Kia Sorento

paisan

But since it's discontinued, the Sorento is a front runner to replace it.

-mike

greyt_autumn

I was poking by at a dealer yesterday in MA and they had at least 5 on the lot- all of them EX, both cloth and leather. Overall based on a cursory inspection the build quality looked on par with any other car that I've seen. I've worked for a dealer that has a Kia franchise and even they are much happier with the newer models0 Sedonas apparantly have very little Warranty work done on them, so I epxect the Sorento to be similar. Admittedly I was turned off by the mileage, but the pricing is extemely aggressive- 25k for a luxury SUV? I'm glad I'm waiting for a while before I buy anything, but I'm am initially impressed with what I see, and Will definately shop the Sorento when I'm serious about buying. I'm also not as concerned about resale as I keep my cars for a while (OK, 100 k miles- then I let them loose) so It is not an issue.

anonymous02

Just wondering who has one, whether they tow, offroad, and how it is at that.

Also, how is the gas mileage (actual, not sticker), and quality to date?

Also, how long have these been out?

paisan

bigelm

LOL!!! What people do to make a sale. I think if a ship actually sank, we would've heard it by now. At least I would... being my wife works for CNN... I can't get over it.....LOL... "Um Sir, we have to raise our prices or you have to wait until March 2003 to get any other Sorento, um cause, Kia just lost 2,000 in the Pacific." What a dork....

Seriously... shop around. That's the best advice! ;-)

nobee

but perhaps the port closures on the west coast have something to do with the distribution of their automobiles.

-nobee

lavoie1

Are you saying you got your LX for $31,000 (CA) including taxes? I went to see a dealer in Fredericton NB today, and the price was $31,000 plus taxes. Where is your dealer???

By the way, I found the Sorento very nicely finished. I also looked at the Sedona. What a nice vehicle. Nothing to envy to the North American vans! For about $5,000 less the the competition. My problem is: What I really need is the van, but I like the look of the Sorento (so does my wife). The Sorento EX is very nice, but a bit out of my price range. I guess the main factor for me is which would tow my trailer the best: The Sorento, lighter, or the Sedona with the 5 speed transmission and the longer wheelbase??? If anyone can give me advise, I would appreciate it.

thaisan

I went into this Kia dealership in St. Louis today and told them that I wanted to pay invoice price (my asking price is 19K) for the LX 4X2. I wonder if this is a realistic asking price, since the MSRP is at $20,710?

Placeman

Well, I took the plunge and purchased the EX Luxury with ABS, Spoiler and Load Leveling. Upon delivery I noticed that the power locks were not locking/unlocking the rear or front passenger door. This was quickly fixed (bad relay). Every thing else has been great. The fit/finish is excelent. My girlfiend has a 01 Honda Accord EX and the fit/finish is comparable. Does anyone else have Load Leveling? If so, have you noticed it activate? What noise does it make (like a small air compressor). A couple of us sat on the tail tonight, but was unable to make it move. Or at least I don't think it did. Most other vehicles hum during adjustments.

mikesf

That's 31,700 + taxes!

Duh.. 2+2 is 4
2+2 is 4
2+2 is 4
...

mikesf

My Canadian manual has this to say about towing

page 5-32

Maximum Trailer weight
- trailer without brake system:
1,650 lbs (750kg)
- trailer with brake system:
5,000 lbs (2270kg)

Mike

bored

Hop on over to the Sedona board, look for someone named excelent3, and read his posts...if that won't convince you, I don't know what will.

Jason5

So what did you actually pay for your Sorento and what was the sticker price. I believe the load leveling feature is a "passive one"--in that it uses motion to "level" the shocks once the vehicle is moving. Don't quote me on that though..

fickle

Why doesn't Edmunds have any info on the Sorento? Any place else have it?

jon1102

Edmunds does have info on thr Sorento called first drive. Go to edmunds, then to reviews, type in kia sorento and choose First Drive. Also, there was a write up in Oct 11 USA Today. Go to usatoday.com, then click on money, then autos and you will find the review.

