So, I just traded my black 2005 Lexus RX330 w/nav in for a 2005 black Kia Sorento EX with the LUX package. One of the salesmen said he'd heard that Lexus sold the RX300 body build to Kia. Upon comparing the Sorento to an RX300, I would be inclined to believe him, eventhough he is a car salesman (achem). Does anyone know if that's true? Or did Kia just use the RX300 as an influence?
Funny thing - I park in a big building in downtown Chicago, and some of the garage attendants were telling me how the first few days after I made the trade, when they saw it, they didn't even realize that it wasn't a Lexus anymore! They've all been asking me with wonder in their eyes why I would trade in my Lexus for a Kia, and if I like the Kia. To be honest, I've only seen two Sorentos on the road here in the last two weeks. One looked like it was a few years old, and the other new. Lots of Sportages around, but not many Sorentos. Odd, I think, especially given the great value, warranty and looks of the car.
Overall, I must say that I'm glad with my decision. The RX330 now seems like a vastly overpriced car in comparison to the Sorento, especially given the way that it guzzled gas and the much worse steering ratio. I only wish Kia offered nav as an option. Regardless, it all worked out great, and the Pioneer AVIC-D1 I just had installed looks factory-installed (as posted in the tech forum). My next project is to remove the rear labels on the car, and change the grille for the chrome Korean one, with the matching wheel labels. That KIA grille is an eyesore!
Anyway, glad to have found this forum! Thanks for all the great info.
Funny thing - I park in a big building in downtown Chicago, and some of the garage attendants were telling me how the first few days after I made the trade, when they saw it, they didn't even realize that it wasn't a Lexus anymore! They've all been asking me with wonder in their eyes why I would trade in my Lexus for a Kia, and if I like the Kia. To be honest, I've only seen two Sorentos on the road here in the last two weeks. One looked like it was a few years old, and the other new. Lots of Sportages around, but not many Sorentos. Odd, I think, especially given the great value, warranty and looks of the car.
Overall, I must say that I'm glad with my decision. The RX330 now seems like a vastly overpriced car in comparison to the Sorento, especially given the way that it guzzled gas and the much worse steering ratio. I only wish Kia offered nav as an option. Regardless, it all worked out great, and the Pioneer AVIC-D1 I just had installed looks factory-installed (as posted in the tech forum). My next project is to remove the rear labels on the car, and change the grille for the chrome Korean one, with the matching wheel labels. That KIA grille is an eyesore!
Anyway, glad to have found this forum! Thanks for all the great info.