The Kia Sorento Thread [Merged]

[gregg_g]

Wildthing,

Kia's vehicles a decade ago, quality wise, were not really at par with the Japs (I also own a Kia pride 97, but still running, used by my wife), but today's different, after restructuring its finances with the help of Hyundai, Kia is really doing fine. With better production quality control, the vehicles they produce today, are totally much better. But as what Mazda2x (our moderator, although not a Kia owner but a Toyota owner and soon to have a Fortuner, congrats in advance) said making statements out of assumption/perceptions are a no-no, why not test drive a sorento today, then you can make a solid comment out of it. And also a minitruck is not a Sorento.. Btw, check the reviews of Hyundai Sta.Fe vs. Kia Sorento.

Jaeger,
Thanks for the advise, will stay away from it. Btw, if you think of getting a Sorento, I tell you its really worth the buy. I am enjoying every inch of it.

Andre,
The high depreciation of the Sorento (low resale) is caused by wrong perceptions of the public thinking that the Kia of today, is still the old Kia (read Jaeger's comment, very informative). But I tell you, the Sorento will really change all that. More and more are convinced (JDPower Survery, Sorento no.1 Best SUV, 2005).

[altec]

I agree with Gregg's comments. I was also able to test drive the crdi sorrento when it came out. Although I was very disappointed how bare the diesel variant was, the power was really something. Since kababayan ko yan si Gregg, he would understand when I test drove the sorrento up the old bridge, then around the new bridge, before returning to the Casa. The power was so obvious that di ko masyado makuha ang clutching (I test drove the manual). When i got back in my Sedona which was already powerful compared to any other diesel auv/van, all of a sudden it felt like it was choking!

I wanted to buy because of the overall package but ended up buying the innova. Mainly because 5 seater is not enough anymore for me.

[KCboy]

gregg g,
diesel o gas yung sorrento mo?

[gregg_g]

KC,

It's a Diesel...

[revoGSX]

Andre,
The high depreciation of the Sorento (low resale) is caused by wrong perceptions of the public thinking that the Kia of today, is still the old Kia (read Jaeger's comment, very informative). But I tell you, the Sorento will really change all that. More and more are convinced (JDPower Survery, Sorento no.1 Best SUV, 2005).

yung JDpower survery applies to other countries, who knows, maybe the sorrento or picanto we are getting from korea did not pass the inspection test for the strict EU countries.. just a guess

[mazdamazda]

kaso hindi maganda service ng kia dito, wala silang sariling casa at kelangan pa dumaan sa columbian motors at iba pang dealers na medyo madugas..

yung JDpower survery applies to other countries, who knows, maybe the sorrento or picanto we are getting from korea did not pass the inspection test for the strict EU countries.. just a guess

1. Have you ever experienced to be serviced by any of Kia's dealers? Kia Commonwealth & Kia Pasay are being frequented by Protegetech members and we are quite satisfied with the service being given. Even the already closed Signet dealerships showed good service & customer care.

2. FYI... most car manufacturers DO NOT OWN the various dealerships here in the Philippines. Take for example Audi, it is being serviced under Auto Prominence. Mazda Greenhills is owned by CATS Motors. Even TMPI doesn't own all of its dealerships.

3. All Kia vehicles sold worlwide (whether in the US, Europe or Asia) is manufactured solely in Korea. Which means the Sorento sold in the US (and has taken NUMEROUS awards) has the same build quality of the ones being sold here.

[gregg_g]

kaso hindi maganda service ng kia dito, wala silang sariling casa at kelangan pa dumaan sa columbian motors at iba pang dealers na medyo madugas..

yung JDpower survery applies to other countries, who knows, maybe the sorrento or picanto we are getting from korea did not pass the inspection test for the strict EU countries.. just a guess

Take it from Mazdamazda :angel3:

[revoGSX]

1. Have you ever experienced to be serviced by any of Kia's dealers? Kia Commonwealth & Kia Pasay are being frequented by Protegetech members and we are quite satisfied with the service being given. Even the already closed Signet dealerships showed good service & customer care.

