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Comments
LX also comes with TOD-AWD which is even helpful in So-cal because AWD is useful not only in rain/snow but in the dry as well.
-mike
-mike
Kia Sorento problems
Steve, Host
http://www.motorshow.or.kr/eng/default.jsp
re post 941 for schip1... The mud flaps are a Kia accesory made for the Sorento, as well as the bug deflector and window vents. The wind noise is on the driver side and I think its from the seal around the door because it may happen one time and after shuting the door again it goes away, something to have check out next time in for service. We also here a slight jingle from the back area could be lose spare or seat belt rattling around. We sat in the car yesterday and made all the settings to the radio and compass, tried the CD player and love it. Took it to a car wash (no brushes) and we went through the blower and found no leaks ( concerned with the sunroof). The things we found that could have been added would be a type of strap on the visors say to hold mail or a handicap placard, and the cup holders in the front are not made to hold cups with loop handles that join to the body of the cup so you can't get two in at the same time. though it beats the placement of where it was in our Forester. Right in front of a A/C dash opening. Ice coffee when you don't want it. The magnet that holds the upper center console door must be made from byrilium. Its very hard to open with on hand.
Thats all for now back to work. I'll add more as we drive on.
And here at lunch I just opened the November 2002 Popular Mechanics mag and see a huge glossy ad insert for the Kia line-up, featuring, of course, the mighty Sorento. Nice to see they are investing in major ad campaigns, incl. their TV spots.
(Actually, I KNOW the Sorento is serious stuff in Canada now - Kia Canada has ads running on "Hockey Night in Canada" on TV. Used to be you only ever saw Ford sponsoring hockey here - so Kia's playing with the big boys now....again, nice to see ...)
Hyundai is showing - apart from the "normal" international product line - following show cars:
1) Tuscani Aero (a sportier Tiburon/Coupe-version)
2) Santa Fe Mountaineer (That's the black Santa Fe you saw. Big A** front grille, vertical HID-headlights, blinkers in outside mirrors, complete different back. Looks are really different. I doubt that we will see this version here.)
3) Starex Limousine (a travel version of the Starex microbus)
4) Click Character Car (funky version of Clix/Click minicar)
5) Verna Rally Car (= Accent Rally Car)
The concept cars are the HIC sports car and the known HCD-7 concept.
Kia is showing - among others - the Carens-based wagon concept KCV-I (some called it KVC-I), and the known KCV-II from the German Kia design center, as well as the concept of the GH (future Opirus), based on the XG350.
As far as the Sorento goes, I really, really like them myself. The styling, features, price, and performance are all terrific, and I'm a huge fan of my aunt's 02' Sedona EX that I rode in and detailed back in August. It too was very, very tight, and had one of the quietest engines and ride of any vehicle I've been in. Also, a silent, motionless idle, and a great sound when flooring it a little. That same engine also makes the Sorento even nicer in my eyes. Too bad it's more than I could afford anytime soon, I'd probably get a black 2wd EX (or LX).
-J
Well, back to the issue, the official announcement from Kia Motor in Korea earlier this year mentioned the crash tests they conducted according to US NHTSA and European standards. And you are correct, they mentioned the "expected 5 star ratings front and side impacts".
I just wanted to point out that, so far, there were no "official" NHTSA or IIHS tests, and I wanted to give everyone a timeline. The Sorento was not yet "officially" crashed in Europe either, but I will let you know.
Based on the excellent results and experience of the Sedona minivan, however, and considering the standard side curtain airbags, I'd expect no less than 5 stars in any category for the Sorento!!!!!!!
#959, hciaffa: thanks for the info about the mud flaps. I think I need to get the hood deflector PRONTO! Washing the car this weekend, I noticed a few dings on the hood already
#962, carspy01: Yoonny's link worked for me. Maybe the site was down when you tried it?? Thanks for all the good info you're constantly providing us, carspy01 !!
#964, jsal74: I'm not concern about any 'KIA-stigma', 'cause the way I figure it, I'm the 'smart' one, being an early adopter and saving all this money....just like the commercial says! I've only seen ONE other Sorento on the road thus far. I was pulling up from behind, got into the next lane and wanted to honk and wave, but the light changed and we had to turn
#966: give you compelling arguments?? Nahhhh.....go ahead and buy a 3-year old status symbol. Don't forget, 3 years from now, your snotty fellow Lexus owners will be wondering why you're driving a 6 year old car and can't afford to buy a new 2006 Lexus.
