Kia Sorento

[rob_5070519]

Hi everybody

Your thoughts on towing with the automatic Kia Sorento would be much appreciated....I am ready to trade in my LR Discovery and am looking at the Kia,

Cheers

Rob

 

[swift2008]

Hi Rob,

Have been towing with an 08 Sorento XS 2.5 auto from new. Upgraded caravan to a twin axle last year. Towed to Switzerland in 2008.

Sorento is a good tow car but feel it is heavy on fuel when not towing which for us is 80% of the time. We get 20mpg towing and around 27 solo. These figures were checked on a trip to Cornwall from the Midlands in April this year.

Are awaiting delivery of a new 2010 7 seat Santa FE. These are worth a look as they are more fuel efficient and more powerful.

Good Luck

 

[Dustydog]

Rob

I have a manual 85k from new. On average Solo 30-32. Towing 22-25 singles 25-27 motorways.

How many miles do you do a year? MPG is very relative and the cost differential dependent on distance covered.

Plenty of good info on "uksorento.com"

As a tow car, brilliant. Value for money excellent. Reliabilty superb. One of the best aircon systems I have experienced; and heated leather seats for the winter.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[drsorento]

I have a manual 52k from new and returns 32mpg solo and around 21/22 towing a twin axle van, brilliant tow car cant fault it, hence the awards its won over the years for towing.

 

[wobbleboxer]

HI, Just returned from a 1300mile round trip to cornwall, i have a Sorento XS Auto, it never missed a beat, up hill, down dale it takes every thing in its stride. as previously mentioned, fuel economy is not the best, but, i feel its a small sacrifice for the ease of towing. Best car i've ever towed with....

Graham

 

[waffler]

we tow 1580 kg with 05 XS auto. One word- brilliant. Done 58k miles. My only down comment would be that it is not comfortable on bumpy roads. We rally and use CLs and the auto is so good when manoeuvring on site. On the road it has never been in the wrong gear.

 

[DavidKlyne]

I am now on my second Sorento auto and it almost makes towing a pleasure, if that is possible! I can't compare with a manual but I get on average with my previous 56 plate about 22mpg. I have not really done much long distance towing with my 59 plate one so can't really give a figure.

David

 

[SteveW77]

I am now on my third Sorento, I have the new Sorento KM2 auto, a much better car all round. As far as towing is concerned, not up to the old facelift model, but not far off. I towed for just under 4000 miles in France this June and averaged 23.6 mpg.

Without the van on the back, I am getting 33-35 mpg over all.

Steve W

 

[jmg12]

how can people moan about 30mpg thats pretty good for a large 4x4, what other large 4x4s do you know which get 50mpg? The sante fe's a much lighter car with lower kerbweight so cant tow larger, heavier twin axles, It could cope with a sprite quattro or Elldis Explore twin axle but would be unsafe with a swift conqueror or bailey unicorn

 

[Mikey1]

Actually the Santa Fe and the new Sorento are built on the same chassis with the same 2.2 diesel engine so are nearly identical in weight around the 1950-2000kgs which is more than capable of towing the heavier twin axles

 

[jmg12]

I was talking about the mk1 sorento with a max tow weight of 3000kg. With a maximum tow weight of 2000kg on the auto model that would make it well over a 85% match with my swift conqueror 630 with an MTPLM of 1830kg. I generally wouldnt like towing with those sort of figures also the 2.2 CRDI must be fairly underpowered going up hills etc

 

[Mikey1]

If you are talking about the 2.2 diesel that is fitted into the present cars you will find it is a pretty powerful engine kicking out around 194 bhp which is more than the XC90 and Disco 2.7 diesel engines.

The 85% rule was written years ago and is only a guide,there has been talk of changing this as it doesnt take into account stabilsers etc.

 

[Twinax]

Hi there hope your new Hyundia Santa fe is not auto Towbar is set at 80kg not 100kg like the manual
I too have just ordered one, hope to have it by Sept 2010
good luck Dave

 

[otherclive]

The Sorento 2.2 engine will be more than a match for your outfit, don't be misled by the low displacment the torque output is very high and its that what takes you up hills.

 

[Brian_374234561]

Hi,
We bought our first Sorento about 2 months ago. Just back from a 1k round trip to France and thought the car was excellent towing our large twin axle van. Fuel economy was awful, but I didnt buy the car to be fuel efficient, but to lug 1800kg of caravan, equipment, kids and wife about safely. Santa Fe maybe more powerful but has a much lower noseweight. In summary, an excellent tow car and we're really pleased with ours

 

[neila1]

we have a manual old old 06 plate xt and have just had to upgrade our bailey ranger to a twin axle sterling searcher as i could not feel the bailey behind me, i drive from yorkshire to dorset once a month and could proberly do it all on one tank (not towing) it's comfy looks good and i would not hesitate to have another one.

 

[xtrailman]

If i was to chose between the santa fe and sorento, then it would be the santa fe, 5k cheaper and always topps the kia in both road tests and towing, plus the front view looks better to me?

 

[xtrailman]

If i was to chose between the santa fe and sorento, then it would be the santa fe, 5k cheaper and always topps the kia in both road tests and towing, plus the front view looks better to me?

but only 5years instead of the kia 7 warrentry