kia sorrentos

[Danny_5134221]

After reading the views about Sorentos and fuel consumption I thought I'd add a bit. Since owning our Sorento since late September the fuel return is about 36 mpg solo, as for when towing all I can say it is no worse than our Td4 Freelander was. As for acceleration solo it does pull away rather well for a car of its size, and towing our 'van it pulls no problem at all, in fact overtaking uphill on motorways is a pleasure. When I test drove the Sorento I drove both an auto and manual and I thought the auto drained too much power and therefore bought the manual version.

 

[RichardS1]

I think performance has to be tailored with what you actually want from a car. Most 4x4 with the exception of the RR Sport and BMW X5 will not accelerate as quickly as the majority of cars, but how many saloons or estates could handle a 1900kg van. I find the performance of the Sorento fine and don't mind the kick down to fourth up a motorway incline. The car delivers a relaxed comfortable tow. I also accept that if you want more power these days it is easy to get it and it will undoubtably improve the towing performance. The updated Sorento is actually 178BHP but mechanically the only difference with the engine on the older model is the chipping.

 

[JimC]

Hi Mike

I have just taken delivery of the new facelift Sorento XT.Detachable Tow bars are still not available for these yet as the rear panel and chassis is slightly different.I would like a detachable as they look better, though im not sure that they are as durable for use with heavy caravans.

I understand that Witter have no plans to produce a detachable for my model, Brink on the other hand say they should have one shortly.Im still waiting for the Kia dealer to get one for me.

Regards Jim

 

[SteveW77]

The updated Sorento is actually 178BHP but mechanically the only difference with the engine on the older model is the chipping.

Richard, that statement is incorrect, the "New Sorento" is now fitted with a variable geometery turbo, this is what's responsible for the power increase, not a chipping process.

Steve W

 

[RichardS1]

The updated Sorento is actually 178BHP but mechanically the only difference with the engine on the older model is the chipping.

Richard, that statement is incorrect, the "New Sorento" is now fitted with a variable geometery turbo, this is what's responsible for the power increase, not a chipping process.

Steve W

Thanks for the correct info Steve, just shows what the dealers know as they told me it was down to chipping.

 

[tffwkends]

hi mike

sorry didnt reply sooner picked sorrento up yesterday morning

still have inane grin stuck on my face!!.

the tow bar was fitted dy the dealer for me its a fixed ball by witter, i put car to van this afternoon and think i will have to raise hitch to nextlevel ,one slight niggle on the electrics when fitting they have'nt wired up to the reversing lights ,so got to sort that out .

hoping to get away next week and see how unit goes together.

 

[tffwkends]

hi john

was interested in your comments about fitting a tunit .Could you please tell me what it entails to have fitted ,how much appprox and who supplies and fits,also if i were to have one fitted would this invalidate my warranty .

many thanks jim

 

[SteveW77]

There are several different suppliers of tunning devices available. All will invalidate your warranty. The insurance will also be negated if you do not inform them of any and all modifications ( This includes fitting a tow ball ).

Steve W

 

[DavidKlyne]

David

Why have you deserted your X Trail,did you have problems?

Would be interested to know.

Regards

Clive S

Clive

Nothing wrong with the X-Trail, excellent towcar. But, it was two and a half years old so would be thinking of changing next year. Local Kia garage had some good deals and I did not want to change it mid season so rather reahly made the decision to change!!! In the back of my mind I was concerned about all the reported Turbo problems and did not want to land myself with a big bill just out of warranty.

David

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Hello Jim; I will not get into the argument about whether this will invalidate the warnnty or not; there are strong views either way. All I do know is that because the TUNIT box makes not changes whatsoever to the original car, i the car fails it's because of a fault with the vehicle. Anyway; there are dealers around the country who will fir a TUNIT box; it cost me

 

[VonRyan]

Rob wrote "Coming out of Cherbourg this year with 1400kg on the back and a 1 in 10 incline it went like a bat out of hell and the fuel gauge did not move much and passed a Toyota Amazon with a similar unit on the back as if it was stood still".

Rob I don't think you can compare the Sorento with the Amazon for towing or torque. Because if that is the case Toyota would be out of business by now. I think the Amazon driver was thinking what's this pratt trying to prove----))))

Val & Frank

Hi Frank,

still gort your Bessacar

 

[Steve_374231179]

Hi Guys,

been reading this thread with interest. I have an XS Auto ('06 2.5 CRDi) with which I tow my Sterling Elite Explorer (twin axle - 1650 ish kgs) and I would like to add my two penneth to the discussions.

No problems, tows like a dream but can 'hunt' at 55 - 60 mph.

Fuel consumption - Solo, anything up to 29 mpg; Towing, anything down to 17 mpg !!

Torque - plenty !!

I too have a 'chip', it's called the PowerBox, costs around

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Hello Steve :

I have to agree with you; solo I get anything up to 28mpg and towing it's around 20-22. I do USE the extra performance of the TUNIT box but, I still drive 'carefully'.

Whereas people say that the best towing performance is found at the lower end of the TUNIT unit's 1-9 'power' scale, I just leave it on 8, and I am happy

John

 

[RogerL]

Rob - you're mixing up your emissions figures. Your taxed CO2 emissions are 228 g/km which is determined empirically by Kia. Your tested figures of 0.35 and 0.30 are % vol and therefore not comparable as they're totally different units.

 

[clivea]

I think performance has to be tailored with what you actually want from a car. Most 4x4 with the exception of the RR Sport and BMW X5 will not accelerate as quickly as the majority of cars, but how many saloons or estates could handle a 1900kg van. I find the performance of the Sorento fine and don't mind the kick down to fourth up a motorway incline. The car delivers a relaxed comfortable tow. I also accept that if you want more power these days it is easy to get it and it will undoubtably improve the towing performance. The updated Sorento is actually 178BHP but mechanically the only difference with the engine on the older model is the chipping.

Hi,

the new Sorento has not just been 'chipped'. The engine now has variable nozzle guide vanes compared to the old models fixed vanes. These will havea really beneficail effect on torque and meeting emission laws. The new engine meets Euro 4 whilst the old engine does not. So Kia have done a professional job on tuning the new engine, its not soley down to a re-chip!

 

[clivea]

hi john

was interested in your comments about fitting a tunit .Could you please tell me what it entails to have fitted ,how much appprox and who supplies and fits,also if i were to have one fitted would this invalidate my warranty .

many thanks jim

Hi,

if you look on the Kia UK forum's website you will see detailed pictures on fitting a tuning device called perbox. tunit is similar.