Kia Sorento

lok888

broadband - Thanks for the think. But I don't see this 3.5L V6 engine on any Hyundai vehicles. The Hyundai the Santa Fe and Sonata use 2.7L V6. I was just wondering because someone mentioned this V6 engine by Mitsubishi a while ago. And it is pretty much similar with the engine on Diamante. Are they making this engine for Sedona, Sorento and Amanti only? BTW, The Hyundai Terracan looks pretty cool.

kiasaleslady

Greetings! There WILL be a sport package on the 04 Sorento... there WILL be a stick shift option available on the EX...there has been absolutely NO mention of a V8(they are not really fuel efficient)...I hope I have been helpful!

lok888

Yes. 2004 Sorentos are in the dealer lots now. I know the side step bars is part of the sport package. But I don't know what else come with the package. I will go home and look at the brochure again.

BTW, just spoke to my dealer about the recent strike in South Korea. It did actually effect the shipment of the Amanti.

dlipter

I own an 03 Santa Fe with a 3.5L engine coupled to a 5 speed tiptronic type automatic transmission. Terrific engine powering a terrific vehicle.

Dennis

ravnew

Hi all, I puchased a 2004 sorento ex on 9/5/03, have 950 miles on it as of today and love it so far. Would be glad to answer any questions anyone might have, It's black w/stone beige bottom, wood and metalllic trim with the 3.5L engine and it's got plenty of power. Milage has been about 16.8 MPG combined city and highway so far.

tidester

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dekester

This is in the Hyundai XG350 and XG350L....
Also in the later 2003 Santa Fe. Same motor as in the Sorento.

Deke

hciaffa

This is the same motor in the Sorento, Sedona and the new 04 Hyundia van that is to come out shortly using the Kia engine. New Motor Trend says for 04 the Sorento will have faux metal trim same as used on the steering wheel fo EX models with Lux pkg. I guess the lower model will get the wood trim and the EX will get the metal trim????? made mention of independent rear suspension??? Also mentions a optional 5 speed manual as well as a sport model with 5 spd and step bars. I think in late 2004 the new car based unibody Sportage is to appear as well as a the Santa FE getting the 3.5 engine or bigger engine.

dlb14frost

Congratulations. Color combination sounds snazy.

lok888

Thanks all for the updates on the engine. I was thinking the Santa Fe still using the 2.7L engine.
And I thought Hyundai/Kia should offer more good features on Sorento like the 5-spees auto transmission and the remote release fuel door.

bored

The Santa Fe still uses the 2.4L I4, the 2.7L V6, and the 3.5L V6 came late in the 2003 model year.

As for the manual tranny Sorento... it's a good idea, but what was Kia thinking not including it in the first place? I've seen many a Sportage with a manual tranny, and why not be the only midsize SUV maker that offers a manual? (Someone correct me if I'm wrong)

iluvmysephia1

manual transmission on the Sorento for the first model year. We bantered it around in here for a while and decided they needed to offer it. My 2001 Sportage 4x4 has a 5-speed manual transmission and if I went for a Sorento I would want the manual transmission for sure.

bored

Sounds like someone is ready to trade again. ;-)

Did anyone notice that September was the Sorento's anniversary? They've been selling for a year now! Very exciting!

netcam

Hi, I've had my Sorento LX for a week now and can find no fault in it yet! It is a '03 model but probably built on the last of the line before the 2004's went into production (end of May). I have been impressed by the smooth ride and quiet interior when on the highway or city. Beats my old Pathfinder and the new Xterra that I test drove for road noise hands down! A quality build is apparent too, but further time will be needed to truly assess overall build and reliability.

My question is in regard to the new 2004 interior metallic trim package. Has anyone seen it or have it on their's? I like the look of the brushed aluminum on the steering wheel and read/saw the review of the special '03 surf package which I believe had the same trim. If this trim is the same as the steering wheel, I would like to add the console piece on to mine. This would really look sharp, IMO. I guess I will check with Kia Canada and US to see if I can pick it up as an accessory.

paisan

There are very few SUVs out there for sale in the US with MT available:

Liberty
Rodeo
????

