2007 KIA Sorento CRDi and 3.3 V6 First Steer
August 23, 2007 by Anthony Crawford
“You don’t buy a Kia just to save money these days, you buy one because of their reliability and build quality”
I have to be honest – when we received an invite to the new KIA Sorento media launch recently, I was thinking whom I could send to represent Car Advice.
You see, I had pigeon holed the KIA brand as the poor cousin to its parent company Hyundai, and wasn’t too excited by the prospect of a drive in a KIA branded SUV.
I should have known better. From the moment I climbed aboard the new Sorento 3.3 V6 and 2.5 CRDi, I was doing more back flips than all our political parties put together.
High quality materials and switchgear, comfortable seats, well appointed, and a ridiculously quiet cabin for what is, a very capable 4X4 vehicle.
The silky new V6 has been joined by a superb 2.5-litre CRDi (Common Rail Diesel), which, from where I sit, would be equally at home under the bonnet of a range of higher priced prestige SUV’s on the market.
The first leg of the drive was in the petrol powered 3.3-litre V6 featuring an all aluminium block with 24valves and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT).
With impressive power outputs such as 180kW and 309Nm, this medium sized SUV has plenty of go. For what its worth, 0-100km/h will take 9.2 seconds and if you had a “get out of jail pass” you could wind her up to 190 km/h.
Overtaking in a medium/large SUV – no problem. Roll-on acceleration is equally impressive, with 60-100km/h taking all of 4.9 seconds.
It’s the same engine that lives in the Santa Fe but surprisingly, the Sorento felt quicker all round and perhaps even quieter inside the cabin.
The five-speed auto gearbox (with a sequential shift option) is standard kit on all but one of the Sorento range, which adapts to your driving style and provides a car like driving experience with smooth, rapid shifts in either transmission mode.
With 208mm of ground clearance and reasonable approach and departure angles, deep creek crossings and rock-infested tracks proved little or no obstacle for the Sorento, while comfort levels remained high.
This is a proper 4X4 built around a ladder-frame chassis rather than the more common soft-roader vehicles, built using a monocoque (single shell – using the outer skin to support most of the load) and is ideal for boat and trailer towing.
Initially, we kicked off in two-wheel drive along what was a very dry and gravely track and things felt a little uneasy, to say the least. Under normal conditions, the Sorento operates in rear wheel drive to save fuel and provide a better drive, and that was making the vehicle very light on its feet on this particular surface.
Once we switched over to 4WD in high range via a rather cheap looking knob on the right side of the steering wheel (something I should have done before starting out) things settled down immediately, and we got back on the pedal with far more confidence.
One small issue though. When you select 4WD high or 4WD low – the system then turns off the ESP but thankfully allows Traction Control to remain active. It’s quite common for ESP to be shut off when low range is selected, but unusual in 4WD high range, as is the case with the Sorento.
Suspension felt as if it was more tuned to tarmac than the serious off road stuff (maybe a little too compliant) which in the “real world” is undoubtedly the way to go.
Sophisticated double wishbones with coil springs and gas shocks are employed up front, while a rigid axle five-link system with coil springs and gas dampers at the rear, allows for plenty of wheel movement and disperses shock impact effectively in most cases.
On the tarmac, the 3.3-litre V6 rides like a well-heeled luxury car with very little body roll through the bends and a surprisingly comfortable cabin.
Steering is also well weighted and responsive, as are the ventilated disc brakes on both ends of the Sorento.
Parking in tight spaces and general suburban manoeuvring won’t be a problem either. With a turning circle of 11metres, it betters both the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-7 soft-roaders.
Our EX-L badged Sorento had an upmarket Black woodgrain finish on the centre console and door trim, along with good quality leather trim with red stitching. Switchgear is well laid out and easy to operate. Chrome look accents provide a generally upscale look to the interior while all the usual luxury kit is on board.
Dual-zone climate control, Power windows and mirrors, Electric tilt/slide glass sunroof with shade, Cruise control with remote buttons on the leather stitched steering wheel (no audio control buttons though) and power driver’s seat round out the A-list features.
