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.

 

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.