2003 Kia Sorento Review

Kia has put many of the best features of mid-size sport-utility vehicles in its handsome new Sorento, which is this South Korean automaker's first fairly large sport-ute.

The fun-to-drive Sorento is primarily meant to compete in the compact sport-ute market, but has the size, power, ruggedness and features to compete in the mid-size sport-utility field.

One trump card the $19,500-$24,100 Sorento holds is low price; it costs thousands of dollars less than mid-size sport-utes and comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

The low prices don't reflect low levels of standard equipment. Even the base LX model has a strong V-6, automatic transmission, air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD sound system, heated mirrors and power windows and door locks.

The higher-line EX model adds such items as a power sunroof, upscale sound system, alloy wheels, power driver's seat, remote keyless entry and two-tone exterior body cladding.

So far, the Sorento is the only under-$30,000 sport-ute with standard front and rear side curtain air bags for side-impact protection.

Resale value is a question mark because, as with all South Korean vehicle producers, Hyundai-owned Kia has yet to demonstrate long-term durability.

But the Sorento has rugged body-on-frame truck construction typical of bigger, more costly mid-size sport-utes. Many compact sport-utility vehicles have less substantial car-based unibody construction.

Interior materials are above-average and the Sorento has a solid feel, with no rattles on rough roads. Even the rear-seat cupholders, which slide out from the back of the front console, are sturdy--a good sign. And the hood is held open with smooth struts found in costlier sport-utes, not a cheap prop rod one might expect to find.

It's fairly easy to slide in and out of the quiet interior, which offers plenty of room for four tall adults, or for five in a pinch, because the rear-seat area is especially large. Gauges can be quickly read and the large controls are within convenient reach. But some tall drivers may wish that their seat slid back a bit farther. The ignition switch is on the dashboard so one need not grope to find it on the steering column.

There's no available third-row seat--a hot mid-size sport-ute feature--because it would eat up too much cargo space. But the entire rear seat--both seatbacks and cushions--folds forward to significantly enlarge the cargo area. That can be reached through the two-piece tailgate, which has a low, wide opening.

The 179.8-inch long Sorento is about the size of a smaller mid-size sport-ute, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It comes in base LX and higher-line EX trim levels with rear- or four-wheel drive.

There are two four-wheel drive systems, and both have low-range gearing for tough off-road driving, which is made easier by short body overhangs. One system is for use only on dry roads, while the full-time automatic Torque-on Demand system can be left engaged on dry pavement.

The full-time system is offered only for the EX and comes as part of a $1,830 Luxury Package that includes such things as leather upholstery, simulated wood interior trim, heated front seats, automatic climate control and an AM/FM/CD sound system with an in-dash CD player.

That Luxury Package costs $1,330 for the rear-drive EX, but doesn't contain the Torque-On-Demand system.

Stand-alone options include $520 anti-lock brakes for all models and an $810 leather package for EX models.

While noisy when pushed, the 3.5-liter V-6 produces 192 horsepower and lively acceleration. The 24-valve, dual-overhead-camshaft engine works with a responsive four-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel economy of the 4,057-4,255-pound Sorento is only an estimated 15 mpg in the city and 18 on highways with four-wheel drive and 15 and 20 with rear drive. But no mid-size V-6 sport-utility is a fuel miser, and 87-octane fuel can be used.

A double-wishbone front suspension and long 106.7-inch wheelbase help assure a surprisingly smooth ride that becomes bouncy only occasionally. A wide track and fairly large 16-inch wheels contribute to agile handling. Steering is fairly quick, and the brake pedal has a nice linear action. The Sorento has a superior all-disc brake system, but stopping distances are average without anti-lock brakes.

The Sorento shows that once-marginal Kia can come up with a very appealing sport-utility during its first swing at bat.


2003 KIA SORENTO

Prices:
$19,500-$24,100
Likes:
Roomy. Good performance. Handsome. Rugged. Very competitively priced. Nicely equipped.
Dislikes:
Mediocre fuel economy. Driver seat should slide back more. Resale value a question mark.