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Kia Sedona - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Kia Sedona ranks 5 out of 8 Minivans. This ranking is based on our analysis of 34 published reviews and test drives of the Kia Sedona, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2009 Kia Sedona has great safety scores and a wide range of standard features at an appealing price. However, its performance does not stand out compared to other minivans.  

Although reviewers find the 2009 Kia Sedona an improvement over previous generations of the minivan, they are less enthusiastic about the vehicle's performance and appearance compared to other minivans. Still, many say it's an acceptable alternative to its rivals, and it was awarded a Motor Week "Driver's Choice Award" in 2007 for Best Minivan, tying with its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Entourage.

The Sedona's last redesign was 2006, and the 2009 model carries over with few changes since that time. The seven-seater minivan is available in three trims: the base model, the LX and EX.

People interested in purchasing a Minivan should also consider the class-leading Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

• "Kia is selling value, not sex appeal, and the Sedona shows that the Korean automaker understands its mission well." -- U.S. News
• "The Sedona may not be an Odyssey, but it has a lot to offer at a respectable price." -- Automobile Magazine
• "Bigger and more powerful, this Sedona packs more family-pleasing punch than ever." -- Motor Week
• "[T]his second-generation Sedona arrives with the form, function, and mechanical aptitude to go toe-to-toe with the big sellers from Chrysler, Honda, and Toyota." -- Motor Trend
• "The Kia Sedona minivan is a huge steaming pile of who cares. ... If I were in charge of morale at Toyota or Honda, I would let them dance around the Sedona like a maypole at the company picnic." -- Los Angeles Times

Sedona Performance - 7.5 (Good)

Test drivers agree that the 2009 Kia Sedona's performance is acceptable. About.com observes, "The Sedona exhibits good, stable road manners and enough power to accelerate strongly into traffic, even when packed full of kids and their accoutrements." But several reviewers also state the Sedona's performance doesn't compare well to other minivans. Read More

Sedona Exterior - 6.9 (Mediocre)

The 2009 Kia Sedona's exterior is inoffensive with little to distinguish it from other minivans. Kelley Blue Book says, "Except for the taillamps, the Sedona doesn't carry itself much differently than a Toyota Sienna, which wouldn't be impossible to mistake for a Honda Odyssey." Read More

Sedona Interior - 8.0 (Very Good)

Reviewers praise the 2009 Kia Sedona as spacious and comfortable, but have a problem with the quality of the cabin trim. The Los Angeles Times writes, "The wood trim was made from that exotic species of hardwood, Polystyrene ironicus." Read More

Sedona Safety - 9.9 (Excellent)

The '09 Sedona performs well in federal government and insurance industry crash tests, and the 2008 model is an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" for its good performance with electronic stability control. Read More

Sedona Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)

The 2009 Kia Sedona reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Kia has one of the longest warranties of the class -- a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a five-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance program. Read More