2018 Kia Sedona Review

Name: 2018 Kia Sedona
Brand: Kia

Price Range: $16,998 - $25,590

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Appraise My 2018 Kia Sedona

Kia Sedona model years

Kia Sedona for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Cameron Rogers

Pros

The distinctive cockpit looks more like a car's than a minivan's
You get a lot of features for the money
The second-row seats are quite versatile
Cabin remains pleasantly quiet on the highway

Cons

Fuel economy is subpar, especially on the SX Limited model
Slightly less cargo capacity than rivals
The ride is busy over rough pavement and large bumps
Second-row seats aren't removable, and don't fold up on the SX Limited

What’s new

The Kia Sedona is unchanged for 2018.

Vehicle overview

Considering that most minivan manufacturers have spent decades perfecting their spacious people movers (the Dodge Grand Caravan traces its roots back to the mid-1980s, for instance), the Kia Sedona is practically the new kid on the block. But since its debut in 2002, the Sedona has grown from being an inexpensive also-ran to a high-tech cruiser capable of taking the fight to the establishment. It's still one of the most affordable vehicles in the class, but its roomy interior, high-quality cabin materials and flexible seating arrangements deliver plenty of appeal beyond just value.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Denver, CO

6 listings

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2018 Kia Sedona
L Passenger Minivan
$18,995
fair price
$1,168 below market
- 21,126 miles
- 7 Seats, 18 City / 24 Hwy MPG
- 17 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Third-row seating
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Centennial, CO
Smooth V6 performance, practical front-wheel-drive efficiency, and spacious three-row versatility come together in this 2018 Kia Sedona L. Finished in...
Features and Specs:
20 Combined MPG (18 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
KNDMA5C17J6409143
Stock:
M17454
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
2018 Kia Sedona
SX Limited Passenger Minivan
$11,420
- 88,790 miles
- 8 Seats, 17 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- 64 mi away
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Third-row seating
Close
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Meet the 2018 Kia Sedona a used minivan that s ready to make everyday driving feel a little more like a smooth-running adventure. Dressed in a sleek b...
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (17 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
KNDME5C15J6348878
Stock:
348878B46
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
05-06-2026

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The 2018 Kia Sedona does all the standard minivan stuff well. It can transport seven or eight passengers effortlessly thanks to its strong V6 engine, and the deep cargo well accepts plenty of luggage, so it's perfect for a family road trip. There are a few surprises here, too. On the SX Limited model, the second-row captain's chairs offer deployable thigh rests and airline-style headrests with folding wings. The seats are so comfortable you'll be counting down the days until the oldest can get a learner's permit.

There are a few disappointments, chief of which is the V6's uncompetitive fuel economy scores. The Sedona SX Limited earns a full 6 mpg less than the new Honda Odyssey in the EPA's highway test, for example. In addition, the second-row seats aren't removable, so you can't turn the Sedona into a cargo van on the fly as you can with the Chrysler Pacifica. On the whole, though, the Sedona is a solid entry in this segment, whether you consider it the budget-friendly alternative to mainstream minivans or an executive seven-seater with a first-class middle row.

What's it like to live with?

As part of our long-term test program, Edmunds' editors drove a Kia Sedona more than 20,000 miles over the course of a year to experience the minivan lifestyle. What did we learn? The Sedona provides a smooth ride and a lot of standard features for the price. But performance and fuel economy are not strong suits. Read our Sedona long-term test to learn more. Note that while we tested a 2015 Sedona SXL, the 2018 Sedona is of the same generation and most of our observations apply.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.4 / 10

Though its price tag is typically less than that of more established minivans, the 2018 Kia Sedona is a lot more than just a bargain-bin find. In fact, its comfortable ride, lounger-style second-row seating and well-crafted cabin make it quite a desirable choice in this class.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 Kia Sedona SX Limited Minivan (3.3L V6 | 6-speed automatic | FWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Sedona has received some revisions, including a few more standard and optional features, and the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto last year. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Sedona.

Scorecard

Overall	7.4 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	7.5
Interior	7.5
Utility	6.0

Driving

7.0

The Sedona has a relaxed, easy-to-drive character, but it'll move out with authority when you need it to and demonstrates good handling manners. It's a minivan we could happily live with every day.

Acceleration

8.5

Floor the gas and the Sedona's accelerates to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. It's a competitive time, though the Honda Odyssey and the Chrysler Pacifica are quicker still.

