Vehicle Segment:
Minivan / MPV
Key Market Target:
Family transportation, passenger comfort, cargo versatility
Key Competitors 2005:
Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Ford Freestar, Nissan Quest
Interior Versatility:
Spacious interior, flexible seating configurations (e.g., Stow 'n Go or similar), ample cargo space
Powertrain Options:
V6 engine offering a balance of power and efficiency
Ride Comfort:
Designed for comfortable long-distance cruising
Coverage Regions:
Global (North America, Europe, Asia, Australia)
Trim Levels Covered:
All trim levels (e.g., LX, EX, SX)
Estimated Page Count:
2000+
Manual Type:
Factory Service and Repair Manual
Manual Completeness:
Complete factory service manual (all sections)
Powertrain:
Engine mechanical, fuel system, ignition system, exhaust system, cooling system, lubrication system
Transmission:
Automatic transmission (AT) service, diagnosis, and repair
Drivetrain:
Front-wheel drive (FWD) system, driveshafts, axles
Suspension:
Front and rear suspension components, steering system, wheel alignment
Brakes:
Brake system (disc brakes, ABS, EBD), brake component replacement, bleeding procedures
Electrical:
12V electrical system, battery, charging system, starting system, lighting, power accessories, body control module (BCM), fuse/relay locations
HVAC:
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system service and repair
Body:
Body panels, interior trim, doors, windows, locks, exterior trim, bumpers
Safety Systems:
Airbag system (SRS), seat belts
Diagnostics:
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), OBD-II diagnostics, troubleshooting guides
Routine Maintenance:
Oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks and top-offs, spark plug replacement, belt inspection/replacement
Component Replacement:
Engine, transmission, alternator, starter, water pump, fuel pump, brake pads/rotors, suspension arms, shock absorbers, control modules
Troubleshooting:
Step-by-step troubleshooting for common and uncommon issues, circuit diagrams, diagnostic flowcharts
Repair Procedures:
Detailed, illustrated instructions for complex repairs and component overhauls
Technical Specifications:
Torque specifications, clearances, tolerances, electrical data, fluid capacities
Depth Level:
Comprehensive factory-level detail for professional technicians and advanced DIY enthusiasts
Engine Code:
G6CU (common for North America)
Displacement:
3.5 Liters (3497 cc)
Bore X Stroke:
93.0 mm x 82.7 mm
Horsepower:
200 HP @ 5500 RPM (approx.)
Torque:
217 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM (approx.)
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-point fuel injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline (87 octane recommended)
Emission Controls:
Catalytic converter, Oxygen (O2) sensors, evaporative emission control system
Timing Belt Or Chain:
Timing Chain (typically maintenance-free for its lifespan)
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-30 (API certified)
Engine Oil Capacity:
5.3 US Quarts (5.0 Liters) with filter change
Coolant Type:
Ethylene glycol based coolant (long-life, typically Asian Red or equivalent)
Coolant Capacity:
8.8 US Quarts (8.3 Liters)
Transmission Type:
4-speed automatic transmission (4-speed FWD)
Optional Transmission:
N/A (Manual transmission not offered)
Transmission Control:
Electronically controlled with adaptive shift logic
Transmission Fluid Type:
Kia Genuine ATF SP-III or equivalent
Transmission Fluid Capacity:
7.5 US Quarts (7.1 Liters) for refill
Length:
197.4 inches (5015 mm)
Width:
78.3 inches (1989 mm)
Height:
67.7 inches (1720 mm)
Wheelbase:
121.5 inches (3086 mm)
Front Track:
65.6 inches (1666 mm)
Rear Track:
65.0 inches (1651 mm)
Curb Weight:
4,475 - 4,707 lbs (2030 - 2135 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:
6,019 lbs (2730 kg)
Cargo Volume Behind 1St Row:
Approx. 140.5 cu ft
Cargo Volume Behind 2Nd Row:
Approx. 81.4 cu ft
Cargo Volume Behind 3Rd Row:
Approx. 33.0 cu ft
Towing Capacity:
3,500 lbs (1588 kg) with optional towing package
NHTSA Frontal Crash Rating:
Four-star driver, Five-star passenger (for 2005 models)
NHTSA Side Impact Rating:
Five-star (for 2005 models)
IIHS Top Safety Pick:
Not rated as a 'Top Safety Pick' but received 'Good' ratings in frontal offset testing (specific year varies)
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Ebd:
Standard Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Traction Control:
Optional Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on some trims/packages
Airbags:
Frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, available roof-mounted side-curtain airbags
Seat Belts:
Three-point seat belts with pretensioners for front occupants
Audio System:
Standard AM/FM/CD stereo, optional premium audio systems with more speakers
Navigation:
Optional factory-installed navigation system on higher trims
Parking Sensors:
Optional rear parking sensors
Rearview Camera:
Not typically available on this model year
Auxiliary Input:
Rarely standard; aftermarket solutions common
Bluetooth:
Not available from factory
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first
Air Filter Replacement:
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or as needed based on conditions
Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months
Spark Plug Replacement:
Every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) with iridium-tipped plugs
Transmission Fluid Change:
Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 4 years
Coolant Flush Replacement:
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4
Power Steering Fluid Type:
Kia Genuine Power Steering Fluid or Dexron III/Mercon compatible ATF
Common Wear Items:
Front control arm bushings, sway bar links, tie rod ends, engine mounts, liftgate struts
Powertrain Common Concerns:
Occasional transmission solenoid issues, potential oil leaks from valve covers or oil pan gasket
Electrical Common Concerns:
HVAC blower motor resistor failure, power window motor issues
Other Common Concerns:
Water ingress in rear wiper motor housing, early models may have issues with sliding door mechanisms
Manufacturer Origin:
South Korea
Generation:
First Generation (VQ, 1997-2006 in Korea, ~2000-2005 in global markets)
Key Redesigns Since Launch:
Significant facelift for 2003 model year, which the 2005 model aligns with.
Production Years Global:
Approx. 2000 - 2005
Assembly Location:
Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Key Market Impact:
Kia's entry into the highly competitive minivan segment, offering a value proposition.
Previous Generation Awards:
Previous Kia Sedona models received awards for value and practicality, setting the stage for this generation.
Consumer Reports Reliability:
Mixed to below-average reliability ratings in its early years, improving slightly with facelifts.
Manufacturer Certification:
Certified by Kia Motors Corporation for factory-level service and repair procedures.