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2003 KIA SORENTO

The Sorento is the first sport utility vehicle built as a joint production by Kia and Hyundai. It wasdesigned as a luxury SUV to enhance the Kia brand on the world market. The Sorento usestechnology derived from the Sportage, the Sedona and the Carens, the latter a high-stance station

wagon sold in Europe and Asia. The Sorento is longer and wider than the Honda CR-V, HyundaiSanta Fe, Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Nissan Xterra. It has the longest wheelbase of themall, surpassed in this respect only by the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Highlander.

Interior and cargo area

The Sorento offers easy access to both the front and rear seats. The front buckets are verycomfortable, and the high backrests provide good shoulder support, even for tall people.

Drivers easily find a good driving position, but some may find that the parking brake lever rubsagainst their right thigh. Driver visibility is good on all sides, helped by the large outside mirrors.

The rear bench has room for three adults but real comfort for two. Headroom and legroom aregenerous. The 60/40 seat split allows you to fold each seatback against the cushion to asixty-degree angle. To fold the seat flat with the floor, you must first remove the head restraints,which you can stow in the space provided in the cushions. Cargo space, which is good when thebench is in place, becomes cavernous when the bench is folded flat. The high liftover is typicalof a 4X4, and the hatch does not open high enough to clear the head of a tall person. You can,however, open just the window section.

Safety and convenience

The cabin is very well finished in quality materials but soundproofing could be more efficient,especially in terms of engine noise. Storage spaces are liberally distributed throughout and someare lined in antiskid materials. Instruments and controls are well displayed and easy to use,though a shelf above the CD player complicates recuperating a CD. The controls mounted on thesteering wheel should be lighted at night. Both the manually operated climate control system inthe LX and the automatic version in the EX do a competent job, which is not always the case invehicles as big as the Sorento. However, you have to press a button each time to obtain anoutside temperature reading, which becomes tiresome.

Safety features include two front air bags and two side air curtains, powerful headlights and fivelocking head restraints. However, the rear restraints cannot be adjusted high enough to protecttall people adequately. The windshield picks up reflections from the top of the dashboard.

Engine and transmission

The Sorento uses the same, 3.5-litre V-6 engine as the Sedona, developing 192 horsepower and217 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration and pickup are lively enough for easy power in the vastmajority of cases, and the Sorento has a towing capacity of 2,270 kg (5,000 lb.). We noted thatthe cruise control is irregular, causing a constant rocking movement. The four-speed automatictransmission generally shifts smoothly. In LX trim, the transfer case has 2 Hi, 4 Hi and 4 Low



modes, whereas the EX version offers, instead of 2 Hi, a 4X4 Auto mode. Both systems work very well, but the LX proves the more fuel-efficient because in 2 Hi mode, power goes only tothe rear wheels, while with the 4 Auto version, gears are always turning to channel torque to thefront wheels whenever the rear wheels begin to slip.

On the road

The engineers have done a very good job in calibrating the suspension to be as proficient in off-road situations as it is on the highway. The suspension tuning is relatively firm but in spite of therear rigid axle, off-road suspension reactions are free of harsh jolts or rear-end bucking. TheSorento handles itself well in curves, displaying acceptable body lean. At 20.8 cm (8.2 in.) off the ground, the Sorento has sufficient clearance for bumpy trails. Its sturdy, nine-cross-member ladder frame can handle serious off-road conditions. However, the robust construction comes at aprice, the Sorento being weightier than the competing vehicles mentioned above.

The power steering is well tuned, precise and reasonably quick. The four-wheel disc brake

system is efficient.

An inspection at the CAA-Quebec inspection centre revealed a sturdy, well-assembled vehicle.However, the rear differential ventilation valve hose should be located higher up on a hose,instead of on the differential where it could be in contact with water at that level.

Conclusion

The Sorento has everything it takes to satisfy anyone who really needs a 4X4. Once again, Kiahas successfully created a product that is well equipped, well assembled and pleasant to drive,with a civilized suspension and comfortable seats. Also worth mentioning is the advantageousquality/price/equipment ratio.

PROS CONSComfort Noisy engineRoomy interior Non-lighted controlsPowerful engine Irregular cruise controlSmooth transmission Hatch does not open high enough (tall

people)Equipment Reflections in windshieldSturdy Parking brake lever

2003 KIA SORENTO

Engine: 24-valve, 3.5-litre V-6 Horsepower: 192 h.p. @ 5,500 rpmTorque: 217 lb.-ft. @ 3,000 rpm Transmission: 4-speed automaticSuspension: independent front/rigid axle rear Brakes: 4-wheel discLength: 456.7 cm Width: 186.3 cm (EX: 188.4 cm)Height: 181 cm Wheelbase: 271 cmWeight: 1,930 to 1,950 kg Tires: P245/70R16Towing capacity: 2,270 kg Air bags: Standard front plus 2 air curtains



Fuel consumption:

- Transport Canada rating: city: 16 L/100 km (18 mpg); highway: 11.7 L/100 km (24 mpg)

- Test result: 15 L/100 (19 mpg)

Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h: 9.8 seconds 60-100 km/h: 6.7 seconds

Competition: Chevrolet Blazer and TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, GMC Jimmy and Envoy, JeepGrand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, Suzuki XL-7, Toyota 4Runner

Maintenance (amount may vary from dealer to dealer): Frequency: 3 months/5,000 km; total cost to 100,000 km: $1,729

Warranty:

- Full basic coverage: 5 years/100,000 km

- Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km- Surface corrosion: 1 year/20,000 km

- Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited mileage

- Emissions control system: 5 years/100,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalyticconverter, electronic control module and onboard diagnostic device)

Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $368 Front brake disk: $114Brake pads: $126 Muffler: $305Front fender: $238

Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-freeinsurance record, female driver or male driver 30 to 40 years old): $926 to $1,508

Price according to trim line: LX: $29,795EX: $33,795

Main options:

Luxury Group: $2,000 (EX only)

Price as tested: $29,795

Freight and preparation: $900

Dealers: Quebec: 48; Canada: 142

Ó CAA-Quebec, October 2002

2003kiasorento_0

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