That's about it IIRC.

-mike

lok888

Car manufacturers are still offering a manual version on their SUV lines (most 2004 models)including the followings. We can still find MT on some 2WD and 4 cylinder models.

BMW X5
Jeep Wrangler and Liberty
Chevy Blazer
Ford Explorer Sport
Ford Escape
Honda CR-V and Element
Isuzu Rodeo
Hyundai Santa Fe
Mazda Tribute
Saturn VUE
Suzuki Vitara, Grand Vitara and XL7
Toyota RAV4
Nissan Xterra

paisan

BMW X5
Jeep Wrangler and Liberty
Chevy Blazer
Ford Explorer Sport
Isuzu Rodeo
Suzuki Vitara, Grand Vitara and XL7
Nissan Xterra

Good luck finding an MT X5, Blazer on dealer lots, those would be special orders for sure. The other ones that were listed were mere car-chassis/SMVs

-mike

hciaffa

Just a note, we have owned our Sorento for almost a year now and still can't quite get over a on how great this vehicle is. We just logged almost 800 miles driving around upper New England states and the Lake Champlain area in N.Y. on a weekend ride, where we were averaging about 70-72 mph and with the AC on and we got 19 mpg. With all the hills and mountians we climbed (interstate mixed with back roads)I think that the mpg is quite good. Also we drove with no pains and aches this time, as we had done this trip once before in our Forester and my back killed me for weeks. And with the problems we had with that car we were getting about 18mpg. the Sorento is a much heavier vehicle. I don't know why Consumers Report stated that the ride was bouncy and hard. For a body on frame we think it rides pretty good. By the way we only spotted two other Sorentos up in Vermont. Stil not a lot on the road.

lok888

Yes. There are only few of them made, maybe 2% to 5% of what they made and only can be found in low end models. But it is still easy to name these vehicles in SUV segment. My final three choices of MT SUVs (4WD, V6, 4-door) are Kia Sorento, Nissan Xterra and Isuzu Rodeo.

hciaffa - You just beat me on gas mileage. The best was 18.6 mpg when I took a road trip from Boston to D.C. in August. I think the lumber support is good but not the best after 10 hours of driving. It was a great trip with my Sorento but no hills to climb even in Six Flags Safari in NJ.

lok888

I got a message from my dealer about whether I am interested in trade it my 03 Sorento for a 2004 model. I did a research from Kelley Blue Book (nothing from Edmunds yet). My fully loaded Sorento EX 4WD with 10,900 miles worth $18,950 (trade in), $21690 (private sale) and $24275 (retail value). I bought this for $26K on December and it has $7K depreciation. I figured it makes no sense to trade it in for 04 model with no major change at all. But I will love to see what price they want to sell me the 2004 model. Or maybe the 04 model is going to cost me the same trade in value of my 03 after the $1000 owner's loyalty discount, factory incentive plus dealer discount.

bigfur

if that might be an "incentive" to trade in to boost their used inventory. After looking around a bit there are VERY few EX's on the used market. What do you think?

slan_canada

Hi,

I asked to my dealer if they can change my stock ATF by the Amsoil Synthetic ATF. They told me that they need to contact Kia before changing it... to be certain that I will not have any problems with the warranty. I will have a response from them soon...

What I want to know is if there are some peoples here who changed their ATF ? How many quarts did you put in ?

I checked in my owner's manual... In the 'Specifications' section; under 'Capacities' I have 'Transaxle oil' with 11.5 liter as the volume. Does 'Transaxle oil' = ATF ??! Do this mean that I will have to buy about 12 quarts for this fluid change ??!

