Topic: First Drive: 2011 Kia Sorento

[Shnak]

The big issue for me with the Sportage was the steering. The two that I drove (a year apart I might add) had steering that was very disconnected. You could move the wheel I'm sure almost 20 degrees and would get very little steering response. At 21 degrees bam it was like you had oversteered. Interior materials seemed nicer from what I remember too - although both sucked (which is why we bought the Viva Edition - it has its own cloth interior).

Something was wrong with the Sportage you drove then. Mine's steering feel is just perfect, no dead spots whatsoever. Light enough for easy manuvering in parking lots, heavy enough on highways. No complains whatsoever in this regard.

Not sure what you're referring to about the light though - I don't have any wires hanging anywhere that I've ever noticed.

Tucson:
- Notice the wire under the wiper motor assembly; it dangles a bit into the cargo space when the flip-up window is closed.



Sportage:
- Notice how the brake light is integrated into the hatch door with nothing intruding the cargo space whatsoever. Cleaner design, IMO. And as I mentionned, one less thing for the dog to be fascinated with.



And while I'm in image posting mode; here's the dash part sticking out in the Tucson that I didn't like:


Compared to Kia's implementation, with nothing to eat up the space my right knee needs!

[Ex-airbalancer]

Compared to Kia's implementation, with nothing to eat up the space my right knee needs!
That is one of the things I find on most new cars now, how there is no room for your right knee
It really limited the number of vechciles I would get

[Shnak]

Yep, it's especially true on cars, but I've seen my fair share of CUVs, SUVs & minivans with the same problem.

Funnily enough, I don't have this problem with my Accent, except if I pull out the cup holder tray, then my knee will rest against it.

Mazda3:


Matrix:


Impreza:
- Not as bad as the others, but still sticks out and hits my knee.


Corolla:


Venza:

[takwu]

I like the sleek exterior.  As the author noted, it looks like the Magentis and Forte.  But I have to admit it is not very distinctive, except for that Kia exclusive "tiger nose" grill.  Side profile is also very nice; small rear quarter windows makes the car look smaller (compared to the large ones on the Sante Fe, for instance).  I'm not a big fan of the taillights tho, which are considerably chunkier than the rest of the car.

Interior is also very classy.  Very nice looking (and dare I say artsy) steering wheel.  The tall center stack with flanking air vents design seems to work better in a larger cabin than it does on the Forte and Soul.

I do wish CD gets to review the 4-cyliner model tho, since the new trend is to prefer an efficient and powerful-enough 4-cyl over the V6 powerhouses.  And Kia is smart to offer this option in the new car.  For example, Suzuki made a big deal about the newly avail 4-cyl in their Grand Vitara not too long ago.

Pricing seems about right.  Yes the fully loaded $40k model is a bit hard to swallow for a Kia.  But as usual the target here is the mid range models - higher trim 4-cyl to base V6, in which case the price hovers around $30k mark.  Considering the included features these models are indeed competitive.  You can't get much in a CR-V for $30k.

Finally I agree with the other comments that comparison to the Sante Fe is inevitable.  I must note that Hyundai has proved how great a job they have done because the Sante Fe is still competitive after being in the market for a few years.  

I also agree that Hyundai has already built a brand recognition that Kia is still working on.  After all, it has only been a few years when Kia was still selling pre-Hyundai products.  These less-than-reliable Kias are still on the road and continue to give the public a false perception about the models Kia currently offers.

While the general public are still cautious to consider buying a Hyundai, not everyone understands that Kia is technically identical.  The more reputable Sante Fe will appeal to those with less experience with Korean cars.  Whereas the newer (and IMO better) Sorento will appeal to those of us who can already appreciate the value that both Hyundai and Kia has been offering for a few years.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I did fine the Venza OK to drive

[Leviathan]

Compared to Kia's implementation, with nothing to eat up the space my right knee needs!
That is one of the things I find on most new cars now, how there is no room for your right knee
It really limited the number of vechciles I would get

I really noticed that on the Rogue when I sat in it at the last autoshow.

[EV Dan]

http://www.insideline.com/kia/sorento/2011/2011-kia-sorento-ex-v6-full-test.html

- just published. I'm gonna read it soon then comment.

