The 2011 Kia Sedona is a more than solid choice in the minivan segment, boasting outstanding crash safety ratings, a smooth ride, a quiet interior, plenty of useful features, a long warranty and an appealing value when compared to other top picks.
Despite its more affordable pricing, the Sedona offers the family-friendly space, versatility and features that minivan shoppers seek. And while its downside may be a few somewhat lower quality interior materials as compared to those of the class leading Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, the Sedona costs thousands less when similarly equipped and is also backed by one of the best warranties in the industry (10-years/100,000-miles).
Trims, Standard Features And Options:
The 2011 Sedona minivan is available in two trims: LX and EX.
Standard features on the Sedona LX include power windows, power doorlocks, power mirrors, 16-inch steel wheels, cruise control, Bluetooth, front and rear air-conditioning, steering wheel audio controls, keyless entry, rear parking sensors, a fold-down table between the front seats, roof rails, removable second-row captain's chairs, 60/40-split fold-flat third-row bench seats, a tilt steering wheel and a 6-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with a USB/auxiliary audio input jack and satellite radio.
Update: Weak Economy Leads To Lower Sedona Prices:
Car sales have been on the weak side historically for close to the past two years now. And Kia has recently been offsetting at least some of the market weakness through strong incentives and easier-to-get discounts. It remains a buyer's market right now, resulting in an excellent opportunity to get the lowest price.
The bottom line? Car dealers will "wheel and deal" bigtime right now if you know how to push their buttons to get the best price. Here's an article on the best negotiating technique to take advantage of the current sluggish car market (definitely read before ever going to a dealership): How To Buy A New Sedona At The Best Price given current car market conditions.
Moving up to the Sedona EX adds power front seats, a power tailgate, heated external mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, power rear quarter windows, foglamps, wood grain interior trim accents, a trip computer and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The available power package includes a rearview camera, dual power-sliding doors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, outside chrome trim accents and 16-inch alloy wheels on the LX.
Also available for the EX is the Luxury package which includes leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, driver memory functions, a sunroof, power-adjustable pedals and heated front seats. Those who opt for the Luxury package also have a choice of adding either the Navigation package (navigation and an 8-speaker Infinity audio system) or the Premium Entertainment package (rear DVD entertainment system and a 10-speaker Infinity stereo with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer), but not both.
Incidentally, here's an infographic listing the 12 carmakers who've given the biggest new car price discounts off MSRP (includes Kia).
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
Under the hood of the 2011 Sedona is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that pumps out a robust 271 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.
The EPA-estimated gas mileage for the new Sedona stands at 18 mpg city and 25 mpg on the highway, about on par with the segment.
Safety:
Standard safety equipment across all 2011 Kia Sedonas include stability control, antilock disc brakes (ABS) with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, active front head restraints and full-length side curtain airbags.
Government crash tests for the 2011 model had not yet been completed at the time of this writing. However, the 2010 Sedona was awarded the highest possible rating of five stars for all frontal-impact and side-impact occupant protection categories.
Interior:
The 2011 Kia Sedona's cabin is attractive, spacious and versatile. While the quality of most of the interior's materials is quite satisfactory, there are a few elements that are somewhat below the rest of the Sedona's overall positive standards. The layout of instruments and displays makes them easy to see and they are also generally user-friendly. External visibility is also very good.
The seating is comfortable and supportive in all three rows. Most adults should also find ample legroom and headroom in all rows, making for comfortable accommodations on long trips. In addition to many small storage cubbies and pockets placed conveniently throughout the cabin, more abundant cargo needs can be accomplished by folding the third-row 60/40-split seats flat into the floor. Additional cargo space can also be added by either folding down the seatbacks of the second-row seats or removing them entirely to provide a maximum cargo capacity of 142 cubic feet.
Drive:
The 2011 Kia Sedona's V6 engine provides ample power for around town driving, hauling family cargo or passing on the highway. Overall handling is also surprisingly agile, yet the ride remains smooth and comfortable under most driving conditions. The cabin also is quite quiet, even when encountering rougher roads. Most drivers will likely be pleased with the Sedona's secure and confident road manners.
Price:
2011 Kia Sedona:
LX, FWD: list price: $24,595, invoice price: $23,870
EX, FWD: list price: $29,195, invoice price: $27,275
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