New Kia Sorento

[Andrewbutcher]

Hi all,
Has any one got the new Sorento, who previously had the old face lift model?
We have a 58 plate XT and are considering the new model...our concerns are the lighter kerb weight of the new model and the smaller engine!
We tow a single axle 1800kg MTPLM caravan, how do you think the new Sorento performs and how will it cope with our caravan?
Thank you for any feedback, Andrew & Sally.

 

[SteveW77]

I have a new Sorento, I find that it is a bit more twitchy than the old model, but you soon adapt.
As for power, it's got bags of it and will have no problems with your van.

I have towed approx 7000 miles since I bought it in March and it has not missed a beat.
Without the van on the back it goes like stink and the fuel economy has improved greatly over the facelift model'
Go on buy one, you know it makes sense.

Steve W

 

[Andrewbutcher]

Hi Steve, thank you for the reply and advice!
We went for a test drive today...loved the new Sorento, we have ordered a KX3 auto....cant wait!

Thanks again Andrew.

 

[KeithM]

Hi Steve, thank you for the reply and advice!
We went for a test drive today...loved the new Sorento, we have ordered a KX3 auto....cant wait!

Thanks again Andrew.

When the new Sorento arrived in the showrooms in April, I had a test drive of the auto. In discussing it with the Sales Manager, I noticed that the nose-weight limit for the auto is only 80kg, compared with 100kg for the manual. My caravan has a MTPLM of 1500kg and typically has a nose-weight of circa 100kg so I sought clarification of the 80kg limit - and never got an answer!

 

[SteveW77]

When I first picked up my Sorento in March, I thought I would have trouble, getting the van noseweight down to 80Kg, but in the end it was easy I just chucked a load of the rubbish I was carting about "Just in case".

Steve W

 

[ManofKent]

I think this noseweight issue is down to some simple maths. Both the Kia and Hyundai quote the same max vehicle weight for the manual and auto versions of their vehicles. The auto versions weigh more on the kerb weight scale and so to compensate they have reduced the towball weight. Remember the towball weight becomes a part of the vehicle loaded weight.
I do not know this for sure but think its got more to do with the vehicle certification process than some inherent technical limit which is already recognised in the reduced towing limit of 2000kg for both vehicles.
Perhaps someone more technically qualified will shed some light on the issue. No one has given me an answer so far.
Anyway I am just about to tow for the first time with my new Santa Fe Auto, mechanically the same as the Sorento, and I am expecting great things from it. It has far exceeded my expectations so far. For the 1200 mile running in before towing achieving 36 mpg and the performance is amazing.

 

[swift2008]

Be aware of salesmen.

We ordered a new Santa Fe back in May (Basically same car as new Sorento). At the time we asked the salesman what mileage we had to do before we could tow as we were going on holiday to France beginning of September.
Two weeks ago we visited the showroom and again asked the same question - how many miles before we can tow. The salesman's reply was that we could hook up and tow immediately. I queried this as i had looked up various forums and knew that there was a 1200 mile requirement before towing. The salesman was adamant and went to check with his "Senior Technician" who had been with Hyundai for ever and knew everything about their cars. After a few minutes he was back claiming that the "Senior Technician" had confirmed that there was no requirement and we could hook up right away.
I requested a look at a SF handbook and there in black and white was the warning "do not tow for first 1200 Miles"
I did advise that i was not impressed with the Senior Technician and perhaps his future should be in question.
Looks like we will be going in the old car (2008 Sorento XS Auto).
If in doubt check.