Topic: 2011 Kia Sorento EX-V6; Day 1

[Autos_Editor]

James moves from a vehicle offered in just two trims, to one available in 15 different configurations, the 2011 Kia Sorento. His tester happens to be the highest of those 15 trims, the EX-V6 Luxury model.
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[CanuckS2K]

I Am anxious to hear James' thoughts on the Sorento.  I am considering purchasing the Sorento in the fall and I've been impressed with everything so far. 

[Carl_NDelta]

Please tell us about the front seats in terms of long term comfort.  Another review has commented that they are too firm.  Are they something you'd want to sit in for a 5 to 10 hour drive?

[Roy]

Looks like Kia used the 2007-2009 Mitsu Outlander as the template - both inside and out!

[swishguy]

I am cross- shopping santa fe & sorrento right now. The Santa fe has way better incentives & basically the exact same mechanics. The Sorrento is a better looking rig tho.
Right now on santa fe i can get $3500 rebate & 2.9% for 48 months.
Kia has $500 plus $1000 loyalty(my beater is a kia) & 2.9% for up to 60 months.

[Shnak]

I am cross- shopping santa fe & sorrento right now. The Santa fe has way better incentives & basically the exact same mechanics. The Sorrento is a better looking rig tho.
Right now on santa fe i can get $3500 rebate & 2.9% for 48 months.
Kia has $500 plus $1000 loyalty(my beater is a kia) & 2.9% for up to 60 months.

I thought the Santa Fe was at 0%/60 months? Where's this 2.9%/48mos coming from?

And what about features? I'm pretty sure the Sorento comes with better standard equipment, like heated seats and trip computer. Even with the bigger incentives on the Santa Fe, the Sorento is still worth a good long look, IMO.

[cannons91]

I am very exctied for the all new 2011 Kia Sorento. I think it took a couple of models to really figure out their niche. With this model though, I expect it to be the class leader among crossover suv's.  I am practically salvating while waiting for those things to start showing up on our <used cars Clarksville In lot.

[Spec5]

I am cross- shopping santa fe & sorrento right now. The Santa fe has way better incentives & basically the exact same mechanics. The Sorrento is a better looking rig tho.
Right now on santa fe i can get $3500 rebate & 2.9% for 48 months.
Kia has $500 plus $1000 loyalty(my beater is a kia) & 2.9% for up to 60 months.

I thought the Santa Fe was at 0%/60 months? Where's this 2.9%/48mos coming from?

And what about features? I'm pretty sure the Sorento comes with better standard equipment, like heated seats and trip computer. Even with the bigger incentives on the Santa Fe, the Sorento is still worth a good long look, IMO.

I was thinking the same. All the commercials I see on TV are 0% for 60 months.

Can't go wrong with the Santa Fe - its a proven vehicle. I always worry about first model year vehicles. If you can I'd wait till the 2012s come out - give them time to work out whatever bugs the new design has.

[mrthompson]

Wing, care to comment on rearward visibility?

[mogulman]

The loaded Santa Fe comes with a worse stereo system too.  The Sorento Infinity Stereo is better.

[swishguy]

You have a choice of financing options buying the hyundai.
0% financing
or
3500 rebate & 2.9 financing.

[wing]

Wing, care to comment on rearward visibility?

Will do!

[Shnak]

You have a choice of financing options buying the hyundai.
0% financing
or
3500 rebate & 2.9 financing.

Ahh ok that make sense. So assuming the Santa Fe costs $35,000 out the door, that's $583.33/month over 5 years at 0% compared to $564.62/month for $31,500 over 5 years at 2.9%. I wonder why anyone would take the 0% offer in that case?

[Shnak]

From Day 2:
But therein lies some of my dislikes: if you tilt the middle row back too much you cannot fold the third row flat, and getting to the third row — now there is an adventure. With the front passenger seat too far back, the middle row seat will not flip forward either, and then it is impossible to get to the rearmost seats, so it could become a real hassle to use that third row.

With the third row seats up and ready for use cargo space is laughable; I couldn’t fit my lunch bag in there so I had to flip the seat down. Also with the seats and headrests up — let’s just say you should be glad there is a backup camera.


What'd you expect James, as much space as a minivan? It's a smallish mid-size SUV that offers the option of having 3rd row seating for smaller passengers. I'd say that all of those 'hassles', as you put it, are more than worth it if those 3rd seats are actually usable when you need them.

Oh, and by the way, you could have adressed the main issue about the 3rd seats instead of all that nitpicking (IMO)... are they actually usable by anyone?

[dutch]

You have a choice of financing options buying the hyundai.
0% financing
or
3500 rebate & 2.9 financing.

Ahh ok that make sense. So assuming the Santa Fe costs $35,000 out the door, that's $583.33/month over 5 years at 0% compared to $564.62/month for $31,500 over 5 years at 2.9%. I wonder why anyone would take the 0% offer in that case?

Because 0% sounds so good! Alot of people won't do the math - they will just see the big zero

[wing]

Shnak, I don't know I can't get back there!  It's nearly impossible, I'll have to find a little kid to test with.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Shnak, I don't know I can't get back there!  It's nearly impossible, I'll have to find a little kid to test with.

I thought you were small  ;or get the giant dwarf back there

[grhof]

The 3rd row seat issue is not unique to Sorento.  It applies to all mid-size SUVs that have 3rd row seats.  And of course if you push the seat back you can't fold the seat behind.  I don't understand why that is an issue.  If you want a Sorento that has all the room in the world then you have to stretch it and then it wouldn't be mid-size anymore.  And the price would also go up, etc. etc.  I would understand if the nitpicking is focused around workmanship.

[Shnak]

Shnak, I don't know I can't get back there!  It's nearly impossible, I'll have to find a little kid to test with.

Well an Edmunds' reviewer could do it...

http://www.edmunds.com/kia/sorento/2011/review.html
Pros

Plentiful standard features, decent-sized third-row seat, nice balance between ride comfort and handling, punchy optional V6, long warranty.

Longer than both rivals, the Sorento capitalizes with an optional third-row seat that's actually inhabitable by adults for short trips; the RAV4's third row, conversely, is strictly for kids, and the CR-V doesn't even offer one.

Come on James, a little effort please... if this Edmunds reviewer could manager to sit into the 3rd row, I'm sure you can too! 

[wing]

You guys are funny, you are doing the same thing .

I have sat in many third row seats, I spent 10 minutes flipping and folding crap and still it was a nightmare so I didn't bother.  Shnak you would never ever even try to get in.  So why do you care so much if they are comfortable?  Oh right because you own a Kia and now love them beyond all belief

There is no proof that Edmunds guy sat in it either just because he typed it, I am honest I didn't get in because it was a HUGE PITA.  I could have just said, they are okay but only for short trips, like everyone always says about third row seats.  But I am giving my honest opinion they are just a huge PITA.  You can only get in on the passenger side, if that seat is back at all you can't flip the seat so getting in is impossible, have the second row back a little and now you can't fold them, ugh.  I've never had so many issues with seats.