Audio is via a six-speaker CD unit with MP3 capability which is reasonable but there isn’t an iPod or MP3 input – and there should be.
Storage has been thoughtfully integrated into the cabin with everything from sunglass holder to rear cargo under floor compartment and everything in between. It even comes with a rear cargo net, which can be especially useful with on trips away or even local shopping missions.
If we thought the 3.3-litre V6 drove well, the 2.5L CRDi was the pick.
It’s a decent sized diesel for a start and a high tech unit to boot. The Common Rail Direct injection is by Bosch and the Variable Geometry Turbocharger is by the turbo tech Gurus, Garrett.
Bare with me for a minute if you will, I want to give Garrett a plug, not that he needs it.
Cliff Garret started his business with $5000 he borrowed in a tiny one-room office in LA in 1936. He worked mostly in the aviation industry where he pioneered the pressurised cabin in the WW2 Bomber, the B29 Superfortress, along with a host of other technical innovations.
Turbos came later. In 1980 he built the awesome Vector W8 with twin Garrett turbos and 600hp with a top speed of 240mph. He clearly understood Turbo technology. Today, Garrett has a team of over 500 engineers working on engine boost products, which are highly regarded in the auto industry.
Vector W8
The Garret Motorsports Group boasts an impressive list of victories to their credit:
• Team Audi – Le Mans Hat Trick
• Team Audi – first diesel victory at Le Mans in their R10 in 2006
• Top 3 positions at Le Mans 6 consecutive years
• 11 CART championships
• 5 Pikes Peak overall victories
• 4 World Rally Championships
• 6 World Rally Manufacturers Championships
• 1st 200 mph (320kph) streetbike ¼ mile pass
Sorry about this digression, but what I mean to say is, that KIA have used the best Turbocharger in the business – utterly reliable and more boost when you need it.
It shows. The Euro-1V complaint (yes its green too) puts out a reasonable 125kW of power at 3,800rpm and a whopping 392Nm @ 2,000rpm. Better still, stand on the pedal, and you get 290Nm from just 1300rpm right through to 4000rpm, making for an infinitely flexible ride on any terrain you care to tackle.
You’ll notice that you’re in a diesel powered SUV when you first start the vehicle, but once your moving through the gears – you can’t pick it, such is the refinement of this package.
Fuel consumption for a sizeable 4X4 auto SUV weighing in at 2121 (kerb weight) is a remarkable 9.4 litres per 100kms (combined city/hwy) although the base model LX with 5-speed manual, is said to deliver 8.5 litres/100kms and can travel up to 940km on a single tank of diesel.
Safety is an important issue in SUV’s these days, given their general popularity amongst families with children. Sorento gets driver and front passenger airbags across the range, with side curtain airbags standard on only the EX-L variant. Not ideal really, we’d like to see them standard across the entire range.
“With over 700,000 sold as of January 2007, the Kia Sorento is already a global success. The new 3.3-litre V6 and 2.5-litre CRDi will add volumes to this number”
By Anthony Crawford
Print it: 
It looks good, goes good and has the handling and modern features you would expect.
Sounds like a winner to me.
Yeah, I must say Kia has come a long way in a short amount of time. To any one who’d written them off as a bad joke – go take another look, you’ll be surprised. I was :)
No offence to anyone involved however i’m getting real tired of cars that look like 4×4s, we need a bit more passion in motoring these days!
Good to see Kia are lifting their game.
So what is their build quality like now? Similar to Holden/Ford?
If I was in the market for a 4×4/SUV I would definitely go and have a drive of one. I still think they look good on the road too.
I have been looking for a replacement vehicle for my 1998 Monterey for a while. I don’t like $75,000 Pajero/Prado vehicles, which is what you have to pay for one with leather, etc.
I LUV the diesel Touareg, but at $85,000 before paint and a few desirable add-ons, it would finish at $100,000 drive away, which I don’t want to pay and would hate to take into the bush.
So the diesel Sorento has been on my must drive list for ages, and on Saturday I have been offered a half day test drive which should give me a chance to develop a love or hate relationship the unit.
