Kia Sorento

dbgindy

I'm afraid I have to agree with Mike. If you are looking at comfort and resale then the Highlander is probably a better bet for you. I was looking at both the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Highlander before I got my Sorento and for the the money the Kia was the better value.
Just remember one of my favorite phrases for a man to keep a happy marriage. " I was wrong before I got out of bed this morning wasn't I?"
If you buy the Sorento and she doesn't like it repeat mantra as needed.:-)
Seriously it depends on what exactly you are looking at using the SUV for and what you need to keep harmony in the home.
Good luck.

paisan

Get a highlander, and get a Sorento in a year or 2 or the 2nd gen in 3-4 years

-mike

ivygrnsorento

...I would agree with the conventional wisdon that the Subaru is a good car. BUT...I owned one for 4 years, and though it drove resonably well and did great in the snow...very little else was insperational. In the 4 years I owned it, it was in the shop 18 times. And these werent just oil changes..they were things like replacing the transmission (broke after 26,000 miles), the front and rear shocks, replacing the hinges and bushings on the rear hatch/gate, replacing a debunk fuse box...and the list goes on.

Though I am impressed with the thought of a 210 hp engine in the newly revised Forester...just beware of the shoddy build quality that I and many others experienced.

Anyway...back to the Highlander vs Sorento debate. My wife and I also went through some of the same thought processes when considering the Highlander and Sorento. But for us...cost and the need for a true 4x4 were high consederations as well. I enjoyed the Toyota and the way it drove...typical toyota build quality throughout...but just a little on the small side for us. And to be honest with you, the Sorento felt a little more peppy.

But hey...you could have worse problems. You will be a winner either way...with a great vehicle in the driveway.

iwas252000

Hey everyone whats up? i was looking at some reviews for the sorento when i came across something i didn't know. is it true that the upgraded stereo system can play mp3 files. Here is an excerpt from the review i was reading on about.com

Description
• Sorento bucks the trend of car-based uni-body construction SUVs, with body-on-frame design
• Four-door, 5 passenger SUV with two trim levels:(LX and EX)--both are available in either 2wd or 4wd
• 3.5 liter V6 engine producing 192 horsepower
• Prices range from just under $20,000(for the 2WD LX model)to just over $24,000(for the 4WD EX model)
• LX model: four power outlets, storage bins, sunglass holder, compartments under rear floor
• EX model: CD player plays .mp3, electronic rear view mirror with garage door opener and much more
• ABS is available as an option, rather than a standard feature
• More capable off-road than its car-based SUV competition
• Relatively tight 36.4-foot turning circle enhances maneuverability in tight places
• Step-in height is quiet reasonable, yet running boards are not an option for this truck-based SUV

that would be so cool if its true but i havent heard anybody else talk about it. whats the real story???

thanks!
~~IAN~~

lok888

dalancroft - I have no experience on Highlander and Forester. Before I bought my Sorento, I had no experience on that or any SUV neither. I picked Kia because the car has what I need, passengers and cargo space, 4WD (great item in northeast) and more standard features for le$$. I didn't care about the resale value. Having these features for less is a good value.

I agree the Toyota build quality. I am not a big person but I feel more comfortable when sit on Sorento. Since you need to trade your Sportage within 6 months, I think you should do some homework on Edmunds (Car discussions on Problems, Price Paid, etc) and test drive these vehicles.

BTW, is Toyota offering the extended warranty (up to 7yrs/70000 miles) for their certified vehicles with no extra change?

ivygrnsorento

I have the Sorento EX...which has an upgraded stereo from the LX. I have had no problems playing MP3's in my stereo. Hope that helps...

paisan

Are they MP3s or are they MP3s burned onto an Audio CD? I think that there might be some conf00sion as to which the CD player will play.

-mike

hciaffa

We seem to have some things in common. We both have Ivy Green models, EX w/Lux package and we both had Foresters that weren't very good. With ours the transmission went after two weeks of owning it and instead of a new one they rebuilt it. We constantly had brake problems. The engine pinged like a soda can full of bearings. The gas mileage was 13 in the city and 17 on the highway and we babied it. All we ever got was flack from our dealer and from SOA and they made it sound as if it was our fault for the problems. Last straw was we started to smell anti-freeze and the engine started to leak oil. Paisan I know that you venture up on the Forester forum here at Edmunds. I was turned off by those goodie two shoes up there, I was made to feel like an outcast because we had problems, even the SOA rep Patti was taken back because of my statements about the problems we had and the dealer was another scarry story. We are quite happy with our Sorento and though it may not have the resale of the Subaru's and Toyotas it was an attractive price and if we keep the Sorento for 7-10 yrs then I consider myself ahead of the game.

dalancroft

Paisan, I think the Forester, at just 33.7" of leg room and 29/63 cubes of storage (rear seat up/down), plus a price tag probably nibbling near $30K with the turbo engine, is too small and too costly to be a candidate. Plus it's a little plain looking.

