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Comments
Have a great weekend everybody!
Ivan4747 - I think you have to remove a skip plate (maybe two) in order to get a better hand position for the oil filter and drain plug if you decide to change your own oil. You need 5.5 qt. of oil on Sorento. Kia also recommends to use the full size spare tire for tire rotation.
hicaffa - About the feeling (rear wheels)... the service people told me pretty much the same thing like paisan did. You told there isn't anything like that on your Ranger and Forester. Well, I can't compare because this is my first 4WD. However, I drove a 1998 GMC Safari with AWD couple times and it wasn't like that. I think the GMC has rear drum brakes instead of the disc brake on Sorento. Would this be the different? I forgot to mention this point this the service people.
The only car that did worse than the Kia Sorento in this review of small SUV's is the Pontiac Aztec. Consumer reports ripped into the Sorentos handling, calling it "bone-shakingly harsh", "easily the worst of the group", which included a Honda Element, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forestor, and the lowly Aztec.
More on the Sorento: "Ride motions are abrupt, with uneven pavement producing sharp, head-tossing motions." They call the handling "clumsy", the steering "numb", and out of 15 total small SUVs tested by Consumer Reports, it ranked 13th, and was 1 of only 5 not-recommended models.
...of course no one read the Consumer Reports June 2003 review of the Kia Sorento, because 1) no one has mentioned it and 2) It was just released today.
The Santa Fe, Jeep Liberty and Ford Escape all rated higher than the Sorento, so clearly Consumer Reports is not only focusing on the harsh ride, but the "clumsy and numb" steering and "clumsy handling". They used "clumsy" three times and if it wasn't for the Pontiac Aztec, the Sorento would be dead last.
Because I DO do my homework, here are some things that were said about the "clumsy handling". Here are a couple of excerpts from the CR article:
"Body roll is well contained, and handling is secure overall but it’s clumsy with numb steering. Still, the Sorento’s speed through our avoidance maneuver was on a par with the other vehicles here."
"Braking performance was very good overall."
"The Sorento makes a good first impression. It has a roomy interior, fine attention to detail, a long list of accessories, and good off-road capabilities."
and....the Kia was the quickest in this groups of vehicles.
nymphetamine...I wrote a quick review of a recent trip I took my Sorento on in Moab. Not one of the vehicles mentioned in this article would have come back without a significant amount of damage to the body work or undercarriage. I came back unscathed.
Tell me the price of that "REPORT"?
Mark
2 - That sound you hear is Sorento sales screeching to a halt because of the scathing review of Consumer Reports.
3 - Innaccuracy - Your "all of us" quickly became "I subscribe to CR's website".
4 - Credibility - You admitted that you knew about the article for weeks but chose to keep it a secret, your respectibility is shot, this is a forum for open discussion.
5 - Hypocrisy - You claim to hate Consumer Reports and yet 1) you write an entire post on its "many" positive notes about the Sorento, and 2) youre a paying subscriber to their website to read their reviews first...
6 - It's 2003. Every car has "very good braking". Wait, thats not exactly true - The Subaru, Mitsubishi, and Honda had braking rated "excellent"...
7 - Consumer Reports added up the positive and the negative, and in the overall evaluation, the Kia Sorento would have come in dead last in this review if it wasn't for the pathetic Aztec. Ranked 13th out of 15 when compared to all small to mid SUV's they tested.
2)Talk about needing to check your facts. Sorento sales are increasing in double digit percentages each month.
3)Check out posts 2425 & 2428 where the CR report is discussed.
4) Do you own a Sorento? If so we would all like to hear about your specific experiences good or bad. If not than take a look at the previous months posts. We are disappointed by the CR report but all of us are still satisfied with our purchase.
tidester, host
Sorento stock alloys may be the best 16" wheels, but I can't live with 16". And to me thats what makes the Sorento great, the price is relatively low enough that you can afford to upgrade.
Those wheels, and that sick chrome grill, are from Korea. Hopefully when the 2004 Sorento is available there will be a lot more similar aftermarket items around.
#1785 of 2516 the all important wheels topic by nymphetamine Feb 07, 2003 (1:44 am)
stockey: HOW did you find those wheels in that pic I posted? lol. Do you think they are 18,19 or 20?
