Since 1998, Kia has been producing a minivan called the Carnival (Korean). It is heavily promoted throughout the world as the Kia Sedona, a moniker that is no longer in use in favor of the Carnival.
A single, short wheelbase version of the first-generation Carnival was marketed when it was unveiled in September 1998[1]. Models of the second generation were sold in short and long wheelbase versions (20062014). In North America, a rebadged version of the second generation was sold under the name Hyundai Entourage (20072009). [2] Peter Schreyer, Kia’s then-new design leader, debuted the company’s Tiger Nose grille in 2010 as part of the second generation model’s improved equipment. In 2014, Kia debuted their third-generation minivan in only a long wheelbase configuration. In 2020, the fourth generation was released, and Kia also started utilizing the Carnival brand internationally.
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Is the Kia Sedona a good investment?
The Kia Sedona: A Reliable Minivan The Kia Sedona is an excellent minivan, yes. Due to its excellent balance of quality and value, we actually selected the Sedona a finalist for our 2021 Best Minivan for the Money award. It has no significant flaws outside its underwhelming mpg ratings.
How are Kia minivans?
Many respectable websites have rated the Kia Sedona as trustworthy, especially the most recent models. A dependability score of 4.5 out of 5 from U.S. News indicates that they believe it to be significantly better than average and on the verge of becoming exceptional.
Data from CarComplaints also revealed that the Sedona had seen a significant decrease in complaints over the past few years. That provides very compelling evidence for its dependability.
The Sedona is ranked #2 among the top 4 minivans by J.D. Power, which gives it a quality and reliability score of 81 out of 100.
On the basis of the aforementioned, it would be accurate to conclude that the Kia Sedona is a very dependable car.
What takes the place of the Kia Sedona?
In February, Kia unveiled the 2022 Carnival, claiming that it will be more rigid and durable than the outgoing Sedona it will replace.
The three-row Carnival “Multi-Purpose Vehicle” is designed to fill what Kia refers to as “the vacant gap between SUV and family hauler.” The Sorento and K5 both use the third-generation “N3 platform, which is a unibody SUV.
According to a news release from Kia on February 23, “Kia’s engineers made sure it was lighter, stronger, and quieter than the departing architecture.
According to the OEM, it used more “hot-stamped components and ultra-high-strength steel for enhanced average tensile strength and torsional stiffness that lead to superior driving dynamics.
James Hope, national manager of Kia Product Communications, claimed on Friday that the Carnival employed hot-stamped steel in 14 locations, two more than the Sedona.
He listed the following hot-stamped steel locations:
- all the way around the driver’s and passenger’s front doors
- Along the header of the windshield
- Crash channels in the firewall’s lowest section
- channels in the rear chassis that extend longitudinally from the back of the vehicle toward the second row of seats. (Slight formatting changes.)
Hope claimed that he was not given any information regarding the use of aluminum in the massive truck.
When the Carnival reaches dealers this quarter, in addition to all of the higher-strength steels, repairers will run into extra “sound absorbent and insulating elements to minimize road, wind, and engine noise,” according to Kia.
Other bodily and technical information that may be of interest is:
- For better gas mileage, Kia claimed to have made aerodynamic adjustments to the wheels, mirrors, and front bumper.
- According to the OEM, the wheel arches are “(b)rawny,” the headlights and taillights are united by “(a) bold cutline,” and the hood has “(d)ramatic body lines.”
- There is a two-tone color scheme on the mirrors. Wheels in gloss black are an option.
- Skid plate garnish and “black/chrome rocker panel moldings” are examples of trim. The Carnival is additionally the first automobile to sport Kia’s new emblem.
- Although it’s not clear if the taillights are LEDs, the headlights are.
- Nearly all trims come included with an intercom and a camera that can see in the dark to see what’s in the backseat.
- There is UVO telematics available, which enables the Carnival to dial 911 in the event of an airbag activation.
- The SUV was equipped with “12 standard Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features, the most complete standard ADAS suite in the sector, and available segment-exclusive Blind-Spot View Monitor,” according to a claim made by Kia. Although Kia did not list all 12, the highlights included autobraking, blind-spot monitoring and autobraking, rear cross-traffic autobraking, parking distance alerts, lane centering, automatic high beams, and alerts to drivers who the vehicle’s movement may cause them to perceive as being potentially inattentive.
Which car, the Kia Sedona or Toyota Sienna, is better?
The 2019 Toyota Sienna provides significantly roomier accommodation for its second and third rows of passengers. In fact, it dwarfs the 2019 Kia Sedona in terms of trunk space, offering a best-in-class 150 cubic feet while the Sedona offers a maximum of 142 cubic feet. Row by row, let’s dissect that so you can clearly see the difference.
The 2019 Toyota Sienna’s real trunk volume behind the third row seat is 39.1 cubic feet, but if you fold down the third row, that volume increases to 87.1 cubic feet. You can move furniture or transport materials to the school talent show in your 150 cubic feet of cargo hold, which is accessible once the second row of seats is removed. The 2019 Kia Sedona’s real trunk capacity is 33.9 cubic feet, and because the second row seats cannot be removed, the cargo compartment can accommodate a maximum of 142 cubic feet when the third row is folded down.
When should you stay away from Sedona?
Since its introduction in 1998, the Kia Sedona has served as the brand’s iconic minivan model for more than 20 years. It served as the forerunner to Kia’s rebranded and redesigned minivan, the Carnival, which made its debut in 2022. Until the more SUV-like Carnival took its place, the Sedona served as Kia’s main offering in the minivan market.
Although not very sophisticated, most Sedonas were said to have few problems and could travel up to 250,000 miles with regular maintenance and proper upkeep. Despite being somewhat successful, it still had shortcomings. These Kia Sedona years should be avoided.
