2002 Kia Sedona Review
2002 Kia Sedona Review
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Used Sedona for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Unbeatable price, attractive array of standard goodies, great warranty package.
Cons
- Missing some key minivan features, engine could use more power.
What’s new
Kia joins the minivan rumble with the introduction of the Sedona, the lowest-priced minivan in America. Standard on the Sedona are such niceties as air conditioning, power windows, cruise control and auto on/off headlights. Upscale EX models get a CD player, interior wood trim and power front seats. All Sedonas benefit from Kia's impressive Long Haul Warranty with drivetrain protection for 10 years or 100,000 miles.
Edmunds says
Minivans are a necessary evil in life. The Sedona proves that there needn't be salt in the wound by providing this affordable, well-rounded package.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Kia Sedona LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$266/mo for Sedona LX
Sedona LX
vs
$217/mo
Avg. Midsize Minivan
Vehicle overview
Anyone with kids knows that, like 'em or not, minivans rule when it comes to versatility and convenience. The minivan's status as the ultimate family-hauler has made this segment one of the most hotly contested markets in the industry. However, outfitting your ride with a few options raises its premium, forcing you to decide whether your family gets a new car or new shoes for the year.
Enter the all-new Kia Sedona. With a base price of just $18,995 for the standard LX model and $20,995 for the more upscale EX, Kia's first minivan will be the lowest priced van in America. Even loaded up with every available option, the Sedona tops out at just $24,100.
The Sedona is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 195 horsepower through a five-speed automatic transmission, the first for a minivan. Although slow compared to some of its competitors, its smooth, quiet power delivery should suffice for those whose commutes mostly involve traveling through a school zone.
Inside, the Sedona's standard features include front and rear air conditioning, power windows and door locks, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, a six-speaker AM/FM/cassette stereo and auto on/off headlights. There's seating for seven on both trim levels, with the base LX getting a second-row bench seat, while the EX gets individual captain's chairs. All second- and third-row seats in the Sedona can be adjusted fore and aft, reclined or completely removed for a total of 127 cubic feet of cargo space. Unfortunately, this seat does not fold into the floor like in the Odyssey and MPV. EX models feature an eight-way power adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support and a four-way adjustable power passenger seat.
Exterior upgrades on EX models include body-color mirrors and door handles, fog lamps, bright aluminum wheels and a body-colored roof rack. Inside, the Sedona EX comes standard with wood-grain interior trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an overhead console with trip computer, keyless entry, a six speaker AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo, power rear quarter-windows and tilt adjustable front-row headrests.
The Sedona's extensive standard feature list results in few available options. ABS brakes are an option on all Sedonas. LX models can be upgraded with the CD stereo and body-color roof rack, which come standard on the EX, as well as a rear spoiler. EX buyers can choose to add full leather upholstery, a sunroof, two-tone interior trim, the HomeLink garage door opening system and a rear spoiler.
Kia's cost-cutting measures are apparent in absent features like side airbags and traction control. Another missing element is a disappearing third-row seat. Also absent are power-sliding doors, although the Sedona's manual doors are extremely light and easy to open and close.
Of course, vans that come with the above-mentioned features also carry price tags that can easily top $30,000. And few can claim excellent crash test scores like the Sedona's -- it has earned a five-star rating in all five NHTSA categories and did so without side airbags or stability control. Nor can any of these competing vans match Kia's Long Haul Warranty that provides 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection, a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance program. Sure, there are more powerful, better-equipped minivans out there, but you won't find a less expensive, more crash-worthy one.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Kia Sedona.
5 star(56%)
4 star(25%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(9%)
1 star(1%)
198 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.38 out of 5 stars
Best van out there!
guitarrista, 04/09/2012
2002 Kia Sedona EX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
We bought our Sedona in 2002 and have put over 120,000 miles on it.
It is very reliable and comfortable.
We get about 14 mpg in city and 24 on hiway.
2002 was the first year for this car, and ours was built early in the year.
We read the reviews before we bought, and knew that certain things would break, and they did, and they were covered by the warranty.
Kia put stronger versions of … those parts on vans sold later in the year, so if you're buying a used one, look at the MFG date and get one built later in the year.
Example:
transmission and engine mounts, and sun roof cable.
When ours broke, we discovered they had changed the spec to different, stronger ones.
2.63 out of 5 stars
Bad Experience. Unsafe .. and others think so too
nickelrider, 05/12/2014
2002 Kia Sedona EX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Warning- XXX -Warning
Fair Warning to anyone considering this car. It is totally unsafe as it will just 'turn off' in the middle of driving- anywhere. Not good for what most buy as a 'family' car. Left my wife and kids stranded 3 times and me several times as well. Could be fuel pump/filter, air mass sensor, TPS, IPM Module, Junction Box, cold air sensor, or the key cylinder. My … mechanic is stumped. Rust Bucket too. The sliding door handle fell off and there are other small hardware issues. At least I get $ 250.00 to haul her away. I cannot in good conscience sell this to another party based on what I know. Bottom line- KIA's reliability just plain sucks!!
Enough said.
4.88 out of 5 stars
140,000 miles and still going strong!
guitarrista, 03/14/2014
2002 Kia Sedona EX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
We bought our Sedona new in 2002. It was a daily driver while the kids were in car seats, now it's our road-trip and weekend car. We bought one of the first ones that came off the boat, and it had all the problems the reviewers said it would have. The good news is, when those faulty parts failed it was covered under warranty and they were replaced with improved parts. I was pleased that … Kia had redesigned the faulty parts (not all auto makers do this), and we have had zero problems with the replacement parts. We had thought we would buy a new(er) van, but after looking at the options, we decided to keep the old one a while longer. It's that good!
4.5 out of 5 stars
120K miles and still going strong
guitarrista, 07/27/2013
2002 Kia Sedona EX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
We got this van new, and after 11 years and over 120K miles an update is in order.
This van was new to this country in 02, and there were a number of issues. Ours was one of the ones built earlier in the year, and we had the expected issues come up, but they replaced all the faulty bits with the improved ones, and no problems with those parts since.
We have driven this van all over the … US and it has performed like a champ.
We initially got this van to fit kids in car seats, and now use it mostly for family outings and road trips.
The original engine and transmission are still going strong.
This van has been a great value.
2002 Sedona Highlights
LX
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $18,995 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $266/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 21.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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