2004 Kia Sedona Review
Fuel Economy
16 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
While mainstream minivans may offer all the latest gadgets, Kia's Sedona continues to stuff all the essential ingredients of a family vehicle into a value-priced package.
Pros
Excellent value, roomy interior with lots of cupholders and storage bins, solid build quality, lengthy warranty coverage.
Cons
Below-average gas mileage, missing a few key minivan features, potentially expensive to repair in minor collisions.
What's New for 2004
For 2004, the Sedona has a revised grille with a larger logo. The EX model has a new alloy wheel design, while the LX has redesigned plastic wheel covers. A center tray table with cupholders is now standard on both EX and LX.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Not worth the money
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Sedona LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Of course a new van is gonna be nice and not have problems, but after a year the transmission was making noise and not performing well. Than 4 years later, the power steering pumb and something else is out, tranny is bad and motor acts up. Only has 32,xxx miles and should be running great! It doesn't. It was the main transportation for my handicap grandmother, who now has to relay on finding other people to take her places like her doctors apt! The van sits in the street broke down, and we still owe $3,000 on it. Can't trade it in, cause we owe more than its worth. Quilfys for a Clunker, but we ow money. So we are stuck with this piece of junk KIA. Never get another one!
Favorite Features
Fold down flat seats
Suggested Improvements
Better build quality. They should take a lesson from Saturn! They know how to build things, still have a 94 Sl 2 running perfect!
Worth the money
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Sedona LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Solid, dependable transportation. Used for carpool and as a construction material transporter (built on a truck chassis, takes the weight, more flexible than a small pick-up). Search parts suppliers on the web to avoid buying dealer parts, have yr. local mechanic install them, example, brake pads, rotors, struts. Change all fluids often to ensure vehicle longevity. Be prepared for front end issues as with all front wheel drive vehicles (see above comment re: parts). Now 90,000 miles, runs well, maintenance about $500/yr. all in. (Fluids and repairs). Seats are uncomfortable to install or remove. Belt tensioner requires tightening flywheel occasionally-cost=0
Favorite Features
Two sliding side doors, low floor.
Suggested Improvements
Move to 3.8 litre engine gave more vehicle power. The chassis was redesigned & lightened however, so post 06 versions of this vehicle do not work as a truck substitute.
I will buy another!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Sedona LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Purchased our 2004 KIA Sedona LX new near the end of 2004. Lots of extended highway driving when we go on trips, and the van performs well. 20-22mpg on the highway if we keep it under 70mph. I have replaced the original tires (56K miles), and windshield (rock cracked it). No other work outside of normal scheduled maintenance (fluid changes, tire rotation). Will need to have the front brakes serviced for the first time when 60K miles rolls around. Interior has worn well, except for the driver's side floor where the carpet is dirty. Van is driven every day, regardless of weather, so it gets quite dirty in the winter. Once this van is paid off, I'll be purchasing another KIA!
Favorite Features
Smooth engine and transmission combination. Makes for a good driving experience on the highway regardless of who or what is in the van. Seating is decent, with plenty of room if you don't have to move the seats forward to store cargo. LATCH system is easy to access for the kids' car seats.
Suggested Improvements
I think the only thing KIA needs to offer is a diesel engine option in North America for even better fuel economy.
Sedona Big on Comfort
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 1 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Sedona LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Performance when not in the shop this van drove and handled great but only gets 13/mpg. Serious problems with the quality of all interior materials: plastic (crumbles), carpet and cloth headliner (tear easily). I question quality of materials used on motor and other parts, within 4 years I've replaced all the motor mounts, timing chain, transmission, CV boots and both power window motors and both sliding doors quit working. Van is really roomy inside. Front seats very comfortable, back are seats okay somewhat stiff. Seats are really heavy but easy to get in/out. Lots of headroom in this van. You do feel quite a bit of vibration through the floor from the road and it is a bit noisy inside
Favorite Features
There's a lot of room inside. I really like the front seats, sturdy, comfortable, and places driver in good position to see road well. Lots of storage under seat and in dash and I like the fold down table between front seats.
Suggested Improvements
Use better quality plastic in interior. Use better quality mechanical parts, I've had way too many big ticket item repairs before I had even 30K miles on the van. Timing belt and motor mounts had to be replaced at 30K. Transmission at 80K. Van is driven strictly on the highway.
Run Away Fast!!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Sedona LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Review
When will the nightmare that is my car experience with a Kia end? We bought this car used. It only had 23,000 miles on it and had heard it was a very safe car and a good deal. My advice, if it is cheap, its cheap for a reason! Since owning this car three years ago, we have had to repair the brakes every year without fail. Replaced the rotors twice, the front bearings, failed wire in seatbelt and airbag, serpentine belt (along with every other belt in creation), power steering (ouch$) and the alternator. Of course all after the warranty was up and guess what, if you buy it used, you don't get the powertrain warranty! We were not told this info. So any faulty parts we must pay for. Run away!!
Favorite Features
Cup holders, good ride.
Suggested Improvements
Uhh......everything!
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2009 Kia Sedona
- 2008 Kia Sedona
- 2007 Kia Sedona
- 2006 Kia Sedona
- 2005 Kia Sedona
- 2004 Kia Sedona
Research the 2004 Kia Sedona
Buying & Selling
Premier Dealers
Vehicle Details
Multimedia
Ratings & Reviews
- Model Review
- Road Test Ratings
- Road Test Reviews
- Consumer Reviews
- Awards History
- Reliability
- Consumer Discussions
Payment Calculators
Helpful Tools