Ivygrn, I'm surprised you felt the Highlander was smaller than the Sorento since it is actually a tad smaller in most dimensions, although the Sorento seems to substitute fewer cargo cubes for an inch or so of hip and shoulder room for its passengers.

lokk888, I'm not sure about the Toyota certified warranty. Would be a good deal if so! I generally buy cars from third parties since you never know where a trade-in has been, but if the price & features are right, well ... . Good link for comparos:

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison;jsessio- - nid=2uzGFeMQzaaW1TfK5A1fSLwtqyh9xXiSASXXJhU5eNmsixIJ7Ujc!17338604- - 02!174352305!7001!7002?basestyleid=100167048&styleid=10019161- - 0&styleid=100076812&refid=&maxvehicles=5&op=3&amp- ;amp- ;tab=specs

lok888

dalancroft - If this is brand new vs. used, it looks like the Sorento is the winner. If this is brand new vs. brand new, Highlander is a good competitor (lack of 4WD low range). But it would cost me $34K for a fully loaded top of the line. By the way, you can get a $1000 cash back from the Kia loyalty program, plus the existing low APR and/or cash back offers.

ivygrnsorento - Unless you replace the stock CD player with an aftermarket MP3 player or MP3 burn onto an audio CD, I don't think the stock CD player can play MP3.

paisan

I bet you guys had the '98 models? That was version 1.0 so there generally are gonna be some growing pains in them. As for dealers I've found them all to be real sucky across different brands. Finally found a 1/2-way decent one for my Isuzu, although it's only had to go in for a few minor issues.

As for the Price of the turbo Forester, it won't be near $28, sticker will be $26 with actual resal in the $24K range.

Patti is actually real nice, and I've had good help from SOA with my problems, and my family has had at least 10 since '88.

I'm personally more a truck guy, so I like the Sorento betta than the Forester and Highlander, they are too much in the middle for me. If I'm not gonna have a 4wd truck, I'd just assume get a Safari or AWD Mini-van.

-mike

hciaffa

It was a 99 with he new tranny and the new SOHC engine. The car, SOA and the dealer just left a bad taste in our mouths about the vehicle and the whole situation. As for Patti, when we pleaded our case she absloutely refused to help us. But its over and done with and were very happy with our Sorento.

paisan

I hear yah.

-mike

ivygrnsorento

hciaffa - Yep, a little eerie...the simularities with the Sorento and Subaru Foresters! Let's just hope the Kia doesn't follow the same paths of destruction as did my Subaru.

paisan - Like hciaffa, my Subaru Forester was a 99 as well. But I did have a good relationship with my service department, and they certainly did everything they could to fix the issues I had in a quick matter.

lok888 - Everyday I listen to music on my stock stereo with mp3's burned onto a cd. Ive never had a problem.

Now...if you mean Downloading mp3's to the stereo deck...then of course, no, you can't do that. But really, how many stock stereo systems have this ability? Maybe the Mazda MP3 Protege'...but not many others come to mind.

Maybe I misunderstood the question asked in the first place...if so...sorry for any confusion.

paisan

The MP3s are on a DATA CD or an AUDIO CD?

I think that's the question here. On a data CD you can store ~200 songs. On an audio CD you can store about 20-21 songs from MP3.

I have an aftermarket AM/FM/CD/MP3 Player that will play data-CDs which contain MP3s on them and holds about 200 per CD.

-mike

dalancroft

The comparo IS used (Highlander) vs. new (Sorrento), but still comes out largely in HL's favor:

1) '01 Highlander with about 25-30K miles and the best goodies runs about $23-25K, compared to Sorento's $27K sticker (minus $1K owner loyalty and whatever I might be able to squeeze from the dealer, which may not be much)

2) HL still boasts better performance/specs in many areas, namely handling, storage cubes, gas mileage and (even with a two-year head start) resale. Although again, a fully loaded Sorento's package of amenities is might enticing!

3) If a 7 year/70K extended warranty is available cheap through 2nd parties or free through Toyota, that eliminates one of the Kia's main advantages.

Perhaps in 20 years Kia's reputation will approach that of Toyota, but as of today, it's night and day in many people's minds.

paisan

Perhaps in 20 years Kia's reputation will approach that of Toyota, but as of today, it's night and day in many people's minds.