For those who hate 4×4 for no reason, I say don’t buy one, but don’t tell me I can’t. Where I go for relaxation (Vic High Country, Cape York are two examples) I need 4×4 with low range, and preferably ladder chassis.
And here it is, for $44,000 – a damn site less than the Pajero/Prado – maybe a tad lower in quality/prestige.
The EX-L has nearly all the fruit including sunroof, nice leather (sheepskin covers go on anyway), 4 coil springs (easy to raise 50mm for 258mm clearance rather than 208) Curtain Airbags, ABS, ESP, etc. Radio system a bit sub par, no satellite system available.
And you can get a powerchip for it, this boosts power to 144kw and torque to 458nm – bring it on, that sounds brilliant……
For anyone who cares, I’ll post a report here on Sunday.
Diesel, low ratio gearing and mid 30’s price, sounds too good to be true. Provided Kia have learnt from Hyundai as to how to put build quality into this car, and it can get a favourable review in a genuine 4WD mag, like the one Santa Fe got from Overlander (Feb.07), then I predict this model Sorento will clean up the mid range SUV/4WD market in Oz.
Just the 4WD ability box to tick!
Steve – I drove with the editor of 4X4 – I thought he quite liked the Sorento but don’t quote me.
Sounds like they have the right engine combinations, provided the auto torque converter is upt to it. Also, thank god they kept the manual option. As reckless points out, with a 50mm lift, wheel articulation should get it through most places. And decent fuel economy in the diesel to boot.
Steve, the manual diesel is only available as the base model, for around $34000. It has a LSD but no traction control or ESP.
The mid range model is auto only, with LSD deleted, but this and the bottom model lack curtain air bags. To get these, you have to go to the top model, and then you get all the rest of the fruit as well.
I basically won’t buy a new car now without curtain air bags or esp so I am restricted to the EX-L model.
But the base manual version would be a great buy as well.
Would be good to hear comments from Reckless1 after test drive…..I agree, cars without curtain air bags or esp are not on my shopping list. Go to NZ KIA Motors to see what they get on their EX-L for some extra $$.
Kia Sorento Diesel Auto EX-L $44,490rrp
First Impressions
The vehicle is visually better than the outgoing model. The shape is the same, but they have tidied up the appearance by removing the “fiddly” bits that made the outgoing model look a bit cheap and tacky.
The interior is well finished, except that the plastics are still not there – the dash plastic looked “dry”, as if it would readily crack.
The leather seats look great with the red stitching, and the gear lever felt good and solid through its movement. The instruments look a bit poverty struck. The centre console looked quite nice with a double DIN radio/CD centre, MP3 compatible.
Bitumen road driving
The 2.5 diesel was a real sweety – not too noisy on idle, almost imperceptible turbo lag which familiarity with throttle control would largely negate. Town and highway driving gave a super quiet experience, springs/dampers seemed spot on for on-road work. Cornering was very composed with little body roll. Managed to generate some understeer and a little howl from the front outside tyre when inadvertently taking a 55k corner at 90k – my passenger didn’t develop a white knuckle grip even though I was adjusting the sunvisor with one hand and only had one on the wheel at the time!! The test run was from Berwick to Thompson Dam and back, and the climb to the Thomson dam didn’t faze the engine one bit – I struggled to keep it under 110k as the thing just wanted to keep pulling once the turbo was spun up. Fuel economy was not able to be accurately measured, but at 100k the engine runs at 2000rpm, at 110 it’s 2200rpm. We covered around 300k and used approx 28 litres of fuel. That’s around 9.4l/100k which is exactly what the ADR sticker says for the vehicle. Touring speed was very relaxed and comfortable. The seats are very comfortable and we did not find ourselves sliding around at all on the considerabe windy bits, and we were held securely through the 90k corner mentioned previously. The vehicle felt really solid in the body and chassis. The dash did not bounce up and down when hitting bumps. Brakes felt good, neither outstanding nor lacking. I was unable to get the ESP to cut in, although I didn’t try all that hard to unsettle the vehicle on the dry bitumen. The 5 speed auto was fine, I couldn’t complain about it at all. The cruise control was pretty good, but it did let the car slow down a bit too much in sections where there was a dip in the road, then had to accelerate up the other side to regain the set speed. Good enough though.
