This is a review of my 2016 Kia Sorento SX AWD. Prod date 2/15!

General Notices-
A. I would not buy this car yet. There seem to be errors in the production specifications. The 2016 produced this early has issues. Wait for Kia to figure them out and fix.

Issues-

1. All prior and current year Kia models with the EX Premium package come with ventilated front seats. The 2016 Sedona SX does (almost identical car), the Sorento SXL does. All except the 2016 SX with EX Premium package! This is most likely a production error. If you want ventilated seats and this model, beware. Wait for Kia to iron out the mistake.

The EX Premium package is standard on the SX. Not an option. Do not be fooled by others contradicting this. It is factual Kia Sorento options and standard equipment. The brochure shows this.

The 2015 Sorento SX brochure shows the SX and SXL both as having ventilated seats. They both have the EX Premium package as standard equipment.

That's great. As pointed out before, this is a 2016, not a 2015. The 2016 brochure does not list the SX as having ventilated seats. Things change. And there is no EX premium package on any vehicle but the EX trim (which is why it is called the EX premium package) and the EX premium package on the EX does not have ventilated seats either. In one of your documents you posted features from a dealers site. Yes, I have seen the same thing. Every dealer I looked at listed the SX as having ventilated seats. However, Kia doesn't list it as a feature. When I questioned several dealers about it I pretty much got the same response from all...they just used the 2015 features info on the web site.

3. The Map/Nav unit in the 2016 was loaded with 2015 software/firmware. Per Kia Map update center, Kia had to put something in to make it turn on, but the 2016 head unit is a different model than the 2015 and the software/firmware will not work correctly. Symtoms included incorrect routes to destinations, can't find address's, etc. Tested against a Garmin unit which didn't have any of the issue's the 2016 Kia one has.
Solution is to wait until the REAL time frame a 2016 model would come out in October 2015 for the Update for Maps to make it work correctly. Per Kia map update center.

Technically, you are correct in that the head unit is loaded with 2015 software but it is not a problem and is the correct software. Yes, the 2016 head unit in the Sorento is different than the one in the 2015 Sorento. But it is the SAME head unit as found in the 2014 and 2015 Soul, the 2015 Optima and the 2015 Sedona. This means it runs the same software as those vehicles. Which means it is not loaded with incorrect software that doesn't work correctly. If there was an issue with the software all those vehicles would be having the same problem as you say yours is having. While I believe it is entirely possible you were told this by the map update company, it is incorrect that Kia loaded the wrong software on the unit just so it would power on. See the attached file which shows that the 2016 Sorento has the same unit as the other vehicles I mentioned.

 

The 2016 brochure does not list the SX as having ventilated seats. Things change.

Just a comment on the seats. I guess things do change. I wanted ventilated seats and was told I had to get the SXL...so I did.

Two weeks later, on the showroom floor at the dealership...there was an SX with ventilated seats. I inquired about it and even the sales person was surprised. I noticed it immediately, because it did not have the Napa Valley seats, but the tan interior leather seats.

It may have been a special order, because one week later while at the dealership, it pulled up on the lot driven by the dealership owner.

 

Snip

Come on man, calm down. There is a block or ignore user function if he bothers you that much. No need to have a spaz attack or use that kind of language on the forum.

He is simply stating his point, you can then do 2 things with it:

1 - Ignore it because you think it is a load of useless crap.
2 - Counter it with your own points while still maintaining the level of respect he had for you.

I won't say you are wrong, because I simply do not know and we have different trims here in Canada. I will say that if the website stated it comes with those features, then call Kia america's head office and take it up with them. I have to admit that I am surprised your sx doesn't come with the vented seats as even the ex luxury package had them before.

 

Snip

I posted the file to show that the 2016 Sorento has the same nav unit as other 2014 and 2015 models. Meaning it didn't have 2015 software incorrectly loaded on it just so Kia could get it to power on as you state. Yes, there could be issues with the software that may be fixed in Oct. But it certainly isn't because they used the wrong software on the unit.

You have yet to show in any 2016 Sorento documents provided by Kia that the SX should have had ventilated seats. You keep posting 2015 info and Sedona SX info. You can say the SX has the EX premium package all you want but it still doesn't have ventilated seats on the 2016s. It appears they dropped it for 2016. I never have anything on Kia's site that said the EX or SX had ventilated seats.

I don't know why you think these are production mistakes and will be magically corrected in October. The Sorento has been in production for 7+ months now.

 

21016 Sorento review

Thanks! No mistakes in post information.

 

Ventilated Seats - No mistakes

In this attachment, which is from the Kia Site, you can see all the EX items are standard under the SX column. There, done deal, EX package IS part of SX standard features. Enough proof?