[Susido]

"We had to line up the specs to verify our suspicions, but sure enough, this all-new 2011 Kia Sorento EX V6 either matches or beats the Toyota RAV4 Limited, twice a winner in our crossover comparison tests in nearly every measure: acceleration, braking, handling, horsepower, torque, towing capacity, fuel efficiency, passenger accommodations, cargo capacity, and the list goes on."

From the new Edmunds review...

[rockychocbill]

@Limbo: Ha ha. You are clever. Did you ever consider what the early cars from those manufacturers you mentioned looked like? Like the first Honda Civic that hit North American shores. All companies have growing pains. KIA seems to be hitting their stride now, much like Hyundai has the past couple of years. Mazda was on a roll there for a while (I own a 2002 Protege) but they seem to have lost there way styling wise with some of their more recent vehicles. Every brand has their batch of lemons. At least KIA has the balls to put their warranty where their mouth is. The 2011 Sorento is a fine looking CUV and almost every preview report I've read (over a dozen) all point to it being a quality vehicle with excellent standard equipment. It's time to stop bashing companies that are coming of age based on what they put out 5 or 10 years ago. Based on many long term KIA owners comments I've read, they never were that bad of brand to begin with.  

[rockychocbill]

I just finished reading the Edmunds "Second Look" review a half hour ago. It backs up what almost everone else has said about this vehicle whose ridden in it. Very nice ride at an affordable price.

[CanuckG35]

I just finished reading the Edmunds "Second Look" review a half hour ago. It backs up what almost everone else has said about this vehicle whose ridden in it. Very nice ride at an affordable price.

I searched but couldn't find it.  You would have a link for it would you?

[Shnak]

I also agree that Hyundai has already built a brand recognition that Kia is still working on.  After all, it has only been a few years when Kia was still selling pre-Hyundai products.  These less-than-reliable Kias are still on the road and continue to give the public a false perception about the models Kia currently offers.

While the general public are still cautious to consider buying a Hyundai, not everyone understands that Kia is technically identical.  The more reputable Sante Fe will appeal to those with less experience with Korean cars.  Whereas the newer (and IMO better) Sorento will appeal to those of us who can already appreciate the value that both Hyundai and Kia has been offering for a few years.

Sure, Kia is still building up their reputation, and thus improving public perception. But personally, I'd have no problem paying as much for a Kia as a Hyundai because I know they're mostly identical and Kia's quality is on par with Hyundai's. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't have a clue, to tell you the truth. If anything, Kia's offer better value than Hyundai's because of their lower public perception; to combat this, they usually lower the prices a bit and usually offer more content. Win win for the consumer.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Sure, Kia is still building up their reputation, and thus improving public perception. But personally, I'd have no problem paying as much for a Kia as a Hyundai because I know they're mostly identical and Kia's quality is on par with Hyundai's. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't have a clue, to tell you the truth. If anything, Kia's offer better value than Hyundai's because of their lower public perception; to combat this, they usually lower the prices a bit and usually offer more content. Win win for the consumer


Shank why do have both brands?

[Shnak]

Honestly, I don't know. It's a bit mixed up. Kia seems to offer more 'youthful' and sporty vehicles in the lower price range (Soul, Forte SX, Forte Koup SX) while Hyundai is really conservative in the same price range (Accent, Elantra). Then Hyundai has the Genesis coupe for the enthusiast and the Genesis sedan and upcoming Equus for the luxury market.

It seems to me that Hyundai is trying to cover all of the market, but plays it too conservative, leaving a lot of room for Kia to supplant it in certain brackets.

I much prefer the Rio, Forte, Magentis*, Sportage & Sorento over their current direct equivalents over at Hyundai (*over the current Sonata, that is. It'll most likely change when the new Sonata is here.) And that leaves the Soul & Rondo without challenge from Hyundai, again showing Kia as the more exciting/young family type of company than Hyundai.

I think Hyundai will have a problem with Kia at some point if they can't get out of their way soon. But then again, as long as their are big enough differences in styling and content in both brands, maybe it's not that big of an issue.

[Shnak]

http://www.insideline.com/kia/sorento/2011/2011-kia-sorento-ex-v6-full-test.html

- just published. I'm gonna read it soon then comment.

Reading it now... some interesting tidbits from the review.

In fact, the Sorento's 21 mpg average in our hands matches our results from what should have been a more miserly four-cylinder 2010 Chevrolet Equinox LT2. We should also point out that the Sorento achieves this level of fuel efficiency without the numbing effects of fuel-saving electric-assist power steering as found on both the RAV4 and Equinox.