Off road
We were unable to really get off road, but we did explore a little track with a quite steep section, going down, the engine braking in low range first gear was pretty good, and coming back up the unit just idled up with no fuss. There was a nice river crossing at the bottom, but I elected not to cross as it was a loan car. Not deep enough to require a snorkel, but a muddy exit at the other side. With some AT tyres, and a 50mm lift, this thing would go anywhere I would ever want. It’s not a vehicle to challenge Cruiser or Patrol, and I don’t think it’s as tough as the Jackaroo either. There’s no chance of fitting oversize tyres, – the guard clearances are tight.
Conclusion
I’m not going to buy one.
As one gets to the older age group like me, with fewer years left than lived, the little annoying things are less tolerated than in youth.
The poor plastic quality, the already broken vane in one of the face level vents, the rattles from the back seat and passenger door, the poor body gap between the rear door and guard, the older Sorento I saw the other day with a cracked front plastic guard, the nasty rotary button for hi/low range, the cheap looking instruments, the already scratched black trim on the centre console, are just too much of a problem for me to want to live with. I can’t help wondering what would fall off on a trip to Cape York, where the corrugations are enough to make bulldozer tracks fall off – well, you get the idea!!
A real pity, because the drivetrain seems excellent, the engine just keeps on pulling, the car handles well, it’s comfortable, quiet, economical, and its off-road ability seems plenty good enough.
Great report Reckless1 :)
Going by what you have said it’s a shame that the interior quality can’t match the mechanicals.
Considering that’s what you have to look at and interact with every day the interior ambience and build is certainly an important factor to consider.
Can I ask, does it feel like a ‘big’ vehicle to drive? Also did you use the pseudo-manual auto option and were the gear changes noticebale? One more thing, was the engine noisy when giving it a bit of a boot?
Cheers :)
Hi Grumps,
Yes, well summarised – the interior is more “in your face” than say the rear end, and a quick look through the window of a Touareg this evening just slammed it home – drool……bugger!!
The vehicle does not feel big at all, it’s a nice size – the dimensions are similar to Jackaroo on paper, but the Jack has more interior space due to more upright screen, shorter bonnet (yes !!) and higher door sill to roof. I’d rate it a class size down from the Jack. A standard height Jack has a good 3 inches between the top of the rear tyre and the bottom of the guard, the Sorento has only 1 inch.
I did use the Tiptronic, it was good to use with an LCD number on the dash to tell you what gear it is in. The changes were well smoothed in both modes, and when it dropped back to 4th while on cruise control for a hill, the only way you could tell was the tacho and a very muted engine note change. I noticed it sometimes wouldn’t change back a gear when throttle applied, but pickup from say 80 to 100 was superb, and driving style/throttle control needs adjustment for this vehicle after being accustomed to a V6 petrol auto.
The engine was not noisy at any time inside the vehicle, even with windows down, and when giving it the boot it just “growled” a little and took off very nicely. The Powerchip that’s available for it would really be nice – even more grunt is very welcome. At Idle you can definately tell it is an oiler, but it’s still very muted.
My passenger for the drive is a Mack truck owner, and he just loved the little engine – when he found out it has a Garret turbo he was highly impressed. I didn’t take it past 3000rpm at all, but did wind it out once to 3000 in 5th – it wanted to keep going…but 150ks
can’t be sustained for too long these days…..
It will run in 5th in town at 1200rpm at 60k without fuss.
Cheers for that mate :)
I won’t be ready for a new vehicle for another 6 months but I think I will stick the Sorrento down for a test drive.
It’s funny how so many things about a vehicle can impress you yet a couple of glaring faults you notice can stick in your mind. I have to say that the interior would probably be my biggest hurdle as well but you never know!
Wow, thanks for that Reckless! I’ve been interested in this vehicle and founds some nice videos on youtube featuring Sorentos offroading. They look absolutely at home in the mud and whatnot.
