2018 Kia Sedona Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What's New for 2018?
Everything on the 2018 Kia Sedona is carried over from the outgoing 2017 model.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Kia Sedona – The Pros
1. A Sedan-Like Cockpit
When you hop behind the wheel of the 2018 Kia Sedona, you will notice that the cockpit has a sedan-like vibe. The dash and center stack echo those found on Kia's sedans, and the driving itself has a bit of sedan spunk. If you're making the transition from sedan-driver to first-time minivan driver, the Sedona should have a very natural and easy-going feeling to you.
2. A Long List of Features
The 2018 Kia Sedona is riddled with standard features, and there are plenty of optional ones to choose from as well. The base S model comes with dual-zone climate control, a 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth capabilities, and a rearview camera. If you move it on up to the line-topping SX Limited trim, you get a heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera, and lane departure warning.
3. A Quiet Cabin
The Kia Sedona has a well-insulated cabin that keeps wind and road noise at bay. Whether you take the V6 engine up to full throttle or have it sitting in idle, it barely manages anything above a gentle hum. Overall, you can expect a pleasantly noiseless ride.
4. The Second-Row Seats
The Sedona's second-row seats are packed with comfort. Passengers will have no problem getting relaxed for a road trip in these well-bolstered seats. Also, they are able to recline, which offers passengers an extra amount of legroom.
5. Firm Braking
The brake pedal has a nice, firm feel to it that is difficult to find in the competition. The brakes feel responsive and secure, so the driver will always know what to expect from them, even in a panic stop.
6. User-Friendliness
The 2018 Kia Sedona has user-friendly physical controls along the center stack. The buttons are large and intuitively placed. Even the infotainment system's interface is easy-to-use, so non-tech-savvy drivers should have no problem figuring it out.
7. Excellent Visbility
Frontal visibility on the Sedona is superb. The front pillars are slender and the windshield and side windows are all relatively wide. The standard rearview camera provides excellent rear vision, and the surround-view camera found on the SX Limited eliminates blindspot issues.
8. High-Quality Craftsmanship
Some minivans struggle with looking refined. The 2018 Kia Sedona is not one of them. In fact, all of the materials found throughout the cabin look like they are high-quality. The paneling is well-constructed and lacks any noticeable gaps, and the upholstery looks extremely contemporary without sacrificing comfort.
9. Easily Accommodates Child Safety Seats
Child safety seats can be easily mounted in the rear thanks to the sliding ability of the second-row captain's seats. All of the LATCH anchors are easy to reach and use, including the ones found in the third row.
10. The Advanced Premium Technology Package
If you place a major emphasis on safety technology, then the Advanced Premium Technology package is a must-have. This optional package includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and a blind spot monitoring system.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Kia Sedona – The Cons
1. Poor Fuel Economy
Unfortunately, the 2018 Kia Sedona has a few downfalls, the biggest one being its fuel economy. The S trim gets 20 combined mpg (18 mpg city/24 mpg highway), while the SX gets only slightly better at 21 combined mpg (18 mpg city/25 mpg highway). The SXL gets 19 combined mpg (17 mpg city/22 mpg highway). This just doesn't stack up to what you get on competitors like the Honda Odyssey.
2. Lacks Cargo Space
There isn't much cargo space in the Kia Sedona. With all seats in place, there are only 33.9 cubic feet of cargo space. The maximum amount of cargo space you can get with seats removed is just 142 cubic feet. This pales in comparison to the Honda Odyssey's max of 158 cubic feet of cargo space.
3. A Busy Ride Quality
The ride quality tends to have an overly-busy feel to it. While the suspension makes for a smooth ride at slower speeds, when you get the Sedona up to speed on the highway, you will feel the bumps on jagged road surfaces.
4. Subpar Steering and Handling
Steering and handling both lack finesse. The steering feels too light to give the driver a good sense of what it is doing, and the handling feels clunky. You will absolutely need to take turns slow and steady in the Sedona.
How it Stacks up to the Competition:
2018 Kia Sedona vs. 2018 Honda Odyssey
The 2018 Honda Odyssey sits atop the pack of competitors for the model year. With its more than generous cargo space, all-around spacious interior, and superbly strong V6 engine, it's hard to find much to dislike about the Odyssey. The only real drawback to this minivan is that the second-row seats can be difficult to move, and the third row doesn't have a power folding capability.
2018 Kia Sedona vs. 2018 Toyota Sienna
Another top contender for the model year is the 2018 Toyota Sienna. The Toyota Sienna has been on the market for a very long time and has earned a good reputation as a reliable daily driver. This year's model, like the Odyssey, has second-row seats that are hard to move. However, the Sienna makes up for this with its all-wheel-drive option (which is unique for this class) and extremely refined ride quality at all speeds.
Conclusion
Overall, the 2018 Kia Sedona has a lot of fantastic qualities. Although it lags a bit behind the top contenders in the class, the Sedona is still a strong choice, placing it above many competitors. The muted cabin, high-quality materials, and emphasis on user-friendliness make the Sedona one of the top choices for minivans to grace the market in 2018.