Short Answer: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2016
The Sedona had been a fixture in the minivan market for 20 years prior to the Carnival. The Sedona is generally thought of as a nice minivan for a reasonable price. However, some particular years have a number of issues, including recalls and owner-reported customer complaints. The first and third versions of the Kia Sedona are mostly the ones to steer clear of.
Common problems and grievances
- An abundance of recalls
- low engine output
- Fire risks
- Ratings of average safety
- Costly repair work
The Sedona has seen a series of significant recalls since its launch shortly after 2000 for each model year. The only vehicles with just one significant recall were those from 2014 and the most recent model year in 2020. Recalls are a factor to take into account, although they do not always make or break a car.
- 4 in 2002
- 5 in 2003
- 3 in 2004
- 2 in 2005
- 8 in 2006
- 9 in 2007
- 6 in 2008
- 6 in 2009
- 6 in 2010
- 6 in 2011
- 5 in 2012
- 2013 not applicable
- 1 in 2014
- 3 in 2015
- 3 in 2016
- 3 in 2017
- 3 in 2018
- 1 in 2020
In addition to recalls, Kia has replied to over 200 recorded bulletins with common troubleshooting concerns reported by drivers and consumers. Due to the fact that the 20062012 models were recalled numerous times for the same issues, they have a comparable number of recalls. Due to the Kia Sedona’s absence in 2013 the 2013 model is also lacking.
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Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2002, 2003, and 2005
A used 2002 Kia Sedona would probably cost less than $3,000 if you were looking for one today. There have been concerns about the difficult handling and weak engine in this model year. In addition, the 2002 Sedona was the target of numerous safety recalls right away after the model’s introduction. It encountered comparable difficulties in 2003 and 2005 as a result of inadequate front seat assembly and seat belt concerns.
The seatbelts’ shoddy construction prevented them from providing reliable restraint in the event of a collision. Wires that touched the metal underneath the front seats were the subject of the most recent recall, which was issued in 2005. This was one of the most hazardous risks since it occasionally sparked flames.
Common problems
- inadequate engine power
- defective seatbelts
- numerous recalls
- Under the chairs, there are fire risks
- inadequate handling skills
There are several cars available that allow you to tower above obstacles without sacrificing the comfort of a compact automobile. Because of this, we’ve compiled a list of our top new sedans with high ground clearance.
Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2012
The 2012 Sedona gained notoriety for a relatively unusual cause. It had a weak roof rating and presented potential safety risks in the event of an accident. Furthermore, the car cage’s design and safety rating only obtained a “satisfactory grade. The best cars on the market right now, even older Sedona models, frequently have great overall IIHS ratings.
For the 2012 model year, there have been a total of 5 significant recalls, raising more concerns about its safety. Even the 2012 model year was the target of a lawsuit because of the soy wire coating that had drawn animals to the undercarriage and harmed the electrical system. Consumer Reports only gave the 2012 model a 1 out of 5 owner satisfaction rating, which is a significant indicator of consumer unhappiness.
Most frequent problems:
- safety issues
- problems with soy-based electrical wiring
- a low score for customer satisfaction
Kia Sedona Years to Avoid: 2016
The most expensive and current model to appear on the list of years to stay away from is the 2016 Kia Sedona, but its issues show that it is not worth the money. According to Kia Complaints, the only Sedona model year from the third generation to stay away from is the 2016.
The 2016 Sedona has received the most NHTSA complaints involving electrical issues. The incorrect rear light would be produced by blinkers, posing a clear driving hazard. Headlights suddenly cut off and turn signals don’t work properly, greatly increasing the chance of a collision at night.
- Turn signal and electrical failure
- sudden failure of the headlights
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What Kia Sedona Models are Good?
In the US, the Kia Sedona has been available for sale for about 20 years. In this regard, we were able to gather testimonials from long-term owners from a variety of Sedona forums. The Kia Sedona has received favorable reviews from numerous reputable sources, especially the most current model produced prior to 2016. These typically receive ratings from U.S. News of 4.5 out of 5 stars, indicating that they are reasonable choices for customers. Most of the newest generation cars have only a few recalls and minor complaints, with the exception of the 2016 model.
J.D. Power ranked the most recent Sedona second among the top four minivans with an 81 out of 100 quality and reliability rating. Most experts would advise extra rustproofing after the Sedona’s 5-year anti-perforation warranty has passed. Although the Sedona has since been replaced by the more contemporary Carnival, it still offers most families a reasonably reliable car at a reasonable cost.
To get a better sense of the ride, it’s usually a good idea to test out a few different model years. Even though each generation is generally similar, each year does have a distinctive mood and its own eccentricities. Most people looking for a minivan should consider the Sedona; you just need to look around a bit to get the one that’s right for you.
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What issues is the Kia Sedona experiencing?
Principal Kia Sedona Issues
- Unusual startup sounds.
- Initially Complicated.
- defective battery
- Clutch assembly for the air conditioner that isn’t working.
- Software Issues Affecting Transmission.
- Issues with Exterior Lighting.
- Crankshaft Position Sensor failure.
- Premature Alternator Failure.
What is the Kia Carnival 11’s price?
The Kia Carnival LX, the entry-level model for 2022, costs $33,275. The LX Seat Package, which has a starting price of $35,275 and is the most popular Carnival model, is also an option. The 3.5-liter V6 engine that powers the 2022 Carnival as standard produces 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission are paired with this.
Additionally, the Carnival LX has power sliding rear doors, 17-inch wheels, and LED lighting, all of which are very helpful when trying to load kids and groceries into your car. The Kia minivan has second-row captain’s chairs that can accommodate up to seven passengers. Additionally, it has an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A six-speaker sound system and USB ports are features of the 2022 Kia Carnival LX.