Used 2006 Kia Sedona Consumer Reviews

Nothing but trouble

We bought our Sedona in November 2006. Since then it's been in the shop 5 times. Not acceptable in a car purchased "new." First was a knocking sound when the engine was shut off, I was told it was a flap in the engine that didn't close properly? Next was a slider that stuck habitually. Then a fuse in the dash went out and my ABS malfunctioned. The brake light still doesn't shut off properly, I have to kick it, and it's been in for repairs on that twice. Because it's a large car assembled with the brakes of a smaller car, it wears through brakes super fast. My two year old car is on its third set of brakes. No wonder it has that warrantee, you need it. I'm now looking elsewhere.

kia sedona

We have had a terrible experience with our Kia Sedona. It gets terrible gas mileage. We had some work that needed to be done that was covered under warranty, and they did not fix it. It is a very heavy van and does not ride very smooth. Would not recomend it to anyone.

Tammy's review

Amazing options for the price

The new Sedona has an amazing ride, and you get so much more for your buck than with any other van on the market. The extended room in the back makes all of the difference in the world (compared to my 2004 model). Not to mention the gas mileage is amazing for a minivan.

Problems getting more frequent.

I've driven this van for our work the last four years. Good stuff first, this van rides really nice, and is really quiet on the freeway. The engine is nice, refined. MPG's are pretty decent for such a huge vehicle- we get 22-23, pretty decent. Design wise, it works fine. I do wish the seat scoots back a little further, I'm only 5'10". At about 12K miles, the front rotors warped. The rear hatch started leaking, we couldn't figure out why the car stunk so bad. We needed a new battery at about 19K miles. Now, at 40K, the rear hatch is leaking again, the a/c needs recharge, the suspension groans. The transmission kind of slips and cant hold gears sometimes, and the starter needed replacement.

The Perfect Minivan?

After spending 2 months researching and test driving minivans, we bought the 2006 LX Sedona. It is far superior to the outgoing model. It has everything you could need in a modern minivan. The excellent standard safety equipment was a major factor in our decision. The engine is strong and fuel efficient. The minivan has a firm, but not harsh, ride that makes it feel nimble and handles like a much smaller vehicle. The interior materials are very good and only slightly less than Toyota or Honda. Great value at $23,665, that is $3K-5K less than Toyota/Honda. I'll put the $3K-5K into my kids college fund instead. Simply a must for anyone shopping for a minivan.

Sedona a Satisfying Drive

Have owned 5 Chrysler Grand Caravans, mid-level and last one loaded with options. The Kia is a big step up in most every regard. Comfort, power, and handling are very good. Active and passive safety features equal and exceed the Honda and Toyota vans. Memory seats, mirrors and pedals help keep the Mrs. from cursing my bigger frame every time she drives after I do. Power pedals keep her back from the steering wheel airbag, a major problem in the Chrysler vans. Ride is just soft enough for comfortable cruising and stiff enough to ensure good feel and cornering. Quiet and responsive until you put your foot into the throttle and hear a satisfying effort. Kia has a winner in the Sedona.

2006 Kia Sedona LX

Review by Wyndham 23, age 14. I find that the new Sedona is a huge step up from the previous models. The ride is comfortable and smooth and it handles like a car rather than a van. The 244 horsepower V6 engine gives it a nice boost. The design is highly similar to the Honda Odyssey but far cheaper and has an excellent warranty. All of the seats recline and it features tri-zone climate control. There is comfortable seating for seven with plenty of room. The 3rd row folds flat into the floor easily. The Sedona is sure to lead the competition against the Chevy Uplander and the Dodge Caravan, both who don't feature nearly as much comfort, power or reliability as this great vehicle.

Van is trying to kill us

Twice in a 12-month period our throttle body has needed replacing. "Normal" auto shops won't touch a Kia, so emergency repairs are a no-go: not helpful when mom has two babies in carseats and is literally stranded with a self-decelerating van on the side of a highway.

Finally Got Rid of It

Purchased this car for a family of 5 in July 2006 from Central Kia in Dallas, TX. Over the course of the next 4 years it spent over 90 days in the shop on 56 appointments. We had a vast assortment of issues ranging from wheel replacements to ECU replacements. In between we had both O2 sensors replaced, 3 fuse blocks, Throttle body, several power packs, W/S washer pump, radio, sway bar and several cosmetic items replaced. Unreliability is the key for this vehicle. Even when it ran it felt like it was going to die at any minute. Ate tires like no tomorrow and was in general a very poor vehicle. We took it to 3 different dealers service departments for the work. DO NOT BUY A KIA, EVER!

