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Can't believe I'm cross-shopping a Kia and an Acura...

9K views 70 replies 11 participants last post by  snipe523 
#1 ·
Hi all, this is my first post on the forum. Have a few general questions about the 2014-15 SX.

I test-drove a used 2015 demo SXL on Saturday and was blown away at the number of features available. The handling, steering, body roll, and road noise at highway speed were all very impressive also.

I'm cross-shopping a used 2014-2015 SX with an older Acura MDX. Budget is about $25k

What's everyone's thoughts on these vehicles? Any major dislikes? I wish that Kia offered a tan/beige interior, that'd help with the Texas heat. The ventilated seats aren't too shabby but aren't nearly as strong as I thought they'd be.
 
#4 ·
Hi,

I was also amazed when I put all the specs from the various SUVs down in a spreadsheet and the KIA and Santa Fe came out on top. I am now VERY HAPPY that I've been a Sorento owner for over 2 years.

Lots of articles on the KIA turnaround story . You're basically seeing the fruits of hiring a bunch of european car designers paired with asian manufacturing know-how:

The Hyundai and Kia Manifesto - Motor Trend All Pages

SX Pros:
- $
- new and 5/10 warranty!
- nicer panoramic sun roof
- usable navigation and electronics
- auto folding side mirrors
- non-premium fuel (and i think better MPG)

MDX pros:
- sportier car in general
- more leg room
- brand bragging rights
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the reply. How many miles on your 2014? Any issues?

Definitely like the fact that the Sorento doesn't need premium.

You'd be surprised at how similar the legroom is between the two cars on paper. Don't really care about the label, only practicality, reliability, and features for cost.
 
#9 ·
Sorry, one more important thing.

We used to live in a very urban area with limited parking and lots of parallel parking, so the Sorento was a big PLUS because it was shorter and narrower and had a great back up camera and detection sensor.

The MDX is bulkier and I've heard stories where it's difficult to fit into garage spaces.
 
#11 ·
When I shopped for our 2011, I tried all of the comparable vehicles and the Sorento was by far the best value. I also liked that it was assembled here in GA. I never regretted that decision, even with a couple of minor electrical/switch issues.

That 2011 was killed by a DUI in September. I went thru the same exercise, nothing else could come close - and the 2015 is far improved over the 2011 I had.

If it died tomorrow, I'd buy a 2016 - which is even further improved in handling and power/driveability.
 
#13 ·
They were on the 2011, which was the first year for the US-built Sorento and has little in common. That said, it was a brake pedal switch that rendered the vehicle inoperable (would not shift out of park - towed under warranty) and a faulty drivers-side window switch.

No issues in 11k so far with my 2015.
 
#15 ·
I came to the 2014 Sorento SXL from a VW Touareg (and not from a lowly Acura). The Sorento impressed me very much and is almost on par with the Touareg, and that for 1/3 less money. You can see the "Audi Touch" all over the vehicle, and it feels very solid in driving. Mine has some 18000 miles on the clock now, and except from the door switch and programming problems, I had nothing to complain. I would buy that vehicle again.
 
#19 · (Edited)
The Sorento is a good choice IMHO. High on feature content, they have a compliant ride and a quiet interior as you have mentioned.
I'd consider another KIA but not another Acura (2013 RDX). Harsh ride, noisy suspension and a lack of sound proofing were my main complaints. You know it's bad when your Mustang is noticeably quieter on rough roads!

We've had the temperature hovering at around 90 for the last 2 weeks up here and both my bro's 2015 and my 2016 (both with black interiors) have no problem getting the interior comfortable quickly.
Ventilated seats are better than non ventilated. Cooled seats are the best but now we're getting into the $50,000 and up range.

Take an MDX for an extended road test and see what you think. The older ones are gas pigs.
 
#20 ·
The older MDX is a VERY nice car, I really wanted one for a while but then when you drive them you realize just how HUGE it actually is. It is actually a massive car. AWFUL fuel economy with most owners getting between 12-15mpg's. It has SH-AWD which is an amazing system, but it does nothing in tight parking lot situations.

Why go with a 2009-2012 car when you can get a better 2015 car. Older sorentos aren't as nice as MdX's (they shouldn't be) but still compare amazingly. The new 2016 sorento is even better than an MDX and I wouldn't hesistate to purchase one.

