2017 Kia Sedona Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What's New for 2017?
New for the 2017 Kia Sedona is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, automatic emergency braking, an acoustically insulated windshield that gives a quiet ride at any speed, and improved xenon headlights.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2017 Kia Sedona – The Pros
1. A Standard Powerful V6 Engine
The 2017 Kia Sedona features a standard 3.3-L Lambda-II V6 engine that generates 276 hp and 248 pounds-feet of torque. This engine is married to a 6-speed automatic transmission that gives it plenty of power to get up and go, outperforming other vehicles in its class.
2. The SX Limited Trim
At the top of the line is the SX Limited trim. This trim comes with a heated steering wheel, a surround-view video camera system, premium leather upholstery, forward collision and lane departure warnings and mitigation system to keep you and your vehicle safe on the road.
3. A Standard Rear Seat DVD Player
A nice touch that makes this vehicle really family-friendly is that a rear seat DVD player comes standard on every model of the 2017 Kia Sedona.
4. Top-notch Acceleration
Not only does the Sedona get fluid rev-matched downshifts on the 6-speed automatic transmission, but it also gets top acceleration speed for a vehicle in its class thanks to its powerful V6 engine. This minivan goes from 0 to 60 mph in a speedy 7.9 seconds.
5. Impeccable Braking
The Sedona has superb braking abilities that help it outperform most of its rivals. It has a short stopping distance from 60 mph at just 119 feet. Also, the brake pedal has a moderate firmness to it that inspires confidence while braking on the road.
6. Effortless Steering
While some drivers might appreciate feeling like they are more connected to the Sedona while driving, the steering is pretty smooth and extremely effortless. This might be a good match for drivers who don't want to feel burdened by their vehicle's steering.
7. Comfortable Seats
All of the seats are well-cushioned and make longer drives comfortable. There is sufficient legroom in the second row when seats are reclined, and third row comfort seems to be at the industry standard. Children and smaller adults should not have a problem fitting into the third row seats.
8. The Virtually Noise-free Cabin
The 2017 Kia Sedona features an acoustic windshield which sound-proofs the entire cabin. Even when driven at highway speeds, there is little road or wind noise that makes its way into the Sedona's cabin. The engine itself is very refined, produced little noise even when revving.
9. User-friendly Setup
The Sedona's entire setup is incredibly user-friendly. Buttons are intuitively placed along the flat dashboard and are easy to identify and use. All critical vehicular functions have physical knobs that you can manually adjust. Also, the infotainment system is easy to use with a large touchscreen monitor that caters to the non-tech-savvy drivers out there.
10. Interior Materials are High-quality
All interior materials on the 2017 Kia Sedona appear to be high-quality. Nothing seems cheaply made or like it will easily fall apart on you. The stitching on the leather is quite impressive, the leather itself looks upscale, and the plastics are all well-grained, making the Sedona one of the most appealing minivans inside and out.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2017 Kia Sedona – The Cons
1. It's Thirsty
The Sedona has a high-powered powertrain, but this also makes it a bit of a burden at the pump. The L, LX, and EX trims get 20 mpg combined (with 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway), while the SX does slightly better at 21 mpg combined (with 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway). The high-end SXL trim does worse in terms of fuel economy since it only gets 19 mpg combined (with 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway).
2. Cargo Space is Limited
Cargo space is limited compared to most of the Sedona's competitors. The Sedona only has a maximum cargo space of 142 cubic feet since the second-row seats cannot be removed like they can on most other minivans. This can be particularly problematic if you are constantly lugging bulky items around and need the additional space.
3. Lacks Small Item Storage Space
The Sedona also does not have as much small item storage space as some of its competitors, especially given how the center console is designed. The storage areas that are available are pretty small in size compared to those found in other minivans. You might have to improvise and add your own small item storage bins to the Sedona if you are toting kids around a lot.
4. Some Issues With Ride Comfort
Going over large bumps in the road can be a bit of a nuisance, and going at higher speeds will likely feel a bit busy to some drivers since the suspension has some softness to it. While this is not a problem for some drivers, the bumpiness is noticeable if you are used to driving a vehicle with a more refined suspension system.
How it stacks up to the competition:
2017 Kia Sedona vs. 2017 Honda Odyssey
Like the Sedona, the Odyssey has a quiet cabin and a well-refined V6 engine. However, the Odyssey gets slightly better fuel economy than the Sedona and is more generous with cargo space. The second-row seats are removable, but it is somewhat difficult to remove them.
2017 Kia Sedona vs. 2017 Toyota Sienna
The Sienna lacks some of the features found in the Sedona, and its second-row seats are a pain to remove. It does offer an all-wheel drive option found on no other minivan, and it has a refined drive quality.
Conclusion
The 2017 Kia Sedona is an upscale-feeling minivan that packs a lot of useful features and is generally very user-friendly. While it isn't the most fuel-efficient minivan on the market, its powerful V6 engine makes it worth considering. If you are looking for a family-friendly but powerful minivan, you might want to give the Sedona a test-drive.
