MPG for new Sorento ....36 (I don't think so)

[JohnI.Stephen]

Yesterday I re-filled my new Sorento for the first time. Exactly one week previously I 'brimmed' her and was surprised that, as I approached 300 miles (from this full tank; and 330 miles from new), it already needed to be re-fuelled. Well I only managed to fill her with just under 56 litres but then, if my maths are correct, that works out to a shade under 26 mpg.

Now this past week I have treated her very gently with most trips being a mixture of urban and out of town 'A' roads (35-45 mpg).

I see to recall a recent posting in which we were advised that diesels will improve their mpg until they've done around 20k miles,. But surely, to improve consumption by some 35% would require a minor miracle, would it not?

Thoughts please O wise ones

John

 

[milliesdad]

I should get the garage to check it John. I get around 400 (and a PB of 450) miles per tank and that is with an auto. It doesn't come down too much when towing either. But it is true about diesels loosening up with mileage. My work van does 550 mile per tank now at 50k rather than around 470 when it was new.

Hope this helps.

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

I should get the garage to check it John. I get around 400 (and a PB of 450) miles per tank and that is with an auto. It doesn't come down too much when towing either. But it is true about diesels loosening up with mileage. My work van does 550 mile per tank now at 50k rather than around 470 when it was new.

Hope this helps.

Stuart; thanks for this; sorry, what is a 'PB' please?!!

I called the dealer as he was vague and waffling. I shall monior it over the coming weeks and months but your news is encouraging as II too have the XS auto! Great car but yet to test it towing; that's in 2 weeks' time when it's done >500 miles.

 

[milliesdad]

Stuart; thanks for this; sorry, what is a 'PB' please?!!

I called the dealer as he was vague and waffling. I shall monior it over the coming weeks and months but your news is encouraging as II too have the XS auto! Great car but yet to test it towing; that's in 2 weeks' time when it's done >500 miles.

Sorry John, due to my 2 finger typing speed i abbreviate wherever possible!! PB is personal best. I got this on a long journey that was virtually all m'way. i travel at about 75 to 80 mph.

I agree that it's a great car and it's towing is rock steady as is bourne out by the fact it is the CC towcar of the year!

I bought mine from Edwards Kia in Kempsey near Worcester and have not a bad word to say about them. If you're close enough take it to them or at least give them a call, i'm sure they'll be very helpful.

Enjoy your break in 2 weeks.

 

[Lol1]

Hi John, if you manage to get 30mpg in mixed driving, and you will when the engine has bedded in, you should be happy. Remember it's a two tonne 4x4, and it isn't that long ago when 2ltr petrol Ford Sierra was giving that sort of mileage. If your looking at the official fuel consumption figures and wondering why your not getting the equivalent, don't worry, most other cars don't live up to those figures either. You should get around 22-25mpg when towing, depending on your driving style and caravan, which is pretty good considering the size of outfit.

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Hi Lol (Laugh Out Loud ?!); thanks for the sound advice. Perhaps I was a little too optimistic about this; thanks for the information.

John

 

[clivea]

Hi,

I was very disappaoinetd when the car was new (auto) but she now returns a regular 30-32mpg and reduces to 23-24 mpg with a 1350kg van. IThe fuel consumption has progressively improved as the car has run in. It has done 12000 miles now.

Other Clive

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Hello "Other Clive"; this is good news and just what I was hoping to read. Thanks. John

 

[RogerL]

Measuring fuel consumption over just one tankful by "brimmimg" can always give widely varying results. On modern vehicles, incorporating an expansion gap in the tank, it's impossible to get the same "brim" full on any two fill-ups.

On my own car, I've seen "brimmed" solo consumptions from 28 to 44 mpg so John's variations are quite possible. I've also seen towing consumption vary from 20 to 27 mpg for no apparent reason.

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Hello Roger L. Your posting made me recall that it was particularly hard for me to fill up; in fact I was almost drip feeding the diesel in; until eventually I gave up at what I thought must be full.

So, if brimming it is not so easy, I guess what needs to track mileage and fuel purchased over a longer period.

Mmmmm ... makes one ponder.

John

 

[RichardH]

have to say I'm stunned by those consumption figures, I drive a 2.0 ghia x Petrol mondeo and get 36mpg on a journey or 27 towing an 1100kg van from a diesel I'd expect far better figures not worse

 

[VonRyan]

Sorento MPG.

I have been monitoring the MPG on the vehicle for quite a few months now. The vehicle is a 2.5 XS manual box( 54 plate, 22K on the clock)and I have been pleased on the returns.

No fixed urban as I don't do much urban work.

Combined 37 mpg

Motorway (mainly) 44 mpg

OK light on the right foot and use cruise where ever possible and all these are as solo and no van. I have yet to sort that one out.

Rob

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Have just taken the Soreto on her maiden voyage towing the Bailey Senator. Having only filled up a few times from new (1200 miles on the clock) the Sorento was averaging 27 mpg solo and when towing was a little disappointed to see 20 mpg.

The auto 5 speed box is excellent but, even with the cruise control set to 56 mph (to maintain steady progress with the HGVs) it was not a question of 5th all the way; no 4th would be used on many occasions taking the revs from 1900 to around 2200.

So, on the mpg front I cannot see how the car can possibly improve to around 30mpg when towing and 34 when solo....

 

[Pelyma1]

Stop using cruise as this will use quite a bit more juice on an auto. Try to get the car to run at its peak torque output, eg if peak torque is at 2000rpm then try to keep it running at that level. Any more revs will be wasted fuel. Accelerate and brake gently (don't forget the later it does matter) Check your tyre pressures too

 

[clivea]

John,

I do not use cruise as I find on UK roads it's far less hassle to keep it in normal auto. You are experincing exactly what I felt when I firts took ownership of a Sorento, but as I said in my earlier post it does get better as mileage increases. I also make sure that for any car that I take the revs up to near max at least twice a week. You can do this quite safely without risking the engine as just keeping her in second and progressively increasing speed will be enough.

