2002-2005 Kia Sedona: Road Test

A Sedona has adequate power in gentle driving, but it's among the heaviest minivans on the market. Therefore, heavy throttle application is needed for scooting from a stop, passing, or catching up with highway traffic when loaded with passengers. An EX accelerated from 0-60 mph in 10.5 seconds, which falls short of the minivan norm. Fuel economy is no bonus: An extended-use EX averaged 17.5 mpg in mostly highway driving. Other EX models averaged 15.6 mpg in a more even mix of city/highway travel. One managed just 13.2 mpg including mostly city driving and 0-60 mph acceleration runs. Kia recommends regular-grade gasoline. Sharp bumps, tar strips, and pavement cracks register through the steering wheel, seats, and structure, but they seldom induce jolting. Wavy surfaces trigger some float and wallow. Handling is marred by a slow, rubbery steering feel. Even leisurely changes of direction induce noticeable body lean. Excess weight and soft tires cause the nose to plow as cornering speeds increase. Stopping power is adequate, but some test models have suffered poor brake-pedal feel, with or without ABS. Sedonas could be quieter, too. Tires sing on coarse surfaces, and the engine intrudes under even moderate throttle. One test model suffered considerable wind rush from around the tops of the front doors at highway speed, but others had acceptable wind-noise suppression. Simple, clear instrumentation is satisfying. Controls are generously sized, plainly marked, and easily reached. The gearshift lever sprouts from the lower center of the dashboard, leaving controls unobstructed and allowing passage between front seats. The gear-position readout is thoughtfully repeated near the speedometer. All told, the Sedona has a pleasant, contemporary interior ambience. Some lightweight-plastic controls are used, but assembly quality and most materials are competitive with those of like-priced minivans. Annoying rattles from second- and third-row seats were noticed on one new model tested. Front seats are roomy and supportive. Driver positioning is good, and the EX has a standard power passenger seat. Both front seats have fold-down center armrests. Windshield wiper de-icers and rear wiper/washer have been standard, but aft visibility is impeded by headrests. Rear seating is comparable to rivals, though second-row bucket seats don't tilt, greatly complicating third-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 the second row gets separate air-conditioning control. The EX has power-opening rear quarter windows, and gives third-row passengers their own control buttons. Cargo space is slim behind the third seat: a split 50/50 bench that flip/folds for more space. Second and third rows remove, but the lightest sections weigh over 60 pounds and are cumbersome to handle. Small-item storage is excellent in both models, with multiple cupholders, covered felt-lined dash-top bin, a two-level glovebox, slide-out locking front passenger-seat tray, and front overhead compartment. A cupholder/storage tray between the front seats folds to allow pass-through.

Value for the Money
Korean automakers stake their fortunes on delivering more features per dollar than class competitors. On that basis, Sedonas trump all rivals. Kia says its comprehensive warranty is the number one reason buyers purchase its vehicles new. However, Kia's customer satisfaction ratings and resale values have been low--which might make the Sedona a good buy secondhand.