So with that said, all Kia's prior to 2016 that had an EX Premium package, wether as an option or as standard equipment, all had Ventilated Front Seats in that package.

In 2016, Kia dropped the Ventilated Seats from the Sorento SX and lower only. Her article shows the SX as having Ventilated Front Seats. They do not. Only the SXL, at a hefty $4,000 higher price has them. And this is in a package called Technology which means you get things like camera's all around the vehicle. who would pair Ventilated Seats with $4,000 Camera's?

Other models in the SX trim DO have ventilated seats still. Like the Sedona.

So wouldn't this make you wonder, WTF happened? It did to me. The SX Sorento SHOULD have the ventilated front seats.

Wait for Kia to uncover and fix this mistake!

 

In this attachment, which is from the Kia Site, you can see all the EX items are standard under the SX column. There, done deal, EX package IS part of SX standard features. Enough proof?

So with that said, all Kia's prior to 2016 that had an EX Premium package, wether as an option or as standard equipment, all had Ventilated Front Seats in that package.

In 2016, Kia dropped the Ventilated Seats from the Sorento SX and lower only. Her article shows the SX as having Ventilated Front Seats. They do not. Only the SXL, at a hefty $4,000 higher price has them. And this is in a package called Technology which means you get things like camera's all around the vehicle. who would pair Ventilated Seats with $4,000 Camera's?

Other models in the SX trim DO have ventilated seats still. Like the Sedona.

So wouldn't this make you wonder, WTF happened? It did to me. The SX Sorento SHOULD have the ventilated front seats.

Wait for Kia to uncover and fix this mistake!

Different year, different vehicle. I don't get all the fuss. We already know the EX features are included on the SX trim AND THEN SOME. If you want "ventilated seats", you have to get the SXL. Just like if you want a heated steering wheel you have to get the SXL. Just like if you want Napa Leather you have to get the SXL. What's the issue here? I see no "mistake".

 

Funny how SX (US or CAD model) have dropped the ventilated seats, wherein they've been there ever since '11 SX showed up in showrooms.

 

Yea but the Sorento as whole has stepped up in quality since 2011. You are never going to get all of those features PLUS a smoother and more refined vehicle for that price point.

 

I see there are others on this forum now with issues of No Illuminated Scuff Trim, ventillated seats, Nav issues.

My dealer said last week they are getting alot of complaints about the Nav unit not mapping properly, and the contact download notice everytime you start the car. Update should come out in a month.

 

Car shakes all the time like an out of balance tire. But all tires have been Road Force balanced by dealer and said they do not shake. Then where is the shake from? It's consistant, very fatiguing on long drives.

 

Really? Mine doesn't.....

 

Where did you get it and when?

 

I find it interesting that in Canada the ventilated seats are standard at the SX level vs the higher trim SX+ which is somewhat of a counterpart to the SXL in the U.S. With much more hot weather to be found in the U.S., you'd think ventilated seats would be available at lower trim level. There must be "interesting conversations between the marketing folks on the one hand and the price conscious bean counters on the other.
In Canadian cars ventilated eats are available with standard leather seats in the SX and Nappa in the SX+ whereas in the much larger U.S. market ventilated seats only available with nappa leather on the SXL.
I also find it interesting that "heating steering wheel" which I love, is only available at the Limited level, so all those folks in the northern tier of the U.S.are out of luck unless get the Limited trim.
Doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.
Must be missing something.

 

UPDATE 10/17/15
The 2016 brochures are out now for all models other than early release Sorento. All models with an SX version have Ventilated Front Seats. Just like the 2015's including Sorento. And all except the 2016 Sorento. Kia is working on a campaign for this issue.

 

Thanks for the info. Just curious - what do you mean when you say Kia is working on a campaign for this issue? And also curious where you get that info from.

 

I doubt they are working on a campaign for not having ventilated seats as campaigns are usually for safety recalls or safety issues.

I could see them putting out a document that addresses the Sorento not having ventilated seats like they did for the lighting kit that was supposed to change color but they made it so it would always be red. It was just an informational document stating the change.

 

KIA MAP center was saying back in April 15 that update wouldn't be available until Oct 15. I called last week and found out it was released in June 15! Nobody called me. So I got the update installed, Vers 9.5. Haven't tested it yet, but do know it didn't fix the annoying thing that comes on everytime I start my car about contacts failing to download and to contact Kia customer service. Called the update center back on this and they said they are still working on a fix and that it will be a Kia Campaign under warranty fix when it gets done.

