Kia Sorento

carspy01

Nope, I live in the States. Got good contacts though to Asia and Europe. There were several discussions going on within the Hyundai/Kia-group in regard to platform sharing after H brought K. In the beginning, I posted some rumors which I did not check out. However, there were several directions in the companies of rebadging the Terracan for Kia, taking over the BL (later Sorento) for Hyundai, scrapping the Sportage altogether... Well, things are different now, H & K are on a roll... I agree with Paisan - the Terracan should be here. I saw it in Spain last December. Great. However, H & K seem to wait. The reasons seem to be a) the truck "import tax" in the US, b) the upcoming Alabama plant (2005 Sonata & Santa Fe - and surely the Optima), and c) a possible cooperation with Mitsubishi within DaimlerChrysler. The roots of the Terracan go back to the Mitsu-JV, and I am sure to see more sharing in the coming years...

paisan

It's basically very similar to my Beloved Trooper:

Boxy
Useful
AWD + Low range (like the Sorento)
Truck Based
5000lb towing capacity
3 rows of seats

The Terracan falls in size between a Trooper and a TLC and looks are boxy like both of those Wish the Sorento was boxier in the rear and had a 5K towing capacity.

-mike

hydrogeek

The new Sorento seems to meet a number of criteria for our next new vehicle. It also looks great and seems to incorporate a number of great safety features not to mention a great price.
But will it hold together for 10 years with out major drivetrain problems? Will it nickel and dime me to death to repair electrical problems? Can anyone who owns a KIA shed some light on quality?

iluvmysephia1

my ownership experience has been, although not trouble-free, a very good one. I needed a new radiator at the 15,000 mile mark(blew a seam for some reason-it certainly wasn't overheated or abused)and that was replaced under the warranty. I had a power window that needed fixing(a regulator needed replacing)under the warranty and my check engine light was coming on for a while(ended up needing a better seal on the gas cap,some plastic on the edges trimmed off, etc.)and a new gas cap fixed that. None of these items was a big deal and my Sportage has been a very reliable ride and fun to drive. Just normal LOF type maintenance so far for out-of-pocket expenses and it's pulling a consistent 25 mpg for me. I wouldn't hesitate on buying another Kia for a second. They are good-looking, reliable vehicles selling at bargain prices. A Sorento looks to be a great choice to me!

diploid

I can just imagine the jokes for 'Terracan'

tidester

diploid: I can just imagine the jokes for 'Terracan'

And I thought I was being good by not commenting on that myself! But, since you do raise the issue ...

... did you happen to notice that Terracan is an anagram for "Rent A Car" ...

with apologies to Town Hall members! (It's Sunday and the host must be truly bored! ;-)

tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories

diploid

"... did you happen to notice that Terracan is an anagram for 'Rent A Car'..."

Oh my...and here I was just thinking of the banal stuff...like "terror can"...

petz462

At least Terracan is a a better name than two other SUVs running around Korea, the Musso and the Rexton. But then to Koreans, Chevrolet sounds funny so to each his own. I do agree the Terracan would be a nice addition in the states...

paisan

In Japan the Trooper = Big Horn and in Australia Trooper = Jackaroo how are those for names?

-mike

spencer327

Sorrento looks like the perfect vehicle for me.
Framed doors, not like Subaru
Rear opening glass,not like almost everybody else
Lift up hatch, not swing like some others
Good clean looks with character.
Decent size engine.
Leveler
??? Regular gas? Build Quality? Reliability?
The most serious concern? The apologies I have to
make driving a Kia.

paisan

No offense but I have 10+ year old subies with frameless windows and they seal perfectly and never caused any problems.

-mike

spencer327

You probably never had anyone close your doors by pushing on your windows. Also the rubber seal starts to harden and the window pulls out due to suction at speed. Its just not a good design.
There is no reason for it.

paisan

130mph+ and they are fine.
I close it via the windows all the time and have over 130K miles on my car (and it's a 2-door car too, so BIG doors)

10+ years and no hard rubber either.

-mike

carspy01

Please check out today's article in "The Car Connection" at:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5165&sid=181&n=157

I guess that will answer a few of the questions...
In regard to the discussion above, I guess I am old enough to remember excuses of people driving a Japanese product decades ago! But it's funny... in the meantime I hear excuses of my friends driving GM, F & Chrysler-products ("... but I got a good deal...!").
See you all!

bored

Hello. I would just like to say that

"This thing is going to sell like hotcakes!"

