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The Greenest Car of 2024 Isn’t an EV2020 Kia Sedona Review
The 2020 Kia Sedona may not be the best minivan ever, but that doesn’t matter. It just wants to be excellent for you. Does it accomplish its mission?
What’s New for the 2020 Kia Sedona?
The 2020 Kia Sedona gets the benefit of the 2019 Sedona’s makeover. Its updated not-so-minivan-ish look helps make it a better competitor in a sea of some good competition from Honda. But, regardless of what’s around it, the 2020 Sedona provides excellent space, quality interiors, and, depending on the model you choose, driver assists that make driving a safe, calm, and delightful affair.
2020 Kia Sedona – kiamedia.com | Shop 2020 Kia Sedona on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Smooth 3.3-liter V6
Appealing exterior style
Good safety ratings
Well-designed interior
Better gas mileage would be appreciated
2020 Sedona Specs
- 276 horsepower from base engine
- 248 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- 33.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 142 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 7-inch infotainment touchscreen
- 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty
2020 Kia Sedona Powertrain
Kia has done excellent work over the years to eliminate noise, vibration, and harshness in their powertrains and ride. It’s evident in the 2020 Kia Sedona’s V6 and eight-speed transmission where you’re almost on a secluded island of calm while driving. The Sedona is close to EV quiet.
It’s not until you press the accelerator to the floor that you get a little noise, and, even then, it’s pleasant as it races to 60 in 7.6 seconds. That’s surprising and helpful when entering the freeway or passing vehicles. Its handling rivals the Honda Odyssey and feels more car-like than the big box that it is. Like other Kia’s, the steering is light, quick, and confidence inspiring. Overall, we would put it more toward the fun-to-drive segment of minivans.
2020 Kia Sedona Fuel Economy & MPG
At an EPA-rated 18 mpg for most of the driving consumers will do, fuel mileage is the one Achilles heel of the 2020 Kia Sedona. Even the 24 mpg highway estimation gets scary in these days of high gas prices. Of course, fuel mileage will depend on how you drive, but the numbers will probably not get any better than 24 mpg. Other competitor minivans do better in the fuel economy area.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Option the 2020 Kia Sedona correctly, and you’ll want to hire someone to drive for you. Of course, the second-row captain’s chair recliners are going to cause fights amongst the kids. But even without those first-class seats, the Sedona’s interior is friendly, full of useable family storage, and spacious (except the back row). Kia’s material fit and finish are excellent for this category and, when optioned, the leather upholstery feels like it’s good quality.
One disappointing thing is that the second-row seats can’t be removed or collapsed into the floor a la the Chrysler Pacifica. However, you can remove the middle seat on the row and have two captain’s chairs. For storage space, the seats easily fold forward against the front seats. While they don’t fold into the floor like the Pacifica, they’re much more comfortable and supportive than the Pacifica’s thin and lightweight seats.
An unremovable second row limits the van’s use to move large cargo, but maybe Kia buyers and potential buyers say it isn’t necessary. Kia’s solution seemed to bring an excellent compromise to the utility of extra space with the comfortability of a regular seat.
The rear split bench does stow away, however. Like Honda’s Odyssey, the Sedona’s rear seats fold down into the deep rear cargo area, expanding the available cargo space. That deep well is excellent for keeping groceries from moving around, although it’s deep enough to cause some lifting struggle for some people. Overall, whether traveling to the store or the next state, the Kia Sedona will make everyone happy.
Entertainment & Technology
If you have the money, a 2020 Kia Sedona can be your entertainment nirvana. The SX gets an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and the option to add two extra screens for the rear passengers. That option is also available on all trims and adds 10-inch screens securely attached to the front headrests. Imagine what childhood trips would have been like if you had them as a child. Regardless of the trim, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is Bluetooth. But it would be best if you had something more than the SE trim to get more USB ports, and the LX gives you wireless charging for your mobile devices. No wireless CarPlay, though.
Safety Features
The IIHS gave the 2020 Kia Sedona its highest rating of “Good” in all but one of the categories. If you want the IIHS “Superior” protection, you’ll need the optional (and extra cost) forward-collision warning system. Regardless of the options and trim though, the Sedona received a “Poor” rating for its headlights. The 2020 Kia Sedona received an NHTSA rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
2020 Kia Sedona Trims & Pricing
L – $27,600
The 2020 Kia Sedona trim comes generously equipped with 17-inch silver alloy wheels, a solar control front windshield, and a fuel-efficient 3.3-liter V6. Remote keyless entry opens you up to the L trim’s room for seven people in seats covered by Kia’s YES Essentials treated fabric. The 2020 Sedona also includes a conversation mirror that assists views of the back rows, and it has 12 cup holders.
LX – $30,400
The Kia Sedona LX adds a power sliding door, eight-passenger seating, and driver and passenger 8-way power-adjustable seats. The driver and passenger have access to the Sedona’s 7-inch touchscreen, and the driver gets a 3.5-inch OLED display. In addition, Kia upgrades the LX audio system to six speakers, and there’s standard wireless device charging.
EX – $33,700
Kia’s 2020 Sedona EX receives more exterior enhancements and interior technology. The EX-trim adds 18-inch silver alloy wheels, silver roof rails, and projector-beam fog lights. Driver and passengers sit on heated leather seats and are protected by second and third-row sunshades. The EX keeps the 7-inch screen but upgrades it with voice capability and telematics. In addition, the driver assists safety system gets parking sensors in the front to add to the standard rear sensors and cross-traffic warnings.
SX – $43,265
The top-of-the-line Sedona SX adds dark accents for the grille, aluminum alloy 18-inch wheels, and other solar control glass for better interior temperatures. LEDs fill the front headlights, fog lights, running lights, and rear lamps. The headlights have auto-leveling plus high and low beam assists. In addition, the SX adds conveniences like a cooling glove box, seat memory settings, and a multi-selectable drive mode select for normal, eco, and comfort. The interior is filled with sound from a Harmon Kardon system, and the 8-inch touch screen provides HD radio, satellite radio, plus navigation.
Warranties
Hyundai and Kia have set the standards for warranties, and it’s astounding that few are following. Volkswagen is now offering a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty like Kia, but Kia still sets the bar with its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It speaks volumes for Kia’s reliability and makes used Kia’s more valuable. Complimentary maintenance, however, isn’t something you get with a Kia.
What we think
2020 Kia Sedona – kiamedia.com | Shop 2020 Kia Sedona on Carsforsale.com
The 2020 Kia Sedona is a competent, spacious, and luxurious minivan if you option it correctly. With competition like the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica, the Sedona is easy to forget, but it’s affordable, reliable, friendly, and fun-to-drive. Yes, a minivan is fun to drive. So, think about saving a few thousand and check out the Sedona. Admittedly, it’s not the best at everything, but then again, it’s an above-average minivan. Sometimes that’s all you need.
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