Living Up to Its Many Awards I recall writing numerous news stories on the success of the
Kia Sorento in the North American automotive market. To name a few, last year it held the highest consumer rating voted by new car buyers in the 2003 Strategic Vision Total Quality Index (TQI) (June 13, 2003: Kia Sorento Receives Top Award for Quality), it was voted winner of the "Official Winter Vehicle of New England" competition by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) and won the prestigious 2003 "Drivers' Choice" Award for Best Mid-Size SUV (April 2, 2003: Kia Taking Its Sorento SUV to the Top).
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| The Kia Sorento has won so many awards in so many classes that it's hard to keep up. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
But it is not just in North America that the Korean car manufacturer's off-roader is leaving tread marks. This year was named Best Off-Roading Vehicle by 4x4 Magazine in the UK (August 18, 2003: Kia Sorento Wins 4x4 of the Year Award in U.K.), and I'm only scratching the surface of the many awards the Korean SUV has garnered.
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| I found the Sorento to be the most deceptive SUV I've driven, but I mean that in a good way! (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
During a recent test of the base LX model I decided to award it a prize of my own; "The Most Deceptive SUV I've Driven" award! I don't mean this in a negative way. Exterior styling is attractive, with beefy but refined curves like many SUVs on the market today, but when I sat inside, engaged the clutch and put the standard 5-speed manual gearbox into first gear, I knew it was going to be different.
After all the crossover-type sport utilities I've tested, I guess I'm conditioned to assume that any compact SUV on the market drives more like a raised car. The Kia however, drove more like a truck and that is why I felt a little deceived. But why was I so surprised? I knew about its numerous awards, I knew about the constant recognition for its off-roading capabilities, but perhaps all that I knew had escaped me when I initially sat in the Sorento and discovered that it's not a typical SUV. It's different, it's a Kia.