Especially when Edmunds is going to get their hands on one. Whenever that will be.

spencer327

Hi Paison. Didnt say it was your perfect vehicle I said it was mine. Along with the things I like and dont like. If your perfect vehicle is a subbie with 130k then so be it. No comments on my other likes/dislikes

paisan

Didn't mean to get you all riled up. Just hate when people put down cars or mis-state things about them giving them a bad name. Your perfectly right in disliking them, but they do not cause more noise (in fact they cause less noise) that is where I take issue.

-mike

petz462

That article you referred us to in "The Car Connection" is the best info I've seen to date on te Sorento. Look out, this baby is going to out-sell a lot of the competition. Good on Kia for putting together a winner!!

spencer327

Just for your info. There is a reason why I dont like frameless windows. Had an 80 Subaru wagon with driver window problems, dealer drove me crazy. window eventually broke when closing the door, also my Mom had a 2d Malibu, also broke the window. Thats enough for me. I put that "feature" on MY dont want list. I see no customer value to frameless windows on any car except convertibles. I still would like to hear comments on my other likes. Cars are feature rich or poor.
After 48 years of driving and 30 cars later I have very specific wants and I usually buy or lease the vehicle that has them. Thats what brought me to this subject. I see the Sorento has having the features I am looking for. Its going to be difficult for me to reconcile the fact that I may be driving a KIA

paisan

So you are comparing technology from over 20 years ago (both the malibu and the subaru) to current technology. Just wanted to make sure we were straight on that.

-mike

abc246

I think the Sorento is going to cost me too much after reading the above link. I wanted an EX with ABS. I think that is going to be around 25K.

I can buy a Trailblazer with a much better engine for about the same price after $2500 rebate and $2000 off window sticker. I even have $1000 on my GM card for another thousand off. I can't believe it, but the American made product is cheaper than the Kia, not including the 0 percent loan rates.

paisan

I doubt you could get a TB for that little, whats the sticker on em? Most SUVs today are no less than $30K except for the isuzus and kias.

Oh yeah and you get that great build quality on the TB.... Read the TB board on here and see if those are the kind of problems you want. Also the Kia has a better AWD system and better warranty, both of which should be factored into your decision. Add $1000-$1500 in real cash onto your TB price for the warranty alone.

-mike

bored

Is exaggerating on pricing. Everyone here knows it. Especially carspy01, and myself included.

carspy01

Nice comment.
First of all, I think anyone who pays MSRP plus "dealer BS" needs to get a serious evaluation. People who pay sticker "plus" on "in" models are hopeless - and I guess those are the first who get a heartattack when the gas price goes up... Most can wait buying a new vehicle, and have enough leverage of getting a price in the MSRP minus 10-15 percent range. Manufacturers and dealers know that, and that's the reason why a) we see all the incentives, b) jacking up the MSRP's in the first place, etc., etc.
The Sorento will be a good deal, and in a year - after the first wave passed - an even better deal.

abc246

I have two Chevys now, so I guess I will have good luck. I like the Sorento for the full frame, low range, and style. I currently have a 99 Blazer and 2k Silverado. I was thinking of replacing the Blazer (now with 72k miles). I am sure I can get a Trailblazer for the same price after reading the above link.

If you factor in the resale value (and Kia has very little) you could take a real hit on this SUV if you pay MSRP. I still would like one to test drive one. The only thing I don't like is the timing belt and price so far. It would be a bargain if the other SUVs were not discounted so much.

paisan

You'll never pay MSRP for an Isuzu, Kia or Hyundai. So whatever the MSRP is going to be whack off a few K right there. On the flip side if you buy a Kia/Isuzu/Hyundai and expect to swap it out right away you WILL take a re-sale hit. If you plan to keep em at least til 150K miles then your return on investment will be pretty high.

-mike

mhenderson1

at dealerships now. I saw the commercial yesterday that when you take a test drive, you automatically receive a copy of "the Lord of the Rings". Has anyone test driven one.

Also, I am worried about the Sorentos engine. I test drove a Buick Rendezvous not to long ago on a hot day. I turned on the A/C to see if there was considerable power while the A/c drained much of it. The rendezvous seemed to drag for the most part and that is not with 5 people or with heavy luggage, so I am wondering if the Sorento will do the same. Both of them have nearly the same horsepower (+ or - 5 to 10 horsepower). If anyone takes a test drive, please give me your comments about the engine lag when the A/C is turned on

paisan

The Kia doesn't use a FWD based engine like the Rendezvous. It uses a longitudinally mounted truck-based engine which is most likely tuned for low end torque rather than peak hp. When looking at vehicles the RPM range that has the highest torque will give you the most seat of the pants feeling of power rather than HP. For instance if you take a high powered engine from say a sports car like the Honda S2000 and put it in a SUV, it might not even move because that engine is built to make it's torque and HP up at 7000RPM range and is built to push a ~2300lb car rather than a 4K or 5K truck.