Best on the market

I've owned a van before but sold it because of the miles on it and things started go wrong with it. Bought an SUV. Missed the van and decided to get another one. I looked at other manufacturers and someone at work told me about the Sedona. He told me to go and see one because he loves his. I did go to see one and brought it on the spot; they had to locate it. Best van for the money & no one can match the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. I love to drive it. It's like driving in your living room recliner. It beats all the others for ride, comfort,and style. I have all the bells & whistles. I would recommend this van to any one looking to buy one, even if you never dreamed of owning a van, like I did.

great van

Great van for the price. I like the room, the storage, and the overall fill when driving. We were able to get the DVD system, however I had to give up some of the other things I had in my other van (NOT A KIA).

Outstanding van for a low price.

Great car, comfort and performance all together, smooth ride, had a couple of issues with sensors they were fixed by my dealership for free (got a 60K miles warranty on a pre-owned car). This is my second sedona LX 2006, I bought in less than one year.

The Unbelievable 2006 Kia Sedona

Simply amazing! The price hooked us and the test drive reeled us in. We love everything about this vehicle. We have only had the car a couple of weeks, but have loved every day. We make up reasons to go for a drive. The turning radius is amazing, the fuel economy surprising, and the added features are almost endless. Attention to detail is what I ultimately love best. There are so many extras, we actually had to read the manual to remember all the buttons. A little practice and now it isn't a problem. With three kids, ease of access has also proven beneficial.

My Kia has gremlins

Here are some of the problems: Numerous things: AC does not blow cold continually and has been repaired several times Horn problems that have been fixed several times (Does not work properly when lock vehicle and it is to "chirp" when it locks). Also, security horn has had to be replaced Shifting / odd transmission type problem - the vehicle "bangs" when you come down a hill to a stop. Also, when slowing down to a stop light it actually has a surge or acceleration. Very scary and they say this is ok or they can not find a problem. Also as you are driving it accelerates or decelerates oddly. Brakes - vehicle only has 62,000 and have replaced brakes twice.

New Owner

Very impressive acceleration from a standing start. After reaching cruise speeds the engine seems flat and slow to increase higher speeds in high gear, but even at 65 & 70 the ability to down shift is still there to gain power for passing. The braking is good for a vehicle of its size. They are a proper match for the vehicle's power. The ride seemed harsh, and noisy over road bumps. A quick check of the tire pressure solved that. Kia is notorious for over inflating the tires. The tires had from 42 to 44 PSI from the lot. A drop to 34 PSI still gives a crisp feel to the handling along with a much improved ride. The gas mileage is pretty much as stated. Even with a heavy foot gets 21 MPG.

You could pay more...

We've had this van for almost 3 years and 65,000 miles and it's been everything that we expected. We got all the bells and whistles and they've been worth every penny. I like fast vehicles and I am never left wanting for passing power. The manual control of the transmission is great, and eases the frustration that comes from the sometimes slow downshifts in full automatic mode. I feel very secure with the handling and think the steering is fine, too. I feel fuel economy is average for a vehicle of this weight and engine size. It doesn't have the cylinder deactivation like the Odyssey, but the extra money you'd spend to buy that vehicle will fill up your Sedona many times over.

wow i can't believe this is a Kia

It feels like a car when driving in the freeway. Not as many blind spots like the Odyssey and Sienna. it drove like the Honda but doesn't carry the Honda price!

value plus

As my wife is handicapped and she was having difficulty in entering our 2003 Dodge Sport Van, I visited every different dealership in our area and measured every minivan for seat height etc. We then proceeded to try those vans with the lowest threshold etc. and the Kia won hands down as my wife slid in with no problems. We purchased the vehicle after a test drive and we both find it very comfortable and easy to drive. This is a top of the line unit, solid, and relatively quiet even with the sun roof in the open position. Much quieter than the Dodge Caravan. Gas mileage has been great. 25mpg city/highway average and I anticipate 30/34 mpg on straight highway at 65/70 mph. A great van for the dollar.

reliability stinks

I have owned my Kia Sedona for alsmost 3 years. Within that time frame, the car has gone through 3 alternators. three times without mush warning, this car has left me walking. I don't think I would buy a Kia again.

