Minivans may not be known for their sporty looks or flashy styles, but they are a popular choice among families due to their reputation of safety and reliability. The 2021 Kia Sedona looks more like a powerful SUV than a minivan, and it offers plenty of sleek features families, and individuals, will love. The new look, stunning entertainment features, and affordable price are compelling reasons to purchase the 2021 model. But when it comes down to it, is the 2021 Kia Sedona reliable?

Well-respected websites like U.S. News, Car Complaints, and Consumer Reports offer in-depth looks from professionals, and everyday Kia owners, about the reliability of cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans. Let’s comb through the data from these reports to come to a conclusion on whether the 2021 Kia Sedona is a reliable vehicle for you and your family or if it is a disaster waiting to happen. 

U.S. News and Car Complaints

U.S. News praises the 2021 Kia Sedona for its affordability, extended warranty, and comfort features. When it comes to reliability, U.S. News gave the 2021 Kia Sedona a four out of five using the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Although there were no major changes from the 2020 Kia Sedona, aside from the discontinuation of the entry-level L model, U.S. News gave this vehicle a 4.5 out of 5.0 for reliability. Clearly, the professionals and reviewers at U.S. News deem it to be an above-average ride for reliability. 

Car Complaints, a website known for tracking issues and gripes about vehicles, has received no marked problems in the 2020 Kia Sedona. Due to its similarity to the 2021 model, we can safely assume this trend will continue. Fortunately, since 2016, the Sedona has received fewer and fewer complaints, reaching up to one for the past few years available, versus 11 in 2016 and 22 in 2015. 

What Consumer Reports thinks of the Kia Sedona

Consumer Reports issues a predicted reliability score out of five based on comprehensive survey data and professional analysis. The 2021 Kia Sedona received a three out of five for predicted reliability based on data from the years 2000 through 2020. Similar to what we see from Car Complaints, Consumer Reports shows data about various problems in the 2015 and 2016 models. By 2017, however, these issues have largely dissipated, according to the available data points. 

Consumer Reports also offer an overall reliability score compared to similar models, based on the averages of the previous three years. Compared to the Toyota Sienna, the Sedona is slightly less reliable, clocking in around a 30% less reliability rate. On the other hand, the Kia Sedona is rated about 10% higher for reliability when compared to the Honda Odyssey, the Chrysler Pacifica, and the Chrysler Voyager. Notably, these last three models tend to cost more than the Kia Sedona. 

The Kia Sedona’s extended warranty

As mentioned by U.S. News, the Kia Sedona comes with a considerable extended warranty of a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The warranties that come with most minivans pale in comparison to what you get with the Kia Sedona, allowing drivers peace of mind about their investment in a new Kia minivan. 

What’s the overall impression?

The 2021 Kia Sedona is a reliable minivan. Kia has clearly gone to great lengths to improve the reliability of their vehicles in recent years, and they have worked to produce a van that looks sporty, has upgraded entertainment features, and costs less than comparable models. It may not score as high on reliability as the Toyota Sienna, according to Consumer Reports, but it still holds its own in this arena compared to other similar models from Honda and Chrysler.