2004 Kia Sorento LX Review and Test Drive

The Korean-built Kia Sorento has been a big hit on these shores. The Sorento has received almost universal praise for its clean design, top-flight build quality and its many standard safety features. It's extraordinarily well equipped for this price class. But bargain hunters should also keep in mind this is a real truck with a fully boxed ladder frame, so the ride is harsher than a car. Available in LX and EX with 2WD or 4WD. MSRP begins at $19,635; Warranty: 10yrs/100,000 miles.

First Glance

In the mid '90s Kia, a venerable Korean carmaker, was in desperate straits because the economy of South Korea and indeed the economies of much of Asia were in meltdown. After a tug of war with Ford, Hyundai acquired Kia in 1998. The combined Hyundai-Kia Motors was then given a massive injection of cash by the Korean Government to put it right on its feet. Currently the world's 9th largest automaker, it plans to replace DaimlerChrysler in the number five slot by 2010. Don't laugh. The company is ideally positioned geographically to move up since much of the sales growth in the next decade is projected to come from the Far East, which is Hyundai-Kia's backyard. Hyundai and Kia currently share several of the 27 platforms on their combined rosters. By 2008, they plan to reduce the number of platforms to eight with a commensurate increase in sharing. Bottom line is Kia is a major player in the global automotive stakes and it's here to stay. Its excellent line up for 2005 - anchored by the terrific Spectra models and the well-engineered Sorento, will ensure that Kia's plans to be a major player in North America stay on track.

In the Driver' Seat

The seats are firm yet comfortable. Actually, they feel like they could have come out of one of Mercedes-Benz' European or Brazilian models. You don't sink into them, but they are very supportive. The driver's seat is especially comfortable. It is ideally positioned to give the driver a good view of the surroundings. Visibility in all directions is excellent. The rear seats are positioned high, theatre style. People seated back there can see out almost as well as the driver. With 10,000 miles on the clock, the whole automobile still feels very tight. No rattles or scuttle shake were detected even over washboard gravel roads. This indicates the body of the Sorento is very stiff, which is rare in a vehicle - especially an SUV - in this price category. Body stiffness is very important, critical even, since without it body panels won't line up properly and handling will be badly compromised. The Sorento is sold in North America with a 3.5L, 24 valve, DOHC V-6 engine that develops 192 hp and 217 lb-ft of torque. A smooth 5-speed manual is standard. A 4-speed auto is optional. Regular power steering on the LX feels over boosted. Speed sensitive power steering is available on the EX.

On the Road

The Sorento uses the fully boxed ladder type frame from a Kia light truck model not sold in North America - Kia is one of the largest makers of light trucks in the Far East. With 9 cross members in the frame, it has a sturdy feel. The ride tends towards the truck-like (it is definitely not car-like) yet still not especially harsh over broken city streets. To put its ride into better perspective, I can say it's quite different from a 2004 Honda CR-V, which I had tested the previous week. Regular readers will recall I find the CR-V to be an exceptional family-style vehicle - a tall, roomy, convenient wagon with a 4WD system that's perhaps more for show than go. Compared with the more refined CR-V, the 4,360 lb Sorento 4WD feels more ready for the heavy lifting. It feels willing and able to toss a line to the 3,750 lb CR-V to tow it through the really rough stuff. Like the CR-V, the Sorento has an exceptionally tight turning radius (36.4 ft). My test Sorento, an LX with 4WD, had the 5-speed manual. I enjoyed using this tranny. Disc brakes on all 4 wheels are standard as are side impact air bags. The Sorento carries the NHTSA 5-star safety rating.

Journey's End

I don't hesitate to recommend the Sorento LX to friends who are in the market for an SUV. Cars Guide Philip Powell was horrified recently when Number One Son informed him he was considering trading his Accord Coupe in on a Sorento. I was able to re-assure Philip that his son could do a lot worse than the Sorento and that, in fact, if I were in the market for practical SUV (if that's not an oxymoron) I would seriously consider the Sorento. I like the price and I like the design and engineering. And I really like the way it feels on the road especially with the 5-speed manual. Reminds me of my trucking days, I guess. The V-6 engine in the Sorrento doesn't have the refinement of say, the 3.5L V-6 available in the Honda Pilot but it's more than adequate and also a heck of a lot cheaper. Observed fuel economy after one week of mostly short hops driving around town was about 16 mpg. However, I'm certain it would be more fuel-efficient given the chance to stretch its legs. If you're doing mostly city-type driving (kids to the mall, etc) you should keep this in mind. Fuel has become a very strategic commodity these days. Shame to waste it. The Sorento with a fuel-saving diesel or a hybrid. Now, that's what I'd really like to see.