2. FYI... most car manufacturers DO NOT OWN the various dealerships here in the Philippines. Take for example Audi, it is being serviced under Auto Prominence. Mazda Greenhills is owned by CATS Motors. Even TMPI doesn't own all of its dealerships.

3. All Kia vehicles sold worlwide (whether in the US, Europe or Asia) is manufactured solely in Korea. Which means the Sorento sold in the US (and has taken NUMEROUS awards) has the same build quality of the ones being sold here.

nakup.. nayari ako ni mazdamazda hehe, sorry...
1) i just based my info from the picanto thread and some thread here sa tsikot with bad experience sa rides nila, since i know you own a mazda, binabawi ko yung earlier post ko..
2) TMPI doesn't own most of the dealerships, pero you don't see them like mitsu na meron diamond motors or citimotors, para kasing "new" ulit and kia and parang kakabahan ka kung ipapaservice mo yung brandnew mo na sorento or picanto sa kanila..
3) as i have said in my earlier post "just a guess", sana strict ang quality control nila and mabura na yung "kia pride" perception ng public na low quality ang kia.. ganda kasi ng sorento for its price hehe

[mikey177]

kaso hindi maganda service ng kia dito, wala silang sariling casa at kelangan pa dumaan sa columbian motors at iba pang dealers na medyo madugas...

I'm not a Sorento owner, but when I was living in Quezon City, I always had my Sedona serviced at Wheels E. Rodriguez (New Manila) and I've never had a bad experience with them.

Also, my Sedona (2.9-diesel/MT) is now 3 years old and has travelled more than 93,000-km across some of the worst roads in Northern Luzon; it even survived weekly trips across the NLEX when the highway was like a patchwork quilt during its two year rehabilitation. I did a lot of research before I got the Sedona in 2002, and today I can say that I'm glad I chose that Kia.

Bottom line: whatever ride you choose, do your homework on it first --research and get feedback from actual owners, and do a test drive so you can make a well-informed choice, and not one based on hearsay and speculation.

[mazdamazda]

nakup.. nayari ako ni mazdamazda hehe, sorry...

no need to apologize bro... am just saying my piece. ;)

[mikey_mike]

Actually yug depreciation na yan kung iisipin mo bumili ka ng x5 after ilang months ibenta mo easily talo ka ng 500k while bumili ka nang sorento ibenta mo after a few months i don't think ganun kabilis depreciation nya. Sa napansin ko isa na ang fuel consumption sa basis ng pagdepreciate ng car also pati ang price tag nya kasi pag mas mahal mas mahirap hanapan ng buyer. So whether kia yan o bmw sa mas mura kana for sure mas maliit ang depreciation nito in the future

[kobra]

Hi tsikoteers!

I'm thinking of buying a new Diesel Sorento, un lang kaya ng bulsa ko. I like the med size SUV para more cargo room or is it more wiser to buy RAV4, CRV or X TRAIL?
Comments is much appreciated. THANKS!!!

[squala]

The Sorento has been receiving huge acclaim in other countries. The diesel is frugal enough given rising fuel prices. I also like its overall design, and personally think it's a good alternative to the Fortuner.

I plan to do a test drive if I happen to be near a Kia showroom, and I suggest you do so as well. :D

[Heretic]

Browse around this siteEdmunds for second opinions and customer satisfaction reviews. The company has only reviewed the 3.5 V6 version. It did well in crash tests, off-roading and towing.

This is a local site The Free Man which features the 2.5 CRDi version. Apparently, the suspension of the CRDi version (daw) is softer.

I also saw James Deakin on television (forgot the name of his show) road testing a Sorento and he had nothing but praises for it especially when it comes to the build quality and fuel economy.

