kia sorento, questions.

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hiya, changing the car soon wanted some help and advise from you guys.

what year and model do you have?.

auto or manual?.

are you happy with it?.

whats it like at towing?.

would you have another one?.

mpg solo?.

mpg towing?.

thanks

 

[JimC]

Hi Jo-anne

I have had two Kia Sorento's 2.5 CRDi Auto's, the 2004 model has been a superb tow car. It is a very stable tow and will handle any hills, although the mpg was a bit disappointing. 22 mpg towing a Lunar Lexon Twin 16000kg. Solo possibly 26-28 mpg.

The new 2007 model has been much improved especially the ride quality due to suspension improvements. The bhp has also been improved by 30 bhp and also more torque. I have not towed with the new one yet so I can't comment on it's mpg.Although I have doubts about the manufacturers claims!!!

Jim

 

[Guest]

There are 2 ways of looking at 'chipping'. The first is where you can re programme the existing engine control module to give a different performance curve. I say different because the engine system is not changed. This is usual where a manufacturer has produced different power outputs for the same engine to satisfy different markets. You can then obtain a higher power output from a lower output engine.

The second possibility is to change the memory chip of the ECM for a different unit which will give a different set of instructions to the engine. This can change the power/torque curves of the engine.

There are specialist dealers who can supply your needs in this respect, however, any change needs to be advised to your insurance company, who may approve, or not, the change. In any case the first thing to be checked is the current performance of the engine as to whether re-chipping will cause any harmful effects.

On paper it is easy. In real life check carefully what you may be doing.

 

[Danny_5134221]

Jo-anne,

I have a 3 month old Sorento 2.5 XE Manual and have covered about 2,000 miles.

Put it this way, before the Kia we had a Freelander TD4 and Landrover repurchased the car from us due to its many problems and breakdowns.

Since changing to the Kia which was cheaper brand new than the Freelander was secondhand we have not looked back. The Sorento is an awesome towcar, and as for mpg towing and solo it is no worse than the Freelander.

Happy with it ? , just as tad, the smile you get whilst towing and the ease of uphill overtaking says it all.

Would I buy another one ? , the answer has got to be yes, its lot of car for the money and don't let the sceptics put you off.

Sure others will reply saying its cheap, north Korean, quote you facts and figures about other like 4x4's, but at the end of the day it does exactly what it says on the tin. After all it did'nt win towcar of the year for nothing.

If you want my opinion buy one, you won't be disapointed and you know it makes sense.............

 

[RichardS1]

Hi Jo-anne, try to answer your questions in order

We have a 04 2.5 XE auto, first auto we have owned and now would not consider going back to manual.

Over the moon with the car, for the money paid its hard to see a better value alternative.

Can't fault the Sorrie towing, tow a Senator Oklahoma at 1500kg which is well within its capability. Also towed friend Ace Supreme at just under 1800kg. Have no doubt the Sorrento will handle any van you put on the back.

Definatly have another, but intend keeping current one for long term.

Must admit don't check fuel to much, its a fact of life you have to put fuel in. Would estimate around 28/30 solo, 22/26 towing.

 

[Lol1]

We had a 2.5 XE manual, Jo-anne. One of the best if not the best value 4x4 on the market. Others run it close such as the Terracan, and used examples of Shoguns or Land rovers offer much, but in the end the Sorento, I think is the best out there.

What you think of the Sorento usually depends on what you have driven before. I your current drive is one of the expensive 4x4s and your just wanting better value, the KIA won't impress or disappoint you. As Danny says, "It does exactly what it says on the tin." If you are used to a smaller 4x4 such as a Freelander or CRV you will be amazed at the amount you are getting for your money, the space/equipment/towing ability/comfort really are a cut above. Not once in two and a half years did it miss a beat or ever seem likely to. I really do rate this car and would gladly own another, but there are a couple of things you should be aware of.

The Sorento, for all it's modernity, is old school to drive. If you are just familiar with normal cars you will have to get used to not going fast around corners, or making fast/hurried direction changes. These are big vehicles with tall tyres and it's best to remember that. The good thing is that you will discover you don't need to go fast or be leery with the steering wheel, having a better view of the road is a calming feature of all 4x4s. If you do want to go off road, get a Series 3 Landrover, something that won't look so bad with a few knocks and scrapes. While the Sorento is quite capable off the beaten track, features such a paintwork and mud flaps take a hammering and who wants a sorry looking Sorrie?

As for the model choice,its down to personal preference, I like a manual and found that the XE had enough toys to keep me occupied. The XS has more and is still good value, but the XT I think has moved out of the brief of it's designers.

Mpg gets better the more mile you put on, expect 30-35 solo and 25-28 towing depending on how you drive and where.

Hope this helps.

 

[ericcaravanning4u]

I have a 2005 Kia Sorento and its honestly the best tow car I have ever had

 

[Tony A.]

anne,

I have had a 35 reg sorrie from new it now has 40,000mls on the clock, I get 27mpg solo and 22towing I tow an LMC it weighs in at 16,000kgs the car tows the van without any problems.

I have had a bit of a prob with the control unit but kia replaced it without a quibble, I also got a new set of alloys as my old ones had developed black spots, once again no argument from Kia, finally i found a minor rust spot on the back door, this was repaired no prob, KIA SERVICE IS GREAT,

THE CARS ARE CHEAP TO BUY you cant go wrong I`d have another tomorow.

go for it

Tony A.

 

[Danny_5134221]

Tony A,

You must mean 1,600kgs and not 16,000kgs ! A Sorento pulling a 16 tonne caravan must be good !

 

[MonkeyHanger]

hiya jo-anne,

we have a 05 sorrie with an auto box and all i can really say is ab-fab we have the xe model and we can switch it manuely form 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive only when we need to were the others are perminant 4 wheel drives

We have a 5 birth 5 series padgent which mptlm of 1401 and it tows it fantastically i know its only about 50% of the max towing limit of the car but we are only new to towing vans as weve come from tenting and i wanted the extra security of the car v caravan weight debate and whos to say we wont get a more lux van in the future which we will be able to with out changing the car.

But in all the car is well worth the money and from what ive heard the fuel consumption gets better with more than 25000 miles on the clock

 

[clivea]

Hi, we have a 2004 XS auto and I would not go back toa manual as the auto never seems to get it wrong. I tow a 1400kg Bailey and normally get around 22-23mpg, with 30-32mpg solo. I have recently switched to fully synthetic oil which has given me an improved mpg by 1-2mpg. Would I have another Kia ...YES, although the Sportage two looks attractive for when I finaly move to a single car on acacount of its car like driving style and beetr mpg.

 

[Tony A.]

Tony A,

You must mean 1,600kgs and not 16,000kgs ! A Sorento pulling a 16 tonne caravan must be good !

whoop`s they are good but not that good.

Tony A.