and Chrysler Voyager. Though they are mechanically similar to the class-leading Caravan, they don't offer the breadth of model choices.

News

Sedona is still a newbie, so we'll have to get back to you on how it's doing salewise. Kia modestly projected annual U.S. volume at 20,000-24,000 units, but says it can easily supply more should demand warrant.

Kia's first U.S.-market minivan lacks certain expected class features like side airbags and an optional rear-seat entertainment system. Kia says market studies showed these and other items weren't vital in Sedona's price bracket, but admits they could be added later. The same applies to standard antilock brakes, which may appear in a year or two depending on demand for the current ABS option.

2002 Kia Sedona Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Acceleration

Instruments/controls	Steering/handling

Interior storage space	Brake-pedal feel

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

EX w/ABS	Class Average
3	3.8

Test EX did 0-60 mph in 10.5 sec. Sedona has adequate power in gentle driving, but is among the heaviest minivans, so scooting from a stop, passing, or catching up with highway traffic when loaded with passengers requires full-throttle application.

Fuel Economy

EX w/ABS	Class Average
4	3.9

Extended-use-test EX averaging 17.6 mpg over its first 7232 mi. of mostly highway driving. Other test EXs averaged 15.6 mpg in a more even mix of city/highway travel, and one averaged just 13.2 mpg, including mostly city driving and 0-60-mph acceleration runs. Uses regular-grade gas.

Ride Quality

EX w/ABS	Class Average
6	5.2

Sharp bumps, tar strips, and pavement cracks register through steering wheel, seats, and structure, but seldom jolt. Wavy surfaces trigger some float and wallow.

Steering/Handling/Braking

EX w/ABS	Class Average
3	4.3

Slow, rubbery steering feel. Even leisurely changes of direction induce noticeable body lean. Weight and soft tires cause nose plow as cornering speeds increase. Stopping power adequate, but some test models suffered poor brake-pedal feel with and without ABS.

Quietness

EX w/ABS	Class Average
6	4.9

Tires sing on coarse surfaces. Engine intrudes under even moderate throttle. One test model suffered lots of wind rush from around tops of front doors at highway speed, but other Sedonas tested had OK wind-noise suppression.

Controls

EX w/ABS	Class Average
8	6

Simple, clear instrumentation. Controls generously sized, plainly marked, easily reached. Shift lever sprouts from lower-center part of dashboard, leaving controls unobstructed and allowing passage between front seats; gear-position readout thoughtfully repeated near speedometer. Pleasant, contemporary interior ambience. Some lightweight-plastic controls, but assembly quality and most materials are competitive with those of like-priced minivans. Annoying rattles from 2nd- and 3rd-row seats on one model tested.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

EX w/ABS	Class Average
8	6

Roomy, supportive. Driver positioning good, and EX has standard power passenger seat. Both front seats have fold-down center armrests. Windshield-wiper deicers and rear wiper/washer are standard, but aft visibility hurt by headrests; no rear-obstacle-warning system available.

Room/Comfort (rear)

EX w/ABS	Class Average
7	6.7

Comparable to rivals, though 2nd-row bucket seats don't tilt, greatly complicating 3rd-row entry/exit. Second-row seats slide fore/aft to fine-tune leg room for both rear rows. Outboard seating positions have ceiling air vents, and 2nd row gets separate AC control. EX has standard power-opening rear quarter windows and gives 3rd-row passengers their own control buttons.

Cargo Room

EX w/ABS	Class Average
9	9.3

Slim behind 3rd seat, a split 50/50 bench that flip/folds for more space. Second and 3rd rows remove, but the lightest sections weigh over 60 lb and are cumbersome to handle. Small-item storage excellent in both models, with multiple cupholders, covered felt-lined dashtop bin, 2-level glovebox, slideout locking front passenger-seat tray, and front overhead compartment. Cupholder/storage tray between front seats folds to allow pass-through.

Value within Class

EX w/ABS	Class Average
6	5.5

Korean automakers stake their fortunes on delivering more features per dollar than class competitors. On that basis, Sedona trumps all rivals. Additionally, Kia says its comprehensive warranty is the No. 1 reason buyers purchase its vehicles. However, Kia's customer satisfaction ratings and resale values are low.

Total Score

EX w/ABS	Class Average
60	55.6

Scores for all Minivans

Low Score		43
Average Score		55
High Score		71

2002 Kia Sedona Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 12/21/2001

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LX 4-door van	$18,995	$17,300	$595

EX 4-door van	$20,995	$18,720	$595

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

3.5-liter dohc V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Front and rear air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 7-passenger seating, front bucket seats w/driver-seat lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, second- and third-row bench seats, dual sliding rear doors, power mirrors, power front windows, power door locks, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers w/deicer, map lights, visor mirrors, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear privacy glass, 215/70R15 tires.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Wheel covers.

EX adds to LX:

Comfort and Convenience Features

8-way power driver seat w/power lumbar support, 4-way power passenger seat, second-row bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated power mirrors, power rear quarter windows, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, illuminated visor mirrors, trip computer, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Roof rack, fog lights, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Safety	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Antilock brakes
EX, LX	$595	$495


Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery
EX	$850	$700


Power sunroof
EX	$575	$475


AM/FM/CD player
LX	$195	$120


Universal garage door opener
EX	$125	$110


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Roof rack
LX	$175	$145


Rear spoiler
EX, LX	$170	$140


Two-tone paint
EX	$195	$165

2002 Kia Sedona Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Kia Sedona 4-door van

Wheelbase, in.	114.6

Overall Length, in.	194.1

Overall Width, in.	74.6

Overall Height, in.	69.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	4709

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	127.5

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	19.8

Seating Capacity	7

Front Head Room, in.	39.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	40.6

Rear Head Room, in.	39.2

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	37.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.5 /213

Horsepower @ rpm.	195 @ 5500

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	218 @ 3500

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	15/20

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Kia Sedona 4-door van

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	10/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	5/60,000	--

Corrosion	5/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: South Korea

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2002 Kia Sedona Photos

Also in the 2002 Kia Sedona Review:

Kia Sedona

Kia Sedona Road Test

Kia Sedona Prices & Equipment

Kia Sedona Specs & Safety

Kia Sedona Photos

Kia Sedona Full Review

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