2003 Kia Sedona Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This South Korean automaker's minivan returns for its second season with minimal changes. Sedona has standard V6 power, 7-passenger seating, and comes in a single body length, which is about 2 inches longer than a regular-length Dodge Caravan. LX and uplevel EX models are offered. Both use a 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. This year, the LX gains a standard AM/FM/CD player, central door-lock button, and remote fuel-door release. EX models add additional stereo speakers and a second remote for the keyless entry. All get new taillights. Kia is owned by Hyundai and duplicates Hyundai's warranty: 5-years/60,000-mi. bumper-to-bumper, 10/100,000 powertrain, and 5-years/unlimited roadside assistance.

Competition

Though the competition has heated up, we feel that 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 Honda Odyssey. It's sportier to drive, and it has a super-convenient flip-and-fold-away rear seat, but the ride can grow harsh at times.

Recommended Chevy Venture and Toyota Sienna are comparably priced and offer loads of neat features, but they can't match the road manners of our Best Buys. Mazda MPV makes it to the Recommended list this year as a reliable family hauler offering better fuel economy than competitors at a reasonable price. Also garnering Recommended ratings are the Chrysler Town & Country and Chrysler Voyager. Though they don't offer the Caravan's breadth of model choices, they are mechanically similar. Their entry-level models are a super value for the price.

News

Sedona drew some 15,000 orders in debut 2001 and nearly 32,000 in just the first nine months of '02. Kia had projected annual U.S. sales of 20,000-24,000, saying its South Korean factory could supply more if needed. Apparently, that's just what's happening.

Parent Hyundai Motor Co. sees Kia as a price-conscious "high value" brand, at least in the U.S. That's one reason why Sedona doesn't offer expected minivan features like side airbags and rear-seat entertainment system. Kia says market studies showed such items weren't vital in Sedona's price bracket, but says they could be added if enough customers are willing to pay for them. Meantime, industry moles say Sedona may be redesigned for model-year 2006--emphasis on "may."

2003 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	4.1

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 liberal throttle application.

Fuel Economy

EX w/ABS	Class Average
4	4

Extended-use-test EX averaged 17.5 mpg over 7266 mi. of mostly highway driving. Other test EXs averaged 15.6 mpg in a more even mix of city/highway travel, or just 13.2 mpg including mostly city driving and 0-60-mph acceleration runs. Kia recommends regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

EX w/ABS	Class Average
6	5.5

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 noseplow 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	5

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 acceptable wind-noise suppression.

Controls

EX w/ABS	Class Average
8	6.1

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. Good driver positioning. EX has standard power passenger seat. Both front seats have fold-down left armrests. Windshield-wiper deicers and rear wiper/washer are standard, but headrests hurt aft visibility; rear-obstacle-warning system unavailable.

Room/Comfort (rear)

EX w/ABS	Class Average
7	6.9

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 more than 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, slide-out 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	5.9

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	57.1

Scores for all Minivans

Low Score		43
Average Score		57
High Score		71

2003 Kia Sedona Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 04/16/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LX 4-door van	$19,620	$18,405	$640

EX 4-door van	$21,835	$20,055	$640

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 w/rear controls, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 7-passenger seating, front bucket seats w/driver-seat height adjustment, center console, cupholders, 2nd-row bench seat, 3rd-row split folding seat, power mirrors, power front windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers w/deicer, map lights, visor mirrors, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, remote fuel-door release, floormats.

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, 2nd-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, universal garage-door opener, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Roof rack, fog lights, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Safety	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Antilock brakes
EX, LX	$595	$517


Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery
EX	$850	$739


Power sunroof
EX	$700	$608


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Roof rack
LX	$200	$154


Rear spoiler
EX, LX	$200	$154


Tow hitch
EX, LX	$350	$269

2003 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

< 2003 Kia Sedona Photos

Also in the 2003 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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