Thanks for any input!

paisan

Most modern trannys take 10+ quarts of oil. The other problem? If you just drain it only about 1/2 to 3/4 will come out. There will still be non synth. in there. If you do a flush, then you'll need probably 10-15 quarts of fluid so they can power flush out all the fluid.

-mike

hciaffa

Last week my wife and I went down to Atlantic City for our anniversay (were from central CT)following the Garden State Pwky. The Sorento performed flawlessly. It kept up with all the NY and NJ traffic doing 80-85mph and it never felt sluggish or never hesitated to respond when the the gas pedal was pushed further and further down. Our gas milage was down but who cares. We even got some complimants from the valet's when parking that they haven't seen any of these yet and "it reminds them of the tons of Lexus's that they get". All in all we felt save and comfortable in our Sorento but cheezz the tolls kill you.

paisan

Hello EZ Pass. I haven't paid a toll in years!

-mike

lok888

I was on the New Jersey turnpike and Garden State Package several times when I took a family road trip in August from Boston to NJ, NY, PA and D.C. The tolls was killing me. hicaffa - I saw a lot of unmarked state police cruisers on the side of the NJ turnpike. Doing 80+mph was not a good idea consider it has only two traffic lanes and trees on both sides. I had the Fast Lane (MA state) few years ago but it wasn't free like the EZ pass. I will think about it, consider not a frequent toll user. Locally, I have seen people on the street saying "That is a Kia". And a cab driver stopped and asked "Is that a Sorento? That seems expensive to have one for a car like this."

surfmaster

For those of you doing your own, do you follow the manual's pattern using the spare wheel (i.e. rotate 5 tires)? I notice the spare gets a lot of crap on it and somewhat tarnished looking - maybe better just to keep it as a "spare", and just rotate the other 4?

And is it necessary to rotate tires every 2nd oil change?

My other question: Does everyone basically follow the "mileage" limit for oil changes( 6000km up here in Canada, I guess 4000 miles US?) or does the 3-month limit apply if you drive less. My question is that the dealership seems to base its schedule only on the mileage limit. But if you drive less and don't reach the mileage interval until say 4 months (after the time limit interval for oil changes), is there an argument you may void your warranty?

lok888

I just rotated & balanced my tires (front to rear)at 10,000 miles. It have been done at every 7,500 miles according to the owner's manual. It suggests the tire rotation with the spare tire but my service people told a different story. I guess they probably right because a new tire tread is different than those have been driven for thousands miles. I don't think the tire should be rotated left to right. Anyone to confirm? I change the oil every 3,000 miles.

paisan

I generally cruise it weekly, doing 80mph w/o any issues. I also have a CB so I listen for traps.

-mike

netcam

The Sorento secret, that is.
This week for the first time on tv here in Canada, I have noticed a couple of slick little commercials for the Sorento.
There are only a few Sorento's out where I am. I think I have the only ivygreen one in town so far.

themanq

Would appreciate any LX 4WD owners sharing their driving experience in severe snowing conditions. Do you think it's necessary to go with the EX 4WD trim to handle severe snowing conditions?
Thanks.

lok888

We had a huge snow storm back in February here in MA. With the Torque-On-Demand full-time 4WD (part of the Luxury Package on EX), my Sorento handles very well on snow and wet pavement. It has better traction with the standard Eaton limited slip differential plus low range for steep hills. If I am correct, the LX 4WD has the performance as the EX 4WD, unless you want the optional luxury package with TOD. Hope this help.

themanq

Thanks lok888 for your reply.
Did you have snow tires on your EX or the stock ones?

lok888

And I feel they are very good consider the roads here are not covered with snow all the time during winter.

netcam

I have the LX 4WD and though I haven't driven it in snow conditions yet, I fully expect it will handle itself well. And I will get the chance soon enough as it happens that the first snowfall of the season is falling now! Just above 0C with wet snow tonight, the roads will be icy tomorrow.

