The Fall/Winter 2005-2006 Issue of Motor Trend picked the Kia Sorento as the Compact SUV Winner over 15 entries.
Just got hold of Motor Trend's 2005/2006 Fall/Winter issue with their Editor's Choice and Best in Class Awards. Here are the picks:
1. Among Compact SUVs (an enigma considering they originally classified the Kia Sorento as midsize), the Kia Sorento is the winner, with the Ford Escape as honorable mention. The category included 15 SUVs, including the Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Escape, Land Rover Freelander, Mazda Tribute, Mitsubishi Outlander, Suzuki Vitara XL7, Chevy Tracker (Grand Vitara), Chevy Blazer, Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra (2004 model), etc.
2. Midsize SUV was broken down into 3 subcategories:
a. Midsize Under US$35K winner: Toyota 4Runner (Hon. Mention: Chevy Trailblazer)
b. Midsize Over US$35K winner: VW Touareg (H.M: Acura MDX)
c. Overall Winner: Lexus GX 470. (H.M. Volvo XC90)
3. Fullsize SUV winner: Dodge Durango (H.M. Toyota Sequioa)
It's noteworthy that the 4Runner and the GX470 are, really, the same vehicles and is known locally as the Toyoto Land Cruiser Prado. The Lexus, though is the high tech version, with better suspension and variable height adjustment, etc. Of course, the V8 engines make a world of a difference as well.
The Sorento surprises because, first, MT used to classify it as midsize, although by what measure remains a mystery:
If by size, the BMWX3 Mercedes M Class, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Isuzu Rodeo, Lexus RX330 have similar dimensions, but they remain in the midsize category.
If by engine displacement, the Sorento's 3.5 liter V6 is certainly bigger than the X5's 3.0 liter or the Isuzu Rodeo's 3.2 liters or the Lexus LX330 or the Toyota Highlander's 3.3 liters, etc. So why is the Sorento under compact?
The only thing compact about the Sorento is its base price of under US$20 grand (with all the add-ons, it goes up to over US$30,000, however - so this criterion can be deceiving).
In 2003, MT failed to include the Sorento in their Car of the year shootout (was it because they did not get a hold of a test unit in time for the tests?). In 2004, they kind of recognized its performance in a comparo between the Jeep Liberty and Suzuki XL7 (The Sorento came in 2nd for best balance between on- and off-road performance). It didn't qualify for the 2004 COTY because it was no longer a NEW SUV for 2004.
For 2005, they give it "Best compact SUV (see above). What gives?
Other winners, FYI:
1. Ultimate Performance SUV: MB G500 (HM: Porsche Cayenne Turbo)
2. Compact 2WD Ext Cab Pickup: Toyota Tacoma PreRunner (Hilux?)
(Hon. Mention: Chevy Colorado (Isuzu D-Max?)
The only SUVs not represented in the mix are the Nissan Patrol and Nissan Xtrail. Well, if you include the other korean marques, the SSangyong Rexton, Korando pair as well.
Fellow owners of Kia Sorento in the Philippines, rejoice! The 3.5 EX model has been an excellent choice for me. I've driven it for 15,000 kms since I bought mine in June and have had zero problems. More than half of those miles were driven over awful roads (have you driven the Quirino highway in Bicol recently? Well, I drive over it at least twice a month -- and I don't really slow down when I pass over deep ruts) and offroad. I visit real estate that is 26 kms away from the nearest dirt road and traverse some pretty bad boulder/dirt hills to get there (Caramoan peninsula, if you must ask).
So far, the worst thing to happen was a tiny squeak coming from the front end after such a trip. Back in Manila, I rocked the Sorento sideways a few times, trying to find the source of the squeak, and, lo and behold -- the squeak's gone. On my next tune-up, I will consult Bong of Signet about this very trivial issue, just in case it comes back.
When I first got the Sorento, it used to cost me a tankful and some (of premium unleaded) to get from Quezon City to Naga City (about 450 kms or about P2.400). Six months and 14,000 kms later, it now costs me about 3/4 of a tank of gas to cover the same distance. The owner's manual does, in fact, point this out, that as the engine gets "settled," gas consumption will improve. In June, I got 5-7kms per liter. Today I get 6-9 kms per liter, depending on the mix of driving I do (city and hiway).
With all the hype other brands are doing for their SUVs, it's unfortunate the Sorento is not getting the accolade it deserves; I know Kia probably does not have enough marketing pesos to spend for what they perceive to be a limited market for their ladder-frame/solid axle/traditional SUV (Philippine drivers, being more biased towards riding comfort/soft ride/van-type city driving, will default on the softroaders and crossover type SUVs as well as the AUVs pretending to be SUVs kind.
With the diesel LX version, I expect to see more Sorentos on the road. On my daily commute along Edsa (QC to Makati), I'd be lucky to see 1 or 2 other Sorentos on the road (I see at least 1 Sorento in the Signet Boni showroom, if it's any consolation. IN the Makati area, I see a couple, if I were to stand at the corner of Ayala and Makati avenues a good 4-6 hours in a day.
Also, local car mags haven't updated their prices. The Sorento EX 3.5 liter now retails at P1,520,000 no longer P1,380,000 (old price). The diesel models range from P1,090,000 to P1,190,000, according to my Kia Makati friend.
This is like a call in the wilderness: Are there other guys out there (Philippines) with Sorentos? Would love to hear from you.
Just got hold of Motor Trend's 2005/2006 Fall/Winter issue with their Editor's Choice and Best in Class Awards. Here are the picks:
1. Among Compact SUVs (an enigma considering they originally classified the Kia Sorento as midsize), the Kia Sorento is the winner, with the Ford Escape as honorable mention. The category included 15 SUVs, including the Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Escape, Land Rover Freelander, Mazda Tribute, Mitsubishi Outlander, Suzuki Vitara XL7, Chevy Tracker (Grand Vitara), Chevy Blazer, Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra (2004 model), etc.
2. Midsize SUV was broken down into 3 subcategories:
a. Midsize Under US$35K winner: Toyota 4Runner (Hon. Mention: Chevy Trailblazer)
b. Midsize Over US$35K winner: VW Touareg (H.M: Acura MDX)
c. Overall Winner: Lexus GX 470. (H.M. Volvo XC90)
3. Fullsize SUV winner: Dodge Durango (H.M. Toyota Sequioa)
It's noteworthy that the 4Runner and the GX470 are, really, the same vehicles and is known locally as the Toyoto Land Cruiser Prado. The Lexus, though is the high tech version, with better suspension and variable height adjustment, etc. Of course, the V8 engines make a world of a difference as well.
The Sorento surprises because, first, MT used to classify it as midsize, although by what measure remains a mystery:
If by size, the BMWX3 Mercedes M Class, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Isuzu Rodeo, Lexus RX330 have similar dimensions, but they remain in the midsize category.
If by engine displacement, the Sorento's 3.5 liter V6 is certainly bigger than the X5's 3.0 liter or the Isuzu Rodeo's 3.2 liters or the Lexus LX330 or the Toyota Highlander's 3.3 liters, etc. So why is the Sorento under compact?
The only thing compact about the Sorento is its base price of under US$20 grand (with all the add-ons, it goes up to over US$30,000, however - so this criterion can be deceiving).
In 2003, MT failed to include the Sorento in their Car of the year shootout (was it because they did not get a hold of a test unit in time for the tests?). In 2004, they kind of recognized its performance in a comparo between the Jeep Liberty and Suzuki XL7 (The Sorento came in 2nd for best balance between on- and off-road performance). It didn't qualify for the 2004 COTY because it was no longer a NEW SUV for 2004.
For 2005, they give it "Best compact SUV (see above). What gives?
Other winners, FYI:
1. Ultimate Performance SUV: MB G500 (HM: Porsche Cayenne Turbo)
2. Compact 2WD Ext Cab Pickup: Toyota Tacoma PreRunner (Hilux?)
(Hon. Mention: Chevy Colorado (Isuzu D-Max?)
The only SUVs not represented in the mix are the Nissan Patrol and Nissan Xtrail. Well, if you include the other korean marques, the SSangyong Rexton, Korando pair as well.
Fellow owners of Kia Sorento in the Philippines, rejoice! The 3.5 EX model has been an excellent choice for me. I've driven it for 15,000 kms since I bought mine in June and have had zero problems. More than half of those miles were driven over awful roads (have you driven the Quirino highway in Bicol recently? Well, I drive over it at least twice a month -- and I don't really slow down when I pass over deep ruts) and offroad. I visit real estate that is 26 kms away from the nearest dirt road and traverse some pretty bad boulder/dirt hills to get there (Caramoan peninsula, if you must ask).
So far, the worst thing to happen was a tiny squeak coming from the front end after such a trip. Back in Manila, I rocked the Sorento sideways a few times, trying to find the source of the squeak, and, lo and behold -- the squeak's gone. On my next tune-up, I will consult Bong of Signet about this very trivial issue, just in case it comes back.
When I first got the Sorento, it used to cost me a tankful and some (of premium unleaded) to get from Quezon City to Naga City (about 450 kms or about P2.400). Six months and 14,000 kms later, it now costs me about 3/4 of a tank of gas to cover the same distance. The owner's manual does, in fact, point this out, that as the engine gets "settled," gas consumption will improve. In June, I got 5-7kms per liter. Today I get 6-9 kms per liter, depending on the mix of driving I do (city and hiway).
With all the hype other brands are doing for their SUVs, it's unfortunate the Sorento is not getting the accolade it deserves; I know Kia probably does not have enough marketing pesos to spend for what they perceive to be a limited market for their ladder-frame/solid axle/traditional SUV (Philippine drivers, being more biased towards riding comfort/soft ride/van-type city driving, will default on the softroaders and crossover type SUVs as well as the AUVs pretending to be SUVs kind.
With the diesel LX version, I expect to see more Sorentos on the road. On my daily commute along Edsa (QC to Makati), I'd be lucky to see 1 or 2 other Sorentos on the road (I see at least 1 Sorento in the Signet Boni showroom, if it's any consolation. IN the Makati area, I see a couple, if I were to stand at the corner of Ayala and Makati avenues a good 4-6 hours in a day.
Also, local car mags haven't updated their prices. The Sorento EX 3.5 liter now retails at P1,520,000 no longer P1,380,000 (old price). The diesel models range from P1,090,000 to P1,190,000, according to my Kia Makati friend.
This is like a call in the wilderness: Are there other guys out there (Philippines) with Sorentos? Would love to hear from you.