Best thing to do is go out and test drive it.

My Trooper has 215hp and 230lbs torque from a 3.5l DOHC engine and weighed in stock at 4500lbs. It now weighs over 5K lbs before passengers and I've towed 5500lb trailers with it. So the HP #s can be decieving sometimes.

-mike

spencer327

One of the nice features of Kia it has hi tech glass and rubber.

spencer327

Paisan is correct, torque is directly proportional to engine displacement And will provide you with that power at the low end. Just check the squarenesss of the engine parameters and the resulting torque curve and you can tell alot about vehicle performance.

bored

Mike is right, you do get that great Build Quality and Reliability with the TB. Not to mention recalls every 3 months.

On another subject, I don't hear anyone crying about the Mitsubishi Outlander is identical to the RX300 behind. So, why is everyone crying because Kia copied a little? Geez, get a grip.

abc246

Is the Hyundai XG350 a truck? Is the Kia min van a truck? This is a car engine. Look at the tow ratings, it matches minivans! A tow rating can give an indication of how strong the driveline is and 3500 lbs indicates it does not have much reserve. Paisan you know how to spread the bull. Who cares about Trooper? The Trooper SUV never sold in numbers (wonder why?) and is being replaced with a GM truck platform. The more I read on here the more I am thinking about 270 hp.

paisan

It might be the same 3.5l block, but it can be tuned very differently.

For instance the V8 Toyota in the LS series v. the V8 in the TLC and Sequoia or the Viper engine v. the Dodge Ram engine, both V10s both same displacement.

Why the Trooper didn't sell was not due to capabilities, it's got more features and far tougher than the GMs of the day. GM owns 1/2 of Isuzu so they neutered their advertising and the False CR of it's rollover pretty much killed it in the public's eye.

The Triplets have had more recalls in 1 year than all the Troopers since '92 combined. The Trooper has better ground clearance and better angles of approach and departure. Not to mention a better AWD system. Need I go on? Oh and a 10/120K warranty and 3/50K bumper to bumper...

-mike

abc246

Same block, rods, pistons, heads, water pump, timing belt, intake, ect. Same engine. The software could possibly be different, but since power output is nearly the same I would guess not. You are way wrong on the Dodge V-10 too. One is cast iron and the other is aluminum. I can't speak for Toyota.

As far as the Trooper 10/120k warranty, guess what? The GM version will carry the same! I will only buy the Kia if the price is much lower than a Toyota or GM product. Otherwise, I would rather support the USA.

cb70

the same displacement. They are. Nowhere does mike say that they are the same block.

GM carry a 10/120k warranty? Only on their Isuzu badged products.

paisan

paisan

have about the sorento?

-mike

abc246

I thought it was clear. The advanced info was that the Sorento does not have a "truck-based engine". I also love the comments like "The Kia doesn't use a FWD based engine like the Rendezvous." The other two platforms the Kia engine is used in are FWD! You guys can say what you want, but you are not saying much that means anything, infact you are misleading.

paisan

That says that the engine in the sorento = the engine in the GX350 and I'll agree with you.

-mike

bored

Why don't you just admit you have the disease called "Chevrolatus Freakalus" (Or the fact that you are a Chevy Freak)

By admitting, you will be submitted in a counseling program, (Sponsored by DC, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Isuzu, Suzuki, Mercedes Benz, BMW, VW, and Land Rover) with one to one support, with a 24 Hour 7 Day phone support for when you just can't take it anymore.

There. I have solved all of your problems. Now everyone can take a huge sigh of relief.

jkobty

I went to KIA Canada head office today to check out the Sorento since it is not at dealerships yet. They had a bunch of them lined up since they just finished doing a commercial and journalist reviews. I checked it out both from the outside, inside and under the hood. This is one impressive
SUV. All I can say is an RX300 at half the price.
With the Sedona and now Sorento KIA has shown it can build products better than the domestics and the Japanese as well. After seeing the Sorento, I now look at Honda Pilot and CRV and Toyota Rav4 as the el-cheapo wannabes. Not to mention that the Sorento has a sturdy ladder frame construction and will go places that would shred the CRV and RAV4 and the RX300 to pieces.
Go KIA!

