2021 Kia Sedona

Kia keeps things simple, with three trim levels to choose from: LX, EX, and SX. The base LX trim comes with all of the necessities for comfortable daily transportation. Pricing starts around $30,500, and with it comes seating for eight, separate air conditioning for the rear passengers, sliding second-row seats, a seven-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and water-resistant cloth upholstery. Retailing for about $34,000, the EX strikes a balance between affordability and convenience. It adds 18-inch wheels, roof rails, two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, proximity keyless entry, push-button ignition, rear sunshades, front and rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. The top-of-the-line SX rings in at about $41,500. It gets technology like navigation, an eight-inch touchscreen, LED headlights, cooled front seats, a household-style power outlet, a surround-sound audio system, a hands-free power liftgate, and a surround-view camera system. Safety features include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and full-speed adaptive cruise control capable of handling stop-and-go-traffic.

All Sedonas come equipped with a powerful, smooth, quiet 3.3-liter V6 engine that produces 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. Those are average numbers for a modern minivan and plenty for the Sedona. It takes regular unleaded gas and delivers power to the front wheels. An eight-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox choice, but the driver can shift the gears if they want. The 21.1-gallon fuel tank capacity is large, though the 21 mpg combined EPA estimate is average, with no hybrid engine available.

Some minivans have high dashboards with integrated gear shifters, built-in vacuum cleaners, and creative seating configurations. The Sedona stays on the safe side with its features and technology, keeping a simple layout that drivers of other Kia cars will recognize. The steering wheel, gauges, and center console feel more car-like than in other minivans, making the Sedona a snap to drive. The distinctive interiors of rival vans serve a purpose, using space-saving measures to open up cargo space in the cabin where it once was unimaginable. Besides the relatively traditional styling, the Sedona’s interior is a comfortable and relaxing place to be. The quiet engine and high-quality interior materials help isolate noise. There is still plenty of space for people’s things, and the cargo area is large, especially with the third-row folded away. Kia reserves many of the high-tech amenities and active safety technologies for the top-tier trim, which is pricey, but the features list is extensive.