2002 Kia Sedona EX review from North America

The vehicle has a firm & bouncy ride, even when fully loaded.

Front seats are a bit to firm, and the driver's seat shell is a bit to narrow for this 230 pound driver.

The air conditioning has to run a while to handle 90 degree F. and higher temperatures, but quickly catches up on the open road where the engine revs are higher. Not using the 5th speed overdrive in town keeps the revs up and is helpful in mid-day temperatures of 100 degrees F. or more. There is no doubt that the all-around tinted windows really help the inside temperatures.

At 41,000 miles, the transmission reverse failed and a new transmission had to be ordered and installed under the warranty with no problem.

At 42,000 miles the windshield cracked from a "light", but obvious rock hit at the bottom of the glass. In my previous 2002 Sedona, I had replaced three $450 windshields (in less that 25,000 miles) - 2 by the dealer, but 1 rock hit via my $200 deductible insurance.

Vehicle noise levels are excessive in the new vehicles and get worse with mileage, especially when the back seats are removed, and/or at highway speeds over 50 MPH.

The removable seats are fairly comfortable and are handy to be able to remove/replace, but heavy and difficult to handle.

The height of the front seats allows one to slide right in without either stretching or stooping and minimizes my wife's hip & back pain problems better than EVERY vehicle we tried before settling on this vehicle.

My first 2002 blue vehicle ran like a clock, never missed a beat for about 25,000 miles, and was a pleasure to drive until stolen. I immediately replaced it with a green 2002 vehicle, less automatic skid control brakes, and continued to have care free and pleasurable driving.

In spite of the mentioned seating deficiencies, the around-the-town seating comfort is satisfactory, and discomfort mostly occurs on trips in excess of an hour.