Typically, you purchase these minivans for practical reasons because you’re either hauling a family or you’re an older buyer who likes their practicality, seating position, and roominess. Just because they’re practical, doesn’t mean manufacturers haven’t been busy dressing them up and loading them with options.
In spite of their sagging popularity—now that Boomers are past the child-rearing stage—minivans are still a relevant part of the marketplace. Through Dec. 1, Honda sold almost 116,000 Odysseys. Kia has sold about 35,500 Sedonas in the same time period. That represents about 8 percent of Honda sales and 6 percent of Kia sales.
I’ve recently spent time driving both the Sedona and the Odyssey. Consider the Sedona the upstart and the Odyssey the grand dame of minivans. Which is going to be your preference? The numbers help tell the story.
The 2016 Honda Odyssey is a lower, wider vehicle than the 2016 Kia Sedona by an inch or two in various places. The Sedona has an inch more wheelbase space.
Both minivans have good, tested engines under the hood. The 3.5-liter, Honda V6 has 248 horsepower while the 3.3-liter V6 in the Sedona produces 260 horsepower. It’s a toss-up when it comes to acceleration because both have similar torque numbers: the Odyssey at 250 lb. ft. and the Sedona at 248 lb. ft. Neither is going to blister through its 0-60 times but both have lots of pep for highway on-ramps and any passing situation. Both can comfortably cruise forever at 75 mph.
When it comes to driving, though, the Sedona wins hands down. It feels more engaging and responsive. It was my feeling on an extended drive during its media introduction and after a week behind the wheel that this is a vehicle I like driving. After a week behind the wheel of the Odyssey, however, it felt like just basic transportation.
The Odyssey is much better at 19 mpg city and a whopping 28 mpg highway for a combined 22 mpg. The Sedona’s fuel economy numbers are hard to overcome from a practical perspective.
When it comes to safety, consider this a tie between the two. All Sedonas and Odysseys are equipped with standard safety features such as a vehicle full of airbags, electronic stability control, traction control system, brake assist system, hill-start assist control, electronic brake force distribution, and antilock braking system. The Sedona does have additional technologies such as rollover mitigation and cornering brake control for improved dynamic control.
Exterior design is a subjective issue. The Sedona to my eye is the more appealing. It’s more of a head-turner. The Odyssey continues to look dowdy to me.
On the interior, the HondaVac is a great feature. The dry vacuum system has a hose that can reach the length of the interior. It works better than a handheld vacuum. Two separate head attachments expand versatility, while a removable debris canister and replaceable filter bag make maintaining the vacuum easy.
The Sedona offers standard second-row Slide-N-Stow seating. It slides and folds upright to allow for on-the-go cargo hauling along with a standard third-row, split-folding 60/40 bench that retracts seamlessly into the rear cargo floor. (It’s really simple to use, and I don’t follow directions well.)
Pricing is going to be fairly comparable between the two models, depending on your wants and needs. I drove the top-of-the-line Sedona SXL, which is priced at $44,690 with all the bells and whistles. The middle-of-the-line Sedona EX costs $33,595. The 2016 Honda Odyssey SE costs $34,255. Consider it the middle of the Odyssey pack. The top Odyssey has a price of $45,630.
Honda Odyssey SE
THE BASICS
Price, base (with destination): $34,255. Fuel economy: 19 city/28 highway/22 combined. Drivetrain: 3.5-liter, V6. Body: Minivan.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 248 @ 5,700 rpm. Torque: 250 @ 4,800 rpm. Overall length: 202.9 in. Wheelbase: 118.1 in. Height: 68.4 in. Width: 79.2 in. Curb weight: 4,528 lbs.
THE GOOD
Fuel economy numbers are strong for the Odyssey.
THE BAD
The Odyssey isn’t a very engaging minivan to drive. It plods along like the Point A to Point B vehicle that it’s supposed to be.
Kia Sedona SXL
THE BASICS
Price, base (with destination): $40,795. Fuel economy: 17 city/22 highway/19 combined. Drivetrain: 3.3-liter, V6. Body: Minivan.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 276 @ 6,000 rpm. Torque: 248 @ 5,200 rpm. Overall length: 201.4 in. Wheelbase: 120.5 in. Height: 69.1 in. Width: 78.1 in. Curb weight: 4,656 lbs.
THE GOOD
The Kia Sedona wins the passionate contest. It’s a much better looking minivan inside and out.
THE BAD
Fuel economy is disappointing at a combined 19 mpg. That’s not a good number for a family watching its budget.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Minivans mean different things to different people. Want a little zing in your drive? The Sedona is the better choice.
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