Kia SUVs go Adelaide to Sydney on one tank
December 6, 2007 by Matt Brogan
Kia’s latest foray into the world of diesel SUVs has kicked off with amazing success. The Sportage CRDi and Sorento CRDi have travelled from Adelaide to Sydney on a single tank (each) of fuel.
Using only careful fuel management and efficient driving techniques, the two drivers completed the drive in a single day achieving 4.36 litres / 100km from the Sportage and 5.18 litres / 100km from the Sorento.
It’s a shame the vehicles weren’t ready in time to have competed in the WSC Greenfleet Class of the Solar Challenge in October as they would have faired very well. For the record Sportage’s fuel tank is 58 litres and Sorento’s 80 (nominal).
Print it: 
“Be still my beating heart”.
Has CarAdvice tested these vehicles? Would be very interested in your opinions guys.
Hi Lcat,
We’ve driven the petrol variant of the Sportage but not diesel yet. Expect a review soon. Until then, here’s the link to the petrol one for you.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/46.....road-test/
As for the Sorento, we had a quick drive when they first came out, here’s the link for you.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/49.....rst-steer/
Cheers Matt.
My bet is that they trickled along the road at 75-80km/h with the engine turning over at about 1300rpm. These things are economical enough without having to hold up other traffic in order to prove an obscure point.
Its a big drive – i do it once a year and it takes me 13.5 hours from Gosford to Adelaide. What speeds did they average?
fuel economy is great. but its still an ugly,cheap,nasty KIA!!!!
I took a 98 integra gsi up to north queensland filled with
holiday stuff and three people averaging 120km/h and
overtaking not taking it easy at all!! and averaged 6.9l/100km without even trying..
Chris parr
where did you start from?
BRISBANE to BOWEN, if i had sat on 100kM/H with one person
AC off and no sudden acceleration bursts im sure i could get under 6l/100km easy!!! and save money per litre on standard unleaded instead of diesel..
thats pretty good
Chris Parr is my hero now. He can do anything.
Your right Chris Parr it shure does have great fuel economy but it is still ugly inside and out (it is uglier than most Ssang Yong’s),probaly slow and a shocking ride. Like I said the only good thing about it has good fuel economy and that’s it. Thats not gonna make me buy it because of that!
I’ll say it again for one more time……………………………………………………………………..it’s bloody UUUGGGGGGLLLLYYYY
Ops!
good result. I just completed 1374kms in two days using 75litres of fuel (thats 5.4lit/100) in a 9yr old 2litre diesel peugeot.
go diesel
Ugly perhaps, but they’re cheap, reliable and pretty good value when you consider what you get for the cash.
It’s no where near what the Santa Fe achieved with Han Thulstrup doing his economy run. Made it from Adelaide to Port Macquarie on one tank, 17000+ kms.
The Santa Fe is a much more refined motor vehicle and larger. Sorrento does have the advantage of dual transfer case though.
Car Advice, how about a diesel SUV comparison, Santa Fe, Captiva, Sorrento and possibly the new diesel Forester?