Compare the2022 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2021 Kia Sedona

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sedona doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas offers optional Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Sedona doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Atlas offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Sedona doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Volkswagen Atlas has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Sedona doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

The Atlas has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Sedona EX/SX offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Atlas has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Sedona EX/SX has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Atlas and the Sedona have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the Kia Sedona:

	Atlas	Sedona
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.6 inches
Abdominal Force	48 lbs.	98 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	46 G’s
Hip Force	527 lbs.	660 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Sedona’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sedona.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Sedona’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Atlas has a 680-amp battery. The Sedona only offers a standard 660-amp battery.

Engine

The Atlas’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 248) than the Sedona’s 3.3 DOHC V6. The Atlas’ optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 248) than the Sedona’s 3.3 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas V6 is faster than the Kia Sedona:

	Atlas	Sedona
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.8 MPH	89.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas gets better mileage than the Sedona:

			MPG
Atlas
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/25 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
Sedona
	FWD	3.3 DOHC V6	18 city/24 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Atlas’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Sedona doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Atlas’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Sedona:

	Atlas	Sedona
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.9 inches

The Atlas’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sedona are solid, not vented.

The Atlas stops shorter than the Sedona:

	Atlas	Sedona
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Atlas has larger standard tires than the Sedona (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sedona (265/45R21 vs. 235/65R17).

The Atlas’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sedona LX’s standard 65 series tires. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Sedona EX/SX’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sedona LX. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Sedona EX/SX.

Suspension and Handling

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sedona doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Atlas’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.1% to 44.9%) than the Sedona’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Atlas more stable handling and braking.

Passenger Space

The Atlas has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more rear headroom than the Sedona.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sedona is limited to 3500 pounds. The Atlas offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Atlas uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sedona uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The Atlas’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Sedona’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Atlas’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sedona’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sedona can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sedona’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Sedona doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Atlas’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Sedona and aren’t offered on the Sedona LX.

The Atlas has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Sedona EX/SX. The Atlas SEL Premium also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Sedona.

The Atlas has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Sedona EX/SX.

The Atlas SEL Premium’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Sedona doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Kia Sedona isn't recommended.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Kia Sedona by over five to one during the 2021 model year.