Maybe the added weight of the LX Luxury model's comprehensive equipment affects its performance. That said, we're only talking about 85 kilos (188 pounds). Or maybe the high-altitude roads somehow reduced the output and capacity of the powertrain. Who knows? Besides, when we drove on hills, the transmission was slow to find the right gear and sometimes hesitated to downshift.
On the flipside, I greatly enjoyed the Sorento's ride comfort. Sure, the suspension is quick to jam when you hit a deep pothole -- you know, the kind of craters we so carefully try to avoid in Montreal -- but the road noise that enters the cockpit is pretty limited. And as for road grip, this SUV handles well both in the city and on the highway.
Safety first
Every Sorento is equipped with dual advanced front airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags and even a driver-side knee airbag. Also standard are the Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control System.
Important segment for Kia
During the presentation, Kia representatives clearly let us know that they intend on increasing the Sorento's market share significantly. They used various sales charts to show us that the utility vehicle segment is in full growth -- when you take crossovers into account, obviously.
The 2008 Kia Sorento LX starts at $32,495, which is more than reasonable given all the features included. The Sorento LX Luxury adds a sunroof, 17-inch wheels (instead of 16 inches), more interior trim, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, an on-board computer and the aforementioned 3.8L V6. It will retail for $38,995.
Conclusion
Introduced in 2003, the Sorento has been an interesting SUV, even impressive in some respects. You have to remember that it came from a Korean manufacturer who had yet to prove anything.
But in order to keep up with the fast-evolving competition, I think that a more comprehensive makeover would have been necessary. Kia banks on the fact that the Sorento is a 4x4; sure, it will handle any duty in the city and the suburb, but I fear that its capacities are not enough to perform heavy-duty jobs or tackling tough off-road trails.
Still, the 2008 Kia Sorento has lots of reasons to appeal to consumers and it remains an honest vehicle that will always offer good value.
Good value
Storage versatility
Ergonomics
Price difference between the two models
Hesitating transmission (when pushed hard)
Driver seat doesn't drop low enough
None
photo:Daniel Lafrance, Kia
On the flipside, I greatly enjoyed the Sorento's ride comfort. Sure, the suspension is quick to jam when you hit a deep pothole -- you know, the kind of craters we so carefully try to avoid in Montreal -- but the road noise that enters the cockpit is pretty limited. And as for road grip, this SUV handles well both in the city and on the highway.
 |
| Passenger safety remains a priority for 2008. |
Safety first
Every Sorento is equipped with dual advanced front airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags and even a driver-side knee airbag. Also standard are the Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control System.
Important segment for Kia
During the presentation, Kia representatives clearly let us know that they intend on increasing the Sorento's market share significantly. They used various sales charts to show us that the utility vehicle segment is in full growth -- when you take crossovers into account, obviously.
The 2008 Kia Sorento LX starts at $32,495, which is more than reasonable given all the features included. The Sorento LX Luxury adds a sunroof, 17-inch wheels (instead of 16 inches), more interior trim, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, an on-board computer and the aforementioned 3.8L V6. It will retail for $38,995.
Conclusion
Introduced in 2003, the Sorento has been an interesting SUV, even impressive in some respects. You have to remember that it came from a Korean manufacturer who had yet to prove anything.
But in order to keep up with the fast-evolving competition, I think that a more comprehensive makeover would have been necessary. Kia banks on the fact that the Sorento is a 4x4; sure, it will handle any duty in the city and the suburb, but I fear that its capacities are not enough to perform heavy-duty jobs or tackling tough off-road trails.
Still, the 2008 Kia Sorento has lots of reasons to appeal to consumers and it remains an honest vehicle that will always offer good value.
 |
Storage versatility
Ergonomics
 |
Hesitating transmission (when pushed hard)
Driver seat doesn't drop low enough
 |
None
photo:Daniel Lafrance, Kia
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