Other Clive

 

[JimC]

Have just taken the Soreto on her maiden voyage towing the Bailey Senator. Having only filled up a few times from new (1200 miles on the clock) the Sorento was averaging 27 mpg solo and when towing was a little disappointed to see 20 mpg.

The auto 5 speed box is excellent but, even with the cruise control set to 56 mph (to maintain steady progress with the HGVs) it was not a question of 5th all the way; no 4th would be used on many occasions taking the revs from 1900 to around 2200.

So, on the mpg front I cannot see how the car can possibly improve to around 30mpg when towing and 34 when solo....

Hi John

I have a Sorento 2.5 Auto 2004 4 speed box. My vehicle has now done 15K miles and the fuel consumption is about the same as yours ie 20 towing 28 solo. I have monitored every gallon of fuel used since March 2004. My average consumption is 23 mpg this includes 5250 miles towing my twin axle van (1600 MTPLM).

My auto box also changes down on some motorway gradients, although I find it has more power when using BP Ultimate fuel.

Regards Jim

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Hello 'otrher Clive'; so what mpg do you now get and at what mileage is that? I have now done a stunning 1350 miles !!

And what's the reason for taking the revs up to near max (4000 rpm) ? Thanks for the advice.

John

PS I feelt hat the cruise is a safety feature for me; it prvents my right foor from getting too heavy and keeps me at a steady 56mph when towing

 

[trevor11sqdn]

My Sorento 2.5 XS Auto returns exactly 30mpg during my regular everyday travel to work, and that is taking it nice and gently and is a journey of both urban and rural roads. But this drops to around 22-24 while towing a 1400kg van. The car has now covered 15000 miles and I dont expect this to improve much more. I can live with this as I consider this to be the best tow car Ive ever had.

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Sounds good to me people; thanks. I filled-up yesterday at the mpg had risen to 25 mpg and this included 150 motorway miles of towing my Bailey Senator; but at approx 56mph which doubtless improved the figure! Just need to get it re-chipped now to get that extra 20% power as it will be much more relaxed with more torque.

Thanks to all

John

 

[clivea]

Hello 'otrher Clive'; so what mpg do you now get and at what mileage is that? I have now done a stunning 1350 miles !!

And what's the reason for taking the revs up to near max (4000 rpm) ? Thanks for the advice.

John

PS I feelt hat the cruise is a safety feature for me; it prvents my right foor from getting too heavy and keeps me at a steady 56mph when towing

Hi, I get about 30-32mpg under regular driving ona mox of A roads and country B roads. This includes a 12 mile commmute into work which is in Bath. Towing is around 23-24mpg with a 1350kg van and I tend to cruise on M ways at around 55-60mph.

The car has now done 13500 miles.

Taking the revs up ensures even piston-liner wear and prevents ridging. The engine in auto rarely exceeds 2500 rpm so a spell with a few revs on will prevent cylinder liner ridging. Honest John from the Telegraph recommends it, but I have been doing it for years since I owned two stroke bikes, and I have always had long mileage from engines with low oil consumption too.

 

[clivea]

Sounds good to me people; thanks. I filled-up yesterday at the mpg had risen to 25 mpg and this included 150 motorway miles of towing my Bailey Senator; but at approx 56mph which doubtless improved the figure! Just need to get it re-chipped now to get that extra 20% power as it will be much more relaxed with more torque.

Thanks to all

John

Hi,

I would be interested to hear how the car performs when it has been chipped, and which chip you have used.

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Hello other Clive:

I propose to take the car to the Derv Doctor(.co.uk) and have it re-mapped. I have read enough in this Forum to convince me that the guy in charge (Gavi) knows what he's about. I ahve spoken to him and he assures me that I will get a good 20% increase in torque and bhp and that this will not impact reliability or have other side effects. he also assures me that, when taken to to e dealers for a service, the remapping will not 'show up' or look abnormal etc.

And before people all shout about insurance, yes, one mist advise the insurers; but at my age with a mage no-claims it seems to make no difference what inurance group car I drive !

John

 

[giovanni_5060838]

Hello other Clive:

I propose to take the car to the Derv Doctor(.co.uk) and have it re-mapped. I have read enough in this Forum to convince me that the guy in charge (Gavi) knows what he's about. I ahve spoken to him and he assures me that I will get a good 20% increase in torque and bhp and that this will not impact reliability or have other side effects. he also assures me that, when taken to to e dealers for a service, the remapping will not 'show up' or look abnormal etc.

And before people all shout about insurance, yes, one mist advise the insurers; but at my age with a mage no-claims it seems to make no difference what inurance group car I drive !

John

by all means have a remapp, just worry a little when someone says it has no negative impact? you see to get the 20% increase

in power, means having the turbo run at 20% or more above its

normal running speed, so in all honesty,this could cut its normal

life down abit,ie, if it could run to 150k, the chances are it

would be cut to 120k.

 

[tony_5104319]

Sorento MPG.

I have been monitoring the MPG on the vehicle for quite a few months now. The vehicle is a 2.5 XS manual box( 54 plate, 22K on the clock)and I have been pleased on the returns.

No fixed urban as I don't do much urban work.

Combined 37 mpg

Motorway (mainly) 44 mpg

OK light on the right foot and use cruise where ever possible and all these are as solo and no van. I have yet to sort that one out.

Rob

for John I. Stephen. Do you still have an issue with your MPG on your sorento?. I am just trying to get Kia to see that the problem is wider that just my car. I'm returning about 22mp. I most of my driving is done on either Motorway, A roads or country roads that are not congested.