SSangyong
Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 19:19
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vin57
I currently have a Kia Sportage it's been a great car, but is getting a bit long in the tooth and unfortunately I don't like the new Sportage. I was wondering if any folks here have a SSangyong Kyron and could report on their experience.
Reply By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 20:18
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 20:18
Wait about 6 months or so and get the 2.5 TD Kia Sorento.
Been out in UK and Europe since the Sorento was launched. Far more modern engine(New early 2003 Hyundai engine) than the Kyron (old school early 90's Mercedes, known for poor turbo lag), and the Kia is a relatively "known" product with some aftermarket support. Like any 4WD these days you will need a
suspension job done, but that is par for the couse. Otherwise a relatively reliable product (Not many TSB's on them from the manufacturer).
FWIW Ssangyong will not provide any more of their vehicles to reviewers due to poor reviews....enough said????
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Follow Up By: vin57 - Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 21:16
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 21:16
Are they a east-west motor in the sorento
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Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 22:07
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 22:07
North-south conventional 4WD with low range. IFS front, solid rear.
By all accounts apart from the
suspension setup, a decent package. The Europeans seem to like them. Good for 8-9l/100km on a run from a 70 litre
tank.
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Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 11:47
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 11:47
The Sorento is also a decent looking vehicle, unlike the Ssanyongs. Resale value would be much higher I suspect. They are larger than they first look as
well, and have a pretty full house of goodies like ABS, airbags, etc.
The only negative I can see is thay don't bring the TOD model into Aus, meaning 4WD is resrticted to off tarmac/solid roads only.
Maybe they will with the diesel, which is high on my list to replace the Jackaroo, but I've grown to like the TOD and wouldn't want to go without it again.
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Reply By: SimonW - Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 21:32
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 21:32
Hi Vin,
The Sorento is worth a look, I have thrashed
mine within a inch of it's life with a ton of camper trailer on it & knocked up 50,000km within 18mnths, & it hasn't missed a beat. There was a gear change hesitation with the 5 speed auto but Kia resolved that. The diesel would definitely be worth a look, although remember they are only a 5 seater. Both diesel & petrol engines are north / south traditional layout.
Cheers Simon.
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Follow Up By: acdc - Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 22:24
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 22:24
SimonW,
My brother has an auto and when 4wd in heavy sand the auto overheats and goes into limp mode, apart from that he loves it.
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Follow Up By: vin57 - Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 22:51
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007 at 22:51
Simon are talking sorento or Kyron your bother has?
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Follow Up By: SimonW - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 10:02
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 10:02
Hi acdc,
Interesting I have not had the Sorento 5 speed auto go into limp mode no matter what I throw at it, there was a issue fixed at the same time with the auto where the tiptronics would lockout from manual mode, & you had to start & start the car to reset it, Kia thought this was the box running hot but it was related to lack of sheilding on the speed sensor wire picking up interferance, but this was all part of the same fix, & it has not missed a beat since, there TSB # KT2006120701, I advise he gets Kia to perfrom the modification under warrenty. (www.kiatechinfo.com)
Cheers Simon.
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Follow Up By: acdc - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 11:09
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 11:09
SimonW,
Thanks for the info! i will tell him, apart from this no problems, we fitted king springs and bilstein shocks to his, which made a huge improved on corrugations.
We also have fitted dual batteries under the bonnet.
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Follow Up By: SimonW - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 11:16
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 11:16
Hi acdc,
Yep same here, fitted Koni's shocks & pedder 45mm lift coils with BF-AT's & it is a totally different vehicle & very capable. Interested where you fitted the 2nd battery under the hood as it is busy in there so I threw it in the camper trailer.
A decent size fuel
tank would be nice.
Cheers Simon.
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Follow Up By: acdc - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:58
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:58
SimonW,
I'll see if i can get a picture of the dual battery system for you.
There certainly a good vehicle!
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Follow Up By: SimonW - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 16:36
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 16:36
Hi acdc,
If at all possible picture would be much appreciated.
email address just in case s.wills@bigpond.net.au
Cheers Simon.
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Reply By: live4theweekends - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 09:16
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 09:16
No first hand experience but my brother had a ssangyong and declared it to be the worst car he ever had. Was constantly throwing money at it. I also remember reading in a 4wd mag an article where they were doing 'crash test' scenarios (e.g. would it be worse to hit a brick wall at 100ks or hit another car head on also travelling at 100ks towards you) and they were pretending to use ssangyongs cos they reacon a few less on the road would be a good thing!
:-)
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Reply By: Gronk - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:41
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:41
Hyundai own Kia, so would be good to look see under a
Sorrento and see if there are any simularities to the Terracan ??
Got to hand it to the Koreans, doing the same thing the japs did 15yrs ago, trying to take over the car market ( and may succeed ?? )
Think the
Sorrento diesel will be worth waiting for as the Terracan is rumoured to be replaced next year with a soft roader ( similar in style to the Sante Fe )
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Reply By: Dave Thomson - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 14:23
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 14:23
Liked the look of it so stopped and chatted to an owner in
Albany he loved the car great at everything very happy but wouldn't buy another when asked why he said he'd been waiting 6 MONTHS on a rear bumber {his was panned in} but just couldn't get the parts,
regards,
Dave
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