“I think the Kia has rather a tinny body. It isn't a quiet ride. You can hear the wind blow, and you can hear when you drive on the freeway or anywhere there is a cut in the road. I really don't like the Kia very well. Plus, I wasn't told about having to have the steering wheel in a certain spot to be able to turn the key. Seat is also not as comfortable as my Uplander.”
2021 Kia Sedona: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The main change for the 2021 Kia Sedona is the loss of the entry-level L trim. Otherwise, it is a quiet carryover year with no significant feature or specification changes.
About the 2021 Kia Sedona
2015-generation Sedona, final U.S. model year; part of the 2019-2021 refreshed run.
Kia positions the Sedona as a family minivan that blends premium comfort, useful technology, and flexible seating in a more stylish package than the usual boxy van formula. The official overview emphasizes passenger space, cargo flexibility, Slide-N-Stow seating, easy side-door access, and helpful driver-assist features. In plain terms, Sedona’s core job is moving people and gear comfortably while adding several upscale convenience touches that make daily family use easier.
The 2021 Sedona lineup starts with the practical eight-passenger LX, which has power sliding doors and smartphone connectivity. EX adds family-friendly comforts such as leather seats, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, and parking sensors, while SX brings navigation, premium audio, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera.
What changed, by category
Trim lineup
Kia dropped the entry-level L trim, leaving LX, EX, and SX. The remaining trims carried over without significant feature or specification changes.
2021 Kia Sedona specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.3 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Sportmatic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Sportmatic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Sportmatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | 18 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | 24 mpg |
| Max Towing | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 33.9 cu-ft | 33.9 cu-ft | 33.9 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 34.8 in | 34.8 in | 34.8 in |
| Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||
| Alarm System | |||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||
| Automatic Leveling Headlights | |||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| 360 Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Fog Lights | |||
| Heated Mirrors | |||
| LED Headlights | |||
| LED Tail Lights | |||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Power Moonroof | |||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Rear Spoiler | |||
| Roof Rails | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | |||
| Satellite Radio | |||
| Smartphone Interface | |||
| Subwoofer | |||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||
| Power Driver Seat | |||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||
| Rear Window Shades | |||
| Remote Start | |||
| Third Row Seat | |||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2021 Kia Sedona compared with the 2020 model?
The entry-level L trim was dropped for 2021. The remaining LX, EX, and SX trims carried over without significant feature or specification changes.
Which trims does the 2021 Kia Sedona have?
The 2021 Kia Sedona lineup consists of LX, EX, and SX. The previous entry-level L trim is no longer part of the lineup.
Did the 2021 Kia Sedona get a different engine or transmission?
No. Every 2021 Sedona retains the 3.3-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission used in the prior model year.
How different is the 2021 Kia Sedona from the 2020 model?
The two model years are very similar in equipment, design, safety features, and powertrain. The meaningful lineup difference is that the entry-level L trim was dropped for 2021.
Was 2021 the final model year for the Kia Sedona in the U.S.?
Yes. The 2021 Sedona was the final U.S. model year before Kia replaced it with the all-new 2022 Carnival.
2021 Kia Sedona Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Kia Sedona.
3.9
2021 Kia Sedona
(79 reviews)
“The sliding doors are slow and could be a safety concern as a female with children. I would like to be able to shut the doors quickly if someone were coming towards me. The back hatch on mine is manual. The remote has the button to open it. Why in 2021 on a minivan would it not automatically come with a door that you can open with a remote or your foot seems odd.”
“Kia has been the best and most reliable brand for me for the past 15 plus years. The warranty is the very best and the gas mileage is better than any other vehicle of the same size. I can't find any other vehicle with the same price to value ratio as Kia.”
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Sedona / 2021 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sedona / 2021
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sedona / 2019
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 9342 / 2015 Sedona Overview
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 17090 / Kia Motors America Announces Pricing Of The All New 2022 Carnival Mpv
- kiamedia.com — Sedona / 2021 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Sedona / 2021 / Pricing
- kiamedia.com — Sedona / 2020 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Sedona / 2021 / Specifications