New Owner

Recently purchased Kia Sedona. Always owned cars, never a van. The inside still has the familiarity of a car. My children enjoy it, especially the DVD. I don't have 100 miles yet, so I really can't comment to much on the performance/mileage. The ride, so far, is nice, smooth and pretty fast.

Buy this van, save thousands, be happy.

Great van, period. Not just for the price. Nicely designed. Gets frequent second looks. Great acceleration for a van. Feels powerful, yet smooth.

Live and learn

Due to the great warranty and price with options we decided to take a chance on a Kia vehicle even though we knew about the not so good re-sale value. The vehicle has 60000 miles on it. The vehicle performed fine until about 45000 miles. After 6 visits to the dealership the air conditioner was finally fixed. At about 58000 miles the power lift gate stopped working and was fixed. I have replaced two fog lights and one head light bulb and now the tv has quit working. Everything was under warranty except the bulbs and tv. After contacting Kia about the tv, which would cost $1100 to replace, I was told I was out of luck. The bulbs lift gate and tv all went out within two weeks.

Kia Warranty

The battery and fuel pump had to be replaced within the first 2 weeks. If the battery fails call roadside assistance. Kia makes no allowances for extenuating circumstances and will strictly adhere to their written policies.

Run away as fast as you can

Worse vehicle I've evered owned. After being stranded three times and towed to the dealer who couldn't find the issue while it was under warrenty, I finally took it to a local repair shop who found the 1K plus issue that I had to pay out of pocket. Called Kia and was basically told 'oh well'. Van felt cheap and made me question it's safety on a daily basis. It was a true lemon and after spending about 3K in less than a year, I was done. Bought myself a Dodge and I'm in love!

much better than expected

Very powerful engine and good five speed automatic with manual option. Comfortable for seven and the most safety features of any van. Averaging 21 mpg on mixed driving. Great price and financing, compared to other vans.

love it

Many more standard items and features than the higher priced competition. The only option we got was the power doors and tailgate, everything else we wanted was standard equipment. Love the warranty, where are the other manufacturers? Don't they have confidence in their product?

100,000 miles with no problems

We bought the Kia Sedona after having rented one while on vacation. Considered a Honda Odyssey at 30k but found a brand new 2006 left over for 16,700 a huge svings. We have driven the van daily and cross country for 2.5 years and put 100,000 miles on it without any problems. My only complaint was with the original tires that wore out at only 30k replaced them with goodyear assurance comford treat tires with a 80 k warantee and they are still going strong. The only service the van has seen is an walmart brand synthetic oil change every 7000 miles or so. I haven't even had to do a brake job yet!!! I have had several honda's and I would say the kia is just as reliable for me.

Worst Car I've ever owned

I have had the oil changed at the dealer for the entire life of this car simply because every time it was time to change the oil something else was broken on it. The air bag light just came on this morning, and the check engine light has been lighting up regularly so BACK TO THE DEALER we go. I still plan on driving it until the wheels fall off but I will NEVER buy another KIA.

Great Van

We bought the Kia in July and really love it. It is so much more comfortable than our Ford Windstar as well as my daughter's Venture and another relative's Dodge Grand Caravan. We also got features that would have cost $6,000 to $8,000 more with a Honda or Toyota. Mileage overall has been running from 20 to 22 mpg. I have back trouble and really suffered on trips with the Windstar but have not had any back problems with the Kia. So far, we couldn't be more pleased. Our only problem is learning how to work all the features and gadgets. It has so many features, you need a week class to learn everything.

Content

I enjoy driving the Sedona. The sound and power of the engine is pleasing. The size is just right for my family. I saved money on a new sofa by avoiding the delivery charge and picking it up at the warehouse myself. It fit perfectly in the Kia. We get 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Good amount of standard features for a base model. Paint looks good and is holding up well. Steering wheel was crooked from factory, interior grab handle came loose, fuel line adjusted, a/c compressor noise fixed, rubber windshield seal came lose, driver side window seal folded under. All problems fixed for free by dealer. I did expect fewer problems from a new vehicle. We have 22,000 miles on our van.