Perhaps owners and people who have test-driven it should also chime in as my mother is also interested in getting one.

[mbt]

the interior is pretty cheap (switches, buttons, fabrics, a few low-rent plastics...) compared to most japanese cars, but nothing too bad. the instrument cluster lighting is an ugly shade of apple green. the rear seat is as puffy as a marshmallow -- horrible! subjectively, a CR-V feels roomier, particularly at the back. like the fortuner, the interior is nothing special.

the size of the sorento is at the compact end of the midsize segment; in fact, it's not much larger than a CR-V. however, it's a real-deal truck with real-deal part-time four-wheel-drive.

the sorento isn't the great value it used to be, as it's price has crept up some over the past few months. that said, the sorento remains unbeatable for the price, and the 1.3+ M EX diesel is an excellent package. for as low as below 1.2 M (for the LX manual), you won't find any other 4x4 with the sorento's panache. however, kia is having supply problems for the sorento last time i checked (only the LX has immediate delivery if i recall right; EX diesels have a waiting time of 3 or 4 months according to the sales agent then).

no test drives yet, unfortunately. but based on a short walkaround of the vehicle, and judging from the questionable sales/aftersales service of kia (we visited kia q. ave a few months ago), i think a fortuner is a better vehicle and a safer purchase. but as for the vehicle itself, the sorento seems a good all-rounder: good looks, passable interior, CRDi engine, choice of manual or auto, standard part-time 4wd, uncommon on the streets,... there's not much not to like (mainly the interior, but that's relatively easy to fix) and little to loathe (probably among them, dealership support, resale value and parts and service). as is usual with kias, the main attraction is pricing.

i had really high hopes for the sorento before that showroom visit, because of all the positive press it has received, but i left the showroom underwhelmed mainly because of the 1) rather bare and cheap feel to the LX (although again, trim items are easier to add than say, 4WD, and the EX is better); 2) dunderheaded sales agent who didn't seem to be interested in selling the thing; and 3) long wait time.

it's best you go visit a dealer and see for yourself hehe.

[Ventoy]

I've seen the EX Deisel CRDI version before I left abroad at KIA pasong Tamo the Price was P1.310 pa last week of June. For me at this Price range I'd rather go for the Fotuner kahit long waiting time pa, iba pa rin ang TOYOTA 7 seater pa with much more Bigger Wheels

[andre]

There's a handful of Surplus Sorento less than 1 year old from Korea. Its only 850T to 900T, complete features than our locally available EX. I have a chance to test drive for a whole day a CRDi TLX. It has power seats, power retract side mirrors, power moonroof, 3rd seats, climate control, full leather, wood trim, hands free cellphone controls at the steering wheel (for samsung phones only), etc.

[KCboy]

d true yun na walang stock. **** ka wheels, u pay now, iuwo mo na ex or lx trim, unless picky ka sa color.

[kobra]

There's a handful of Surplus Sorento less than 1 year old from Korea. Its only 850T to 900T, complete features than our locally available EX. I have a chance to test drive for a whole day a CRDi TLX. It has power seats, power retract side mirrors, power moonroof, 3rd seats, climate control, full leather, wood trim, hands free cellphone controls at the steering wheel (for samsung phones only), etc.

Where are the surplus located? I have already test drive a few diff. SUV's but abroad, I believe the SUV's sa PINAS are different, diesel eng. are not even available abroad, I can overlook the cheap interior.
I did call Toyota dealer regarding Fortuner, it will be 300+K more, what turns me off is waiting 5-6 months or more.
I'm eyeing the KIA w/ tag price of 1.310 asking price but I don't want to wait 2-3 months.
I never see any advertised used Sorento so that might mean something good.

[andre]

TLX and Limited Sorento are rurplus vehicles. and also some CRDi Starex being sold at 700T to 750T. and its not readily available at 2nd hand car dealers. maybe because the price is rather high. but for a year old vehicle. that's a good value.