Cris, I too drive many thousands of miles a year, you are not alone on that score. I too have driven many different vehicles, from Class 1 HGV's to Sierra Cosworths to a Rover Metro. Cars and the car world happen to be an old hobby of mine; you should see my encyclopaedia (22 volumes) on the subject entitled Cars Cars Cars. I even owned a Montego, not the diesel but the 1.6 estate with the extra rear seats. I did however have a couple of journeys out in a staff car equipped with the 2ltr diesel and found that engine while acceptable higher in the rev range not so good for low down torque, a little like the Mk4 Ford Escort.
True, it doesn't matter what torque or power you have, if you drive a manual, you will have to change gears, it may help on long runs but it doesn't eliminate them. Also true is that you can control an automatic gear box using the selector to lock out certain gears, but surely if you are doing that you are using it like a manual. There again if you are selecting different modes on your auto are you admitting that there are inherent deficiencies with an auto? Surely an automatic equipped car would not need driver control or input?
Yes apparently the auto in the Sorento is a good auto box, as modern and efficient as equivalent cars. As for the Kia used values, I can only comment on the Sorento which again is on par with the majority of 4x4's in percentage terms, seems like badge snobbery doesn't count so much these days, people are looking for cars that get the job done. When you take into consideration the competitive new price you realise just how much you have saved.
I might be just a small box on a large screen, you just happen to be a small box on a small screen. Does that make you any more or less of a forum contributor, I wondered because I thought it odd that you mentioned it? Like you said, if you don't like what is written, don't read it, you're not the first nor will you be the last to say that.
So for me this particular subject is closed.
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