 

I don't know who you are talking to but they are giving you bad info. Map updates are released in June and December. Version 9.0 was released in June, 9.5 is being released in December. Your screenshot shows you have version 9. 2016 KIA Sorento Map Update - Map Updates And version 9 was just a map update for the 2016 Sorento, no software update.

 

Got the info from Western Regional Center manager. It means that Kia will issue a TSB for anyone who complains for not having the ventilated seats that all prior SX models and Sorento's do have and all current models with SX do have, and add it to their vehicles under warranty.

 

Got the info from Western Regional Center manager. It means that Kia will issue a Campaign for anyone who complains for not having the ventilated seats that all prior SX models and Sorento's do have and all current models with SX do have, and add it to their vehicles under warranty.

I highly doubt that will happen. Then I guess they need to issue a campaign for the SX-L too since the 2015 came with HID auto leveling headlights and the 2016 doesn't?

 

I admit it, I called the Ventilated Seat issue the wrong name. Call it TSB=Technical Service Bulletin, or whatever you want. It's one where they only act on the warranty work if the customer brings it up. If the customer has no idea their car is missing something that all the other ones have, or have had for a certain model then Kia won't volunteer the info. I know I am missing it and I am going to be first when it comes out.

 

Here are all the version numbers.
9.5 for the Sorento is NAM.08.47.44.552.003.1 which is not the version you say you have.
SD Matrix

 

No longer own a Sorento, but I saw in my Consumer Reports that I just received yesterday that the Sorento got very good ratings with the latest model. I am not in the market, but I think I would have it on my short list for one of the vehicles to test drive. In about 7 years I will be looking to replace our 2012 Highlander Limited (great vehicle) the Sorento will look just as good as the 2016 and still be rated as well. So many things change in vehicles so who knows what kind of Suv's will be available.

 

Nov 5th - very extensive video review from Alex on Autos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4MtD6fjiFU

 

Latest Update on Issues with 2016 Sorento

12/17/15 Heard from Anrew Reyes at Kia Rgional Center that they WILL NOT be fixing the Nav Unit update to 9.5 under warranty. Back in April 2015, NM Soft, Kia's division for the Nav Unit software, said the fix for them putting 2015 software into the 2016 head unit (incompatible) so it would turn on for customers when the 2016 Sorneto was released REALLY early, was for customers to wait until October 2015 for the 9.5 update. October came and went as NM Soft said the 9.5 update was delayed until Decemeber 2015. Now that it's finally out, KIA is DENYING to fix the probelm under warranty!

Low blow Kia!

In another Low Blow from Kia, the Western Regional Center has also said they WILL NOT be suppying the Missing Illuminated Scuff Trim that SX Sorento's are supposed to come with. The SX and SXL do not share the same wiring harness. The SXL physically has the Illuminated Scuff Trim. So there is no wiring for the Illuminated Scuff Trim on an SX, eventhough it is supposed to come with it. Legal actions to follow I'm sure. Possibly class action.

Kia moles on this site slam negative posts. So get ready for them to appear on this thread.

 

I thought they were hamsters.

Kia moles on this site slam negative posts. So get ready for them to appear on this thread.

 

from Kia Western Regional Center.

 

See, told you so. fyi... I only post factual information given to me by Kia Customer service, the Western Regional office, NM Soft, a dealer, a print put or other documentation. I never post my own interpretation. That would not be good reporting, and would do no good to forum seekers if I did that. If you look back at the early posts, you'll see pictures to collaborate the evidence.

 

The only information you've posted on the navigation issue is that you were told that incompatible 2015 software was loaded on the 2016. There is no evidence anywhere to back this up. All the information I've posted can be found online. I even posted a picture of what the 2015 software looks like (from Kia's web site)...which is nothing like the 2016.

 

I wouldn't hold my breath on Kia giving you the ventilated seats either, altaski. Despite what you previously believed, you have not gotten the software update and illuminated panels.

 

Kia has now refused to honor their word from NM Soft that they would warranty update to 9.5 from 8.5. Will be part of Lemon Claim. I think I make a new bumper sticker. POST SOON.

 

Thought you posted a couple months ago that they gave you the 9.5 update before it was officially released?

http://www.kia-forums.com/2016-sorento/208993-latest-maps-version-5.html#post1268322

You even called me an idiot and said I was speaking without knowledge when I tried to tell you that you didn't have 9.5 and continued to insist in several threads that you had 9.5.

For a lemon law claim to be accepted the issues have to substantially impair the use of, or safety of the vehicle.

 

I want to see lemon car, so please post some pictures!

 

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Secondly, if you come across what you feel is forum abuse, report it, but do not report and retaliate yourself within the thread.