Kia Sorento as tow cars

[Wolves55]

Hi we are thinking of buying a Kia Sorento Manual or Auto. We tow a Bailey Unicorn Panploma twin axel. We are looking at 2005 to 2008 model. Does anyone tow with the Sorento, if so what do you think of the fuel return, reliability and performance.

Cheers Brian

 

[SteveW77]

Performance & reliability are first class, as for fuel consumption, it's a heavy 4x4 and the return is not great,but then I don't know any other comparable 4x4 that's a lot better.

I have had three Sorentos, one of each model. As a tow car the 2008 model is far superior to the latest front wheel drive versions.

Steve W

 

[Wolves55]

Thanx Steve thats very helpful, did you have the manal or auto.

 

[drsorento]

Great all round car, brilliant tow car,average 30 mpg solo so not bad for the size, loads of power bags of torque. mine is a manual had it 3 years never missed a beat ultra reliable.
By contrast the latest sorento isnot as good a tow car i did try one and was very disapointed.

 

[SteveW77]

First one 2004 manual, second 2008 Auto. Present one Auto. The auto may use a bit more fuel, but they make towing so easy it's worth it.

Steve W

 

[SteveW77]

I agree about the towing aspect, but as a car it is far superior to the older version. 6 speed auto box. Overall fuel consumption 38mpg, Towing 25--28mpg Solo motorway cruising at 65mph 45mpg
The ride is far better ( Probably explains the twitchy towing),
Having said that, I towed a 1600kg single axle van 6000 mile last year with no problems at all.

Steve W

 

[birdman101]

I have the Auto, the best tow-car i have had in 40 years caravanning(superior to the Disco i had before it).The only thing if you buy an Auto 06 reg -59 reg, the road tax is more expensive than pre 06 Auto's.

 

[Dustydog]

I've had my 05 Sorrie from new.
108k and she's still going well.
As a tug she's probably been one of the best and most reliable.
Go for the XS or XT . They have an automatic torque on demand 4x4 drive system far superior to that of the XE model. Comes with leather and whistles and bells.
The self levelling rear suspension is a bonus although this was discontinued on the later face lift models.

Have a look at http://kiasorento.proboards.com/

 

[otherclive]

Had an 04 Auto for seven years and she never missed a beat. It was also fitted with underbody protection and was used quite a bit for off-road and greenlaning too. Test drove the new Sorento but although the engine was very good it had no real credentials as a ruffty-tuffty 4wd, so decided to go back to a normal estate car. My old Sorrie was taken in P/E by the Volvo dealer and sold by a local dealer within 48 hours of the trade in, such is the demand for what is a great car. So I am now lookung for an off roader but my previous LR experience was dire, hence the reason I bought the Kia in the first place.

 

[DianneT]

We have towed a heavy twin axle with 2005 XS Auto and it has been excellentno trouble at all. Been to Europe 6 times with it. Fuel 26 mpg with van on the back.

 

[Wolves55]

Thank you to everyone who replied to our post. we have purchaed a 2005 XS Auto today. it gets it towbar fitted on Wedneday are will try it out next weekend (hope for some sun lol).

 

[birdman101]

Thank you to everyone who replied to our post. we have purchaed a 2005 XS Auto today. it gets it towbar fitted on Wedneday are will try it out next weekend (hope for some sun lol).

One thing to check is the tyres .All four should be the same make so as to have the same characteristics, and all four worn equally.If not all worn the same, the larger two need to be on the rear to ensure the TOD system works correctly.

 

[otherclive]

It's not essential to have the same tyres as I had original Kumho on the front and Avon unidirectional on the rear then the Avons went on the front and new Avons on the back. Then I moved to Yokohama all terrain on the back with Avons on the front finally going to all four Yokohmas. But you do have to make sure back ones have the deepest tread if all four are not the same. One thing to check on the service log is for the Transfer Box oil to have been the revised type introduced around 2005-6 especially if you have the ATT/TOD 4wd system. It gives better protection to the TB than the first oil. Look on the Kia forum for details.

 

[birdman101]

It's not essential to have the same tyres as I had original Kumho on the front and Avon unidirectional on the rear then the Avons went on the front and new Avons on the back. Then I moved to Yokohama all terrain on the back with Avons on the front finally going to all four Yokohmas. But you do have to make sure back ones have the deepest tread if all four are not the same. One thing to check on the service log is for the Transfer Box oil to have been the revised type introduced around 2005-6 especially if you have the ATT/TOD 4wd system. It gives better protection to the TB than the first oil. Look on the Kia forum for details.

The reason for my previos reply is that we had a chap in a couple of weeks ago and he had vibrations.Changed two of the tyres so they were all same make and problem solved. Different makes have different side wall characteristics which can vary the distance of the center of the hub to the road surface. This gives the same effect as differing size tyres.Also tyre pressure is important.