Braking

8.5

The Sedona has a moderately firm brake pedal that is responsive and intuitive-feeling for a minivan. Brake performance is as good as or better than in rivals.

Steering

6.0

There's very little steering feel or effort for the driver, which shouldn't be a big deal for most drivers. A little more of both would give a more connected feeling, though.

Handling

6.5

Handling isn't as composed as in the class-leading Honda Odyssey, but the Sedona does little to upset the average minivan driver. It's big and heavy, and you'll feel those attributes if you try to hustle it, but it's competent in normal use.

Drivability

6.5

Other than the overly light steering, the Sedona is very easy to drive. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts slowly but smoothly, and the minivan is easy to maneuver in tight parking lots.

Comfort

7.5

The Sedona is plenty comfortable for a long road trip packed with people and cargo. SX models benefit from reclining second-row seats, and these captain's chairs represent some of the most comfortable in the class.

Seat comfort

7.5

The front seats are relatively soft and have enough support to keep you comfortable during multi-hour stretches behind the wheel. The second-row recliners offer a surprising amount of legroom, and third-row comfort is similar to what competitors offer.

Ride comfort

7.0

Soft suspension elements and tuning will appeal to those seeking an isolated driving experience. At higher speeds, the ride quality can get a little busy over rough pavement. Bigger bumps can be intrusive as well.

Noise & vibration

8.5

The Sedona is one of the quietest minivans whether it's at idle, under full-throttle acceleration or cruising down the highway at 70 mph. Unlike some competing V6s, the Sedona's engine is smooth and well-silenced.

Interior

7.5

The Sedona's top-trim SX Limited model has one of the nicest interiors in the segment. It's a well-organized and easy-to-use design typical of the brand, with a fixed center console that is unique among minivans.

Ease of use

8.0

The dashboard has large, easy-to-read buttons organized in a horizontal arrangement. It's simple and intuitive. The larger touchscreen navigation and infotainment screens are also easy to use, and we like the dedicated physical knobs for critical functions.

Getting in/getting out

6.5

Like all minivans, the Sedona is very easy to get in and out of. The standard second-row seats offer a collapse function that helps with third-row access. Power-sliding doors are standard on the LX trim and higher.

Roominess

7.0

The Sedona's third row will accommodate adults, though they won't be so comfortable on long hauls. The legroom with the reclining second-row seats is better than in the Toyota Sienna, but overall space is marginally less than the competition.

Visibility

7.5

Overall outward visibility is good thanks to large windows and relatively thin windshield pillars. A backup camera is standard on all trims, and the SX Limited's surround-view camera takes much of the guesswork out of parking in tight spots.

Quality

8.5

Overall quality is as good as or better than the competition. Sturdy construction inhibits squeaks and creaks inside. The interior materials are also praiseworthy, featuring well-grained plastics, supple leather and attractive stitching.

Utility

6.0

The Sedona falls a bit short when it comes to cargo capacity and versatility, but most owners will still find it plenty capable. If the second-row seats were removable, this score would likely improve.

Small-item storage

The fixed center console may be attractive, but it doesn't offer the storage space found in rivals. Other bins and pockets are on the small side as well.

Cargo space

Maximum cargo space is 142 cubic feet, slightly less room than what the competition offers. The lack of removable second-row seats in any trim level further hurts usability.

Child safety seat accommodation

With the sliding second-row captain's chairs, installing a child safety seat is remarkably easy. There is plenty of room for rear-facing configurations, and the LATCH anchors are easily located and accessed. The same holds true for the third-row seats.

Which Sedona does Edmunds recommend?

For most Sedona shoppers, we think the midrange EX is the one to get. It comes with a ton of features at an agreeable price. They include a power liftgate, tri-zone climate control, leather upholstery and upgraded shock absorbers for a more comfortable ride. If safety is a top priority, look for an EX with the Advanced Premium Technology package. It adds the latest in driver safety aids such as blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

Compare 2018 Kia Sedona trim levels

2018 Kia Sedona models

The 2018 Kia Sedona is a seven- or eight-passenger minivan sold in five trim levels. The base L model is very reasonably priced, with a light features list that includes a rearview camera and a USB input for the audio system. The LX doesn't cost much more, and its power-sliding doors and other features are worth the modest price bump. The EX is quite a bit more, but we find its power tailgate, 7-inch touchscreen and leather upholstery to be irresistible. The SX doubles down on the luxury, safety and tech features, and even more are added when you select the range-topping SX Limited.

