[Gohawks1224]

I have a Mazda CX-9 and 4 kids... something has to give and the zoom zoom has to go. I have narrowed down my two van choices to the Pacifica and Sedona. Biased aside, I would like to get perspectives from those that shopped both of these cars. Thanks!

 

[Tsuter]

I went with the Pacifica, but I cross shopped the odyssey. That being said, we had rented a Kia for a week vacation and it was totally capable, but we crossed it off the list. It drove fine and actually got us okay with he minivan path in lieu of the suburban. But it wasn't nice enough for us. We have a 2007 Audi Q7 as the old family transport, so it's a tough act to follow and the Kia wasn't the right follow up. Like I said, we ended up with the Pacifica, mainly the driving dynamics were much more refined and the interior is a much better place to live.
Neither will give you good resale down the road, so no points there, the odyssey offers the closest comparison with the Pacifica, cost and content wise, they are neck and neck.
The Kia is nice for the price, but not quite as refined.
Good luck with your purchase, all that being said, I don't think you'll be unhappy with either van, they are both decent. At the end of the day, it's a box that seats 8 and some of your stuff. There is only so many ways you can accomplish the task. And until they hellcat the Pacifica, I'm happy with my purchase.

 

[Tsuter]

Oh yeah, drive them both back to back if you can. If the dealers balk, tell them to piss off. Play with the buttons, take it home to park I your garage, open the doors.... Sadly the Pacifica fails the rear gate test for my garage, but I'm going to figure out a way to limit the gate opening height, but that's just one of the things to check out before you buy. I knew the Kia second row seats got all scrunched up under the headrest when installing my kids seats top tether. The Pacifica fairs much better there.... So try to get an extended test drive and try to live in it for a few hours.
Let the kids jump around inside and hit all the buttons. You'll find which one suits you better.

Good luck.

 

[Dewey]

We looked at both in high-end configurations. The Kia felt stiffer in ride quality and wasn't as easy to get to the 3rd row with car seats installed in the 2nd row. Gas mileage is also the poorest.

On the upside, the 2nd row seats were more comfortable and it is available in AWD. The warranty is great. But remember if you sell it, the drive-train warranty drops to 5yrs/60000 miles...not the 10/100 that the original owner gets. So that can limit resale value considerably.

 

[Gohawks1224]

Thanks you two. Funny you mention Audi because the designer for them and your 07 went to Kia and designed the sedona.

I agree with your assessment though. I did as you mentioned before I posted AND the pacifica drove better, close enough to my Mazda cx9 which is a blast to drive given the size. I like the exterior style better in the Kia, but gas mileage and ease of 3rd route access is more important. Thank again.

 

[generaltso]

On the upside, the 2nd row seats were more comfortable and it is available in AWD.

How do you get the Kia with AWD? As far as I can tell, the Sienna is the only minivan currently offering AWD as an option.

 

[Dewey]

How do you get the Kia with AWD? As far as I can tell, the Sienna is the only minivan currently offering AWD as an option.

You're correct...I was mixing the two. Sorry about that.

 

[azcreeker]

that 10 year warranty....

 

[dmg2010]

The 2017 Sedona now offers the equivalent of Advanced SafetyTec as an option on all trim levels.

I prefer the overall driving experience in the Pacifica, and the seating options provide more utility. The Sedona has more comfortable seats in the first two rows (the Pacifica has a much better third row), is less expensive, IMO has better interior color choices, and has a better warranty.

I really wish they offered a Touring-L with Advanced SafetyTec, the headlights from the Limited, and mocha seats.

 

[mtmgtz]

The 2017 Sedona now offers the equivalent of Advanced SafetyTec as an option on all trim levels.

I prefer the overall driving experience in the Pacifica, and the seating options provide more utility. The Sedona has more comfortable seats in the first two rows (the Pacifica has a much better third row), is less expensive, IMO has better interior color choices, and has a better warranty.

I really wish they offered a Touring-L with Advanced SafetyTec, the headlights from the Limited, and mocha seats.

*Almost* all trim levels. The Sedona L doesn't offer the safety tech stuff, at least from what I can build on their website. You can get it on the LX and up though. Their rear seat entertainment system is kind of a joke but some people don't want those anyway. And to get it on the LX, you have to add the leather package.

 

[dmg2010]

Their rear seat entertainment system is kind of a joke

I agree if you remove "kind of" :laugh: Hard to justify spending the money on a RSE package - tablets are pretty cheap, and can be upgraded easily as technology advances.

 

[csnyder]

With young kids, the benefit of being able to control everything from the front seat is very advantageous.

 

[mtmgtz]

With young kids, the benefit of being able to control everything from the front seat is very advantageous.

"Kids if you don't shut up, I'm going to turn off House of 1,000 Corpses!"

 

[spicedham]

With young kids, the benefit of being able to control everything from the front seat is very advantageous.

I'm less familiar with Android tablets, but for iPads (or iPhones) you can lock down the device to just a single app using Guided Access. And in the app, you can do things like disable touch, or only allow certain things to be tap-able.

With the trim levels I'm looking at the RSE is standard, but given that we already have the tablets, I can't imagine actually using the entertainment system all that much of at all. Would happily ditch that for memory seat and garage door opener in the PHEV.

 

[Bond007]

Their rear seat entertainment system is kind of a joke but some people don't want those anyway. And to get it on the LX, you have to add the leather package.

Can you explain a bit upon why do you think it is a joke. I'm not familiar with the Kia entertainment package. I had rented a Sedona twice (they didn't have screens though) and liked the exterior looks but hated the ride.

 

[mtmgtz]

Can you explain a bit upon why do you think it is a joke. I'm not familiar with the Kia entertainment package. I had rented a Sedona twice (they didn't have screens though) and liked the exterior looks but hated the ride.

This photo speaks for itself.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[Bond007]

Ha ha ...that's really funny.