Kia Sedona: every US generation, engines and what to check on a used one

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Kia Sedona is the front-wheel-drive minivan Kia sold in the US for the 2002–2021 model years, with a gap in 2013. Every Sedona has a V6: a 3.5L, then a 3.8L (2006–2010), a 3.5L again (2011–2014) and a 3.3L GDI (2015–2021). The 2022 Carnival replaced it.

Type
Minivan, front-wheel drive
Powertrains
Sedona 3.3L V6, 8-speed (2019–2021), Sedona 3.3L V6, 6-speed (2015–2018), Sedona 3.5L V6 (2011–2014), Sedona 3.8L V6 (2006–2010), Sedona 3.5L V6 (2002–2005)
Current generation
Third generation, 2015–2021

Kia Sedona engines, horsepower and mpg

Horsepower and torque are left blank: Kia's US spec pages for this discontinued model are no longer online, and we only publish ratings from official Kia sources. Engines, transmissions and mpg come from EPA records. For 2015–2018, EPA rated the SX and SXL trims separately (SX 21 mpg combined, SXL 19).

Kia Sedona powertrains with Kia-rated output and EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
VersionEngineHorsepowerTorque (lb-ft)TransmissionDriveEPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)
Sedona 3.3L V6, 8-speed (2019–2021)3.3L V6, direct injection[1][2]——8-speed automaticFront-wheel drive18/24/212021 MY[1]
Sedona 3.3L V6, 6-speed (2015–2018)3.3L V6, direct injection[3][2]——6-speed automaticFront-wheel drive18/24/202015 MY[3]
Sedona 3.5L V6 (2011–2014)3.5L V6[4][2]——6-speed automaticFront-wheel drive18/24/212011 MY[4]
Sedona 3.8L V6 (2006–2010)3.8L V6[5][2]——5-speed automaticFront-wheel drive16/23/182006 MY[5]
Sedona 3.5L V6 (2002–2005)3.5L V6[6][2]——5-speed automatic (EPA listing)Front-wheel drive14/18/162002 MY[6]

Output is as rated by Kia; fuel economy is the EPA estimate. "—" means no official figure was found.

What to check on a used Kia Sedona

Recall history matters on an older Sedona, especially in salt-belt states. Kia recalled 2006–2012 Sedonas because the front lower control arms can corrode and break; the first campaign (13V550) covered 20 states plus DC and a second (16V387) widened the list. Dealers inspect and rustproof or replace the arms for free. A VIN check at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows whether the work is done.

  • 2006–2012: front lower control arm corrosion (13V550, 16V387); inspect the arms on any northern car
  • 2006–2014: secondary hood latch may bind (16V389)
  • 2006–2010: ABS module may short circuit (20V088)
  • 2011–2012: fuel rail may crack and leak (20V101)
  • 2015–2018: power sliding door may not auto-reverse (18V338) and the passenger occupant-detection harness may break (19V109)
  • [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

Which Sedona years are most efficient?

The 2019–2021 Sedonas with the 3.3L V6 and 8-speed automatic are rated 18/24/21 mpg by EPA. The 2015 3.3L with the 6-speed is rated 20 mpg combined, a 2011 3.5L 21, a 2006 3.8L 18 and a 2002 3.5L 16.[1][3][4][5][6]

What replaced the Kia Sedona?

The Kia Carnival. EPA's last Sedona listing is the 2021 model year and the Carnival appears from 2022; Kia adopted its global Carnival name in North America with that new generation.[2][7]

Kia Sedona generations by year

Every US Kia Sedona generation with model years and engines, newest first
GenerationUS model yearsEnginesNotes
Third generation2015–20213.3L GDI V6; 6-speed automatic (2015–2018), 8-speed automatic (2019–2021)EPA moved the Sedona to an 8-speed automatic for 2019, lifting the base combined rating from 20 to 21 mpg. The 3.3L is a Lambda-family V6 also used in the Cadenza.[2][3][1][7]
Second generation2006–2012, 20143.8L V6 with 5-speed automatic (2006–2010); 3.5L V6 with 6-speed automatic (2011–2012, 2014)EPA has no 2013 Sedona listing; the model returned for 2014 before the redesign. Several recalls cover this generation (see below).[2][5][4][7]
First generation2002–20053.5L V6, automaticKia's first US minivan. EPA rated the 2002 at 14/18/16 mpg.[2][6][7]

More Sedona research

See how a Sedona was built at the factory.

Trim names and packages on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Kia build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Kia build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years was the Kia Sedona made?

EPA lists the Sedona for 2002–2012 and 2014–2021. There was no 2013 model.

What engine is in the Kia Sedona?

Always a V6: 3.5L (2002–2005), 3.8L (2006–2010), 3.5L (2011–2014) and a 3.3L direct-injection V6 (2015–2021), per EPA.

Is the Kia Sedona all-wheel drive?

No. EPA lists every Sedona as front-wheel drive.

Is the Kia Carnival the new Sedona?

Yes. The Carnival replaced the Sedona for the 2022 model year.

What mpg does a Kia Sedona get?

EPA rates the 2021 Sedona at 18/24/21 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Sources

Prices and output are as published by Kia for the model year shown; fuel economy is from the EPA. Equipment changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

  1. EPA fuel economy record: 2021 Kia Sedona 3.3L V6, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  2. EPA fuel economy data: vehicles.csv (Kia listings by model year, engine, transmission and drive) — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  3. EPA fuel economy record: 2015 Kia Sedona 3.3L V6, 6-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  4. EPA fuel economy record: 2011 Kia Sedona 3.5L V6, 6-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  5. EPA fuel economy record: 2006 Kia Sedona 3.8L V6, 5-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  6. EPA fuel economy record: 2002 Kia Sedona 3.5L V6, 5-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  7. Kia Carnival (formerly Kia Sedona) — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
  8. NHTSA recall 13V550: Front lower control arms may break from corrosion (2006–2012 Sedona, salt-belt states) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  9. NHTSA recall 16V387: Front lower control arm corrosion, expanded states (2006–2012 Sedona) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  10. NHTSA recall 16V389: Secondary hood latch may bind (2006–2014 Sedona) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  11. NHTSA recall 20V088: ABS module may short circuit (2006–2010 Sedona) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  12. NHTSA recall 20V101: Fuel rail may crack and leak (2011–2012 Sedona) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  13. NHTSA recall 18V338: Power sliding door may not auto-reverse (2015–2018 Sedona) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  14. NHTSA recall 19V109: Passenger occupant detection harness may break (2015–2018 Sedona) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  15. DOT/NHTSA recalls dataset (6axg-epim): Kia recalls mentioning Sedona — U.S. DOT (data.transportation.gov)

More Kia tools

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Kia America, Kia Corporation or Hyundai Motor Group. Kia and the model names are trademarks of their owners.