I am looking at a 2011-2013 sorento and I can tell you the 2014-2015 sorentos were MUCH nicer than the earlier sorento.
 
#27 ·
That is in the eye of the beholder. I feel it is not as good, bad interior design (very hugely dash), everything else is the same. Not many changes in the exterior, except a little longer (not good either).
I test drove one and was not impressed with it. I am happy with my 2014/2015 design!
 
#28 ·
Mdx...

glad to read some came to the Sorento from either owning or test driving Acura MDX. My main concern in possibly going from my '08 Honda Pilot to a Sorento is the interior room I now have in my Pilot.

I really like the comfy elbow room I have in my Pilot and had in my '12 Honda Ridgeline. Coming into the Ridgeline from my '03 Toy Tacoma 4 dr. I didn't think I could ever consider a smaller truck/SUV ever again. But I didn't really find I missed the interior room as much once I traded my '12 Ridgeline for my '13 Crosstour EX-L. I do miss the higher seating view from the RL/Pilot. So the wife's in the Crosstour now; she loves it and I'm looking to trade/sell my '08 Pilot and the '16 Sorento is top of my list.

Now, the 3rd seat has been folded away since I bought the Pilot new. Just never had a need for it and hardly the second row as well. But again I liked the larger size of the Pilot once I test drove in back in '08. And with 2nd/3rd rows folded down, I have massive room for cargo in the Pilot. Hoping I can live with the smaller cargo area, 2nd row folded, of the '16 Sorento.

So are most folks here describing the 3 row Sorento? And is the 3 row Sorento longer overall than the 2 row Sorento? Sure hate to have to get another unusable 3rd row just for a few more inches of driver legroom. Thanks for any helpful replies. Still in online research stage of car shopping, so have not test driven any recently.
 
#34 ·
Thanks.



I meant to ask if the 3rd row Sorento is actually a longer vehicle than the 2 row Sorento? I mis-spoke as to the longer/shorter driver leg room.

My Crosstour takes more up more room in my garage than my '08 Pilot does. With a smaller new, SUV be nice to have abit more wiggle room in the garage. Although I know it will only just be inches. Still, it'd be nice. What SUV in the Hyundia line is equivalent to the Kia Sorento, if any?
 
#30 ·
@ dill-Ag13....

just saw a '16 Sorento w/2500 miles for sale by owner for 28K, if you can stretch your budget abit. Or better, talk seller down some. Seller says in his Craigslist Sugarland ad that they bought it new in March but have to sell due to deteriorating health issues.

I'm guessing most new '16's would easily be quite abit over 30K. So it should save some $$ bucks over totally new but still get a very new car. I'm a little leary these days of buying used even newer cars due to the recent floods in the Houston area. Just never know if these cars have been repaired, still looking very new but may have electrical issues down the road from being submarined. :eek: I supposed an experienced eye could pick up on this but one never knows.

This above and the fact I'm not quite ready to buy today keep me from considering that '16 Sorento (I've no affiliation with seller) that I just came across today on Craigslist. But at that price be nice for me not to have to finance the auto.

Heck, maybe I will go check it out. I'm just south of you in Atascocita, so may have to plan a trip to Sugarland. Good luck with your Sorento Search. I'm barely starting my hunt now. :D Alotta autos to go test drive soon. Peace, e.
 
#31 ·
Thanks for the tip! Not quite in the market yet, but looking to buy within the next 6-12 months.

I found this one in OKC that I really like. I really prefer buying private party due to the fact that you get all maintenance records and previous fixes/warranty work documented.

Link
 
#32 ·
Haven't driven the 2016 Sorento so I can't comment on how better/worse the driving compared to my '15 SX.

What I like on the newer Sorentos are the added safety features i.e. around-view, front camera, etc. which weren't present in my '15. The forced 3rd row is what I dislike.

I drive a two-row only SX and I'm glad to get rid of the 3rd row (from my old '12 SX) because it was never used and laid flat 99% of the time. Good thing that I have extra storage now that can take lots of things.

High-tech features (steering mode, pano roof, etc.), good on gas and potent engine are the things that made me bought this 2015 SX.

And it's in Regency Red which is a rare color :)
 
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