2012 & 2013 Kia Minivan Reviews & Ratings

Kia Motors have been in business since 1944, making them the longest established manufacturers in South Korea, although they do lag well behind Hyundai, who are the largest auto plant in the country, as well as being major shareholders in Kia.

After establishing themselves as bicycle makers Kia made their first steps into the auto production industry in the early seventies, carving out a niche in the compact car market.

There were many reviewers who were surprised when Ki... (full review continues below)

Kia Motors have been in business since 1944, making them the longest established manufacturers in South Korea, although they do lag well behind Hyundai, who are the largest auto plant in the country, as well as being major shareholders in Kia.

After establishing themselves as bicycle makers Kia made their first steps into the auto production industry in the early seventies, carving out a niche in the compact car market.

There were many reviewers who were surprised when Kia moved out of their comfortable niche to produce their first mini-van, the Carnival in 1998. The Carnival proved to be a success, so much so that it was upgraded and re-launched under the Sedona Minivan label.

The seven seater Sedona Minivan, like so many others in the Kia range, stands out for one particular reason. It offers tremendous value for money! Although not the best looking SUV in the field, it does offer a competent all round package of pleasant if not dramatic lines, comfortable interior trim without going over the top, and an engine powerful enough to get it around without breaking any records, both in terms of speed or fuel economy.

However the one major difference between the Sedona and the Carnival is far from obvious to the human eye. And that is that the Sedona Minivan has undergone a major internal overhaul that has knocked a few hundred pounds from its dead weight. Add to a more powerful 3.5 liter six cylinder engine producing a 271 horsepower and 248 pounds per feet of torque, paired with a six speed means that the Sedona is far more capable of hitting more comfortable speeds and levels of fuel economy than previously known.

Because of its no nonsense design layout, the Kia Sedona Minivan is capable of seating all of its seven passengers in reasonable comfort, without any restrictions of height, girth and leg room. Storage space is generous all along the way, with all three rows in place, the 60/40 split back row folded, and the second row back seats folded flat, then the Sonata opens up to provide a generous 142 cubic feet of un-restricted cargo space.

Kia have indulged themselves a little with the Sedona Minivan , providing a higher standard of interior trim than with some of their other models, obviously mindful of the high standards expected in the minivan/SUV sector. The most basic LX comes with keyless entry, fabric upholstery, tilting steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth optionability, CD/MP3 stereo, satellite radio hooked up to six speakers, rear parking sensors, air conditioning and a folding table that fits between the front and second rows.

Stepping up to the EX will mean all of the above as well as fog lamps, heated exterior mirrors, power operated tail gate, wood grain interior trim, power adjustable front seats, leather covered steering wheel, trip computer and sixteen inch alloy wheels with all season tires. Those who want to spend some of the money that they may have blown on a Toyota or Subaru Minivan can choose from a long list of optional extras that Kia offer on the Sedona.

Safety has not been overlooked on the 2012 Kia Sedona with anti lock brakes, stability control, a full set of airbags for front, middle and back row passengers , as well as active front head restraints.

Thanks to its reduction in weight, the 2012 Kia Sedona now provides some reasonable fuel usage figures with an average 21 miles per gallon being reported in most impartial reviews, breaking down to 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the open road.

The Minivan sector is fairly new and becoming a little crowded, with the Kia Sedona having to compete with such known brands as the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna Honda Odyssey and Nissan Quest and holding its own, pound for pound, against all of them.