Pretty impressive that the Sorento with the 3.5L matches the real-world fuel economy of the Equinox with the much publicized 2.4L DI!

The 59.0 dBA sound measurement within the Sorento's cabin while cruising at a steady 70 mph is notably quieter than the 66 dBA performance of our long-term 2009 BMW 750i Sport.

Who's the luxury carmaker here?

We're impressed with the polish, poise and performance of the all-new 2011 Kia Sorento. It continues to prove that Kia and Hyundai have earned the right to be considered a big-time car company.

Couldn't have said it better myself! 

[Spec5]

I also agree that Hyundai has already built a brand recognition that Kia is still working on.  After all, it has only been a few years when Kia was still selling pre-Hyundai products.  These less-than-reliable Kias are still on the road and continue to give the public a false perception about the models Kia currently offers.

While the general public are still cautious to consider buying a Hyundai, not everyone understands that Kia is technically identical.  The more reputable Sante Fe will appeal to those with less experience with Korean cars.  Whereas the newer (and IMO better) Sorento will appeal to those of us who can already appreciate the value that both Hyundai and Kia has been offering for a few years.

Sure, Kia is still building up their reputation, and thus improving public perception. But personally, I'd have no problem paying as much for a Kia as a Hyundai because I know they're mostly identical and Kia's quality is on par with Hyundai's. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't have a clue, to tell you the truth. If anything, Kia's offer better value than Hyundai's because of their lower public perception; to combat this, they usually lower the prices a bit and usually offer more content. Win win for the consumer.

I agree with you Shnak other than my own personal experience with the Sportage. They are neck and neck in the quality/reliability studies as you mentioned likely because they're pretty much all the same vehicles. I think Kia is more like the Chevrolet and Hyundai is kinda like Buick. I mean, you don't see a Kia Genesis or Kia Vera Cruz. Not to mention the Tiburon. I think public perception is on the side of Hyundai because of these "halo" cars like the Genesis. It will be interesting to see where they take the Kia brand in the coming year or two.

Very interesting collection of pictures btw of driver's seats. There's only been one or two vehicles that I've had that issue with and I'm 6'1" (although my wife says I have short legs!). I find it to be more of an issue on the passenger side where there's no room to splay your legs out. When you're driving at least your feet are on the pedals. I really like the Venza but man that looks cramped even for me! Maybe its just the light interior but ya, thats pretty bad.

[Shnak]

I agree with you Shnak other than my own personal experience with the Sportage. They are neck and neck in the quality/reliability studies as you mentioned likely because they're pretty much all the same vehicles. I think Kia is more like the Chevrolet and Hyundai is kinda like Buick. I mean, you don't see a Kia Genesis or Kia Vera Cruz. Not to mention the Tiburon. I think public perception is on the side of Hyundai because of these "halo" cars like the Genesis. It will be interesting to see where they take the Kia brand in the coming year or two.

I think Kia is more like Saturn/Pontiac to Hyundai's Chevrolet. Hyundai tries to cater to everyone with more generic products with the odd exception (Hyundai with the Genesis, Chevrolet with the Corvette). On the other hand, Kia tries to be different (with the Soul, Forte Koup, Rondo, etc.) and cater to younger buyers and young families. We'll see how Hyundai/Kia develop their brands from here, but I do think Kia is different than Saturn/Pontiac on one key aspect: it won't disappear anytime soon! 

[Car Key]

Powerful engine, but how fast it is from 0-100km?

[EV Dan]

Powerful engine, but how fast it is from 0-100km?

7.4 

I really like the fact they stuck with traditional hydraulic steering and the suspension is reportedly not floaty. Really, reading through the reviews the authors only agree on the "cheap" faux wood dash inserts, which I rather like from the pictures as they give the dash a touch of luxury. Everything else seems good so far.
What's the Canadian pricing?

[Ex-airbalancer]

Powerful engine, but how fast it is from 0-100km?

7.4 

I really like the fact they stuck with traditional hydraulic steering and the suspension is reportedly not floaty. Really, reading through the reviews the authors only agree on the "cheap" faux wood dash inserts, which I rather like from the pictures as they give the dash a touch of luxury. Everything else seems good so far.
What's the Canadian pricing?

US pricing times 2.5 plus HST  plus air tax plus tire tax plus battery tax plus PDL