2019 Kia Sedona Review

The 2019 Kia Sedona is a minivan with very distinct and aggressive styling. First introduced as part of the 2015 model upgrade, new features have been added to the 2019 model to keep it competitive. There are four models in the range, the L, LX, EX, and SX. They all come with the same 3.3-liter V6 engine, which is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower across the range is rated at 276, with 248 lb-ft of torque and all models are front-wheel drive.

Compared to competitors in its class such as the venerable Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica, the Kia has a lot to offer including great features like a 360-degree camera, wireless charging and triple zone climate control, as well as the most important attributes of any minivan, namely adequate space and comfort. A brilliant all-rounder, the Sedona's main drawbacks are having slightly less space than some of the competitors, a sometimes bumpy ride, and below-average fuel economy.

What's the Price of the 2019 Kia Sedona?

The cheapest model in the Sedona range is the L, which starts at an MSRP of $27,200. Above the L is the LX, which starts at $30,000 and the EX which starts at $33,300. The top of the range SX starts at $41,100. These prices exclude tax, registration and licensing as well as the destination charge of $995.

In comparison the Toyota Sienna starts at $31,315 for the base model XLE, going up to $48,890 for the Limited Premium edition. The Honda Odyssey starts at $37,710 for the EX-L, going up to $47,070 for the Elite.

2019 Sedona Exterior

Dimensions

2019 Sedona Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

Considering that the Sedona is less powerful than its rivals, it is still a pleasure to drive due to its brisk acceleration. In the beginning it's odd to take turns at such wide angles due to the size of the Sedona, but the light and responsive steering makes it easier. The 360-degree surround camera is a blessing in a car of this size and makes parking in tight spots easier. The Sedona feels composed as it effortlessly glides from place to place faster than many smaller cars. The agile handling makes winding roads a breeze to drive on and while the suspension is soft enough to filter out the bumps, it never feels bouncy.

There are three drive modes available, namely comfort, eco, and sport. There really isn't much of a difference between them, but at least the eco mode doesn't impede performance like it does on many other cars.

Overall the Kia Sedona delivers a great all-round driving experience. The performance and handling is exceptional, while the ride is smooth and braking performance is good. The Sedona is the perfect car for anyone looking to go on a long trip with many passengers, who want to travel in comfort.

2019 Sedona Interior

2019 Sedona Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2019 Kia Sedona A Good minivan?

Considering that most people are buying SUVs these days, the Sedona proves that a minivan can be an excellent alternative, especially when it comes to carrying seven or more passengers. It has very few disadvantages like below average fuel economy and not being a class leader when it comes to space.

Otherwise, the Kia is strong in almost every department. The V6 engine always has enough grunt no matter how loaded the car is and the eight-speed automatic provides smooth shifts. The ride is decent and the cabin feels insulated from the outside world, although the occasional big bump can disrupt the tranquility from time to time. Kia has also tried to cure the boring minivan styling by having distinct and aggressive styling in the front and rear.

The infotainment and features should be enough to keep the passengers entertained even on the longest journeys, while they perch on the comfortable, supportive seating.

What Kia Sedona Model Should I Buy?

It's tempting to say that the EX is the one to go for because of its balance of features and price, but the SX is really the one to choose. This is the type of car that's worth going all out for the top of the range model. The EX with the EX premium package costs $38,100 and the SX costs $41,100. With only $3,000 the difference between the two, the SX is worth the extra money. While the SX might not have as many features as the top of the range Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, it's far cheaper and provides amazing value. The Honda Odyssey starts at $47,070 which is almost six thousand more expensive than the SX. The Toyota Sienna Limited Premium Edition is $48,890, a massive $7,700 price difference.

2019 Kia Sedona Comparisons

2019 Kia Sedona vs Toyota Sienna

Toyota's are synonymous with reliability and the Sienna is no different. The current Sienna has been around for almost eight years and has been updated regularly in that time. Unlike the Sedona, it has the option of all-wheel drive, as well as a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine which makes 296 horsepower compared to the Sedona's 275 horsepower. Although the Toyota has the larger engine, it still as better economy figures of 19/27/23 compared to the Kia's 18/24/21. The Sienna also has more cargo room and passenger space than the Sedona.

The Kia boasts a more modern design and it really shows. The Kia has a more modern, aggressive look as well as of the best interiors in the class. Although the Toyota is larger, the Sedona feels more comfortable. While both cars have decent infotainment units, the Sedona has Android Auto, which isn't available on the Toyota. Considering that the base Sedona starts at $27,200 and the base Sienna starts at $31,315, the Sedona is better value for money and has a longer warranty.

2019 Kia Sedona vs Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey is already in its fifth generation and is known for being a leader in its class. It's powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine connected to either a nine-speed automatic, or ten-speed automatic and makes 280 horsepower compared to the Sedona's 275 horsepower. Like the Sienna, the Honda also has better fuel economy than the Sedona at 19/28/23. The Honda also has a fantastic interior and great handling. In the infotainment department it has a Wi-Fi hotspot function which the Sedona doesn't have.

The Sedona sports a brilliant interior which can rival the Honda. It also has slightly more cargo space at 33.9 cu-ft vs the Honda's 32.8 cu-ft. The powertrain warranty on the Sedona is ten years/100,000 miles, while the basic warranty is five-years/60,000 miles. That's way more than the Odyssey which only has a five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty and three-years/36,000 mile general warranty

Both of these cars are brilliant all-rounders, but the Honda narrowly wins because of having better performance and fuel economy.