With experience from my previous SUV (which also wasn't an AWD model), I will be using 4Hi 4WD for fresh or severe winter snow and ice conditions on the roads. This prevents the rear end from swinging out on turns and spinning on hills. So in 4Hi it should handle just as well as the EX with the AWD/TOD.

themanq

Thanks netcom for your reply.
Looking forward to your next post!

lok888

Just want to bring a different topic. Anyone think it will be easy for Kia to add the 3rd row seat in Sorento without any major modification? I saw a '04 Highlander with 3rd seat. But I read several negative posts on Highlander board. It is uncomfortable unless the 2rd move forward and difficult to get in and out.

sleong

Looked at a Sorento for the first time and was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and roomy it was. My personal feeling is that it lacks horse-power for its weight ratio, but over all it appears to be a pretty nice SUV. I’ve been doing some research and found that there is roughly a $1,500 - $1,800 mark-up in dealer profit and another $650 profit in manufacturers hold-back at the MSRP price. Hold back is basically an incentive the mfg pays the dealer for selling the vehicle. What this means is that if the dealer were to sell the vehicle at base MSRP, they are making anywhere from $1,500 - $2400 in total profit. For example - Base MSRP of a 2004 EX 4x2 is $23,050. Dealer invoice for that model is roughly $21,420 with a mfg hold-back of about $650 which brings the actual dealer cost down to $20,770. Depending on how much the dealer wants or how long you are willing to negotiate, one could get this model at about $21,500. If you want options, just add the price of the options on top of the $21,500 and yes, the dealer is also making a little bit on the options. As for myself, I’m looking to get this same model adding most of all the options (ABS, cargo tray, tow package, step bars, rear spoiler, load leveler and leather (not luxury pkg) totaling $2,965 for a grand total of $24,465 plus tax and license. I’m told tax and license together equates to 16% of the sale price. A dealer in my area this weekend is paying the license fees so I’ll only have to pay the 8.5% sales tax in my area. The dealer is also offering 3-years of free oil changes and car washes every 3,750 miles. Based on my numbers, has anyone out there gotten a deal as I just mentioned?

For those of you who have the EX 4x4, have you found it really advantageous just for city type driving? Any information would be helpful in making my decision. Thanks!

sleong

I'm told at the KIA dealer that recommended oil changes for the Sorento is 3,750 miles. I'm assuming this is correct since the dealer is offering FREE oil changes and car washes for the next 3 years every 3,750 miles. FYI - the properties of engine oil tends to breaks down within a 4 month time frame. So if you only put 100 miles on the vehicle after an oil change and left it sitting, within 4 months the oil should be changed. Bottom line - whatever mileage the manufacture recommends, it's either 3,750 miles for a Sorento or 4 months whichever occurs first.

sleong

Personally I really don't think there is enough room for a third seat. Not only would it be most difficult to get in and out, there definately wouldn't be enough leg room, but i bet KIA would come out with an extended version of the Sorento in 2005. I think they would also most probably up the HP and increase the fuel economy - the mpg might even get better. - Just my thoughts though...

sleong

In the past when radial tires first came out, tire rotation was only front to rear, but with the new production, you can also rotate tires in a criss-cross manner. One thing to be aware of is what is called 'radial pull'. For whatever reason, tires sometimes tend to wear funny (usually the front.) A simple test - drive on a straight flat surface (usually middle lane of a highway) and momentarily let go of the steering wheel. If the vehicle is properly aligned, the vehicle should continue going straight. If your vehicle pulls or drifts either to the left or right, your vehicle either needs a wheel alignment or you are experiencing a radial pull. If you rotate your tires from front to back and the pull disappears, the pull was coming from one of the front tires. Don't be alarmed if this happens, as the tires will eventually correct themselves having been swapped to the rear. If the pull continues after rotating the tires from front to rear, try rotating them in a criss-cross manner. If after having done so and your vehicle still pulls or drifts to either side, your vehicle is either in need of a tire alignment or the tires have a permanent radial pull. Depending on the manufacturer, they may replace the suspected tire/tires, but you may have to pay for the mounting and balancing. If you have a new vehicle, it is a good idea to rotate the new spare into the rotation. This way all 5 tires will have equal wear time, but that is a personal choice. The above are just my thoughts and experiences with tires.

