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Steve
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I keep seeing them everywhere, but the KIA logo is always masked.
With buyer demand, I think this one just might make it to dealerships BEFORE Fall 2002.
Does anyone know the competitive set in which Kia expects the Sorento to compete? At the L.A. Auto Show they said the Explorer and the Pathfinder. But from what I'm reading lately, that doesn't seem right. Perhaps there is no direct competitor for the Sorento (yet).
My old car was a 1997 Sebring convertable with a 2.5L engine. I averaged about 19.8 miles per gallon with similar driving. Considering the engine size and the weight of the Sorento I think the mileage is reasonable. The EPA sticker said 15 MPG City and 20 MPG Highway.
The next time I drive down to Houston I'll check the highway mileage.
CharlesM
http://www.canadiandriver.com/previews/03sorento.htm
Please check out the official Korean Kia-site:
www.kia.co.kr
Click the language Korean (NOT English), do NOT download the Korean text display, there it is! The animation (second Korean link) is pretty cool, but takes forever. Very nice photos, even a 7-seater configuration!!! Too bad we won't get half of the goodies! See you around. As always.
The price starts at $15,700 and tops off at $20,800. (converted at $1 = 1300 won) This SUV has everything that new Honda Pilot has for a few thousands less. Nice touches like 3rd row seats, headlight washers, etc. Wow!
I don't know how Kia will sell Sportage with this on their line up though.
I saw the price 27 millions Won (under $21,000)for the highest model limited edition, the leather seat, LCD DVD entertainment system is optional or what? I can't read the Korean Characters... sigh!!!!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Maybe they will come out with the rear seats at a later date?
http://www.kia.com/020702.shtml
march madness starts. go blue devils. go spartans. coach k and izzo is greatest, aren't they?
Offering luxuries such as navSYSTEMS may go against Hyundai's philosophy of offering a lot for less.
Think about it: A 18k car with a navSYSTEM?
It appears that the Sorento will be pretty popular in the US market. Here in Korea, it is a stunning sucess. I work for Hyundai on the diesel engine side so the common rail engine system is becoming the market standard here in Korea and in Europe.
The price for the Sorento has not been decided for the US market, as of yet. With that said, maybe guys in product planning already figured out the price. Anyway, the fully loaded Sorento is about 29Million won, which is about $22,307. This is with the 2.5L common rail diesel engine. The US model will be equipped with 3.5L ,with different engine software than that of the XG350.
Let see if the Sorento rocks..!!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I guess some people are looking for the Sorento with manual tranny. However for your dissapointment, there will be no manual tranny for the Sorento.
As far as the changes in the Sportage is concerned, there will be no major changes. There are rumors to upgrade the engine with the V-6 2.5 found in the Optima but then again that is just a rumor.
Just for your info, here at HQ a black Sorento with is displayed. It looks really sweet..
an=njong ha-shim-ni-kka, kiloserra? na nun han-gug-mar=ul mot ham-nida. dog=il mar=ul ha-shim-ni-kka?
Thanks a lot for your input. I just need to find the pictures of the manual transmission for Europe of the Sorento - I have them somewhere...
Second picture on the right. Manual. You can enlarge it.
http://www.kia.nl/nl/index_modellen.html?cat=sorento
The 7 seater configuration comes with all SUVs in Korea but most people take out the third row seats. They are too small to be practical for adults. The reason for their existance is that any car or truck that is designed for 7 passengers or more gets lower tax rates. Thats why manufacturers put almost useless seats in, in order to lower taxes. Once the vehicle is sold most people take them out. I guess that some people could find them useful though... But if you need to seat more than 5 on a regular basis, a minivan will be much better. But Koreans are on a SUV craze too so .....
I like the Sorento and thinking about getting one. One thing I don't understand is that it uses a truck ladder frame and it is more upscale than the Santa Fe. I think this should be more utilitarian in design.
Hyundai/Kia has overlapping products.
Hyundai Terracan(Truck)
Kia Sorento(Truck)
Hyundai Santa Fe(Car)
Hyundai Galloper(Truck) - Soon to be discontinued
Kia Sportage(Truck) - Soon to be discontinued
If Terracan is to be the Luxury Truck based Suv, Sorento should take place of Galloper as a serious off-roader, but instead it tries to mimic Terracan.
Besides the confusing product mix, I like the Sorento.
I drive a BMW 525 now. Haha german cars are definetly better... just too expensive
Also, maybe Kia is making the Sorento with body on frame truck-loke design like Sportage in anticipation of discontinuing Sportge. They want to offer off-road capabilities still, because they always have with the Sportage and it's(may be)going away. That's cool that there's free Internet access available to all at the World Cup stadium. Most endearing!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2004 Cut-off Sorento a.k.a Sportage
2003 Sonata Coupe with 3.0 and Sport Suspension.
All in development.
Any idea of pricing?
anyone has interior pictures of sorento? also silver or pearl white color exterior. specially guys in korea. i really like to see some pictures from owners.
i read some articles about kia. i don't know the car well. one was positive and the other was negative. kia sedona had very good 5 star rating in crash test and had very bad result bumper test or something like that( very expensive repair cost). hope kia learn something from this.
i will be in the market again 2004. i don't buy first yr car. so i am interested in 2002 or 2003 model.
kia sorento, mazda 6, vw passat. the list will grow. right now sorento is my favorite. if these models have no or bad navi, i will go for acura mdx. i was interested in new camry and es300, since toyota and honda has best navi. But i was very disappointed in their styling. so out of my list.
personally,i would like to spend less money as possible as i can,if the car has great navi, nice styling and interior, and somewhat solid build quility. i don't care brand or performance that much. oh, i forgot safety. it is most important.
dookiss: Thanks a lot! My contacts to Korea were initially business, but I met a lot of wonderful people! :-) Love them all! The best links to the interiors of the Sorento can be found following posting#13 & 14. Click a little around on the "animated" site. It's worth it. Have a look at 31 as well.