Kia Forum - View Single Post - Sorento: Motor Trend's Compact Suv Winner

Swim · 01-29-2005, 12:49 AM

At long last Rocky79B, a fellow traveller (to Sorento, Italy?)!

With less than 2000 kms on your log, yeah, you've got a ways to go. I got my first tuneup at the 10,000 log (mainly because the manual said first 10,000, not 7500 as specified by local Kia), and noticed the significant improvement in consumption.

I've been enjoying the same unsolicited attention in the Sorento. Everytime I drive along EDSA, there's always at least a couple of Everests or CRVs or xTrails and Patrols who trail a distreet distance from me, obviously checking out the Sorento. In parking lots and carwashes, it gets lots of attention as well. I removed all identifying marks on my Sorento (blacked out center caps on wheels, no Kia logo at front and back, no Sorento EX markings - I do not want to be a promotional billboard for any brand) so I often get puzzled looks and you see them checking out the rear end for a brand or logo and then, -- knitted forehead and all -- check out the front end. They're obviously disappointed because it's not there and they're left to guessing. Which is fine with me.

I see a few Sorentos running along EDSA once in a while. Makati probably has the greatest concentration of these babies. I expect (and hope) the diesel version will increase the density, though, I wish Kia salespeople would explain that the trucklike ride of the Sorento is not for everybody.

But yes, again, you're right, the Sorento's 3.5V6 packs quite a punch; I get a kick out of leaving the heavily-touted 3.0V6s of the Accords, Camrys and Maximas in my asphalt-laden dust (I know they're faster, but for kickin' acceleration, we beat them with our considerable torque). You can just imagine my consumption when driving in the city.

You've just recently been there so you know this as well. I was in Soutehrn California before Christmas and was heartened to see Sorentos on many roads -- almost the same trim and features as ours, except that their EX model gets power everything (and a sunroof as option), including seats, automatic a/c, heaters galore and a fulltime 4wd. Oh well, guess you can't have everything.

They did retain the engine, suspension and brakes for the Philippine model, though, which is dandy. Back to the US, apparently, the Sorento is turning out to be one of the most popular SUVs for 2004 in the US, it being affordable (around US$30K fully loaded with its base model at less than US$20K), giving hope to Kia that it's poor quality reputation in the US, will finally be reversed. The Sportage, apparently, will reinforce this notion, if I were to base it on the early US reviews of the vehicle.

Back here at home, I've proven for myself how the Sorento's old/traditional body-on-frame design is the ideal for my kind of driving -- which is, over severely dilapidated roads leading south from Manila.

I'm glad you're enjoying your Sorento as well. The skittishness of the ride over broken surfaces is due to its relatively short length and the unsprung weight (it rebounds) given its solid axle configuration. In other words, the Sorento, for all its well-put-together interior and exterior, is still, a truck. Which is exactly how I like it and what I need. For ths looking for a family hauler, they may be better served by a CRV.

And, as you very well know, it's a looker.

If you were to try sitting inside the other SUVs, the Xtrails interior sucks, the CRV's looks weird (shift on the dashboard), the RAV4's is dark, Forester's is like a 10-year old car, the Everests is very obviously a pickup trucks (in diesel guise, with diesel vibes). The Escapes and Tributes is nice, though still cheap compared to the Sorentos.

The Sorento's interior feels more substantial than even the new generation Pajeros (beacuse the Sorento's "surround" you and you don't feel like sitting above, as in the Pajeros). Ditto for the patrol.

Check out this other forum on 4x4ph.com to listen in on what other people say about the PHilippine version of the Sorento:

http://4x4ph.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=3&t=2727

Glad to know you're around and in the forum. Hope more Sorento owners will show up here.

Have fun!

01-29-2005, 12:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
Swim Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 44 Drives: Sorento EX3500V6, LC80, Mitsu Space Gr Gallery: 0	At long last Rocky79B, a fellow traveller (to Sorento, Italy?)! With less than 2000 kms on your log, yeah, you've got a ways to go. I got my first tuneup at the 10,000 log (mainly because the manual said first 10,000, not 7500 as specified by local Kia), and noticed the significant improvement in consumption. I've been enjoying the same unsolicited attention in the Sorento. Everytime I drive along EDSA, there's always at least a couple of Everests or CRVs or xTrails and Patrols who trail a distreet distance from me, obviously checking out the Sorento. In parking lots and carwashes, it gets lots of attention as well. I removed all identifying marks on my Sorento (blacked out center caps on wheels, no Kia logo at front and back, no Sorento EX markings - I do not want to be a promotional billboard for any brand) so I often get puzzled looks and you see them checking out the rear end for a brand or logo and then, -- knitted forehead and all -- check out the front end. They're obviously disappointed because it's not there and they're left to guessing. Which is fine with me. I see a few Sorentos running along EDSA once in a while. Makati probably has the greatest concentration of these babies. I expect (and hope) the diesel version will increase the density, though, I wish Kia salespeople would explain that the trucklike ride of the Sorento is not for everybody. But yes, again, you're right, the Sorento's 3.5V6 packs quite a punch; I get a kick out of leaving the heavily-touted 3.0V6s of the Accords, Camrys and Maximas in my asphalt-laden dust (I know they're faster, but for kickin' acceleration, we beat them with our considerable torque). You can just imagine my consumption when driving in the city. You've just recently been there so you know this as well. I was in Soutehrn California before Christmas and was heartened to see Sorentos on many roads -- almost the same trim and features as ours, except that their EX model gets power everything (and a sunroof as option), including seats, automatic a/c, heaters galore and a fulltime 4wd. Oh well, guess you can't have everything. They did retain the engine, suspension and brakes for the Philippine model, though, which is dandy. Back to the US, apparently, the Sorento is turning out to be one of the most popular SUVs for 2004 in the US, it being affordable (around US$30K fully loaded with its base model at less than US$20K), giving hope to Kia that it's poor quality reputation in the US, will finally be reversed. The Sportage, apparently, will reinforce this notion, if I were to base it on the early US reviews of the vehicle. Back here at home, I've proven for myself how the Sorento's old/traditional body-on-frame design is the ideal for my kind of driving -- which is, over severely dilapidated roads leading south from Manila. I'm glad you're enjoying your Sorento as well. The skittishness of the ride over broken surfaces is due to its relatively short length and the unsprung weight (it rebounds) given its solid axle configuration. In other words, the Sorento, for all its well-put-together interior and exterior, is still, a truck. Which is exactly how I like it and what I need. For ths looking for a family hauler, they may be better served by a CRV. And, as you very well know, it's a looker. If you were to try sitting inside the other SUVs, the Xtrails interior sucks, the CRV's looks weird (shift on the dashboard), the RAV4's is dark, Forester's is like a 10-year old car, the Everests is very obviously a pickup trucks (in diesel guise, with diesel vibes). The Escapes and Tributes is nice, though still cheap compared to the Sorentos. The Sorento's interior feels more substantial than even the new generation Pajeros (beacuse the Sorento's "surround" you and you don't feel like sitting above, as in the Pajeros). Ditto for the patrol. Check out this other forum on 4x4ph.com to listen in on what other people say about the PHilippine version of the Sorento: http://4x4ph.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=3&t=2727 Glad to know you're around and in the forum. Hope more Sorento owners will show up here. Have fun!