#2508 of 2516 Consumer Reports June 2003 review of the Kia Sorento by nymphetamine Jun 03, 2003 (4:05 pm)
Consumer Reports June 2003 review of the Kia Sorento
The only car that did worse than the Kia Sorento in this review of small SUV's is the Pontiac Aztec. Consumer reports ripped into the Sorentos handling, calling it "bone-shakingly harsh", "easily the worst of the group", which included a Honda Element, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forestor, and the lowly Aztec.
More on the Sorento: "Ride motions are abrupt, with uneven pavement producing sharp, head-tossing motions." They call the handling "clumsy", the steering "numb", and out of 15 total small SUVs tested by Consumer Reports, it ranked 13th, and was 1 of only 5 not-recommended models.
................................................
And I won't even post the last two from yesterday and this morning you wrote. Yep, your right, you've posted some great remarks.
Good to see someone that won't even consider the Sorento has such a big interest in Wheels for it. WOW! COOL!
As dbgindy indicated, sales figures continue to sky upwards. Kia has sold over 75,000 Sorentos worldwide and expect to sell over 175,000 sorentos worldwide next year. Hmmmmm, yep, sounds like the scathing remarks by CR have brought down the sales of the Sorento to a screeching halt.
And again, like dbgindy pointed out, you've missed the boat on the CR discussions, they already happened. Take a look at the posts dbgindy referred to.
I have no problem with negative remarks about the Sorento, all I ask is that you a position of thought that is based on an educated viewpoint.
If I have to go and pull every positive remark made by the press concerning the Sorento, I will. Those remarks will outweigh the negatives 5 to 1, and thats a fact.
BTW, I bought a new car seat for my baby. She doesn't fit in her infant car seat anymore. It is a good thing to have the LATCH system in my Sorento (three lower anchors behind the rear seat). I think the LATCH is standard on all new cars these days.
I will admit that the review that CR gave the Sorento is accurate in some respects. But thats the way things are. And to be honest with you all....do we really want CR to give the Sorento a gleaming report? The last thing I want is to come to a stoplight and see 3 other Sorentos just like mine (ie. the Jeep Cherokee, or Subaru Outback).
hciaffa....great post, and the saying "buy what you like and like what you buy" pretty much puts this topic to a close.
I hope.
Let's all remember CR isn't a car-dedicated magazine, they test everything from blenders to cars to washing machines. They can't possible have the best testers in every area so take their ratings with a big grain of salt.
-mike
Sure enough, when their "Best Buy," a Philips MC-50, arrived, its arguably most important feature, its sound, was mediocre at best. But it had lots of bells & whistles, such as twinkling blue lights with three dimness settings, a 3-disc CD changer, auto-reverse cassette, subwoofer out and digital in, etc., that would appeal to the type of nerdy nebbish who tests products for CR and probably drives a Honda Accord (our main car is an Audi A4 with a fair number of performance modifications, just for comparison).
Like many products, the Sorento is built to a price and with that price come compromises. As for the ride, I haven't driven one, but it sounds like a great compromise for those who need the off-highway capability of a true body-on-frame truck with low-range gearing yet still want a modicum of comfort & handling prowess.
Thats a fact, but its not the point.
The point is I _was_ enthusiastic about the Sorento, it was an easy choice for my next car. But not after the review in Consumer Reports, and I won't be the only one. I live in NY, not Wyoming, and I don't want "bone shaking" "head tossing" "numb" or "clumsy" every time I hit a pothole. So now I have to choose from a pre-owned X5, an FX35, or an MDX.
-mike
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/rr/03sorento.htm
As far as declining sales after the CR review, well don't worry about that. Cr has been giving lousy reviews of hyundai/kia vehicles for sometime now but that has not hurt their sales in the past few years. The sales of hyundai/kia have been on an upward trend and not down.
Anyway, my point is I don't reply on Consumer Reports or some national institution's studies about car repair cost during a low speed crash test when shopping for cars. I just buy what I need and like.
I looked at the installation video from the mats.com website. They suggested I have it installed when the weather temparture is in 70s or above. And I don't open any window for at least 24 hours. But can I do some testing (open and close for several times) to make sure everything OK?
I think this is a very good product with very smart design (German made?). It looks nice and neat. I wonder why Vent Shade can think of this.
I went to the service and the manager showed me the chrome tail lamps guards and chrome side mirror plates. I actually saw the Kia sunroof deflector for the first time. It looks like a plain plastic cover. It is like the sunroof opening with the roof racks on both sides. But still no info on bumper guard and side steps.
