2021 Kia Sedona Grand Utility Vehicle Boasts More Room, Revamped Interior, and Premium Relaxation

 

As another school year revs back up with all of its constant errands and activity, many customers we have kept up with here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis have had ample space and efficiency high on their list when it comes to what they would want from a new vehicle. The 2021 Kia Sedona has now been billed as the next-generation “Grand Utility Vehicle”, with an exterior that more closely resembles an SUV, longer hood, and more upright A-pillar offsetting the reduced front overhang.

 

The newer take on the signature Kia “Tiger Nose” grille sees large-pore diagonal mesh

within a chrome band that incorporates LED running lights and slimmed-down headlights. The body of the Sedona has grown in wheelbase by 1.2 inches, in length by 1.6 inches, and width by .4 inches. Lift height has been lowered an inch to make loading easier, and so have the power-sliding doors and power tailgate. Wheel sizes range from 17 to 19 inches, and there is a choice of 8 exterior paint colors.

 

Under the now-longer hood, there will be a gasoline direct-injected 3.5-Liter V6 with 290 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque, or the 2.2-LIter 4-Cylinder diesel making 200 hp and 325 lb-ft. The rotary shifter controls the 8-speed automatic in all trims, and the review staff at Autoblog claimed that handling, ride, and ambiance all improve thanks to a fully independent suspension attached with liquid-filled bushings. There is now a reshaped intake to quiet engine noise, a covered underbody, and more sound-deadening throughout the entire vehicle.

 

The old form of hydraulic steering is no longer on board, and an EPAS unit on the column makes way for more advanced driver systems while quickening the steering ratio. Ample space is definitely a necessity when you are dealing with a growing family, and the Sedona's larger  body creates room inside for people as well as cargo. Kia listened intently to what customers really wanted out of a minivan, and the revamped interior also provides nicer furnishings in every single row. The instrument panel now features a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment screen in an enclosure under glass. You'll also be able to enjoy Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the ability to connect with smartphone via Bluetooth and Kia Live services.

 

Incoming 2021 Kia Sedona Spy Shots Revealed Via Motor1.com

The rise of crossovers and SUVs has been so evident the past few years that many families are choosing them as their prime means of transportation. Here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, we find that totally understandable, but we're here on the blog today to remind you that the “Grand Utility Vehicle” in the form of the Sedona looks great in these teaser images offered up from the folks on staff at Motor1.com this past week. It now has slimmed-down LED headlights and a revised “Tiger nose” grille featuring vertical slats.

The front bumper now has an all-new look and the mirrors are now placed lower on the doors. Some of our other sources have told us that the overhauled minivan will grow in size a bit through a stretched wheelbase, which makes the way for a more spacious interior cabin. While these particular photos don't show much of the rear end, the spy shots do show the taillights in a configuration a bit flatter than the outgoing model. The US-spec minivan will most likely premiere in the months to come and could very well make an appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late November.

The staff with years of experience on duty at The Car Connection praised this model for its comfortable ride, spacious interior, practicality, and an excellent warranty. The Sedona seats up to eight with plenty of cubbies for devices and storage, and every van is equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen with smartphone software, Bluetooth connectivity, and more than ample space. Make sure to check out the EX and SX trim levels: here you nail down leather upholstery and active safety features such as automatic emergency braking. Power is derived from a 3.3-liter V6 that makes 276 horsepower and provides front-wheel drive mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

When properly equipped, the Sedona can tow up to 3,500 lbs, which is enough for a small trailer or various toys on their way out to the lake. The Car Connection testing crew also claimed that “there's no distance we couldn't comfortably travel in a well-equipped 2021 Sedona”, as rows one and two get more than 40 inches of legroom for riders and row three still measures nearly 35 inches. With all of the seats down, the Sedona fits up to 142 cubic feet of cargo, and the IIHS has good things to say about it. When equipped properly, the Sedona's automatic emergency braking system earned the very top “Superior” score at avoidance of forward crashes with another car at both 12 and 25 mph.

