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The Kia Sedona offers lots of space for seven, but it is no longer the spacious bargain it once was

As Kia continues to advance its status with new and increasingly desirable models, the seven-seat Kia Sedona is lagging somewhat behind its more stylish, contemporary rangemates. However, if you like your seven-seat MPV unglamorous, slab-sided and a touch drab but with an appealing no-nonsense honesty, then the Kia Sedona might be for you.

The current incarnation of this Korean people mover has been with us since 2006, although it’s been dragged partially up to date with the use of Kia’s latest 2.2-litre diesel engine which now appears all the way across the Sedona range

A decently-specced car is about the same price as an entry-level S-Max

In line with Kia’s current policy, the Sedona is available in three trim levels: ‘1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’. All three are powered by the usefully potent 2199cc CRDi oil-burner, which produces 192bhp at 3800rpm and a not insignificant 310lb ft of torque from 1800 to 2500rpm. The penalty for all that go is fairly mediocre combined economy and CO2 emission figures of 42.2mpg and 179g/km respectively (or 37.7mpg/199g/km if you opt for the automatic ’box in the ‘2’ trim as opposed to the standard six-speeder). 

Equipment levels are impressive, but that’s now reflected in the Sedona’s price. Air-con is standard in ‘1’-spec Sedonas while everything else gets climate control; even a reversing camera  is standard on ‘2’ and ‘3’-spec models, built in to the rear view mirror. Everything gets electric windows all round, but leather is only standard on the ‘3’. 

Also standard fit is a roomy cabin, access to which is made easier with sliding rear doors, and there really is enough head and legroom to seat seven grown-ups in a degree comfort, although you’ll want to make sure the shortest pair are allocated the two rearmost perches. It’s a flexible interior, too, with usefully folding and removable (if heavy) seats. 

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Unfortunately, and for all its on-paper attributes, the Sedona isn’t all that great to drive. The 2.2-litre CRDi engine is a responsive and refined performer with a fair turn of speed (especially if unencumbered by passengers or luggage), but dynamically speaking Kia’s seven-seater is shaded by far more capable opposition, notably from Ford and its all-bases-covered Grand C-Max, Ford S-Max and Ford Galaxy seven-seat triumvirate. The Sedona lacks agility and its ride is compromised, with a significant amount of thump-bump intrusions into the cabin both around town and at motorway speeds. 

Even worse for Kia, the Sedona can no longer play its ace card by simply offering better value than its competitors. With the up-to-date engine and decent equipment levels has come an increase in price that means you could get a Grand C-Max, or even a base Ford S-Max, for similar money. And if you have even only half on eye on driving dynamics (never mind residual values), it would be only too easy to be swayed by the Fords’ better looks over the increasingly dated looking Sedona

Matt Prior

Matt Prior
Title: Editor-at-large

Matt is Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, is the main face of Autocar’s YouTube channel, presents the My Week In Cars podcast and has written his weekly column, Tester’s Notes, since 2013.

Matt is an automotive engineer who has been writing and talking about cars since 1997. He joined Autocar in 2005 as deputy road test editor, prior to which he was road test editor and world rally editor for Channel 4’s automotive website, 4Car. 

Into all things engineering and automotive from any era, Matt is as comfortable regularly contributing to sibling titles Move Electric and Classic & Sports Car as he is writing for Autocar. He has a racing licence, and some malfunctioning classic cars and motorbikes. 

Kia Sedona 2006-2012 First drives