I read something on the Kia Sedona town hall that was about Keyless remote problems much like the ones mentioned here. Apparently, the problem with the Sedona remote is the remote receiver is attached to a plastic base and then attached to the frame with a metal sleeve and is not getting a proper ground. To correct the problem a metal base is being used to replace the plastic base and the base needs to be bolted to the frame. The one person who had this done to his Sedona said his remote now works up to 50 ft

milwat

Looking for any info on Los Angeles Sorento's. Cant find any on the web sites that include Southern California. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance. Also any advice in buying the Sorento, never bought a new vehicle before and would like the best advice from people who have done it before and not the salesman.

tidester

Look at the "Helpful Links" on the left side of this page. They will take you directly to the reviews.

tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories

steve_on

All,

I saw one of these guys in person at a dealership yesterday.

Comments on quality of build and all that are spot on as are the comments on quality of materials, not MB grade, but not Yugo grade.

So my question, anyone with one of these have any true gas mileage numbers. I do drive about 100 or so miles a day, mostly high speed (<75 mph) freeway and worry that gas mileage is not what it should be.

How about a 5 speed automatic Kia? That would bump mileage up to close to 30 I would guess.

steve_on

Any of our EU readers know if the Kia Sorento comes with HID headlights in the EU?

I think the US ones are plain old Hallogen.

Comments

stockey

http://www16.brinkster.com/kiamen/kia_gh.htm

Placeman

I bought mine in St. Louis. After visiting several Kia dealerships who were dead set against negotiating I found one that was a little more flexible. Normally I don't like to pay much more than $200 over invoice, but since this is a new model and in limited US production (50,000 first year), I ended up paying around $400 over invoice. I paid $26,404 for the following:

EX
Luxury Package
ABS
Spoiler
Load Leveling

ccquinn

My wife and I were driving by the local Kia dealer yesterday and noticed a nice looking SUV on the lot. I almost didn't stop and look since it was a Kia. As I was walking up to the Sorento I was thinking "it looks great on the outside, but the inside must be really cheap looking, and the price is probably $28k."

I looked in the window and thought "Wow! this is nice." But, what's the price? I looked at the sticker...$20k. Wow again! Then I thought it must be a stripped down model.

I looked at the features listed on the sticker and discovered that it had more features than my 96 Ford Explorer. Unbelievable! The only down side was the gas mileage and the unknown reliability.

The Sorento looks far better than anything in its price range, and has many more standard features. If reliability turns out to be at least average this should be a real winner for Kia. The long warranty period is great, but it's still a hassle taking a vehicle in for constant warranty work.

If the dealers can avoid excessive dealer markups I'll definitely buy one within the year.

jon1102

In the Sorento brochure the Lx is listed as having 8 speakers and the EX with 10. When I went to the dealer we only found six. Two tweeters in the front door, 2 in the doors and 2 in the rear doors. There are none in the rear that I could find. The only thing that I could think of is there are 2 speakers in each grille of the doors, although I could only see one in each.

charlesm1950

For those who have asked the questions about speaker count and gas mileage...
The 10 speakers are four 2-way (tweeter and woofer) and two tweeters at the top of the front doors near the side view mirrors. Kia counts each tweeter and woofer as a speaker even when they are in the same mounting position and in the same door.
My experience on mixed driving around Austin is about 18.2 MPG. I drive about 40 miles per day round trip for work plus the usual grocery shopping, trips to home center, etc. on weekends.
My driving is as much highway is it is stop-and-go in traffic. I hope to do a trip to Houston soon and I'll report the highway driving from that.
I am still frustrated by the keyless entry system. It sometime works on the first push and sometimes takes 2 or 3 tries. I have discovered I can be 5 feet away or 25 feet away and it doesn't matter. I've read the report on the similar problem with Sedona and I am guessing it is the same problem. Since everything else is up to par I am waiting to take this one problem to my dealer when there is either time or a known solution that I can refer to.
Regards,
CharlesM
(Indigo EX with spoiler, ABS and Luxury Package)

steve_on

Charles,

If I may stick my noise in, what did you pay for the EX, and what are your views now that you've had it for more than a kick the tire session.

I checked out at a local dealer here in So Cal, they are not stocked yet, due in part to the West Coast port strike. I would guess that will change over the next few weeks.

Oh also how's the Sorento in the "Go Fast" department, good kick in the pants or what?