Sad but true, most people are lemmings

-mike

ivygrnsorento

Ok...see? I knew I misunderstood the question. Yes, the mp3's I listen to are on an AUDIO burned CD.

I'll have to try the DATA burned CD of mp3's when my wife gets back from her 3 state 10 day rode trip in MY Sorento. lol.

paisan

I think that that is the conf00sion with MP3 players these days. Most CD players in cars/home audio (unless they are like the original ones that came out in '8X) will play audio cds that are burned from MP3s.

-mike

ivygrnsorento

Read the specs...and tell me what is bigger? That you have 7 cubic feet of extra cargo space?? The only reason the Highlander has that extra bit of space is because the rear of the Highlander is very verticle. The Sorento's rear tapers a little more in at the top of the hatch. So unless you are piling up kids or groceries and camping gear on top of each other....that space really is ineffective. Would you not agree?

As all other interior dimensions are within 1.5 inches give or take....depending on each vehicle.

When I drove the Highlander, it felt smaller...maybe because it is a little narrower than the Sorento. But again...it's kinda funny we are nit picking these little details...I think it just shows how competitive the Sorento really is with some of the more established players.

I will say this...the Highlander certainly has a more contemporary dash layout. Though I like the simplicity of the Sorento dash and the quality materials...the Toyota does have some eye candy going for it. Ok..maybe that statement is a little over the top...but you get my point.

dbgindy

ivy,
I love it when you get on a roll. :-) I totally agree with your point. Just the fact that the Sorento is that close to the Highlander is a great leap forward. Great post.

Duncan
P.S. "Eye candy"? I'm so worried about you. :-)

fmunoz1069

Hi everyone, I have had my White Sorento EX 2wd w/ lux pkg since November, and haven't had too many problems with it. My neighbor has been eyeing my truck everyday and went down to our local Kia dealer and purchased a Silver EX 2wd w/lux package and check this out, $1000.00 rebate that just came out on friday (4/25). One of our other neighbors saw both our vehicles parked in our driveways and liked what they saw and will probably go check one out also. My neighbor that purchased the silver one, did alot of homework and you can't beat the Sorento. He loves driving this thing, just like I do and is always looking around to see if anyone notices him driving this great looking, great value vehicle. So for those of you shopping, give this truck a serious look. I don't think you'll regret it.

mauvas

Hi Sorento fans! I have a big question. One dealer here in Canada has a 2003 EX Sorento demo, with less than 6,000 km. (about 4k miles). Does anyone has an experience buying demos from dealers? In what range of percentage I should be moving for an offering below MSRP? My idea is to buy it ONLY IF I can get a discount equivalent to buying a used vehicle. They want me to pay MSRP! and obviously my answer is never I will be paying MSRP for a demo. Otherwise I will wait until the end of the year to see if I can buy a 2003 model when the new 2004s will arrive or when some used ones start hitting the market. I tried the vehicle both off-road and on the highway and I really liked it. By the way, I checked the black book (the local equivalent of the blue book and couldn't find any price for used 2003 Sorentos). Finally, if some of you would have to part with your Sorento, what percentage would you take as a depreciation for the first year? Thanks in advanced for your answers.

stever

Sounds like a good question to raise in the New or Demo ? discussion too.

I've heard of whacking the sales price by a "mileage charge" from anywhere around .15 cents to .50 cents a mile. You'll have to do the conversion to Canadian currency and kilometers yourself :-). That also assumes the car is selling everywhere for MSRP.

Lots of people run when they hear demo, thinking that it must be abused. These are the same folks who would never buy a rental car and are dubious about a lease return.

Steve, Host

mauvas

for you answer. I posted already the question on the "New or Demo" forum. Your answer gives me some light for my next trip to the dealer next Friday...

stever

Heh, you already have a flam... er, answer in there too :-)

"One of the Sorento's trump cards is its appearance"

Kia Sorento challenges competitors (Albuquerque Tribune)

Steve, Host

lok888

dalancroft - I see what you mean. It sounds like you are already in favor of the Highlander even you are driving a Kia now. If both used 2001 Highlander costs the same as new 2003 Sorento with rebate and discount (let's say $25K), which one you are going to choose. I am sure you can push it for more discount on Sorento. It sounds like some early discussions about a debate in between a new Sorento and used ('00 or '01) RX300. How long that you are going to keep this vehicle?

BTW, just look at the Highlander forum. People can get a new Highlander Limited in $28K range after discount. There aren't many problems on Highlander which is similar to the Sorento Problems forum. Either one of the vehicle should be a good choice.

dalancroft

The two key stats to me are:

Max. Cargo Capacity
Highlander: 81 cu. ft.
Sorento: 66 cu. ft.

