LOL Its on the bottom now in my 2019 Sorento SX. That was an earlier version with it on top. Oil capacity is also much more around 7L. Not sure what the changes but more oil must help the engine last longer.

Yep a V6 would certainly make me consider one with a V6. I would not have a 4 cly, especially a Kia engine of any type. I wouldn't need a Teluride either. Too big for two of us as well.

 

Yes I remember the V6 valve cover leaking oil into the alternator. The alternator would fail and you would end up stranded. They had a recall to fix this but if you did not get the notice in time you got to find out first hand. It usually wiped out the battery. I spotted the leak and had the dealer fix it before the factory recall came out. That was a 2008 which I traded in in 2021. That car had the wacky key fob that you stuck into a slot to start the car but you did not need to. You could start the car as long as the key fob was in the car.

 

Off the line power is not really the engine issue... it is mapping and delivering power to the wheels (tranny - more mapping limits).

As for 5-minute oil change - how often do you do that? I would prefer 45-minute oil change for 1-hour spark plugs replacement as opposed to 6 hours replacing spark plugs on V6 in KIA Rondo. Yes, overall it is the same time in the end, but very inconvenient job.

 

We used to own a 2021 Santa Fe Sel that had the N/A 4cylinder engine in it. This would get you where you wanted to go but acceleration was slow.

We had to replace the Santa Fe this year, and my wife wanted certain features in the new vehicle we would buy. After looking around we decided on a 2025 KIA Sorento EX, AWD. One nice feature that the vehicle offered was the 2.5L Turbo Charged engine over the N/A 2.5L engine. This car has more acceleration over the N/A engine and more responsiveness to the input power in my humble opinion.

I know some users of the Hyundai vehicles do not really like the dual clutch auto transmissions in them. But I for one like the transmission, we had one in our 2011, VW TDI Jetta, and I am familiar with the characteristics and operating ability of the transmission.

 

For any Turbo, you'll need to change the engine oil a lot sooner than specified. Thats if you want to keep it past warranty. Turbo are prone to blowing up (coming apart), maybe they're making them better and might last a little longer. They're under a lot of stress as is the engine. It causes even the best oil to degrade quickly.

 

I am very familiar with TURBO Charge engines and the requirements for them. As I have been around Turbo Charge engines since the early 70's in machines and vehicles. Counting our 2025, Sorento and the several Dodge/Ram trucks with the Cummins engine in them. That I and my two sons and grandson own will add up to 6 trucks plus a Chevy Duramax and Ford Tarus SHO, this will make a total of 8 turbo charge engines. With no failures on any of them.

I also disagree with your statement, and I quote "For any Turbo, you'll need to change the engine oil a lot sooner than specified."

The manufacture (as I am a retired vehicle engineer) will specify in the O&M guide the maintenance intervals and requirements, these should be followed. Also, all documentation should be kept as to service dates and specified oil weights.

 

I believe that is the son in the thumbnail pics. I believe Dave is the dad and owner. They have a very popular shop for gas and diesel. They appear and sound like they treat their customers very fairly. I am not familiar with their pricing but I understand diesel trucks and cars carry a high maintenance dollar requirement so what sounds expensive to me may be very reasonable to others. Jm.02$worth.