Kia Sedona 2009 vs Honda Odyssey

[Maleficient]

I posted this on Transportation as well, looking for as much input as I can get. Looking to buy new van before driving to Disney Mar 31. Have 8 yrs of company cars, so I have no idea what my habits are re: keeping vehicles long/short, etc. Starting new job with company car, DH is not, taking opportunity to get the bigger vehicle we need. Brother sells Hondas Kia Sedona MUCH cheaper with same safety ratings and 7 person seating. Honda does have 8 person capability, but no guarantee we'd get one based on what comes on the lot used (looking at new 2009 Kia or used 2008 or program 2009 Honda). I know Honda better reliability as far as can be seen, no real data on the Kia's since Hyundai took over but they have improved dramatically. Great warranties.

Can people tell me their experiences with both and help me decide? TIA!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Well, sort of but not exactly.

We did much research and test driving between comparable Toyota, Honda and Hyndai vehicles when we bought our new vehicle (small cross over SUV).

For all reasons, safety (our primary) warranty, and price, comfort of use, and gas mileage, the Hyundai won out.

A friend of mine bought the "sister" Kia vehicle to the Hyundai we chose and is equally as happy.

So, all that to say, I'd go with the Kia believe it or not! (And I NEVER thought we'd end up with a Hyundai over a Toyota or Honda)!

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I have a former professor and fellow student who both drove Kia's and told me horror stories about unreliablility, dangerous malfunctions and the inability to trade a Kia in because no one will take it. That was enough to prevent me from ever considering a Kia.

I would so with the Honda - a safe, reliable, well known product. My sister has an Odyssey that is at least 10 years old and it has never given them any problems.

 

[Maleficient]

Thanks for both of your posts! I do know that the older Kias were horrible, but since Hyundai is now Kia, the reliability supposedly has gone way up....but I know nothing compares to Honda. Sigh....the price difference is just remarkable!

 

[Gabes_mommy]

Thanks for both of your posts! I do know that the older Kias were horrible, but since Hyundai is now Kia, the reliability supposedly has gone way up....but I know nothing compares to Honda. Sigh....the price difference is just remarkable!

Have you considered anything else? We really wanted a van but couldn't afford the Odyssey or Sienna, but we were able to get a new fully loaded Chrysler Town & Country for 25.5 K (out the door) last year. It cost us at least 12 K less than the popular imports and it has everything - leather, 2 DVD players. We love it!!!

 

[merekc]

I bought a 2005 Kia Sedona new because we had really good luck with Hyundai's in the past. I hate this car (because a hundred little things have gone wrong with it) and can't wait to get rid of it. I have said many times I wish I had bought a used Toyota or Honda minivan (since I couldn't afford new).

I tried to trade the van in at 6 months because it was already having so many problems (all little, but still) and it had depreciated too much to even consider. My Kia salesperson pretty much laughed at me. The couple of times I've talked to any dealer since they cringe when they hear Kia.

There are many threads about Kia's on the Dis. I am actually (surprisingly, based on my experience) usually the only anti-Kia person on them.

 

[Maleficient]

OK we drove a Honda today and really liked it - thanks for everyone who responded!! We're still trying to decide but, the Honda is so nice....and expensive.....sigh....

 

[ead79]

I'm not in the market for a minivan, but if I was I think I would choose the Honda Odyssey, as Consumer Reports rates it very highly. We own 2 Hondas (a '99 Accord and a '05 CRV), and both have been wonderfully reliable. You can't go wrong with a Honda IMHO.

 

[schmitty]

The Sedona has the best safety ratings and Kia made a huge jump in quality sense last year.

 

[Diane♥Disney]

We have an 04 Odyssey and I love, love, love it!

 

[ksjayhawks]

We have a Honda Odyssey and love it. Reliable, dependable, safe, great service.

On our street alone, out of 17 houses, there are 7 Odysseys. There are many others in our neighborhood as well.

Yes, it is a little more expensive, but cheaper is not always better in the long run.

 

[mrsv98]

We have the 2006 Sedona and LOVE it. 2006 was the first year of the "new" Kias and we have been very happy with our van. It holds a TON, rides nicely and was so much cheaper than the Toyota or Honda.