(I tend to haul things a few times a year, such as our annual firewood pile, yard trash, materials for home improvement projects, etc. so the bigger space would definitely come in handy)

Highway Gas Mileage
Highlander: 22 mpg.
Sorento: 18 mpg.

(We're paying about $2 a gallon here in Southern California -- yes, we're getting raped -- and over 60K miles, that's about a $1,200 difference. Enough to buy the 7/70K extended warranty for the Highlander that negates a key advantage of the Kia.)

Don't get me wrong, I *love* the way the Sorento looks. Just trying to be practical as a 40-year-old dad of a toddler (with at least one more to come, God willing).

Cheers!

paisan

I'd be checking out those figures. 66 seems awfully small. I bet that 66 is with the 2nd row in the up position. That is too far off to be using the same system of measure.

-mike

dalancroft

Edmunds' says:

Luggage Capacity: 31.4 cu. ft. (with the rear seat up)
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 66 cu. ft. (with the rear seat folded down)

http://apps.edmunds.com/new/2003/kia/sorento/100191610/specs.html- ?tid=edmunds.n.standard.leftsidenav..8.Kia*

As Ivygrn commented, the smaller space may be a result of the sloping rear end, part of which is why the Sorento is such a darn good-looking vehicle. After seeing one in person, I'm even more impressed with the styling by Kia's in-house designers. Looks like something coming from one of those fancy Pasadena studios.

Case in point: Lexus LS300 and Highlander ride on the same Camry-based frame. But, like the Sorento, the LS300's rear end is nicely tapered and so only boasts 75 cubes of cargo space vs. HL's 81.

In answer to lok888's question, we usually keep a vehicle between six and eight years. Our Sportage turns six this June and the only (well, at least, the main) reason we're looking to upgrade is space for a growing family. Given the reliability and durability of today's vehicles, and the fact that we usually only drive 10K miles per year, a used vehicle doesn't intimidate us (especially when it's a Toyota).

lok888

dalancroft - Yes. The cargo space (luggage capacity) with the rear seat up is: 31.4 cu ft on Sorento and 38.5 on Highlander. The maximum cargo space is even more with rear seat down: 66 vs. 81. I am amazed because the length of both vehicles about the same. BTW, if you want to put the child car seat on, you are still looking at 31.4 vs. 38.5 and both vehicles has 60/40 split rear seat. And did you say baby #2 is on the way. That's two car seats on the rear seat, properly most of the time with the rear seat up. It is good to do a reality check.

dalancroft

More space with rear seat up and carseats in -- much-needed for all the extra baby gear -- and also more space with carseats out and rear seat down. Easy enough to do (10 minutes?) when hauling stuff instead of kids.

Baby #2 not "on the way" but in our plans. First child (daughter) turns 3 in August and we don't plan to wait much longer!

As a financial writer, "reality check" is my middle name! ;-)

lok888

dalancroft - I hope this will help you to find your next vehicle.

hciaffa

Lok you had mentioned in earlier post that you had written to Kia with some questions. I have written as well but I have never received an answer to them. I am using the Kia.com web site under Kia owners, Contact Kia. Are you using a different e-mAIL address if so what is it. Thanks.

lok888

Same web site. I wrote them twice. I was using www.kia.com and clicked on Kia Owners, then Contact Kia. They will ask you to login or register if you are not. Once you login, you can create a case for comment, question or complaint.

For the first time, I called and left me a message within one or two days in respond to my question on the extended warranty. For the second time, I asked them about the latest recall notice and the bumper guard. They left me a phone number to call but I have never called them back. Anyway, they responded me in a reasonable fashion both by email or phone. BTW, I don't see this feature too often on Honda, Toyota's web site. Hope this help.

Anyone - What is Kia University? There are several certificates hanging on the wall at the service department by Kia Univ. Is it the place where the techs were trained?

ivan4741

We bought the LX that was on floor at our local auto show Alpine Gray it was really getting a lot of looking..We had never seen one before..After we sat in it and I noticed it had a 3.5V6 4wd toeing package. We went to the dealer and drove it. That really sold us. So far it has been a sweet truck.. We are really looking forward to driving it a lot.

