2011 Kia Sedona Minivan Review

The  Kia Sedona's also been a strong performer in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, too, though the Feds haven't updated their scores for the new model year. This year's retooling has given the Kia Sedona a new powertrain. Bluetooth is standard on all Sedona minivans this year, and so are bucket seats in the second row, satellite radio, and steering-wheel audio controls. The Sedona EX adds the rearview camera, power front seats and power rear-quarter windows.

Options include a power package with the rearview camera on the Kia Sedona LX, and a navigation system on the EX. The EX also can be fitted with a Luxury package with leather upholstery, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and a sunroof. An Entertainment package wires in a DVD entertainment system, a CD changer, and wireless headphones.

The Kia Sedona is Kia's entry into the minivan world. The 2011 Sedona gets a new 3.5-liter V-6 which offers 27 more horsepower than the outgoing 3.8-liter six. Also, a six-speed automatic replaces last year's five-speed automatic.

The 2011 Sedona gets a few new styling cues, such as new 16-inch wheels (steel wheel covers and alloys) and new 17-inch alloys on the EX model, and a new grille across the line. Power-adjustable seats are optional on the Sedona, as is three-zone air-conditioning (two-zone is standard). Steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth, and EcoMinder indicator are standard. Dual front airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, and side curtain airbags for all rows are standard on the Kia Sedona, as are four-wheel discs with ABS, electronic brake distribution, and brake assist. Also standard: stability and traction control.

To simplify things, Kia has dropped the Base trim level and now offers the Sedona in LX and EX trim levels.
Moving to the EX trim adds fog lamps, six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, four-way power-adjustable passenger's seat, heated power mirrors, an eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input jack, auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power rear quarter glass, trip computer with compass and a roof rack.

The Power Package, available only on LX models, offers the rear view mirror camera display, dual power sliding doors, automatic light controls, 16-inch alloy wheels and chrome wheel garnish.
The Luxury Package, available on EX models, combines leather seat trim, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, driver's memory seat, mirrors and adjustable pedals, tri-zone automatic temperature control, four-way power front passenger seat and a sunroof. A navigation system also is available for the EX trim.

All of Kia’s offerings include a 10-year / 100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty, a 5-year / 60,000 mile limited basic warranty, 5-year / 100,000 mile limited anti-perforation warranty and a 5-year / 60,000 mile 24-hour roadside assistance.