The Car Connection After 2021 Kia Seltos First Drive: “Brims Style and Verve”

Aaron Cole is the fearless and driveshaft-focused Managing Editor of The Car Connection Blog, and all of us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis have valued his opinions and information regarding numerous things car-related. His first thoughts regarding the 2021 Kia Seltos were that it “Piles on style like fresh Wranglers, hard-wearing felt Stetsons, and shined up East Texas belt buckles”. His initial test drive was in the hill country outside San Antonio, with plenty of cedar elm, fresh air, and shiny new high school football stadiums!

The Car Connection crew did have lots of love for the Kia Soul, due to its funky style and sensible arrangement of usable space. Since the Soul didn't have all-wheel drive, this is where the Seltos can largely and proudly fill that gap. It stretches seven more inches from bumper to bumper, resulting in 26.6 cubic feet of cargo room (compared to the Soul's 24.2 cubic feet) and nearly one more inch of rear-seat legroom than the hatchback. The magazine's editor is 6-foot-3, and he was able to very comfortably sit behind a driver of similar size while enjoying ample shoulder room and rear seats that recline a few inches for better long-haul comfort.

The base engine for the 2021 Seltos is a 2.0-liter inline-4 that cranks out 146 horsepower, is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission, and is the one the testing crew here preferred. It is available in the S AWD or EX configuration, and the option higher up the ladder is the 1.6-liter Turbo-4 that makes 175 horsepower and is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The troupe averaged about 27.3 mpg combined in the turbo-4 Seltos, and after a bit more time spent on the outskirts of San Antonio, they felt that the steering feel was softer and does a better job of leaning into corners.

As far as the all-important highway drive, the winning quality as far as this group was concerned was the quiet ride and the 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The top-of-the-line Seltos SX gets a wide 10.3-inch version and premium audio, another asset defining its comfort factor as a place to feel as if you are unwinding instead of knocking out the normal stressful deadlines of everyday life. Practicality and open space were highlights during the multiple drives, and this is the vehicle with a prime personality that Car and Driver claimed: “Goes above and beyond all small SUV essentials.”

We are excited to show you the SUV that is so well-known for displaying class-leading

refinement and secure composure for its price point, and steering that strays far from the

“pined and nervous” character of many out there today. Among competitors possessing the fierce form of the Jeep Compass, Mazda CX-30, and Nissan Rogue Sport, the squared-off and very chiseled appearance make the Seltos upscale, the ride of someone in the know, and the perfect choice for 2021’s coming offering assortment.

Carbuzz.com Showcases 2021 Kia Sedona's Fresh new Changes

Two years ago at the New York Auto Show, the Kia Sedona was given a refresh with updated styling, a larger cabin, and brand-new technology on board. Carbuzz.com took a look this past week at the brand-new version arriving for 2021 and was excited about what our direct competition for the Chrysler Pacifica will brandish as new features and standing out with vigor in the daily driver segment. The new Kia Sedona will measure 202 inches long, 78 inches wide, and 68 inches high, which is both longer and wider than the outgoing model.

The new wheelbase will be 1.18 inches longer, measuring 121.6 inches. Spy shots that have made their way across our desks here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis have shown us that the next-generation Sedona will feature brand new LED headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights and a brand new bumper. Definite engine options for the new Sedona have not been officially confirmed. The current model incorporates a 3.3-liter V6 that makes 276 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed transmission. Likely, a plug-in hybrid version could also be included in the lineup, which would most likely be the same electrified powertrain found in the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Just like the outgoing model, the all-new Sedona should be offered with both a three and four-row seating layout. As the staff of Car and Driver pointed out late last year, the Sedona succeeds wildly at “avoiding the dreaded soccer mom stereotype”, and hits incredibly high marks in the safety category as well. The EX trim level is where the ante is upped in terms of standard equipment: this is where you receive leather upholstery, heated front seats, 3-zone climate control, wireless charging, and several standard driver assists. Among these are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.

Other test-drive teams throughout the industry have claimed that the ride here is very placid over smooth pavement, and the heft of the steering wheel is weighted perfectly. If traveling frequently is going to be part of your itinerary during the New Year, the SX trim can pretty much be equipped as a private jet, with reclining captain's chairs instead of the second-row bench seat. The 7.0-inch touchscreen system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration comes as standard, while the luxurious SX trim increases the screen size one inch and adds to the mix navigation with real-time weather and traffic updates.