Kia Sedona

Kia Sedona: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Kia Sedona version to choose depends chiefly on whether you value acceleration, fuel economy, or lower kerb weight. Among the specifications listed here, the third-generation 3.3 AT is the quickest, reaching 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, while the restyled second-generation 2.2 MT records the lowest combined consumption at 6.7 l/100 km.

The Kia Sedona version to choose depends chiefly on whether you value acceleration, fuel economy, or lower kerb weight. Among the specifications listed here, the third-generation 3.3 AT is the quickest, reaching 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, while the restyled second-generation 2.2 MT records the lowest combined consumption at 6.7 l/100 km. Buyers comparing older examples may prefer the second-generation 3.8 AT with 254 hp for performance or the first-generation 2.5 MT for the lowest listed kerb weight of 1,761 kg. Every Sedona in the data is a FWD Minivan, but engine output, transmissions, economy, brakes, and weights vary substantially.

Kia Sedona generations compared

The first-generation Kia Sedona was produced from 1998 through 2006 as a Minivan with five listed versions: 2.5 MT, 2.5 AT, 3.5 AT, 2.9 AT, and 2.9 MT. Its engines range from 2,497 to 3,497 cc and from 126 to 198 hp. Depending on the version, it has a 4-speed Automatic or 5-speed Manual gearbox. Every version has independent spring suspension front and rear, ventilated front discs, 168 mm of ground clearance, and a 75-litre fuel tank. Rear brakes are Drum on the 2.5 MT, 2.5 AT, 2.9 AT, and 2.9 MT, but Disc on the 3.5 AT.

The second-generation Kia Sedona ran from 2005 through 2010 and has five entries in the catalogue: 2.7 MT, two 3.8 AT specifications distinguished by 254 hp and 244 hp, plus 2.9 AT and 2.9 MT. Power ranges from 185 to 254 hp, while all versions retain FWD. Compared with the first generation, the listed fuel tank increases by 5 litres to 80 litres, and ground clearance decreases by 3 mm to 165 mm. All second-generation versions use ventilated front discs and Disc rear brakes.

The restyled second generation covers 2010 through 2014 and contains three versions: 2.2 AT, 2.2 MT, and 3.5 AT. All use 6-speed gearboxes, FWD, an 80-litre tank, and 167 mm of ground clearance. The two 2.2 versions produce 194 hp and 421 Nm, while the 3.5 AT produces 275 hp and 336 Nm. This makes the choice particularly clear: the diesels emphasize torque and economy, whereas the gasoline version emphasizes acceleration and top speed.

The third-generation Kia Sedona starts in 2014 and has one listed version, the 3.3 AT. It is a Minivan with a 3,341 cc Gasoline engine, 276 hp, 336 Nm, a 6-speed Automatic gearbox, and FWD. Its 170 mm ground clearance is the highest listed for any Sedona here, while its 2,002 kg kerb weight is 85 kg lower than the restyled second-generation 3.5 AT.

Kia Sedona engine specs

Power per litre helps separate engines that look similar by displacement. The third-generation 3.3 AT produces approximately 82.6 hp per litre, compared with approximately 79.3 hp per litre for the restyled second-generation 3.5 AT. The restyled 2.2 AT and 2.2 MT each produce approximately 88.2 hp per litre, the highest calculated result in this catalogue data. At the other end, the first-generation 2.9 AT and 2.9 MT each produce approximately 43.4 hp per litre.

Kia Sedona performance and fuel economy

For outright acceleration, the third-generation 3.3 AT leads: its 8.2-second result is 0.3 seconds quicker than the restyled 3.5 AT and 0.5 seconds quicker than either second-generation 3.8 AT. Its top speed is not measured, so it cannot be ranked on that figure. Among measured results, the restyled 3.5 AT has the highest top speed at 216 km/h.

For fuel economy, the restyled 2.2 MT is the strongest option, recording 8.8 l/100 km in the city, 5.6 l/100 km on the highway, and 6.7 l/100 km combined. The 2.2 AT uses 0.8 l/100 km more combined and takes 0.6 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h. Within the earlier second generation, the 2.9 MT uses 1.2 l/100 km less combined than the 2.9 AT, although its 0–100 km/h time is 0.5 seconds slower.

Kia Sedona weight, dimensions, and capacity specs

Overall exterior dimensions, length, width, height, wheelbase, and weight capacity are not measured in the supplied catalogue data for any version. Wheel sizes are also not measured. The available size-related specifications are kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, and fuel-tank capacity.

Weight per horsepower reinforces the performance ranking. The third-generation 3.3 AT carries approximately 7.3 kg per hp, compared with approximately 7.6 kg per hp for the restyled 3.5 AT. The second-generation 3.8 AT with 254 hp is close at approximately 7.8 kg per hp, while the 244 hp 3.8 AT has approximately 8.6 kg per hp. The first-generation 2.9 AT has the highest calculated ratio at 15 kg per hp.

Which Kia Sedona version should you buy?

Choose the third-generation 3.3 AT when acceleration and the best calculated weight-to-power balance matter most. It combines 276 hp, 336 Nm, an 8.2-second 0–100 km/h time, and approximately 7.3 kg per hp. It also has 170 mm of ground clearance, 3 mm more than the restyled second generation and 5 mm more than the earlier second generation. Its gross weight, top speed, dimensions, and wheel sizes are not measured.

Choose the restyled second-generation 2.2 MT when economy is the priority. Its 6.7 l/100 km combined consumption is 4.5 l/100 km lower than the 3.5 AT, yet its 421 Nm exceeds the 3.5 AT by 85 Nm. The 2.2 MT also weighs 25 kg less than the 2.2 AT, consumes 0.8 l/100 km less combined, and accelerates to 100 km/h 0.6 seconds sooner.

Choose the restyled 2.2 AT if an Automatic gearbox matters more than the 2.2 MT’s numerical advantages. Both versions supply 194 hp and 421 Nm, have 6-speed gearboxes, and reach a measured 196 km/h. The Automatic records 7.5 l/100 km combined and an 11.9-second 0–100 km/h time.

Among the 2005–2010 versions, choose the 3.8 AT with 254 hp for the best power-to-weight figure and strong acceleration. It matches the 244 hp 3.8 AT at 8.7 seconds to 100 km/h, 214 km/h, and 11.8 l/100 km combined, but produces 10 hp more and weighs 120 kg less. Choose the 2.9 MT instead for economy: its 7.8 l/100 km combined figure is 4 l/100 km below either 3.8 AT entry.

Within the first generation, the 2.5 MT offers the lowest kerb weight and is the better-performing 2.5 version. It weighs 24 kg less than the 2.5 AT, reaches 100 km/h 1.7 seconds sooner, has a top speed 15 km/h higher, and consumes 0.2 l/100 km less combined. The first-generation 2.9 MT is the economy choice at 8.3 l/100 km combined, using 0.8 l/100 km less than the 2.9 AT and reaching 100 km/h 1.7 seconds sooner.

Reliability, recalls, engine problems, warranty coverage, replacement costs, market prices, and “years to avoid” cannot be judged from these specifications because none of those items is measured in the supplied data. On numbers alone, the third-generation 3.3 AT is the performance choice, the restyled 2.2 MT is the economy choice, and the restyled 2.2 AT is the economy-oriented Automatic alternative.