Kia Sorento

Jim,
Not first-hand knowledge, but I do know someone who is a traditional cruiser owner, (current 100 series). Spent two weeks last year on a long trip with the cruiser, a patrol and a Sorento. They were surprised how well it drove loaded, and went everywhere the two larger vehicles went, (admittedly, no hard-core stuff). Was even considering purchasing one. Just what they told me, hope this helps
Rolande

Do a site search....there is a forumite, GaryInOz, who drives a Kia and has fitted 31 inch wheels to it. He came along on the EO Little Desert Trip at the beginning of March and went just about everywhere the bigger vehicles went. That was before the upgrade to the larger tyres. Haven't seen him on the forum for a while though........

I have read GARYINOZ's previous ravings and wouldn't ask him how to tie my shoes.

G'day Jimbo.

I had a drive of one about 7 months ago, up to the top of mount Cooree in the ACT.

The truck was very well behaved. If you want mechanical similarities, think of the Pathfinder or a lowered Hilux.

Everything that we did to the bastard and it kept coming back for more. The rear suspension really works overtime to keep the thing moving. It could do with a better rear diff, but it was generally capable of doing anything that we asked of it. I wouldn't give it 10 out of 10, but it's a bloody good little truck for softer stuff - It did things better than the Pajero, but not as good as the old Prado. Probably better than the new one though.

The only sore point was the fuel economy, or lack there of. It drank worse than Roothy after accompaning his "handbrake" to a church tea party!

My 3 ton ZD-30 Patrol used 20L of diesel to go up to the top plus run around in the snow for a few hours, the little Sorrento used 33L of Petrol to do the same. But then again, it only had 2400K's on the clock at the time, so it wasn't really broken in yet.

A Patrol Biggot, I'd buy one for a town car with aspirations to do a little light stuff with it, but with the independent front end, I'd think that the modifications market could do something to improve it's ride-height and such, I reckon you could do some serious 4x4ing in it!

Chris.

Garyinoz,

Please accept my apologies. I had your name confused with someone else (after my post of a few days ago on the same subject, and had become somewhat tired of uninformed drivel) when I posted the reply, no excuse but sorry all the same.

Thanks for your comments, they are well received.

Regards,

Jim.

Hi Jimbo
I have had Troopers (Jackaroos) since 1991 and have posted on this forum on that subject from time to time. Unfortunately, Isuzu apathy and dealer unhelpfulness caused me to switch loyalties. After much research and test driving of Toyotas, Terracans and Cherokees I settled on the Kia Sorento. I took delivery in December last year and so far I am immensely impressed. My 4x4's have to work hard here in the UK as well as on trips to the continent and through the alps and up the Dolomites with very heavy German caravan loaded for a month. Mine is the diesel 2.5crdi with full time 4wheel drive. Rather than me go on at length about this superb car, take look at these two sites: www.sorentoforum.com
and www.sorentoweb.cjb.net. The second site is in Spanish but if you go to "enlaces" (links) you can find some superb Sorento offroad action. The first site has a section from Oz.

Good Hunting
John

Sorento is a great looking car and very well priced. It also got a four-star crash test rating, which is unusual in a 4WD, especially a traditional one with separate chassis etc.

There have been some positive comments on the Sorento in 4x4 Australia and Australian 4WD Monthly magazines. It made the finals of 4WDOTY in both mags last year. The main complaint was about the ride and handling on gravel roads and forestry tracks. I suspect that $2,000 or so on decent tyres and new suspension would do wonders. The Sorento is so keenly priced that you would still come out well ahead on buying one of its rivals (Pathfinder, Challenger, XL-7, etc).

On the subject of the Sorento's suspension, see this thread at Australian 4WD Monthly forum.

I hope Kia brings the diesel here! Lots of positives about it in overseas reviews, and would provide good economy.

One disadvantage of Sorento is that (like other models that don't sell in great numbers) it might be some time before there are many accessories available. For example, I suspect you would struggle to find a snorkel for it.

Might also be a doubt about its retained values. (Looking at it the other way, it could be a great buy 2nd hand in the next couple of years!)