19 MPG combined is what you get with the 2018 Kia Sedona SXL. Buyers looking at this top-trim minivan know it’s not a Prius. They want space, comfort, and lots of features over top-tier fuel economy. They need to haul kids and cargo and handle family life, and the Sedona SXL offers that with a little luxury.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2018 Sedona SXL gets 17 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. The city figure reflects the stop-and-go of urban driving, where the 3.3L V6 engine works harder to move the heavy minivan from a stop. The highway number is more acceptable, showing the engine’s ability to cruise efficiently at steady speeds. While 22 MPG on the open road might not impress sedan owners, it’s within the expected range for a vehicle this size.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Kia Sedona SXL at $2,300. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. Your actual fuel costs may vary depending on your driving habits, the type of gasoline you use, and where you live, since regional fuel prices change. $2,300 gives potential buyers a number to add into their budget.

Real-world expectations

EPA figures are a standard, but real-world fuel economy changes. Drivers who often carry full loads or cargo, drive fast, or idle in traffic can expect lower numbers. Those who drive carefully and mostly on the highway might get numbers close to, or even better than, the EPA estimates. Wind resistance greatly affects both sedan and Sedona MPG across all years, so consider average wind speed in your area.

How it compares

The 2018 Kia Sedona SXL’s fuel economy is in the middle compared to its competitors. The Honda Odyssey gets an EPA-estimated 19 MPG combined, 19 city, and 28 highway with its 3.5L V6 engine. That higher highway number than the Sedona is important for families who take road trips. The Chrysler Pacifica, with its 3.6L V6, gets a similar 19/18/28 split. However, the Pacifica also has a plug-in hybrid that raises fuel economy. The Toyota Sienna, another minivan, offers similar fuel economy to the Kia, around 19-20 MPG combined. Comparing these numbers is important, but small differences are often less important than features, reliability, and price for minivan buyers. For more information, review all Kia fuel economy data to see how the Sedona fits in the brand’s lineup.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Avoid fast acceleration. The Sedona’s 3.3L V6 has lots of power, but flooring it often lowers your fuel economy. Gentle acceleration lets the engine work better, saving money.

Keep tires inflated. Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance, making the engine work harder. Check your tire pressure and inflate them to the level on the sticker inside the driver’s side doorjamb or in the owner’s manual.

Remove weight. Minivans collect clutter. Removing extra items from the vehicle reduces the load on the engine, improving fuel efficiency. A lighter vehicle requires less energy to accelerate and maintain speed.

Use cruise control on the highway. Cruise control helps keep a constant speed, lowering changes in fuel use. This helps on long highway drives where speed is steady.

Limit idling. Idling wastes fuel. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Modern engines can be restarted without much wear, and the fuel saved from avoiding idling adds up.