Great effort Kia, but what a disappointment about the interior. If the mechanical stuff is this good on the Sorento, I can’t imagine how good it would be on the new “HM Mesa” in development right now, or even the next gen Sorento! It sounds impressive, that HM thing… got a nice interior too… :)
Agree, the Mesa looks good at first glance, much closer to the Jackaroo than the Sorento is.
The v6 diesel with a 6 speed auto sounds like the go.
Looked at four Sorento’s at Brisbane dealership this morning.
It had been raining the previous day, but not today.
On opening the doors – all of the side doors – a good deal of water ran out from the drain-holes at the bottom of the doors.
In other words water is trapped in the doors after rain, car wash etc.
Potential for future rust at the bottom of the doors, just like so many other cars in the past.
Not sure how one would go with a warranty claim for rust after a few years ?
Cheers.
A brilliant vehicle–we have the diesel version.A great vehicle fot towing,we regulary tow double horsefloat with two heavy horses,and this vehicle handles the load with ease.
Would recomend any who is looking for a good all rounder to seriosly contemplate these suvs
Yes I agree, this is a fantastic buy, especially for the price I paid.
I purchased it to tow a caravan that weighs 1600kg loaded. It does it with ease.I was very surprised because its only a 4 cylinder and I have never owned anything other than a petrol engined 6 cylinder or V8.
The interior build quality is very decent and I am very fussy about the minor detail.I dont understand what the fuss is about by some reviewers.
The only disapointment I have is the suspension.
I don’t take this SUV bush. I purchased it to tow and travel. It feels choppy and slushy around the streets on bitumen. I’d hate to take it bush. it just seems too soft at times, especially at the rear.
I purchased the base model as this is the only one that comes fitted with the manual box, and for a price under (yes under) $35,000 drive away Brand Spanker with nothing more to pay, and they even threw in quality Window tint.
(It pays to shop around), I aint really complaining.
Overall a fantastic buy, but I wished the other models were available with the manual box. that sunroof, cruise and the curtain rail airbag looks tasty.
Not a bad korean Car!
I have had one since 2004. Nothing ever broke, nothing I mean. It’s confortable, reliable, and goes anywhere. I have changed the suspension though but that’s about it.
I am getting the new one diesel. It’s a pitty though that so much of the media is so biased against it. They must be getting something out of what they say. Anthony Crawford nevertheless found the secret and I am pleased that he realized how good this car is. Don’t spread the secret too much though otherwise we will have to wait for a new Sorento the same time people in Europe have to wait. Let the other magazines continue to say what they say about Sorento and continue to elect Range Rovers as the best 4WD of the year. See how many of them you find in the Bush. Good on you Crawford.
Howdy
6 month after purchasing my dear Sorrento i’m still on cloud 9999. Cape York was no worries at all,set off from Brissie town start of feb 2008 came back through Flooded north Qld (0.6 mtr deep flowing water NO PROBS)All together 6,000 km trip , Smooth on the road , Chews up the dirt, even got to pull out a bogged Ford Territory, JOY.
End result , Best $ 25,000 i ever SAVED.
Why pay sooooo much more for snobery. Sure its no Patrol or Cruiser , but , the in betweens sure have a low cost rival. Yea Yea ,i know i’m raving BUT bear with me ,,,,I’m in love.
I bought my EXL crdi Sorrento mid January and have nothing but praise for it. Like a lot of blokes I drove Holdens and Fords with a couple of Nissans in between (Navara) over the past thirty years until I bought a new Kia Optima in 05 and it had been faultless so I had no hesitation in my purchase of the Sorrento. On the bitumen this vehicle surprised me with handling and that was better than I expected from a FWD ladder frame supported vehicle (I had read reviews that criticised the handling) but I am very happy with it. The economy is fantastic for it’s two plus tons at under 10 litres per 100km. Off the beaten track the tyres are not really up to the job but if that is your thing you would probably fit a more agressive treaded tyre to the vehicle if you can put up with increased road noise.
The engine is a ripper…. City driving…It never has to work hard and I have no problem keeping up with or even ahead of the traffic. I hardly ever have to exceed 3000rpm to keep up pace. It is very quit on the road with little wind, road or engine noise. In the bush it’s hardly ever above Idle speed.