lok888

That's what my service manager told me for 2005 model year. Don't know about the horsepower and gas mileage.

netcam

That sounds like a decent deal to me. 3yrs of oil changes is a nice bonus too.
The Kia US website price calculator with the options you mention for the EX4x2 is about $2200 higher than your dealer's offer. That, combined with the license tax saving and free oil changes, you should be saving somewhere around $4000-$4500.
The service schedule that I have for oil changes is 6000km (3730 miles) or 3 months, so you should be getting up to 12 oil changes in this deal.

As far as choosing 4x2 vs 4x4 goes ... I'm not familiar with the 4x2 as it's not sold in Canada. Is the 4x2 front wheel drive or rear wheel drive? That could make a difference because it sounds like you will be doing mostly city type driving. If you live in a region that has a true winter with some annual snow and below 0 weather, front wheel drive 4x2 would handle better than RWD and should be ok if your winters are not severe. The EX AWD should handle better than either a FWD or RWD 4x2 in winter conditions.

Don't know if that helps make your decision easier, but you have chosen a pretty solid suv in the Sorento! Good luck with your deal!

PS. I also agree that a 3rd row seat for the Sorento is not worth the trouble. This is a truck based suv with true offroad capability and if buyers are thinking about more than 4 passengers in the vehicle they should be looking at minivans, JMO.

sleong

Somebody please clarify something for me regarding the Sorento 4x4. The Sorento 4x4 is not an AWD SUV is it? As far as I understand it, AWD is when all 4 wheels are able to act independently of one another. For instance if 3 wheels were slipping (left front and both rears), power is transferred to the 4th (right front) whereas in a 4x4 all 4 wheels are moving at the same time.

hciaffa

the Sorento model is a typical 4wd vehicle with a 4 Hi and a 4 Lo transfer case. The 4Hi is a switch on the fly but the 4Lo you have to come to a stop and be neutral to engage. The Sorento EX model with Luxury Package use's a TOD (torque on demand)one of the best ones out there made by Borg-Warner. This is what we have, my wife felt more comfortable with this than typical 4WD (like my Ranger, she can't get the hang of engaging 4WD). It is a AWD system when starting off the power is I think 20/80 front/rear and after engaging into 2nd or 3rd it goes to 10/90. The computers sense when one wheels slips and gives more torque to the non spinning wheels. The one advantage the Lux package has is it offers a 4Lo for real heavy trail crawling and lots of snow. This is something Subaru. Highlander and many in the same class as Sorento do not offer. Also all the models have a Limited Slip rear differential. Last year with all the snow in CT our Sorento performed flawlessly with the AWD system.

lok888

I don't use the altimeter and barometer a lot. Anyone know if the multi-meter is accurate? When I have the altimeter display on, I press the MODE/SET button for two seconds and the reading change to 0 ft. Is it the way to tune the meter? And how do I find out I am at 0 ft level?

stever

Every year, the Edmunds.com editors gather to ponder that eternal question, "What cars or trucks would we most want to park in our garage?"

SUV Under $25,000: Kia Sorento

Steve, Host

netcam

lok888,
A reading of 0 ft from your altimeter would mean you are at sea level. Since you are obviously higher (unless the reset was done at a beach), you may have to check your manual. Probably have to input the approx. elevation you are at after doing the mode/set. A city/state map should tell you the elevation.

dbgindy

Thanks for the link. It's nice to know that Edmunds is coming around to our way of thinking. :-)

lok888

I didn't look at the manual yet. But I hold the MODE/SET button for two seconds and it changed to 0 ft. Then I drove few miles from my house which I believe it has the same sea level. But it displayed 400 ft.