The Kia Sorento Thread [Merged]

[mazdamazda]

IMO - the Everest has a more compliant body & suspension than the Sorento. The only thing that I dislike about the Sorento is the way the body nosedives during hard braking.

[gregg_g]

Just a clarification is it Pliant or compliant?

[mazdamazda]

Compliant... FYI... it can be used that way.

[jeanpierre]

Guys, watch this out! Proof how capable the Sorento is
YouTube - Kia vs Jeep Wrangler rubicon

[jeanpierre]

Sa video anong trans kaya ginamit niya, 4hi o 4low?

[SpinAxel]

Guys, watch this out! Proof how capable the Sorento is
YouTube - Kia vs Jeep Wrangler rubicon

Great Video! After watching it! It made me more proud of my Sorento.

[ARB]

in instances like that 4low is used.

[gregg_g]

Wow, I don't know if I can try that one with my Sorento, but it's just great to know that it is capable of doing real 4x4....

[jeanpierre]

Wow, I don't know if I can try that one with my Sorento, but it's just great to know that it is capable of doing real 4x4....

You're right gregg_g, it's nice to know tucked within our Sorie is the capacity to perform in condition such as that in the video. What's more amazing is the fact that it's a stock sorento same as what we have in our garage.

[jeanpierre]

in instances like that 4low is used.

Hi ARB, as per the video kasi his approach seems fast. If it's in 4low, his speed should be slower di ba? So baka naka 4hi siguro sya. Malakas talaga...hehehe

[racerxrocksPG]

Hello,

consider me a newbie here.

I've been meaning to ask anyone who purchased 2nd hand Sorento's imported from Korea, the one's that have the "K" insignia? I noticed a lot of these in Cebu and wanted to know what your experiences are from a reliability & performance standpoint? Further, does Kia accept these vehicles for any type of service and do they charge the same amount as they would to a unit purchased from them?

I'm planning to buy one myself and would appreciate any information volunteered from those who purchased one.

Thanks!

[Ventoy]

Magkano ba yung 2nd hand imported SORENTO from Cebu , Is this the EX model??? Hoping for more informative views regarding this one.

[racerxrocksPG]

Magkano ba yung 2nd hand imported SORENTO from Cebu , Is this the EX model??? Hoping for more informative views regarding this one.

Varies between 700-800k, if you got cash, you can probably get a good bargain. Yes, most are EX model, have seen some that look spanking new, so yeah it's tempting to get more info from the folks here.

[ARB]

Hi ARB, as per the video kasi his approach seems fast. If it's in 4low, his speed should be slower di ba? So baka naka 4hi siguro sya. Malakas talaga...hehehe

4low in d can travel as fast as 60kph, the torque is stronger compared to 4high. it is a common rule in 4wd driving if you encounter uphills to use 4low. in manual you use 2nd gear in auto just put it in D. and a little momentum will help.

[Horsepower]

Hi guys. No news pa rin regarding the VGT sorento?

eto pala figures ng engine nya:

stock: 170hp/392Nm

ECU Tuned (Upsolute chip): 200hp/452Nm

Tska, anong klase 4x4 nito, yung Full-time? I mean yung umiikot talaga lahat ng wheels kahit sa high speed (i.e. 180kmh)?

[OTEP]

Part time 4wd ang local Sorento. You can use 4H in any speed as long as the surface offers sufficient slippage.

[Horsepower]

Sir OTEP, pardon my ignorance, is that part time 4x4 a good thing or a bad thing?

[gregg_g]

Hello,

consider me a newbie here.

I've been meaning to ask anyone who purchased 2nd hand Sorento's imported from Korea, the one's that have the "K" insignia? I noticed a lot of these in Cebu and wanted to know what your experiences are from a reliability & performance standpoint? Further, does Kia accept these vehicles for any type of service and do they charge the same amount as they would to a unit purchased from them?

I'm planning to buy one myself and would appreciate any information volunteered from those who purchased one.

Thanks!

Actually they are ok, the only thing you got to check out, is if their papers are clean. (eg. complete custom papers/duties/, OR/CR credible). Mine too is a grey unit, it even has a certification that is was used as a display model, by Busan Motors. Still got all the manuals, tools placed in boxes and with plastic covers. Although got it at a higher price, but at least you are comfortable.

Kia Cebu does not accept it for servicing, you have to pay somekind of a registration fee, but mine was accepted because I bought a Picanto for my wife.

So far I am on my 25k and 2 years, so far so good. Just make sure you do the regular change oil, change fuel filter by 20k or every 20k, just to be sure that everything goes clean to your injectors, better safe than sorry. Btw, fuel filter is a bit expensive here in Cebu. got mine for about 6k in Kia Cebu, but I think you can order that in a Korean Autoparts store in Magallanes st..

[OTEP]

Sir OTEP, pardon my ignorance, is that part time 4x4 a good thing or a bad thing?

That depends. If you intentionally drive the vehicle off-road and you're pretty well versed with 4wd operation, then a part-time 4wd system is ok. It is not idiot proof (you can break expensive parts if you used it on road). A part time 4wd system is relatively simple with no complex electronics or sensors that can get fouled or damaged off-road.

Full time 4wd systems are basically idiot proof. But they are inherently more complex because they have built in systems to take into account tarmac use and avoid the 'binding phenomenon' that occurs when you use a part time system on-road.

Personally, I like the simplicity of part time 4wd. And the fact that most part time 4wd systems have a low-range reduction for off-road use. I just had to read and understand the [somewhat confusing] instructions in my owner's manual.

[led3belt]

Hi,
I am also a newbie in this forum although I've been lurking around this site for quite some time now. I relied significantly on this site when I made the decision to purchase my Sorento. It's got to be one of the wisest decisions I've made - many thanks to you fellow tsikoteers.

I got my Sorie from the gray market here in Manila early last year. It is the TLX variant full of creature and safety features - leather upholstery, moonroof, auto lamp/washer, solar glass, glass-embedded antenna, seat warmer, 10-position auto seat adjustment, auto-mirror (retracting-type), climate control, audio/phone control in the steering wheel, ABS/EBD, SRS airbag (front seats), lamp washer, ECM rear view mirror and best of all, a 3rd-row seat. Bang-for-the-buck, very few vehicles can match it.

It has less than 1000 km in the odo when I acquired it (like gregg's it was a demo unit in Korea). It has logged around 10k kilometers already since then. To date, it hasn't given me any trouble and it continues to be one safe, reliable and comfortable vehicle. It has become the favorite ride of family and friends alike.

It never fails to give me immense driving pleasure on open roads and makes the horrid rush-hour traffic condition in Manila much more bearable. The ride has the feel of an American SUV, a bit floaty but solid and able to absorb well gaping potholes and similar-sized road depressions. However, it is quite sensitive to small road imperfections.

Power provided by its 2.5-litre CRDI engine is more than adequate (I wonder how it would be like if fitted with a VGT). It is mated to a 5-speed auto tranny with sportronic mode. Torque is enormous which enables the Sorento to accelerate well. It exhibits barely a hint of turbo lag.

Handling is confident and surprisingly agile for its size and weight. Wind and engine noise is minimal even at high speeds. Have never pushed it hard but I have a hunch that it could reach its rated top-speed with still plenty to give.

Fuel economy is reasonable for its size and 2-ton weight. I average around 8 km/li combined city and highway, with half the driving time under heavy traffic condition.

One downside, however, is that the Sorento easily bruises - body seems to scratch and dent easily (Dang those motorcyles!).

If I were to buy another SUV today, I'll buy myself another Korean-spec Sorento, with VGT.