2016 Dodge Grand Caravan vs Kia Sedona
Soccer practice, football practice, hockey practice, ballet practice, band practice. If you have a large clan to drive around town on a regular basis, or consistently haul a lot of cargo, it’s extremely hard to beat the flexibility of a minivan. Today, Carsforsale.com is comparing the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan vs Kia Sedona to help you decide which van will best fit your needs.
Dodge Grand Caravan Overview (base)
Engine: 3.6L V6
Horsepower: 283
Fuel Economy: 17 City / 25 Hwy
MSRP: From $22,095
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Review
Design:
The 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan has been designed with storage in mind. It has a large, boxy presence on the road you would expect from a minivan, with a few unique touches to set the Caravan apart from the minivan competition. The front Dodge grille is perhaps the sportiest in the minivan category. Additional exterior features are available, such as black headlight housings, flashy black and silver rims, and more.
Inside the Dodge Caravan, you’ll find a simple, yet modern arrangement of buttons and gauges. Quality of interior materials can feel subpar in lower trims, but upgraded trims will feature more luxurious materials.
Cargo and passenger space is where the Caravan excels. This minivan is capable of holding 8 adults. The front and second row seats are both quite spacious and comfortable, while the third row is best suited for smaller adults or children. With 143 cu. ft. of cargo room, there’s not much this minivan can’t handle. When the seats are not folded away with optional Stow ‘N Go, you can utilize floor storage bins in both the second and third row. When parked, the 60/40 split folding third-row seats can even flip over completely to create tail-gate seating.
Performance:
Dodge only offers front wheel drive, a V6 engine, and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The V6 is one of the fastest accelerating options in the class. Performance suspension is available in the top R/T trim. It’s a package capable of towing up to 3,600 lbs, and has optional towing features like trailer sway control.
Efficiency is standard for a 2016 minivan. The capable V6 achieves up to 25 mpg on the highway, and 17 mpg in the city.
Safety:
The 2016 Grand Caravan achieved 4 stars from the NHTSA. While the IIHS gave this van a “good” rating in 4 of 5 categories, it received a “poor” rating in the “small overlap front” crash test. Optional safety features include parking sensors, rear-cross path alarms, blind spot monitors, and rear-view camera.
Features:
The base “American Value Package” gives frugal families a nice and low entry-level price point. This package comes with AC, removable second row bench seat, fold-away third seats, cruise control, keyless entry, and the expected power accessories. Available upgrades are top-notch, with options like Uconnect infotainment, 3-row climate control, DVD/Blu-Ray entertainment, Stow ‘N Go storage, 115V outlet, WiFi, power sliding doors and tailgate, navigations, HDMI input, and more.
Kia Sedona Overview (base)
Engine: 3.3L V6
Horsepower: 276
Fuel Economy: 18 City / 24 Hwy
MSRP: From $26,400
2016 Kia Sedona Review
Design:
The 2016 Kia Sedona has the presence of a minivan, with Kia styling cues that are quite unique to the class. This minivan won Best New Car Design at the 2014 New York Auto Show. Up front, there is a familiar Kia grille with elegant headlamps, creating a clean and classy appearance. At the 3rd row area, the window line slims out and wraps around the rear of the vehicle. While the 2016 Sedona maintains a minivan profile, it stands out amongst its competitors.
Inside, you’ll find an upscale-looking set of buttons and gauges. Cabin materials in base trims are of lower quality, while top trims are quite luxurious. Available second row lounge seats have leg rests, adjustable armrests, and winged headrests.
The 2016 Kia Sedona is spacious, with 142 cu. ft. of space behind of the front seats. This is on-par with the class, but the design isn’t as flexible as competitors with stow-away second row seats. Small-item storage is vast, with plenty of bins around the dash, console, and doors.
Performance:
Sharing its engine with the Kia Sorento, the Kia Sedona has a 3.3L V6 engine that produces 276 hp. AWD is not yet an option. This engine is adequate for the class and will produce enough power for the majority of minivan buyers, but acceleration is slower than most competitors. Handling of the Sedona can feel heavy when handling corners or driving bumpier roads. This minivan can tow up to 3,500 lbs.
Efficiency numbers are average for the class, achieving 24 mpg highway and 18 mpg city.
Safety:
The Sedona excels in safety, achieving 5 stars from the NHTSA. The 2015 Sedona was an IIHS “Top Safety Pick.” In 2016, rearview camera is now standard. Optional safety features include surround-view camera, parking sensors, forward collision warnings, blind spot detection, smart cruise control, lane departure warnings, rear cross traffic alerts, and more.
Features:
There are 5 trims available, so finding a Sedona that is the perfect fit won’t be difficult. Base features include power accessories, AC, steering wheel controls, USB, keyless entry, rear parking sensors, rearview camera, Bluetooth, and more. Available upgrades include UVO infotainment, panoramic sunroof, navigation, 115V outlet, rear seat entertainment, high power USB, and more.
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan vs Kia Sedona Winner:
Base model: 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
With such a low entry level price, it’s hard to beat the Grand Caravan American Value Package. This van isn’t overly tech-savvy, but it has all the necessities along with Dodge’s great V6 engine.
Upgrades: 2016 Kia Sedona
Kia and Dodge both have plenty of available features, but the Sedona comes out on top by having the best crash avoidance and safety technology.
Overall Winner: 2016 Kia Sedona
When comparing the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan vs Kia Sedona, the Sedona comes out on top. While Dodge offers superior performance and cargo flexibility, the Kia Sedona has top-notch safety ratings, great optional safety features, and standard backup camera to keep parents at ease when hauling around the entire family.
