Quote:
Originally posted by Australian@Nov 6 2004, 02:36 PM
3 year old Tribute to be replaced in January. Loved the Tribute ..... will I be happy with the Sorento
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Depends on what you're looking for in a SUV. Coming from a Tribute, you'd have been used to a car-like ride, and would have mediocre off-road capability. The Sorento is based on a truck platform (body on frame) and live axle, so the ride is firm and kinda skittish on road ripples. Off road, however, the same characteristics plus its low-range gearing gives it rock-crawling abilities you couldn't expect from a Tribute/Escape, RAV4, CRV, Pilot, Highlander or Xtrail -- these are all so-called softroaders.
As a truck-based SUV, the Sorento handles very well, both on- and off-road. Build quality is excellent, which is more than I can say for my '99 Expedition. Engine power is decent, and acceleration is much better than Tribute/Escape's (Sorento's 192 bhp 3.5 liter V6 versus Tribute's 201 bhp, 3.0 liter V6, just doesn't seem to translate to a Mazda/Ford advantage).
I've had mine for almost 5 months and logged 15,000 kms on it, about 3,000 offroad on really boulder-strewn riverbanks and lahar riverbeds, and I am just amazed that this SUV was built by Kia. While the Patrol and the Pajero may be more stable (primarily because of its size), the Sorento's compact size and lower center of gravity makes it more nimble and confident during high speed maneuvers on the highway.
I get freaked out when someone parks too close to me in the parking lot 
I rented a Ford Escape last winter while snow skiing and I found it to be a very capable vehicle. It was a nice and comfortable ride although it had a very cheap and chinsey feeling inside.
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