The best thing for people to do is test drive the Sorento for yourself. That is what sold me on my Sorento.
If anyone does not want to purchase a Sorento, that's fine. That will not make me love mine any less.
lok888 ~ My Mom's doctor was killed in a rollover accident in a Mitsubishi Montero. Maybe this wasn't something that is common but it does make me think of it every time I see one on the road. BTW...his name was Doctor Montero. Isn't that strange?
-mike
ivan4741 - I also feel the same way you do after driving it over 6000 miles. It maybe slow on pick up. But it is shifting very quick.
hicaffa - Remember the feeling that we were talking about when releasing the brake... My service people said this is normal on 4WD. I wonder the rear disc brakes will make any different. I drove a 1998 GMC Safari AWD and didn't feel anyting like this.
I have a Black LX 4WD since september 2002. I love my truck. I did many change to it... In the last 2 weeks, I added the Kia bumper guard and the spoiler; and yesterday, I got added the sport visor (The kia ones are very very beautiful !!). Looks great ! My service dealer also did a oil change, I wanted one of the best oil in the market.. AMSOIL. I asked that they put 10W40 synthetic oil with the AMSOIL filter... no problem they replied....
The step bars are already ordered.... I will have them installed in about 4 to 6 weeks. I will also change the stock air filter for a K&N... which will give a little boost to my Sorento.
Long life to the Sorento !!
I will send some new pics to my site soon!
I just rolled over 3K (in 2 months) in my Green EX 4WD and haven't regretted my decision one bit.
Still get lots of looks and comments and since you don't see many Sorento's on the road and I love being part of an exclusive club. :-)
Are the mats you bought a heavy rubber type or the washable cloth fiber type. Let me know how they are held in place. Do they have that peg that screws into the stock carpet or do the mats have the little nibs on the bottom.
If you want to wait and see, Husky will properly make one for Sorento. They already made one for Hummer or even RAV4. They look like a tray to me with 2" lip, diamond sharp anti-skip nibs and overlap rear mats. Please check out www.autoanything.com periodically. For my WeatherTech mats, it hasn't arrived yet. I will post some comments about it.
About the bumper guard and side step bars, my service manager has a different story. He told they should have more info on these in few weeks and not saying it will not be sold in US. For the thumping feeling, I wonder the rear disc brake make any different. Are they drum brakes on your Ranger? The GMC Safari AWD has rear drum brakes. It's must be something going on.
I find backing up in malls at night visibility is cut by the tinting. Is it possible to either
have it removed or do I have to replace the glass totally? And if so, must I do it through the dealer, or if I don't will I somehow risk problems i.e. with the defrost? Would the leather inside cook, or is the angle of the sun too low when it goes through the back to have damaging strength? ( And what about the dealer writing off all claims involving a window
installed aftermarket).
Thanks
Sincerely
Steve
PS- I had rear lights installed, but they were powered through the transmission , and the wire
stuck out and was burned by the exhaust, causing a short.
-mike
Do you feel it would heat signifantly even if only the back glass is removed? Is there an alternative- I had back lights installed which they hooked through the transmission- does that leave it vulnerable to problems..it only keys in while I reverse..or did I just get unlucky that he left the wire near the exhaust and could try it again with that stapled elsewhere?
thanks
Steve
1) Use 50w reverse bulbs in place of the stockers. This is a $4 upgrade you can do yourself from any parts store, I believe they are 1157 50w or 1156 50w bulbs for the backup lights. Stock is like 15w or 20w
2) Re-wire in those backup lights and make sure the wire is routed securely over the exhaust system.
Heatwise, especially with the rear angle, I'll bet it will heat up a lot, not to mention it will cost about $500-1000 IIRC for that rear window due to the wires in it for the rear defroster.
-mike
I'm pretty much sure you will have the same tinted window when you have to replace it.
After driving the Sorento for months, I am getting used to it when backing up in dark. I also drive car with tinted back window. I simply replace the back up light bulbs (1156 or 1157) with super white bulbs. It helps me illuminate the rear background. I hope this is help.
I've got 2500 miles and five months on my Sorrento. Sorrento scheduled maintenance and an oil change at 7500 miles but the dealer is claiming "it's Colorado and that should be done more often", but a friend is saying that they just want more money. When do you suggest I need the first oil change/service? Thank you very much. Steve