2002 Kia Sedona: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

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.