Regards

charlesm1950

I have to admit that I wanted the Sorento enough to pay close to MSRP. The spread between invoice and MSRP was about $1500. One dealer in town was asking above MSRP and the other (the one I bought from) wanted MSRP. I got him to pitch in a couple of things worth about $400 so my rational is I paid about $400 below MSRP.

I'm sure that when the supply of Sorentos is plentiful they will come down closer to invoice. As it is I have had mine for almost three weeks. In any case, I love the Sorento and feel like the price was terrific for what I got.

Like anything I've ever owned I have a wish list. So if Kia is listening here is mine:

* Oddly, the lowest setting on the drivers seat is higher than the passenger seat. I just fit under the sunroof, but I think they could make the driver seat height adjustment go a 1/2 or so lower to match the passenger seat.

* The radio has a CD changer but no cassette and no subwoofer. The radio sounds good and has plenty of undistorted power, but I would like more bass and the ability to play my old cassettes.

* The multimeter shows the temperature and altitude in metric or English units, but not the barometric pressure. Barometric pressure in in metric units only. Also, there are Up and Down buttons for the multimeter that seem to serve no purpose. There must have been plans for other functionality that is not implemented.

* The heated seats have no instructions in the owner's manual. They don't seem to get hot if the A/C is on. I would like an explanation.

* The strange, unreliable operation of the keyless remote entry should be fixed quickly. As an engineer I can understand how the ground plane problem in the Sedona causes this problem and the fix should apply to both the Sedona and the Sorento. I'll be interested in seeing how proactive Kia is about the fix for this. Will they let me know or will I have to hound the service department.

* Also, I would like the horn beep when I lock the Sorento with the keyless remote. My old car did this. I could walk away and press the button and hear the beep to confirm the car was locked. Now I have to face the vehicle and watch for the parking lights to blink before I know that the Sorento is locked. This wastes a few seconds of my time every time I leave the car.

* I have never owned a SUV before and I don't know how other SUVs ride, but the suspension does seem stiff. I know that gives better cornering, but I would like a little more float over some of the bumps in the pavement. (I would also like the city of Austin to fix some of its terribly beat up streets. Oh well, there go my taxes.)

I will make one or two more comments. The Sorento is much quieter on the highway than my old car. The steering also has a better feel on the Sorento than my old Chrysler Sebring. I am very happy with the Sorento and I hope that Kia will continue to refine it. If they do, and they treat there customers well they will become the new Honda they aspire to be.

Regards,
CharlesM

carspy01

...today's article of "The Car Connection" to learn "why KIA is causing others to have some sleepless nights":

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5420&sid=192&n=158

carspy01

I am gone & busy for a few days, and you pile up postings here... UN-BEEEEEE-LIIIIE-VEABLE!!!

#397, duckfuz: No, no ship sank. In import/export that's an standard excuse a) for delivering too late, b) importer ordered too late, c) paperwork not in order, etc. - you get my point. Actually, some of the Sorentos were held due to the West Coast strike.
#419, steve_on: No HID's yet in Europe. They popped out the Diesel's first (see my previous postings) with the normal Halogen. Over here I am sure we will see some with the 2004 year.
#420, stockey: I posted the several links of the GH-concept months ago under News & Views, your thoughts about Kia. Sorry my friend.
Charles: Always glad you are here!

steve_on

Carspy01 said

"steve_on: No HID's yet in Europe. They popped out the Diesel's first (see my previous postings) with the normal Halogen. Over here I am sure we will see some with the 2004 year."

Thanks for the info, I work in a Desert area, bright lights are good on dark nights with the critters lurking about, guess there's always after market HID kits.

Charles

Said many things, all quite informative.

A couple of follow up's.

What has your mostly freeway averages been, i.e. jump in drive to point A then back at mostly 70 to 80 mile per hour speeds.

A trick question, would you buy the same car again? Always a good question to ask, if can get a strait answer.

bored

Our local Kia Dealer finally got in some Sorentos. I passed by it at about 45MPH, and looked at it next to a Sportage. How could this be the 2003 Sportage, I wonder? (Carspy01, remember this rumor??) It swallowed the Sportage next to it, and had PLENTY of room to spare! Now, that thing is very wide, it looks LARGE in real life, although Sportage sized in pictures. I just don't know what to say. Maybe this really will be a good platform for a midsize pickup in the future. (Which is coming)

carspy01

Thanks, bored, I did not want to mention that rumor again... I was so ticked that, when the "Kia BL"-forum got started, people actually posted that rumor! Even the automotive magazines, without rechecking anything... man, man, man....

