Kia Sedona
16 model years from 2005 to 2021, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2005–2021
- Class
- Minivan - 2WD
- Latest engines
- 3.3L 6-cyl
- Best MPG
- 17–21 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2021)
- Recalls
- 14 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2016 (297)
- Fewest problems
- 2021
- Interest
- 14,603 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2021 Sedona in brief
The 2021 Kia Sedona is a minivan offered with a 3.3L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 202 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,420 lb (L 5dr Van FWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 24 highway), 18% worse than the 2021 minivan average of 25.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the vehicle speed control.
The Kia Sedona has 16 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2021.
Its most efficient year was 2021 at 21 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 17 to 21 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (365), electrical system (275), unknown or other (149).
Buying used? 2021 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.
2011 has the most recalls (6); all years together count 14 campaigns and 1,261 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Sedona compares
The 2005 Kia Sedona is a minivan offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 194 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,709 lb.
About the Kia Sedona
The Kia Carnival is a minivan manufactured by the South Korean automaker Kia since 1998, formerly marketed as the Kia Sedona in North America and several other markets.
From the Wikipedia article "Kia Carnival", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2021 Sedona pros & cons
Full 2021 details →What's good
- Seats up to 83 rows of seating.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Few owner complaints10 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 147 for similar models.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 21 MPG combined, 18% below the 2021 minivan average of 25.5 MPG.
Best and worst years to buy used
2021 Sedona
10 owner complaints · 0 recalls · 2 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2016 Sedona
297 owner complaints · 4 recalls · 14 fire reports · 10 crash reports
Most reported: Engine
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 7 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Sedona changes by model year
- 2017
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2015
- New body dimensions: 0.4 in shorter, wheelbase +1.6 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 3.3L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl
- 2011
- Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.8L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 19 to 21
- Lightest version 214 lb heavier
- 2006
- New body dimensions: 7.9 in longer, wheelbase +4.3 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 3.8L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 16 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.3L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 201.6 in | 4,420 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 10 |
| 2020 | 3.3L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 201.6 in | 4,420 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 20 |
| 2019 | 3.3L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 201.6 in | 4,420 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 39 |
| 2018 | 3.3L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 201.6 in | 4,414 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 49 |
| 2017 | 3.3L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 201.6 in | 4,414 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 134 |
| 2016 | 3.3L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 201.6 in | 4,414 lb | Not rated | 4 | 297 |
| 2015 | 3.3L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 201.6 in | 4,414 lb | Not rated | 3 | 140 |
| 2014 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 MPG | 202 in | 4,647 lb | Not rated | 1 | 37 |
| 2012 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 202 in | 4,601 lb | Not rated | 5 | 86 |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 202 in | 4,601 lb | Not rated | 6 | 52 |
| 2010 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 19 MPG | 202 in | 4,645 lb | Not rated | 5 | 22 |
| 2009 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 202 in | 4,645 lb | Not rated | 5 | 19 |
| 2008 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 202 in | 4,645 lb | Not rated | 5 | 73 |
| 2007 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 202 in | 4,645 lb | Not rated | 5 | 72 |
| 2006 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 202 in | 4,645 lb | Not rated | 4 | 170 |
| 2005 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 17 MPG | 194.1 in | 4,709 lb | Not rated | 0 | 41 |
Alternatives to the 2021 Sedona
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota Sienna | 36 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2021 Honda Odyssey | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2021 Chrysler Voyager | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Chrysler Pacifica | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →