Kicking Tires:

Anybody who has read my other auto reviews knows that I'm a "car guy" to the core! Well, this time it's personal ... I've been shopping around for about a year now for the perfect SUV to park in my garage and I found it!

The Kia Sorento was a last minute find. I test drove vehicles ranging from the GMC Envoy XL on the large side to the Suzuki XL-7 on the small side. In between, I drove a Chevy Trailblazer, Honda Pilot, and a Mazda Tribute. I also looked at quite a few other SUV's before determining that Kia is doing something right -- my Sorento is due to be delivered next week. An important note: this is to be my wife's vehicle, and she drove every SUV I did. She is NOT an auto enthusiast -- for her the vehicle had to be easy to drive, easy to park, and it had to be comfortable and quiet. She is a pediatrician, so an all-weather capable vehicle was needed in order to accommodate hospital rounds during the snowy months of the year. We also have a 3-month-old son, so safety was a consideration.

Other reviewers (both here and in other places)have written opinions on the Sorento that I disagree with, and I'll cover some of the points that I think they missed the mark on.


Ride and Handling:

I've read statements criticizing the so-called jittery ride of the Sorento. My experience was quite different. I test drove two different Sorentos and found both to be sure-footed and stable in various conditions and at a variety of speeds. Kia makes it a point to talk about how they combined body-on-frame technology with the space-cages you find in unit-body vehicles. The result is the best of both worlds! You get the strength and durability of a "truck style" frame along with the tightness and rigidity of a unit-body car. I was very impressed with the ride quality of the Sorento! Kia did a first class job of smoothing out the bumps. Is it as smooth as a Lexus RX-300? Nope, but for 15 grand less than a comparably equipped Lexus it's darn close!

Other reviewers blame the supposedly "less than modern" ride on the live rear axle. While it's true that a solid axle vehicle like the Sorento tends not to be as smooth as an independently suspended vehicle when the going gets bumpy, today's modern roads are generally of the smooth and forgiving type. I found that the Sorento was quite comparable to the others I drove -- read that to be smooth and comfortable over most every surface. In fact, it was better than several vehicles that have independent suspensions. The bottom line is that it's not always about which technology lurks under the car, it's about how well executed that technology is. Kia did a pretty good job in my Epinion. As an aside, General Motors did a miraculous job in the same area on their midsize triplets, the Envoy, Trailblazer, and Bravada.

The Sorento's steering has also been criticized as too light. I found it light and quick but not too overassisted. I'm not a fan of light steering, and Kia must have been thinking along the same lines because they included electronically controlled speed sensitive steering in the Sorento. As the speed increases, so does the steering effort. There is room for improvement here, but it's a good start.

One last but important point on ride. Most people who buy SUV's never take them off the road. I found one of the most important tests (for me) during each drive was the amount of wind noise generated in the cabin at highway speed. Some of the quietest vehicles on surface roads were very noisy on the highway. The Sorento pleasantly surprised me by being so quiet at speed that I could carry on a normal conversation even with the sunroof wide open and my wife sitting in the back seat! We were planning to add a deflector to the sunroof (we have one on both of our current vehicles) but, after that ride, realized there was simply no need for it! Another point in the Kia's favor!


Styling:

Kia hit a home run with the styling of the Sorento. There are a lot of SUV's out there and, in my Epinion, most of them look like boxy station wagons on steroids. There are a few, however, that balance sporty styling with good overall capability. In other words, they strike the right chord with their target markets. The Sorento does not disappoint in this department. Take the nameplate off the truck and I defy anyone who doesn't know what it is to guess the manufacturer. In front it looks like a better Honda Pilot than the real one (which is too boxy). From the side it picks up winning cues from the Lexus RX-300 and the Acura MDX, and in back again looks like a sportier version of the Pilot. Unfortunately, the swoopier rear end costs the Sorento some storage capacity but buyers will decide whether space or sport is more important to them.

The Kia also shines on the inside. The interior of the Sorento is comfortable and quite upscale for the money. Again, I disagree with some of the things that have been said about the inside. Claims that the back seat is barely large enough for an average sized person have got me scratching my head because my six foot one inch father found it quite roomy and comfortable. In fact, contrary to claims made by other reviewers, My sense (sitting in the vehicle) was that the Sorento is larger inside than the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Honda CRV, and Hyundai Santa Fe, with a wider, more accommodating seat that will really hold three average sized adults quite comfortably. While individual dimensions may tip the scale in favor of a competitor, it is the overall "real world" feeling of space that I refer to. Even with the driver's seat all the way back I felt there was adequate room in the rear. I am giving up a seven-passenger minivan, so rear seat comfort and space was an important consideration in my quest for a replacement for my Quest (Nissan Quest, that is :-) ).

Several other nice touches in the Sorento include a center headrest and shoulder belt for the middle passenger. Most SUV's don't offer either. The Sorento includes side curtain airbags for both front AND rear passengers -- another rare feature to be appreciated by safety conscious consumers.

The split rear seats folded easily every time for me, and unlike the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute there is a convenient place to stow the headrests if you need a completely flat load floor. If you don't, there's no need to remove them from the seat. In front, the dash is quite handsome and well laid out, with controls within easy sight and reach. Upscale features you wouldn't expect on a Kia are steering wheel controls for the stereo, automatic climate control, heated seats and mirrors, automatic load leveling suspension, altimeter, thermometer, and barometric pressure indicators, as well as Homelink remote control for interfacing with your garage door and "smarthome" systems. I could go on, but you get the idea -- this is one loaded SUV! Some features are only available if you order the "Luxury Package."

Speaking of nice touches, there are a LOT of thoughtful additions that the "big boys" should have picked up on a long time ago. For example, most vehicles now have cup holders, but Kia cleverly molded cup holders into the rear doors that will actually hold the "Supersize" drinks we so often enjoy on the road -- and they did it in a way that doesn't intrude into the cabin! This would seem like a "no-brainer," but the Sorento was the only SUV that sported such a simple and elegant solution.


Performance:

Styling and interior are important, but how does this SUV perform? First, the engine ... Some reviewers would have you believe that the Sorento is underpowered, but I disagree. It's easy to quote horsepower and torque specs, but what is often missed is just when that power comes online. For example, the Mazda Tribute I almost bought had higher horsepower and slightly lower torque specs than the Sorento, but in order to get that horsepower to the road you'd have to almost redline the engine! The Sorento makes it's maximum power at much lower rpms -- the range where most of us drive. I admit it, I'm a lead-foot, but my wife isn't, and so it was much more important that she get the maximum power at the lower rpms she commonly drives at.

What all this means is that the Sorento has more available power more often than the Tribute (and, for that matter, many other competitors). In real world driving I found the power was quite available and acceptable in all situations. I also discovered that the Sorento's trailer tow rating of just 3500 pounds was limited not by the engine and body, but by the trailer hitch Kia contracted out for this year. A Kia spokesman stated in an interview that the true capability of the Sorento is approximately 5000 pounds, and that they are planning to switch hitch providers in the future to take advantage of the full capability of the vehicle. One more note on the engine -- it's a proven Hyundai unit utilizing Mitsubishi electronic technology. For those who don't already know, Hyundai recently bought Kia -- that means Kia instantly benefits from the ten plus years Hyundai has spent improving it's cars and reputation. Kia gets to share in expertise and technology. In fact, at least one (and possibly more) Kia vehicle is a restyled Hyundai, much the same way GM and Ford sell multiple vehicles among their respective divisions using essentially identical hardware underneath.

Kia also delivers on the 4WD system. Few SUV's have the kind of all terrain capability the Sorento delivers, even at a much higher price. The Sorento comes with two different systems. The lower-end system offers 3 settings -- 2W-high, 4W-high, and 4W-low, and it's easily engaged using a dial on the dashboard. The more expensive, "Torque-On-Demand" system has two settings -- AWD and 4W-Low. The system engages 4-wheel drive automatically as needed, and it checks for tire slippage two hundred times every second!

4W-Low is a setting that is almost non-existent in most SUV's, especially the ones derived from cars. In the Kia, it locks in the 4-wheel drive, providing a 50-50 mix of power to both front and back wheels. Most people will never use it, but if you really plan to go "off-roading," or you truly get stuck in the mud or snow, this setting could save you from a date with a tow truck!


Pricing:

The Kia sounds like a real bargain if you watch the commercials currently circulating, and depending on the options you want, it is! I was thisclose to buying a Mazda Tribute, both because it is an impressive vehicle in its own right and because my sister-in-law works for a division of Ford (which owns Mazda), so I could have gotten a really good discount. Instead, I decided on the more expensive (two thousand more the way we equipped it) Kia because I felt it was a fresher looking vehicle with a nicer interior, more options, and better 4-wheel drive capability. It was more comfortable than the Suzuki XL-7 and Honda Pilot (which, believe it or not, doesn't have adjustable headrests), more nimble and maneuverable than the GM triplets, and quite simply the best combination of bang for the buck! Add the fantastic warranty, 5-year roadside assistance, and use of established components, and it's hard to argue any other way.


To Summarize:

The Sorento is a great first year vehicle! It could stand to be improved in several ways -- better firewall insulation to keep engine noise filtered out during hard acceleration, more choice in option packages -- what I mean, for example, is that if I could have ordered the vehicle with everything EXCEPT leather seats I would have, but in order to get some of the options I wanted, I had to take the leather. It could have more power and better gas mileage. But having said that, I liked the vehicle enough just as it is, that I'm putting one in my garage! Overall I was extremely impressed by how much thought Kia put into this vehicle and I'm looking forward to a long and enjoyable ownership experience! I will keep you informed as the miles rack up.

December 5 Update

Well, we've had the Sorento for several weeks now. It is almost through it's break-in period, with close to 600 miles on the odometer, and so far we couldn't be more pleased with the vehicle! Fit and finish are comparable to mainstream Japanese products, and mechanically the Kia hasn't missed a beat!

Everyone who has seen or ridden in it has raved about how nice they think it is, and we've even discovered additional features we didn't realize it had! For example, most vehicles have a trip odometer but the Sorento gives you two! I often take road trips so this will be a really handy feature -- I can start odometer "A" at the beginning of my trip and use odometer "B" to measure individual legs, both for accuracy against my "Mapquest" directions and for gas mileage calculations as the miles roll by.

Speaking of gas mileage, we haven't yet compared ours to the advertised ratings (my wife isn't much into that stuff), but I'll try to get an update on that once the break-in is complete. I plan to start using synthetic oil in the Sorento as soon as it's broken in -- I've had great success with Mobil-one in my older cars, and anticipate improved gas mileage with this one as well. Stay tuned!

January 18 2003 Update

Our Sorento now has 2500 miles on the clock. Most of the driving can be classified as "city", and the mileage is just shy of 15mpg on average. This figure represents a combination of my wife's more frugal driving style and my lead-footed one. I expect it to continue to improve as the engine continues to break-in. Sometime soon I hope to get a highway "loop" completed so I can report on a "best mileage scenario."

As far as complaints, overall we've been very pleased with our Kia. There are a few minor issues which the dealer is attending to, but nothing out of the ordinary. When I have a chance I'll get into more detail, but for now stay tuned and know that we are loving our Sorento!

April 29, 2003 Update

We've got just over 8000 miles on the odometer. Finally took that long road trip -- eight hours up and ten hours back with a very full vehicle (I was traveling with my wife, parents, 9 month old son, and 5 month old puppy). The Sorento exceeded my expectations in almost every way! We had a car-top shell on the roof rack and a utility platform plugged into the trailer hitch with a lawnmower hanging off the back. It looked like we were going on African safari!

Amazingly, the Sorento was almost as quiet with outside loads attached as it normally is without them! My father (who drove several legs and owns a Lincoln LS for comparison) kept commenting on how impressed he was with the comfort, dead-straight highway tracking, smoothness, power, and quietness of this truck. Gas mileage with everything hanging off the truck and an average speed between seventy and eighty mph was also impressive, in the fifteen to seventeen mpg range.

We concluded that the seats could use just a little more posterior "give" (though nobody suffered any major aches or pains after hours in the truck) and there could be a little more room for the drivers right foot when the cruise control is set and you're off the gas pedal. Back seat comfort was fine, although it would be great if Kia put headrests into future Sorentos that move forward and back as well as up and down (like the front seat headrests do). But hey -- I'm not going to complain too much when Honda doesn't have enough sense to put any sort of adjustable headrests into the FRONT seats of the Pilot (which, by the way, is the reason we didn't buy a Pilot -- my wife couldn't get comfortable!)

I still haven't had a chance to check highway mileage without the aerodynamics compromised, but I get a sense from this trip that it is slowly going up (as expected), and that it is probably in the 18 - 20 mpg range.

Last update I mentioned some minor warranty issues -- things like a rear dome light that didn't always want to go on and doors that don't stay open on more than a slight incline. The dealer has corrected the dome light problem with a new latch switch, and has ordered some parts to fix the door issue. We've been very happy with the quality of service from our Kia Dealer (Liberty Auto Plaza in Libertyville, IL) and expect to keep enjoying our ownership experience with Sorento!

March 5, 2008 Update

Hiya Folks!

I apologize for letting this go for so long but it's certainly appropriate to give you all the update on our Sorento! We now have 65,000 miles on it, most of which have been trouble free. The truck still rides like new, it's still quieter on the highway than most other vehicles in it's class, and we've been very pleased with it overall!

This is not to say that it's been without some aches and pains. The biggest aggravation over the years has been front disc brake rotors that warp prematurely. Apparently Kia has replaced them under warranty for many people who felt they went bad much too soon. Unfortunately, I chocked up my bad brakes to the weather conditions in Chicago and since I use a private mechanic for most regular wear items or do the work myself I never questioned the dealer about the brakes. After several rounds with the OEM rotors I went to aftermarket slotted and dimpled "performance" rotors and have not had any further brake issues.

Some other minor issues have cropped up, but overall the Sorento has proven to be a smart buy and an enjoyable vehicle to own. our family has grown since the last update, and we've since purchased a larger SUV to swallow all the "stuff." As a result, we no longer ask the Sorento to do all the things it originally was asked to do and when we replace it we'll be buying a more fuel efficient (but still AWD) vehicle.

My suggestions to current and future Kia owners is to make sure you keep all your regular maintainance up to date and documented, because I've heard that Kia can be a stickler for this if failures occur. Their warranty lasts a long time but in order to have it honored you need to prove to Kia that you've upheld your end of the agreement completely.

Having said that, I would still recommend the Sorento to anybody that wants a reliable, well equipped vehicle that has (for us at least) lived up to the promises we bought into (literally) five years ago! Kia has steadily improved on this vehicle, and now offers several new engine choices that both beat the original in power AND fuel economy. I commend Kia for doing like Porsche does and refining a "now proven" design. There are still ways the Sorento can get better, but it started out as a very nice SUV to begin with and continues to be a solid choice in a crowded market.

Oh, by the way ... Several readers have left comments and/or asked questions which I addressed in the comments section below... click on the link for more detail on our ownership experience to date, or if you'd like to leave your own comment. The oldest comments are at the bottom of the page so it makes more sense to start there and work your way back up to the top -- then my answers make more sense because you will have already read the statements or questions I'm referring to.

Last, if you enjoyed reading my Epinion and/or found it helpful, please take a moment to let me know by rating it -- Thanks!
Amount Paid (US$): 26500
Condition: New
Model Year: 2003
Model and Options: EX with virtually every option