OK....back to work so I can leave soon and catch the 49'ers on MNF !!
"We can't conclude this article without mentioning a mini-debate among our editorial staffers concerning side-impact airbags. Our editor-in-chief is dead-set against installing them in the rear, citing their danger to children and small-stature adults."
Is this what the sorento has? Or are curtains different from side impact airbags?
Just wondering since I have a 2 year old and a baby due in Jan.
-J
Ps... priced a 3 year old Lexus RX300... nothing under $27,000, and why would I give up that *great* new car smell?
-J
by the way Love the truck
L
It doesn't say anything specifically about children and side airbags, except "Only adults should sit in the front seats. Children must never be allowed in the front passenger seat." There's also a caution about passengers need to sit in an upright position, with seat belts properly fastened, in order for the side airbags to deploy properly.
Thanks for the pricing info on a 3-year old RX300. Good observation regarding the new car smell. Even if we had not already purchased our Sorento, to me, it would be a no-brainer in choosing between: 1) a more expensive 3-year old car, with no warranty and no history, that someone else NO LONGER WANTED, versus 2) a less expensive brand new car, protected by a 10-year warranty and lemon laws, that will turn heads, and have that new car smell. I suppose the upside of buying a used RX300 is that it would already be dinged and scratched, so I wouldn't have park in the most remote spot at the mall
-mike
Wsswesty ...Same here on the insurance. My insurance company qouted me only a 10 increase for six months over the 99 Forester that we dropped and its so new that they really didn't have any rates to give out yet. It took this rep about 4 days to get back to us.
jsal74... as schip1 mentioned they are ment to protect the head and shoulder areas of the out board passenger and front occupants. Side air bags help out for the lower areas of the body I know my daughter has them in her Hyundia and they helped her to avoid some serious injuries when she got broadsided. Again the insurance company feelings from what my rep explained are that the curtains help better in head injury prevention which is prefered though anything is better than nothing.
calmen...i have done some research and there really is no accessories out yet like any front or rear rubber floor mats as I would be interested as well. I may go down to Walmarts or Pep Boys with the measurements of the mats and compare and buy what ever is close and trim and cut them for now.
We are really enjoying our 'arrrgh', I mean my wife's Sorento. Tonight We are invited to a little open house at our Kia dealer for a question and answer and get to know you service group. Should be interesting.
Good job, Kia!
Is there a front bench seat standard or optional on the Sorento?
Thanks.
Thanks.
You should check out Subarus also then.
Myself? I prefer no ABS, or at least an ABS defeat switch (or pull the fuse!).
I don't particularly care for all the "luxury" doodahs, but TOD sure sounds like something I'd want. Leather and sunroof are nice, but not mandatory for me.
Better yet, buy a 1 year old Kia Sorento NEXT YEAR!
Have a Wrangler. (It doesn't have SIDES, let alone side airbags!)
Lux Package. We finally had a dealer 2 hours away near Orlando work with us and we picked it up last Wednesday. So far so good. We thought we had a really BAD vibration problem based on her ride home from the dealer.....Tires were inflated to 48PSI. I dropped them back to 30 PSI and that solved that scare. Still she thinks that she senses some small vibration around 50-60 MPH. Will keep an eye on the Sorento Problems board as some of those vibration concerns develop. Going to Orlando for Thanksgiving so I'll have a chance to check it out for myself. Finally, I drive a 98 Navigator and if KIA made a larger version of the Sorento I would be asking them where to sign. The Quality of materials, fit, finish and overall esthetics put my NAV to shame. I predict success for the Sorento and KIA if reliability holds up...and oh yes, straight MSRP 24,825. Thanks for the good input and I'll advise as to further on good/bad as she/we drive it.
No SUV comes with a bench except maybe the F/S American ones and even that's only an option on 2wd or base models.
-mike
Just a little FYI for those who are comparing with other vehicles, or reading this without knowing that tidbit.
Is the TOD only available as part of a package? Is it the "luxury" package? What else comes with these packages besides TOD, and at how much extra cost????
Another big bummer for Kia!!!!
-mike