But see, soooo many new people and new posters got interested in the Sorento and join us here!

(For all the "new" ones: the "Kia BL" was the concept of the Sorento, and all kinds of wild postings popped up. Steve, our host, has it archived & it is "read only", if you want to check it out here in the townhall.)

Bored & all: Really do yourself a huge favor and check the Sorento out - inside and outside. It's really great.

P.S.: I forgot if someone mentioned it already, but http://www.kiasorento.com has now the official MSRP-pricing!

paisan

Other than unknown reliability of the engine the Sorento fit and finish is good, etc.

Definitely a great replacement for the typical utes people are buying out there.

I finally got to my dealer to check one out.

-mike

mikesf

Actually I'm not too worried about the engine since it's the same as the one used in the Sedona.

Mike

 http://ca.photos.yahoo.com/bc/mdsf_1/lst?.dir=/Sorento&.view=t

paisan

The Sedona hasn't been out that long, and isn't an SUV. Unless you plan to use the Sorento as a MINI-VAN instead of a TRUCK which it is... Luckily for me I don't have to buy one for a few years so I can watch the reliability and see how it does in severe (read as offroad, mud slinging, water crossing, rock climbing) conditions.

-mike

fedlawman

Isn't the Sedona body on frame too?

paisan

The Sedona is uni-body.

-mike

Placeman

I may be wrong, but I do not believe the majority of Sorento owners are going to be mud slinging, water crossing and/or rock climbing with their vehicles. If you are into that, I would recommend the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

paisan

Then why build it on a TRUCK PLATFORM and give it LOW RANGE 4wd?

The Rubicon is nice but it will be far too unreliable for true SUV duty and it's small.

The Sorento is a Truck based like other excellent Offroaders, it's got great stats for offroading, just a bit concerned about the engine.

-mike

anonymous02

I am keeping my eye on the Sorento for future purchase also.

I plan to tow and offroad with it (whatever I get).

I believe it is a body on frame design.

Will continue watching.

Jason5

For what it's worth.. The Sedona is most certainly NOT a unibody design. It is a traditional body on frame design with nine crossmemebers. Frankly in today's age that difference is insignificant. The Grand Cherokee and Montero have generally proven that unibody construction can easily handle the off roading needs of 98% of the population. And probably the remaining 2% too...

Jason5

Folks...could we get more actual "price paid" information from those of you that have purchased... Thank you kindly!

carspy01

... today's article & review at Autoweek.com:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?W21A12722

anonymous02

It says its a ladder frame.

I'd like to see the "tiptronic" (or whatever it's called) shifter from the Santa Fe, and the TOD type transmission from the Trooper combined. That would be AWESOME (to paraphrase Chris Farley).

3.5 liter motor towing 3500 pounds sounds fine to me. I'd like to see some bigger tires, though. Also, does the towing package include heavy duty cooling? Is an engine heater available?

paisan

Is unibody with FWD very different than the Sorento with a traditional ladder frame and RWD based.

TOD is available on one of the models of Sorento, it has TOD and traditional 4-low range.

-mike

jeepster4

The Sedona is unibody welded to a frame. That is the reason for its extra weight, low fuel economy, 5 star side collision rating and 3500 lb towing capacity. At least that's what they taught us at KU(Kia University). For what its worth, this is the same kind of construction used in the Sorento. Jeep calls this form of construction, i.e. unibody welded to full length frame rails and cross members, uniframe construction.

paisan

So the Sorento isn't really a body on Frame like a true truck. I bet that's why the low towing capacity

Shame it had such a potential.

-mike

carspy01

Yepp!

bored

I'm disappointed. I'm going to ask our dealer just to make sure.

Well, I'm back in search for a Body-On-Frame SUV with good offroad capabilities again, used, for less than $13,000. (In 2005)

Any 2002 models that will be in my price range?

paisan

96_i30_5sp

Initial reports put a loaded Sorento at $21k, which would have been a bargain. I just priced a loaded EX on Kia's website and it topped $28k. Has anyone bought one yet?