iluvmysephia1

Kia technicians are trained. I've seen this on the Kia America site and questioned it. Kia put a message on their site several months ago about wanting to train tech.'s more thoroughly and improving their network and helpfulness for tough technical issues. They are taking VERY well-thought out and serious steps towards making sure people are taken care of when their Kia poops out on them(pretty smart, huh?)...anyway, I just wanted to confirm the "Kia University" thing with you. It's an actual place for Kia tech.'s to go to learn the latest state-of-the-art fixes and equipment, manuals, etc. available to them to properly diagnose and fix whatever ails your American import Kia. My experience with Jerry Smith Kia of Burlington, WA has been very good. Any regulars here from the "Show Me" state of Missouri? I'm coming over to Rolla to go to school so I'm just wondering if any of you are near that area. I've been a Washington state boy my whole life so this is a big change(switch of careers and state to live in to boot!)for me coming up. Our house in Burlington is in the process of being sold as I'm typing this and the 2001 Kia Sportage 4x4 is going to be pulling some kind of small trailer with our stuff, 2 Pomeranians, one Norwegian forest cat, my wife and I 1500 miles to the east for me to get job re-training at(I'm a Boeing layoff casualty). I'm at Boeing-Everett for 3 more weeks is all. Whoo-hoo! Any regulars here from Missouri?

bruddahal

New to the Board. Purchased my Sorento in Dec and have had nothing but great experience driving it. Drove it out to Las Vegas last week and it was a breeze. Did notice one thing which never thought of before. Bugs! Front of it was loaded when we got home. I see Kia offers both a Bug Shield and a Bra as accessories. Looking for info from other owners as to which is the best way to go.

Bruddah Al

paisan

Bra's will collect road grime and then vibrate and take your paint off unless you clean them like 2x a week! I have had several bug shields. Best I've had so far is the Lund ones. I lost some of the screws that hold it on, after I took it off to clean it and they sent me a replacement set of them for free, like 1 year after buying it!

-mike

lok888

Anyone has an experience to remove the headlight assemble lens?

I was going to check out and replace the light bulbs with the super white. I did mentioned earlier to replace the high beam (H1). That was easy because you can simply unscrew the cap and unplug the bulb. But low beam is very difficult to reach and the owner's manual suggests to remove the lens when changing tail lights and headlights.

Anyway, I unscrewed three screws on the headlight housing and the lens became loose. But I still couldn't remove the unit. I couldn't go any further because I afraid I may break any hidden clips or tabs, if any.

jeepster4

Is not a physical location..it is Kia's name for their online training site. All technicians and sales people are required to pass tests and take on line training. Kia offers financial incentives (spiffs) to dealer sales personel that maintain their on line training to Kia's standards.

paisan

Anyone in the NC/VA/SC area that is insterested in doing some offroading. A group of us will be heading down to Uhwarrie National Forest near Troy and Eldorado, NC. Should be fun. We are gonna be there Sat May 17 and May 18. Camping at the Arrowhead Campground.

-mike

dbgindy

Just a note. I've had my Sorento about a month and the gas mileage is showing improvement. I've driven it about 1600 miles and it's now gone from averaging 16 to a little over 17.5 mpg. This has been a good mix of city and highway driving. This is very comparable to the mileage I was getting from my 99 Cherokee.

slan_canada

Hi Everyone,

I installed my new chrome grill this weekend. Take a look at my site (under May photos) if you want to see how it look

http://www.powow.com/mysorento/

dbgindy

Slan,
The new grill looks great and I really like your web site. :-)

mcclutz

Slan, Where did you buy the grill and how much did you pay? Did you install yourself? Was it difficult? Looks great!

slan_canada

Hi Dbgindy & Mcclutz,

Thanks for your comments Yes, I installed the grill myself... very easy to install; open up the hood and unscrew the old grill I bought it from Germany at Toms's website... I don't know if I can post his link here (because his site is commercial) but you can go to my guestbook on my site and you will see a message from me where I post his link's website. I paid a total of 165 euro. Tom gave me a small discount because I was his first international customer He shipped the grill via air mail and I got it in a week. I had great & fast service

paisan

I thought that the Sorento had an LSD from the factory? I see you were installing one in yours. Was it optional from the factory?

-mike

lok888

Slan - That looks great! I think it is www.suv-tuning.de Then go to SHOP and click on the picture of the Sorento. I don't see the item (chrome grille) on their web site now. It was there couple weeks ago. BTW, this is an original equipment on Korean Sorento with the same KIA logo on the rear liftgate. Tom imported them from Korea.

Like I mentioned before, there is a site (Korean version, no English) called www.sorentolove.com I was fascinated by the pictures which show the factory and aftermarket accessories for the Sorento.

slan_canada

Hi Mike,

Here in Canada, the LSD is installed from the factory only in the EX models. I wanted the same LSD on my LX and they installed it.

Hi, lok888

You are right. It's that website.