Not a happy consumer

I have had nothing but problems since day one. Brakes have been repaired over 10 times. Mostly the first year. Wiring harness melted, so bad the rear brake light melted. Seat latches in 3rd row keeps breaking. Doors freeze close. With 3 kids having to get out back not fun. Kia not very cooperative. Alignment keeps going out. On third set of tires. Need new again. Forth set of headlights. Out again. Dealer and KIA not very friendly or helpful. Places blame on me. Had to file a lawsuit. After 3 years they acknowledge van is lemon. Not a very happy consumer considering I worked hard to have something nice and turned out to be a headache!!!!!

Better than a Sienna

We recently had an accident in our 2004 Toyota Sienna and got a new minivan. The Sedona was a top contender because of its excellent safety ratings, outstanding warranty and value. So far great experience, I like it better than our Sienna. It has plenty of room all around, seems very solidly built (no problems so far, the Sienna had problems right away), offers a decent driving experience (hey, it's a minivan) and was a terrific value. Not only $4,000 cheaper than the Sienna but fully loaded and 0% financing. There are a few issues, some inherent in minivans, some are just minor annoyances, but overall a great family vehicle. If you are on the market for a van make sure you check it out.

Wow - Look out Honda and Toyota

Kia took a major leap forward with the '06 Sedona. We were only considering the Odyssey and Sienna when, on a whim ($1000 cash back, 3.9%, 60 month finance), we decided to check out Kia. Glad we did. The Sedona is packed with features at a very competitive price. It's fun to drive and they took into account rear collision safety (for front passengers). It's now in the same class as the top dogs in a very competitive market.

Best Van,,,PERIOD!

Were ready to trade in for a Berrago..after driving a loaner for 2 days, we just couldnt give up the comfort and reliability of our EX Sedona...to bad they are discontinuing this model in 2011.

Waiting for results

This is my first minivan purchase; everything else I have owned has been a car, but starting a new family persuaded me into the "Family" car. Overall, I love the van, the features, and space. Comparing it to other competitors, I found that it felt more solid and car-like than others. The price was also significantly lower for equivalent features. They've built a winner I think. A couple of problems that still need to be fixed though. At 1200 miles, the check engine light came on because of misfiring. Ever since then it has been back in the shop every 750 miles or so, and they still don't know what is wrong with it. Hopefully gas mileage will go up after this problem is fixed.

Needs some improvements

A/C went out in 2 months. Dealer did an excellent and fast job getting it fixed. The transmission was acting up so they reset the computer and that fixed the problem and improved gas mileage. It's starting to act up again. Time for them to reset. The fold down in between front seats needs to be improved and the cup holders are terrible. Your cups get stuck and tear open spelling your drink every where. But I would rather have the Kia overall. I did own a Dodge Caravan and a Ford Windstar. Hands down the Kia Is very comfortable and very quiet!

Good value, but peculiar seats

This is my second Kia (first was a '98 Sephia). In both vehicles the drivers seats are too short from front to rear. Other than that, the ride and seating are great. My kids (teenagers of substantial size) enjoy riding in any of the rows. The sliding door windows are also a little strange, and create a very irritating buffet at highway speeds if just one sliding door window is rolled down. Gizmos work as advertised. I bought sans roof rack in order to take advantage of the big owner loyalty rebate, and I am waiting for the dealer to let me know if the rack is in. It might be a little too mannerly, as I found myself going way too fast on the NJ Turnpike, feeling like 20 mph less.

Good value but horrible fuel economy

This is a functional, well-designed, comfortable, and generally good- handling minivan. It's also a great value compared to Toyota and Honda. But the fuel economy really sucks. I'm averaging 13.5 MPG overall (mostly city driving). That's way worse than the '98 Grand Voyager it replaced. I might as well have bought a Tahoe or Expedition, which look cooler and are just as big. Also, I'm on my 3rd battery in three years. Hmmm.

2006 Kia Sedona

Overall a great van. Very comfortable and powerful. I have had two very minor problems what were immediately fixed by the dealer as they were slight design flaws being 06 was the first redesign production year. I currently have a little over 22,000 miles and the van is running strong. Gas mileage has improved slightly with the “breaking” in of the engine but MPG has always been good with conservative driving habits. Consiering I live in Puerto Rico which is 80% city driving the van is holding up great. Very happy with this purchase!