Like every Sedona, the base L model is powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine (276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque) that sends power to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard feature highlights include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, Slide-N-Stow forward-collapsing second-row captain's chairs (reducing seating capacity to seven), stain-resistant cloth upholstery, a 60/40-split reclining and folding third-row bench seat, dual-zone climate control (with front and rear controls), Bluetooth, a 5-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and a USB port.

The LX trim adds power-folding mirrors, power-sliding doors, rear privacy glass, a second-row bench seat (increasing passenger capacity to eight), an eight-way power driver seat (with two-way power lumbar) and a six-speaker audio system.

The EX hits what we think is the sweet spot of the Sedona lineup. This trim adds 18-inch wheels, foglights, LED daytime running lights, a windshield wiper de-icer, heated mirrors, roof rails, a height-adjustable power tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, upgraded shock absorbers, keyless ignition and entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, tri-zone automatic climate control, a driver information display, leather upholstery, heated front seats, sunshades for the second and third rows, a cooled glovebox, a portable flashlight, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, Uvo3 eServices emergency telematics and additional USB charge ports.

The SX trim reverts back to the seven-passenger configuration with second-row captain's chairs (the bench is available as an option) and adds LED taillights, driver-seat memory functions, four-way lumbar adjustment for the driver, an eight-way power front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, a navigation system and an eight-speaker Infinity premium audio system. A blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert is also included.

The range-topping eight-passenger SX Limited trim adds 19-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights with automatic high-beam control, upgraded foglights, a sound-reducing windshield, chrome door handles, adaptive cruise control, a heated steering wheel and a household-style power outlet. Even more advanced safety features come with the SX Limited, including forward collision warning and mitigation (with automatic emergency braking), a lane departure warning system and a surround-view camera system.

Many features on the higher trims are available as options on the lower trims. A dual-panel sunroof; first-class, lounge-style seating for the second row (without Slide-N-Stow); and premium leather upholstery are available solely on the SX Limited trim via the Prestige package. A rear-seat entertainment system is offered on all models.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Colorado

$249/mo

$281/mo

Avg. Midsize Minivan

Calculate my fuel costs

Reliability

The 2018 Kia Sedona has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 3 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #4 out of 14 among Minivans. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average

#4 out of 14 among Minivans

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$467/yr

vs. $549/yr
for Average Minivan

Frequency

1.11x/yr

vs. 1.47x/yr
for Average Minivan

Severity

11.4%

vs. 12.5%
for Average Minivan

Recalls

3 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 22V031000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC226
Number of vehicles affected:: 410619
Defect Description:: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Defect Consequence:: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

Recall Number:: 19V109000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC175
Manufactured from:: 2014-07-29 to 2017-07-17
Number of vehicles affected:: 94389
Defect Description:: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles equipped with manually-adjusted front passenger seats. Over time, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) wiring harness located underneath the front passenger seat may break from the seat being occupied.
Defect Consequence:: If a child is in a child seat in the front seat, a broken ODS wiring harness will not prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Corrective Action:: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the wire harness clip to prevent the wiring harness from breaking. If the harness is found damaged, the front passenger seat cushion will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC175.

Recall Number:: 18V338000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC164
Manufactured from:: 2014-07-21 to 2017-12-06
Number of vehicles affected:: 106428
Defect Description:: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Kia Sedona vehicles equipped with a power sliding door (PSD). The PSD may not auto-reverse when its closing is obstructed.
Defect Consequence:: If the door closes on an occupant, there is an increased risk of an injury.
Corrective Action:: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PSD module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 18, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC164.

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles

Kia Sedona Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

26 reviews

5(62%)

4(11%)

3(11%)

2(12%)

1(4%)

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2018 Sedona Features & Specs

Trim:

Est. Market Value	$13,779
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$249/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	33.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Sedona models:

Uvo eServices: Notifies emergency services with your location in the event of a crash in which the airbags deploy.
Blind-Spot Detection System: Lets you know if there's a car in your blind spot as well as if there's a car approaching when you're backing up.
Autonomous Emergency Braking: Detects if a front crash is imminent and applies the brakes to avoid or mitigate the crash.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover13%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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