2011 Kia Sedona

The 2011 Kia Sedona is the South Korean automaker's minivan. Like every other full-size minivan offered for sale in the United States, the Sedona is being spruced up for the 2011 model year, though with the Kia, the changes are less significant than those on the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey.

For 2011, the Sedona has been retooled with a new powertrain and some new entertainment and technology features. The new engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 with 271 horsepower, teamed to a new six-speed automatic transmission. With the new drivetrain, the Sedona manages better fuel economy than in the years past--up to up to 18/25 mpg, according to the EPA. For drivers who might be lured by Toyota's "swagger wagon" Sienna, Kia counters with a sport mode for the automatic transmission.

A Top Safety Pick in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's tests in the past, and historically a strong performer in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests as well, the Sedona has yet to be rated for the 2011 model year. Both agencies have changed their standards for the new model year, but the Sedona is essentially identical in safety performance to the 2010 model, since the only exterior changes are a mildly revised grille, which brings it into the family of Kia cars a bit more naturally.

Like the new 2011 Nissan Quest, the Sedona has a second-row seat that doesn't fold flat into the floor--it's also the same scenario in the Odyssey and Sienna, but not in the Chrysler minivans, which offer Stow 'N Go flexibility. The Sedona's third-row seat does fold into the floor, though.

New features for the Kia minivan include standard Bluetooth, in both the base LX and upscale EX versions, reverse parking sensors, second-row bucket seats, along with satellite radio and steering-wheel controls for the audio system. The EX edition adds power-adjusted front seats, power rear-quarter windows, and a rearview camera that projects its information into the rearview mirror. Options include a power package with the rearview camera on the Sedona LX; a navigation system is optional on the Sedona EX.

The Sedona EX Luxury package adds on leather seats, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and a sunroof. The Entertainment package bundles in a CD changer, a DVD entertainment system and wireless headphones.

Pricing for the 2011 Sedona starts at $24,595, not including destination charges.

For an in-depth review of this minivan, turn to TheCarConnection's review of the 2010 Kia Sedona.