jkobty

Pricing: In Canada they have 3 models
1. LX: starting at $29,795 CAD. around $19,000 US
2. EX: starting at $33,795 CAD. around $22,000 US
3. EX:Luxury $35,795 CAD. around $23,000 US

What is surprising in the pricing is the Hyundai Santa Fe top of the line model in Canada sells for the same price as the Base model Sorento LX.
But Santa Fe is not a real SUV.

carspy01

#174, mhenderson: Try end of August, begin of September at the dealers. "Official" launch will be sometime in September.
#183 & 187, abc: You are correct. Same engine. Software got "adapted". Hyundai's XG is FWD, Kia Sedona is FWD - so, here as well, you are correct. Hyundai's Terracan 3.5l is a ("slightly") different one.
#190, jkobty: Greetings to Canada! You got it absolutely right!

wenb

Kia is doing a study about building a pickup based on the Sorento. The Sorento is a truck type platform. The RX300 is car based. I think Kia may be trying to aim at the Ford Explorer.According to Edmunds news, the Elantra based Sportage replacement, will be a unibody crossover in 2004.

bored

"the Elantra based Sportage replacement, will be a unibody crossover in 2004"

Elantra Based Sportage Replacement?!?!?!?!?!? This just can't be true. I refuse to believe it. Earlier in one of these posts (It may not be this topic), someone verified that the next Sportage was to be based of of a shrinked Sorento Platform. Plus, if they were going Car-Based, then why didn't they just develop an XG350 based Sorento? It makes no sense, especially when Kia brags so much about the Sportage's Off-Road Capabilities, and Desert Race winnings? An Elantra Tall Wagon will never be capable to achieve that. In this instance, I think Edmunds is wrong. The spy news is almost always wrong anyway, anyone remember the days of the Kia BL topic, and that the Sorento was supposed to be the 2003 Sportage? The proof is in the Detroit News article. The BL platform is going to launch a variety of SUV's and Pickups. I think they may even go Full-Size with the platform, where the Hyundai V8 (Or maybe a Kia-Own development) will come into play.

Everyone knew about the pickup truck. It's really interesting. I wonder if a Sorento Front end will look good with a pickup bed. (Probably the direction that they will travel)

paisan

My guess is that there is more than software. Probably different Intake manifold, Exhaust manifold/system, fuel mapping, etc.

For all we know, it could have a different stroke, different pistons, etc. The only confirmed thing is that it's a 3.5l engine, which could be the same engine as any one of a # of engines that are 3.5l

-mike

abc246

So you think I am a Chevy fan? Wrong again. You made an assumption. I am a Toyota fan! Then a Honda fan. My last truck a Nissan 4x4, before that a Toyota 4x4. Last car was Honda Accord. So go figure, I went from Honda and Toyota to Chevy. Why? The same reason I am looking at the Sorento. Price. I was able to get great deals on the Chevys. I pay cash for them so it hurts much more when the price starts for the 30's. Just saw a LS TrailBlazer 4x4 in the paper for 24,500. Less my 1000 on my GM card is 23.5k. Not bad and I am sure less then a Sorento. On top of that, they will give me 0%. I will say up front that the Chevy quality is not Toyota or Honda, but they will take a lot of abuse.

paisan

If you are paying cash, why does the 0% matter? hee hee. If you can get one for 23.5K then that's a good deal, jump on it. The Chevy will probably take a lot of abuse, but expect things like the computer (which runs everything in the car) to break, and door handle, headliners(already a TSB on it) body panels, etc. to break down a lot faster than your Toyotas and Hondas. In the FS chevy products you could get away with things like that falling apart, but with the newer non-fs trucks, they depend on those electronics so much to run, that when they break-down, you are gonna be looking at an ugly repair bill.

-mike

abc246

Why would someone use cash if you could get 0%? It is the same thing, but I would not spend more because of this. I never had any problems you state and find the computer systems first class in GM products. What I care about most is how the 1SUV drives, 2price, 3quality of the interior, and 4no squeaks and rattles. GM gets A+ on 1&2. Toyota and Honda get A+ on 1,3,4. Kia, I have no idea. I only have a ballpark price at this point. By the way, I am sure most people could get the same deal on the Trailblazer, but they are selling them as fast as they build them in most areas.

paisan

Ok gotcha. Then the GMs are great for you ABC. Since your criteria is different than mine hence the difference of opinion. For me I go by:

1- Reliability
2- Fit-finish
3- Price
4- looks/ride

For me I need to know that when I go out and turn the key, the car will be ready to drive 5miles or 2000 miles at a moments notice.

-mike