This Van is Very Underrated!!

I have only had this van a short time,former van was a Dodge Caravan Sport. When the dealer first showed me the Sedona, my initial impression as I walked towards it was that it was sharp for a mini-van(Midnight Black with dark tinted windows!) as I got closer to it and saw it was Kia I wasn't so sure I wanted it, it was a Kia for goodness sakes. But then, I got in the vehicle, with it's tan, clean and crisp interior, decided to test drive it, and fell in love right away! It's three years old but smooth, and still looks really good, it looks like an 08 or 09. It's also fast and corners very well. The CD and radio are outstanding in sound quality.

The Greatest Minivan Ever!

My wife and I are very happy with the purchase of our new Kia Sedona. After shopping the Honda and Toyota, the Kia really stood out with its performance, price, and warranty. We could not believe all the standard safety features that got higher marks than the competition. As a former Japanese owner, I think the South Koreans have some new fans in our household. Way to go Kia!

Excellent van for the money!

Since we have our first child on the way, safety was paramount. Once I found out about the crash ratings for this van, I was at the dealer in a matter of days. We really like how easily it drives and all the comfort features like tri-zone climate control standard. Definitely look long and hard at this van if you are in the minivan market - you won't be disappointed.

A Keeper!

We only had our Sedona for a couple of weeks, but so far we love it. Still breaking it in, so hopefully mileage will improve. This van rides smooth and just feels put together well, I mean nothing rattles. I love how comfortable the seats are and the all around visibility. Kia's package can't be beat. We traded in my wife's Sorento so on top of the 0% financing for 60 months we got the owner's loyalty cash back! Beat that! Honda or Toyota. Don't get me wrong, I love my Matrix, but I'm actually letting my wife drive it to work just so I get to keep the Sedona to drive it around with my kid. Can't wait for a long road trip.

Better then what I thought!

I recently bought the van, at first i wasn't expecting much. The gold color on the van didn't really appeal to me, and the interior color wasn't made for a 20 year old. However, the van performed way beyond my expectations. The V6 engine is powerful, the acceleration gives the car a smooth ride, the comfortable seats makes waiting in LA traffic relaxing! =] Also, the customer service at Allstar Kia is the best! Professional, honest, and wonderful

Super minivan

I had a Sienna which was stolen and gave me problems and a few big repairs. This Sedona is nicer, faster, more features and has a better warranty. I have a fully loaded model and it's always a pleasure to drive. Kia is not messing around and this van will steal a lot of Honda and Toyota sales. After my friend saw and drove my Sedona he ran out and bought one for his family and dumped his SUV!

Kia vs. others

We bought this Sedona on reviews alone. I read car and driver and trust their take on vehicle reviews. Also the consumer reviews were very helpful. This is a no frills product and very straight forward in design. It's very comfortable to drive and very practical. Better than the domestics and equal to the Japanese offerings. I would look to either this Kia or the Honda. In terms quality both are equal but the Honda is a bit more sporty. Let's see here - sporty vs. 10 year warranty? Take your pick, for me it's the Kia, I really like this vehicle.

We LOVE it

We are very happy with our 2006 Kia Sedona. Highest safety rating, very comfortable and practical for our family of 5. Gas mileage leaves something to be desired. 6,000 miles on it so far and no problems to speak of. My only complaints are with the dealership service department. I don't know if that is a local problem with the dealership or a reflection on Kia. Handles well and feels sporty for a minivan. Even has Tiptronic-type shifting to allow you to go through the gears manually. Lots of extras for a reasonably priced vehicle. We compared with Chrysler, Nissan, Honda and Hyundai (which is the same van as the Kia) and found the Kia offers the most for the money.

Walk away don't ever buy

I bought this van new just because of the middle windows went down.. Wow was that a huge mistake. At 15,000 miles we couldn't even get the thing to start and forget about the 100000 mile warranty they didn't want to fix a thing. At about 25,000 miles the engine started to go and made all sorts of noises. This was one of the worst vans I have ever owned.

love it!

I looked at many many reviews before making the decision to purchase my 2006 Kia Sedona...there were really as many bad as good, but I could not have been more pleased with my decision. It is so comfortable & roomy. There is some rear "squeaking" sometimes, but not that bad that I regret getting the vehicle. I simply love it! For a busy mom on the go it has been perfect!