The 2012 Kia Sedona minivan is virtually unchanged from the 2011 model. Really, the only new features that are offered are different exterior colors, which are cool and neutral shades, and an optional rear seat entertainment system. The problem with the Sedona not undergoing any changes is that appearance wise, it just does not compete with others in this segment. The exterior is relatively dull and the interior is quite modest; not unattractive, but certainly not exciting. The only reason the Sedona manages to stay competitive is because of its price and the selection of standard features on the base model that would be expensive to include on competition models. The Sedona attracts consumers that want a safe and comfortable vehicle without spending a fortune.
The minivan drives lighter and more nimble than one would expect for a vehicle of this size and thanks to the four-wheel independent suspension, bumps and holes in the road are absorbed. This provides all passengers with a smooth ride.
The standard engine for the Sedona is a 3.5-liter V6 with 271 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic with manual shift is the only transmission offered. The Sedona manages to return 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, which is quite good for a minivan. This minivan is ideal for long trips with the family and is able to seat seven passengers while still offering 32.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place. It even has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. There are three rows of seats that offer plenty of headroom and legroom, however the third row should be reserved for seating children, as it is more cramped than the other rows. There are customization packages, which can provide entertainment for children, to keep them quiet and complacent for long car rides.
The 2012 Kia Sedona is certainly one you can feel good about hauling a family in. It was rated "Good" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests. Just a few of the many safety features that comes standard includes child seat anchors, emergency braking assist, rear door safety locks, turn signal mirrors, stability and traction control, electronic brakeforce distribution, tire pressure monitoring, antilock brakes, a whiplash protection system in the front head restraints and all of the front and side air bags that you need.