2019 Toyota Sienna vs. 2019 Kia Sedona

So you’re in the market for a minivan. We don’t want to stereotype, but most likely that means you’re throwing in the towel on trying to make a sedan or an SUV work for your brood of little ones - after all, why make life more difficult than it has to be when you could just buy a minivan and have the space, amenities and ease of a vehicle that’s actually designed with a family in mind?

That said, it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all market when it comes to minivans - in fact, you’re going to want to take your time and really explore your options to make sure you’re bringing home the best of the bunch. We recommend you start by comparing and contrasting a few of the most popular minivan models to see how they match up in terms of performance, interior amenities and cargo space - three of the most important qualities in any car, truck, SUV or minivan.

That said, why not start with two of the top models?

Let’s go ahead see how the 2019 Toyota Sienna stacks up against the 2019 Kia Sedona.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Toyota Sienna deftly and swiftly moves straight to the top of the class. Powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 and an eight speed automatic transmission, the Toyota Sienna gets an impressive (and class-leading) 296 horsepower churning out from under its newly redesigned hood. The Kia Sedona and its 3.3-liter V6 and six speed automatic transmission generate an impressive 276 horsepower, but it’s simply not enough to best the 2019 Toyota Sienna.

Of course, you may be thinking that you’re using this minivan to drive your kids to soccer practice, not drag race, so performance isn’t your top priority. However, those after school activities aren’t going to pay for themselves, so driving the most fuel efficient model should be an important consideration for you… and when it comes to fuel economy, the 2019 Toyota Sienna once again leaves the 2019 Kia Sedona solidly in the rearview with its EPA-estimated 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, as opposed to the Sedona’s 18 mpg in the city and mere 24 mpg on the highway.  

Additionally, the 2019 Toyota Sienna is the only minivan that comes in four-wheel drive… so that might make your decision even easier, especially if you live in a snowy climate.

It probably goes without saying, but if you want to invest in a minivan that can keep up with the traffic on the highway without breaking the bank at the gas station (and is ready to tackle your commute on snowy days), then the Toyota Sienna should knock the Kia Sedona right off your list.

Interior Amenities

Performance is one thing, but it’s not exactly like you’re buying a minivan and expecting a sports car. No, the reason you’re shopping for a minivan is because they are loaded down with awesome interior amenities that will finally make your kids stop asking “are we there yet?”

So in the battle between the 2019 Toyota Sienna and the 2019 Kia Sedona, which one offers the most luxurious ride? Well, some of that will depend on which trim you buy. For example, the Toyota Sienna comes in five trim levels - the base model L, the LE, the SE, the XLE, and the top-of-the-line Limited). The 2019 Kia Sedona is also available in five trims and also starts with the base model L, although its line-up then changes to the LX, EX, SX and SXL.

Which base model is the best? Well, if you opt for the base model Toyota Sienna L, your minivan will come standard with a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, keyless entry, a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, Siri Eyes Free and a “Split & Stow” third row seat. If you choose the Kia Sedona L, you’ll still be getting a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port, but you’ll gain a slightly larger 5-inch touchscreen.

You might be thinking - okay, so they are basically the exact same in the base model - tell me about the cost of one of these mini-people movers: they must be the same, right? Actually, no - the Kia Sedona actually has the advantage when you look at sheer dollars: its base model is priced at a starting MSRP of $26,900 while the Toyota Sienna starts at $29,750. However, if you plan on venturing past the base model trims, be aware that the prices start to align fairly quickly… as a matter of fact, only $900 separates the Toyota Sienna Limited ($42,800) from the Kia Sedona SXL ($41,900).

Also, before you rush out and purchase the slightly cheaper 2019 Kia Sedona L, be aware that while the amenities may be similar in the base models, the available space is not - and you might wind up paying the proverbial price for not paying when it comes time to load your kids up and head off on that week-long family vacation. Read on to learn why paying a little extra for the 2019 Toyota Sienna may just save your sanity in the long run.

Cargo Space

The 2019 Toyota Sienna offers much more spacious seating for its second and third row passengers - in fact, it even dwarfs the 2019 Kia Sedona in trunk space, because while the Sedona offers a maximum of 142 cubic feet of cargo space, the Toyota Sienna offers a best-in-class 150 cubic feet. Let’s break that down row-by-row so you can really see the difference.

The actual trunk space behind the third row seat in the 2019 Toyota Sienna is 39.1 cubic feet, which expands to 87.1 cubic feet if you fold down the third row. Once you remove the second row seats, you’ll reach your 150 cubic feet of cargo hold - perfect for moving furniture or bringing supplies to the school talent show. The actual trunk space in the 2019 Kia Sedona tops out at 33.9 cubic feet and because you cannot remove the second row seats, you’ll max out your cargo hold at 142 cubic feet when you fold the third row down.

2019 Toyota Sienna or 2019 Kia Sedona: The Sienna Can’t Be Beat

Even though the 2019 Kia Sedona is the slightly more economical minivan, once you factor in performance, fuel economy, space and the closing margins of moving up the trim level ladder, the 2019 Toyota Sienna more than proves that it’s the more worthy minivan - additionally evidenced by its outstanding resale value and value retention. Don’t be swayed by the mini price of the lesser minivan - check out the 2019 Toyota Sienna and see for yourself why it’s the minivan that can’t be beat.