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Buying a used vehicle is always tough and you wonder, is it reliable, is it comfortable, is it worth it? Well, in the used market right now one minivan that checks all those boxes is seemingly going for prices that make it feel like a great option. If you’re looking for a powerful, comfortable, reliable good-looking minivan for less that $30,000, there’s one is standing out at Kelly Blue Book. So, why is the Kia Sedona such a good deal?

Kia discontinued the Sedona in 2021

A black Kia Sedona near a water feature
2021 Sedona | Kia

Even when it was new, the 2015 to 2021 Kia Sedona was a value leader in minivans and combined good looks with lots of utility, a powerful V6, and room for up to eight. The Kia Sedona minivan was discontinued in favor of the new Kia Carnival, which the company calls an MPV because it looks kind of like an SUV yet has the utility of a minivan. The $32,900 Carnival has won several awards, but for many, it still lives in the shadow of the Sedona. Minivans aren’t hip, but they’re certainly useful.

How much does a used Kia Sedona cost?

The interior of a Kia Sedona in brown and tan.
2021 Sedona interior | Kia

The Sedona in its final generation that lasted from 2015 to 2021 and sold new for $31,575 in base L trim. Today, upgraded LX and EX vans that were priced at up to $35,000 are selling for around $30,000. While that’s still a lot, it’s one of the few vehicles that has depreciated in the crazy used market. Credit that all-new Carnival for depressing the prices of the Sedona.

Many used vehicles that are a couple of years old today are selling at or near their original MSRP, which makes the Sedona a rarity. At Kelly Blue Book, which tracks used car values, for a van with as much capability as the Sedona, especially in today’s wacky used car market, it’s one of the few to lose value. Well-equipped used two-year old LX and SX trim level Sedonas are selling for about $30,500 to $33,886 at dealerships. A well-optioned Sedona in LX or SX trim has several useful options, too, like safety features and a power lift gate.

Is the Kia Sedona safe or reliable?

The back seats of a Kia Sedona minivan showing the rear seat entertainment option.
2021 Sedona rear seats | Kia

The 2015 to 2021 versions of the van earned Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS, Top Safety Pick rating. It also had blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and more available as options. At J.D. Power, owners reported only an average resale value, which is great if you’re buying one used. But owners said the quality and reliability are in the “great” category. It ranked third in J.D. Power’s ranking of minivans in 2021.

Minivans have gone upmarket

A silver gray 2023 Honda Odyssey minivan parked near a sports field where children are playing soccer
2023 Honda Odyssey | American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Not a single minivan is selling for less than $30,000. Kia would hate it if we called the Carnival a minivan and not an MPV, but the base version starts at about $32,900. Others like the Toyota Sienna start at $35,285, and while it is an award-winning van, options packages can push it over the $50,000 mark for the Platinum version. The Honda Odyssey starts at $37,300, but can quickly see prices north of $40,000 when you add options.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.