2021 Kia Sedona

On the market since 2014, the 2021 Kia Sedona is the final model year of the third-generation of family-friendly minivans from the Korean manufacturer. Trading on SUV-like styling to set it apart from the crowd, the Sedona is a middle-of-the-road option against established class-leaders like the Chrysler Pacifica. But, with the likes of the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey being completely overhauled for 2021, the Sedona is quickly losing relevance in a market dominated by the crossover, and even the brand's own Telluride SUV is cannibalizing sales of the aging minivan. That doesn't mean it's bad, however, and you still get a comfortable upscale interior, a fair amount of safety features, and, as before, a 3.3-liter V6 engine powering the front wheels with outputs of 276 horsepower. An all-new Sedona is being prepared for a 2022 market launch, so until then, the current model is merely a placeholder in the segment against more accomplished rivals.

One of the most appealing aspects of the Kia Sedona is its relatively low asking price, a big selling point for families feeling the crunch of a somewhat depressed economy. After 2019's L trim was dropped, we're now left with the LX on the cheaper side of things, with an MSRP of $30,400. The Kia Sedona EX is priced from $33,700, and the top of the range SX comes in at a base price of $41,500. That's still a bargain when you compare it to the Odyssey Elite, which sells for $47,820. These prices exclude tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,120.

Kia nailed it when it comes to how the Sedona drives and handles. Steering is surprisingly direct and it responds well to quick inputs, which is excellent when you need to avoid road hazards. Ride quality is smooth and comfortable, an attractive attribute for a people carrier such as this. What surprised us most is what happened when we took it through a set of twisty roads: the Sedona maintains its composure when thrown around, and the SX with standard high-performance shocks feels downright capable. Highway cruising feels stable and predictable. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by how well this car drives.

The minivan market is a tough one. There are a ton of offerings from some of the most established players in the game, so to be competitive in this segment takes some doing. The Sedona doesn't bring anything fresh to the game in 2021, owing to the fact that a new Kia Sedona is on its way for 2022. That doesn't mean you should overlook it, though. From the outside, the Sedona looks better than most with its chiseled looks that resemble an SUV more than a minivan. The interior is an honest job, but won't blow you away unless you go for the top-of-the-range SX, which is a suitably premium machine. But it lacks the space and versatility of newer rivals, with the Chrysler Pacifica still leading the pack and a new Toyota Sienna poised to upstage the Sedona, too. The Sedona drives acceptably, with decent poke from the engine and responsive steering and suspension. Still, newer rivals are simply more accomplished, all while feeling more premium, packing newer tech, a broad spread of safety features, and consuming less fuel. The Sedona isn't bad, but it's fighting for relevance in a segment where manufacturers have to throw their all into a minivan to ensure buyers don't opt for an SUV instead.

The 2021 Kia Sedona is a pleasure to drive, and it's pretty good to look at too, but it is aging, and the competition offers more comprehensive packages at the higher end of the price spectrum. On the lower end of the trim ladder, the LX provides good capability, but we feel that if you're going to spend some decent time in this can, you should treat yourself to a few creature comforts, which this trim level lacks. Instead, we would suggest you look at the mid-range EX. This car obviously sits in the middle of the pack price-wise, but it brings a lot more features to the table. The EX gets stuff like blind-spot assistance, rear cross-traffic assistance, leather upholstery, as well as wireless phone charging and rapid charging USB ports. Sure, you're missing out on a few extra safety features found in the SX, but we think this is your best bet.

The Sienna had the privilege of being one of the only minivans in the US available with all-wheel-drive, which already puts it at an advantage over the FWD-only Sedona. The 2021 iteration is a force to be reckoned with, however, as power is provided by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid, which produces 243 hp. While that's significantly less than what you get in the Sedona, the manufacturer claims that it will offer much-improved gas mileage with a combined rating of 33 mpg. The exterior isn't as good looking, in our opinion, but it's what's inside that counts, right? The Sienna offers a superior list of standard features in base trim, and also provides more cargo room. On the road, both cars are equally comfortable. The interior of the Sienna feels just as well put together as the Kia, but we don't like the control layout. Still, despite how much more it costs, we would go with the Toyota.

Honda always seems to get it right with its minivan offering. The Odyssey has been an American favorite for years, and with good reason: it is one of the most spacious and fun to drive minivans out there. Powering this beast is a 3.5-liter V6 producing a more powerful 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Odyssey is more attractive from the outside, thanks to a thorough facelift for 2021 - a thought cemented in your mind once you step inside. The interior feels fresher, and there are a plethora of features on offer in the base model for only $1,390 more than the Sedona LX. The Odyssey definitely trumps the Sedona in terms of standard driver assistance systems, and the infotainment system is also superior. The Odyssey will fit more stuff in the rear because of its massive cargo capacity of 144.9 cubic feet - and the second-row seats fold almost flat. The Odyssey is a popular choice for a reason, and we would have one over the Sedona any day of the week.