I would recommend it to anyone brave enough to overcome “Badge Snobbery”.
I also owned an OPTIMA and purchased a 2006 3.5 v6 sorrento. both great cars.
has anyone found someone who produces a decent bullbar for sorrento
Hi guys.
Tanks for all that feed up. I am thinking in changing my grand vitara. My mistake, I didn’t check tow ball weight, only 85 kgs but a towing capacity of 1850 kgs (TBW only 4%).
Thinking seriously in the Sorento.
Hey Marco
I have a 20 ft half cabin cruiser that follows me around on weekends and holidays. Gone Brissie to 1770 a few times and you wouldnt think theres anything behind you. Only real steep hills do you notice anything at all. Ladder Frame gives you the added KG,s.
Ive had my sorento for just over 2 months. I bought it for towing a trailer load of paragliders and a cabin full of flyers around the uk and europe. I hav’nt got it into france yet for the alps but i am really pleased with its performance around the trickier parts of the uk. It’s climbed every track that I’ve taken it so far and has even out performed some supposed better off roaders. In summary I dont think I could have chosen better for the money. (£10,995)
Guys, Ive had a company car 2005 3.5 petrol with leather pack for 97000 ks.Looks good on business trips, towed my full height 18′ van on weekends, took some amazing risks in sand dunes for that out of the way spot and rocky outcrops and it returns 22mpg combined all the time (50% that when towing tho)long country run when not towing is near on 800km range!!!now thinking of the diesel.Nearest competitor is TI Pathfinder at 15k more!! why salary sacrifice? thanks for a good read people.
The Sorento CRDI is the poor mans Prado :)
Seriously, Kia have really got their stuff together. The Sorento diesel is a sweet engine. The package is well put together with high quality plastics. The only negative is the suspension, which is a little ‘jiggly’. Nothing a suspension upgrade won’t fix (OME suspension kit is the one to go for). Otherwise a fantastic drive. I bought it over the Prado GXL & the Pajero.
Look out Japs, the Koreans are no longer producing crappy cars.
hi guys.
No one of you have complains about the Sorrento. Is in my list, but I good like to test the new x-trail diesel. In papers has lot of power and torque with 2000 kgs of towing and up to 200 kgs down ball weight. Yes, I know, no low gear. It has hill descent and other electronic helps. I would like to hear opinions. Thanks.
Take both for a test drive and compare them. If your not towing or going off-road, go for the Xtrail.
My previous car was a 2005 Honda CRV. I will never look at a soft-roader again. Very happy with the Sorento Diesel.
Hi All.
Just thought I would add my bit to this blog. I had a 2005 Sorento from new. It had done 80′000 ks when I traded it 14 months ago. It was by far the WORST car I have ever owned bar none. I will try to keep this short as it is an episode in car owning I am trying to forget. The list of problems experienced are as follows:
Supplied with broken wheel arch flare clips. Flare feel off within a week, fortunately no damage. no clips in stock. 4 week wait.
4 Flat batteries with first month traced to some faulty electrical thing (can’t remeber what).
Radio/CD replaced twice (a well known problem apparantly)
Water leaks
Auto shift leaver came apart in my hand, lucily could drive to dealer for fix (glad I was not in reverse)
Automatic trans problems (got stuck in reverse once and had to drive accross a major intersection in reverse as nothing else would work)
Electric ariel replaced twice
Cruise control packed up twice
L/H rear break light globe replace about 9 times (maybe more)
Electric drivers seat stopped working numerous times.
Add to all of this the appalling fuel econonmy (3.6ltr V6 petrol) of 13 in the country and 17 to 18/100 around Melbourne plus the dismal after sales service and you can cross KIA of my list of future cars.
Interestingly I am not alone with these issues. I have spoken to a few Sorento owners since and some of these issues are quite common to this vehicle.
eh179driver/ 3.6 ltr? How can you do not know your car’s engine size? It is 3.8 ltr NOT 3.6 Liter !!!!! I suspect you tell lie…
correction…3.5 ltr…