multipurpose vehicle

The Kia Sedona is a minivan, one of just a handful of models in a shrinking segment Although most shoppers will consider a crossover first, vehicles like the Sedona offer exceptional utility, superior access and egress, and decent overall value. The 2020 Kia Sedona is a carryover model with no changes.

Your Choice of Trims

The Kia Sedona comes in four trims: L, LX, EX, and SX. Pricing starts at $28,485 including destination and reaches $42,345 at the top end. This model seats up to eight and is front-wheel drive.

One Engine, One Transmission

Every Sedona comes with a 3.3-liter V6 engine with 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the front wheels with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

This model makes 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway for a combined 21 mpg. When properly equipped, the Sedona has a 3,500-pound towing capacity.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The Sedona’s cabin is spacious and quiet with room for eight passengers across three rows. The first two rows are the most comfortable ones for adults with the last row offering narrower space and tighter legroom.

As for storage space, the Sedona offers 33.9 cubic feet behind the third row, which is slightly better than the Honda Odyssey. Fold down the rear seat and storage capacity jumps to 78.4 cubic feet. With the second- and third-row seats folded, there is 142.0 cubic feet of storage room available, nearly matching the Chrysler Pacifica.

Safety Features

Kia’s key driver-assist features are reserved for the top EX and SX trims only. Under its “Drive Wise” suite, Kia offers parking distance warning, blind-spot collision warning, and rear cross-traffic collision warning. That said, the Toyota Sienna has the best roster of standard advanced safety equipment in the segment.

Optional with the EX, but standard with the top-trim SX, Kia includes lane departure warning, forward collision warning and avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and adaptive cruise control with full stop and go. Exclusive to the SX are low beam assist with adaptive lighting and a surround-view monitor.

Technology & Connectivity

Kia equips the 2020 Sedona with a 7-inch touch-screen display screen. Bluetooth, a four-speaker audio system, USB ports, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility are standard. Shoppers considering the LX and EX trims will find a 6-speaker audio system. The top-trim SX has an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The Sedona SX has a few exclusive features, including an 8-inch touch-screen display, navigation, and a CD player. A third-row USB port is available on the EX and standard with the SX. Wireless phone charging is standard with the EX and SX trims.

L – From $28,485

Kia equips the Sedona L with automatic projection headlamps, manual sliding doors, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler. Inside, the seats are covered in cloth. The L trim has seven-passenger seating as it has middle-row captain’s chairs. Other standard equipment includes full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, air conditioning, and vanity lighting.

LX – From $31,245

Power-sliding passenger doors and rear privacy glass arrive at the LX level. Inside, 8-passenger seating is standard. A power driver’s seat with power lumbar support is included. The Sedona LX has a six-speaker audio system.

EX – From $34,545

The Sedona EX has many of the features customers want in a minivan. Given its price point, its the value leader in this segment.

Standard exterior equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, and silver-painted roof rails. Available options include projection fog lights, a power sunroof, a power tailgate, and power-folding and heated side mirrors. Inside, the EX has leather-covered seats, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A dual glove box with illumination and second- and third-row sunshade screens are standard.

An available rear entertainment system adds dual screens along with DVD and device mirroring capability.

SX – From $42,345

The top-trim SX features full LED lighting, including LED fog lights and positioning lights. Other standard features include chrome trim, power-folding and heated side mirrors, and a sunroof.

Inside, the SX features metal grain trim, an illuminated dual glove box with cooling, and a 115-volt inverter. Power second-row passenger windows and the full list of tech and safety features rolls out here too.

Parting Thoughts

The Sedona EX offers the best value for the money. An available EX Premium Package brings in many of the amenities from the SX, and with manufacturer discounting much of your extra cost should be covered.

2020 Kia Sedona Specifications

Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.

See Also — At a Glance: 2019 Kia K900

Photo copyright Kia Motors.

The 2020 Kia Sedona returns unchanged this year.

The 2020 Kia Sedona launches the sixth year of this third-generation model, a carryover vehicle with no changes whatsoever. This model is part of a small collection of minivans, which are probably better described as multipurpose vehicles. Although the market is shrinking, the Sedona is a compelling alternative to the crossover utility vehicles favored by families.

Despite no changes, the 2020 Sedona maintains a competitive footprint among minivan models. It comes in L, LX, EX, and SX trims. This front-wheel-drive model holds seven or eight. All trims come with a V6 engine paired with an automatic transmission.

Key Features of the 2020 Kia Sedona

There is a lot to say about the Kia Sedona. Auto Trends last reviewed a Sedona in 2016, but it was refreshed in 2018. You can find that review here.

1. Traditional minivan and utility vehicle alternative.

Minivans once ruled the family market, largely supplanting station wagons beginning in the 1980s. The Kia Sedona arrived in 2002, took a hiatus in 2013, and returned to the U.S. market a year later. As before, the Sedona shares the same platform as the Sorento crossover and the all-new Telluride. The difference with the Sedona includes its sliding rear side doors and fold-down second- and third-row seats. This model also has more cargo room than its utility vehicle siblings.

2. One capable powertrain at the ready.

You get one powertrain choice with the Sedona. Under the hood is a 3.3-liter V6 engine with 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels utilizing an eight-speed automatic transmission.

3. Room for seven or eight.

If you need eight-passenger carrying space, the Sedona supplies it. Only the Telluride offers eight-passenger space, so now you have two model choices from Kia fulfilling that demand. If you go the eight-passenger route, know that the very comfortable and versatile middle-row captain’s chairs are replaced by a split fold-down bench seat.

4. Driver-assist features available.

You’ll need to move past the L and LX models to find the driver-assist features most consumers want today. Blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision warning, and parking distance warning are standard on the EX. The SX trim has all the remaining features, which are also available on the EX. These include: forward collision warning, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, high-beam assist, driver attention warning, an electronic parking brake, and adaptive cruise control with full stop and go.

5. Lots of high-end exterior amenities.

If you want a well-equipped model, you’ll likely begin your search with the EX trim. Standard features include projector headlamps, alloy wheels, power-adjustable side mirrors with turn signal indicators, and rear LED lights. Upgrades include LED projection lights with dynamic bending light technology, fog lamps, LED positioning lights, heated side mirrors, roof rails, a sunroof, power-sliding side doors, and a power liftgate.

6. An interior worthy of consideration.

Once again, Kia saves the best amenities for the top-trim SX. Here, you’ll find leather seats, a dual glove box with cooling, and carpeted floor mats. But the other trims are equipped, not stripped as you’ll find full power accessories, air conditioning, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, and cloth seats. Among the options are three-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

7. Audio and tech features galore.

The base model has a four-speaker audio system, which isn’t much to get excited about. Beginning with the LX trim, you’ll find a six-speaker system, while an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is standard with the SX. Other features include Bluetooth, smartphone compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and multiple USB ports. Some trims offer third-row USB ports, wireless phone charging, and a rear-seat entertainment system. You’ll also find a seven- or eight-inch touchscreen display and connected car services.

Kia Sedona Considerations

Kia continues to maintain a strong position in the market, thanks in part to its product mix, much-improved reliability, value, and extended warranties. Indeed, the brand’s five-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty is one of the best in the industry. It is joined by excellent warranties for rust and the powertrain, giving Kia an important edge in a highly competitive market, which is also served by the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and the Dodge Grand Caravan.

2020 Kia Sedona Specifications

Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.

See Also — At a Glance: 2019 Kia K900

Photo copyright Kia Motors.