 

[Pembo]

We have a 2008 Sedona and love it...not as much as my Pontiac Montana (oh Pontiac I miss you) but it's a great van and the price was right. We paid the same for a brand new 2008 Sedona that we paid in 2000 for our Montana, new.

 

[Maleficient]

OK I'm going crazy! Really don't know which way to go - new model Kia, or used Honda?! The 2008 Hondas are going for around 28-29,000, the 2009 (new) Kias are 21,000 both long wheel base. IS the price difference really worth it for the peace of mind of reliability and resale? Arghhhh I know everyone has tried to help me with this and I really appreciate it, I just haven't had to buy a long-term vehicle in such a long time.....I'm obviously soooo not good at it!

 

[J3nn78]

We have a 2008 Sedona. We LOVE it. I would buy another in a heartbeat. The safety rating cannot be beat. It drives and runs smoothly and we have had no issues at all so far. Kia is not what it used to be. THey have come a LONG way.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yep, the newer ones are the Kias that are good quality.

Just like Hyundai, it took awhile for them to get it right. Now that they have, it's right, it's safe, and it's affordable, and has the best warranty on the market for its class.

 

[taylor3297]

I considered getting a Kia Sedona when we were looking for a new vehicle this past November. Consumer Report included the Sedona for the first time, due to the safety rating, price and reliability. So test drive both and see which you like better. When you do test drive, don't think about the price, consider more of how well you like driving it. We ended up with a Saturn Outlook instead of getting a new van.

 

[tazdev3225]

I had a 2006 Kia Sedona and if I had to walk for the rest of my life I would do that before ever buying one of them again. At 4,000 miles I had to replace the brakes and rotors. I averaged 4000-5000 miles between brake changes. As a comparison I put 13,000 on the the brakes on my car now before needing them changed. At 10,000 miles I needed to replace the wheel bearings on the rear brakes. During the brake change the bearings just fell out. I was lucky I wasn't in an accident. At 20,000 miles the engine mounts broke. How do engine mounts just break? At 25,000 miles my oil pump seized and caused irreparable damage to the engine. KIA refused to do the repairs because I didn't get my repairs done at the KIA dealer. I went through 2 batteries in 2 years because there was a problem causing them to drain and die. I could never turn the car off because I was never sure if it would start again. When I tried to trade in my car at 2 1/2 years its value was at best $5,000. It was also the noisiest car I have ever driven. I may have had a lemon but between the problems with the car and the attitude I got from the dealership I will walk before I ever get in one of them again.

 

[mrsv98]

I had a 2006 Kia Sedona and if I had to walk for the rest of my life I would do that before ever buying one of them again. At 4,000 miles I had to replace the brakes and rotors. I averaged 4000-5000 miles between brake changes. As a comparison I put 13,000 on the the brakes on my car now before needing them changed. At 10,000 miles I needed to replace the wheel bearings on the rear brakes. During the brake change the bearings just fell out. I was lucky I wasn't in an accident. At 20,000 miles the engine mounts broke. How do engine mounts just break? At 25,000 miles my oil pump seized and caused irreparable damage to the engine. KIA refused to do the repairs because I didn't get my repairs done at the KIA dealer. I went through 2 batteries in 2 years because there was a problem causing them to drain and die. I could never turn the car off because I was never sure if it would start again. When I tried to trade in my car at 2 1/2 years its value was at best $5,000. It was also the noisiest car I have ever driven. I may have had a lemon but between the problems with the car and the attitude I got from the dealership I will walk before I ever get in one of them again.

And I am over 31k miles on my Sedona with the original brakes. I will probably get them done when I get the oil changed next week but I have had no issue with them. I think you had a lemon and not one indicative of the entire brand.

 

[Maleficient]

Have you considered anything else? We really wanted a van but couldn't afford the Odyssey or Sienna, but we were able to get a new fully loaded Chrysler Town & Country for 25.5 K (out the door) last year. It cost us at least 12 K less than the popular imports and it has everything - leather, 2 DVD players. We love it!!!

We have, but I grew up on nothing but Chrysler products and have seen some good ones and some reallllyyy bad ones....haven't had the same experience since I've had Hyundais, Toyotas and Hondas. But you're right - saw beautiful T&C today - loaded - way more affordable.