kia Sorento . June 2012 PCv mag page 10

[Dustydog]

George Bevan is quite correct although I suspect something got lost in the translation to press.
The "facelift" Sorento 2006 - 2009 still had a 2.5 cdi but with 168 BHP plus higher torque.
2010 saw the total revamp of the Sorento with the 2.2 diesel whacking out a hefty 198BHP. As George found out the new Sorento as a tug is not a patch on the old one.
In regard to the tuning box I have one but it is no longer fitted to the Sorrie. Whilst it did give a marginal improvement on power there were a number of issues that arose , eg the EGR valve became gummed up and the Turbo Intercooler pipes became very oily resulting in a constant black smoke screen. Since those parts were changed and the tuning box removed she still pulls the Wyoming without effort.
No gain without pain perhaps?

Personally I wish Kia had retained the original model because as a tug it was dam n good value for money. Mines on 104k and still runs well.
Plenty more info on this link:- http://kiasorento.proboards.com/index.cgi?

 

[birdman101]

Personally I wish Kia had retained the original model because as a tug it was dam n good value for money.
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I totally agree Kia shot themselves in the foot.Have had my Auto from new, now comming up for 8, and now only used for towing.Sales tried to sell me a new one but only suceeded selling us a Picanto which we now use locally.

 

[SteveW77]

As someone who has had all three versions of the Sorento, I have to say that the advantages of the latest version far out weight the disadvantages and I would not go back to the old face lift version.

Steve W

 

[otherclive]

To say that Kia "shot themselves in the foot" is a bit of a UK-centric view. Having looked at world sales of the original Sorento Kia concluded that very few owners towed at anywhere near its limit and even fewer went far off road. The dominant US market wanted 4wd with better road performance and that is what the new Sorento provides hence Kias decision to site the factory in the US. The needs of UK caravanners would not have made any significant points on Kias decision. In its current guise the Sorento still makes an excellent toscar in a diminishing market for tugs able to tow large vans. I decided to leave Kia because if I could not take the Sorrie off road with underbody protection I would review my needs and the Sorento seemed expensive for what it gave and the XC70 gave a better fit to our needs, but that isn't to say we gave the new Sorento serious consideration as its engine was fantastic by any diesel standards.

 

[Dustydog]

Morning Clive

Good points.
I think one key issue is price. Whereas the old Sorrie was relatively cheap the new model seems very expensive by comparison.
Don't we just love being British. LOL

 

[SteveW77]

The price is not that high.
My brother in law has just paid £13600 for a new Nissan Micra built in India.
I paid £25000 for my KX2
I know which one I think is better value for money.

Steve W

 

[xtrailman]

I've read the new santa fe for 2013 has lost weight, i hope so as i don't want a car over 1800kg.
Kia may have lost some sales to previous owners, but there's still lots of others looking for a more economical tow car, lower ved etc.