What is it?
2003 Kia Sorento
What's special about it?
The Sorento is Kia's new SUV, and it's bigger and more powerful than the current Sportage. Unlike car-based SUVs such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Sorento is truck-based and utilizes a body-on-frame construction. Up front is an independent double wishbone suspension, while the rear suspension is a multilink design with a live rear axle.
Under the hood is a 192-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a standard four-speed automatic transmission. Both two-wheel drive (with the rear wheels being driven) and four-wheel drive are available. There are actually two 4WD systems available: One is a part-time system that is activated by a switch on the dash, while the other is a full-time system that only applies power to the front wheels when wheel slippage occurs. Both 4WD systems include a two-speed transfer case. A rear limited-slip differential is available.
Two trim levels are offered: LX and EX. The LX comes with items like air conditioning; power windows, locks and mirrors; cruise control; an eight-speaker CD audio system; and flip-and-fold rear seats. Front and rear side-curtain airbags are also standard. The upscale EX adds alloy wheels, a power moonroof, a power driver seat, HomeLink and a weather monitor that includes an outside temperature gauge, a compass, an altimeter and a barometer. Now, while driving to the mall in your new Sorento, you can say to your kids, "We're currently cruising westbound at an altitude of 1,065 feet and a speed of 35 mph. The barometer is falling with a current temperature of 48 degrees." Your kids will think you are sooo cool.
The Sorento seats five and Kia says it has an interior volume 5 cubic feet larger than the Ford Escape's and Jeep Liberty's. A luxury package includes a 280-watt audio system with a six-disc CD changer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, automatic climate control, leather trim and the aforementioned auto 4WD. The only free-standing options are leather, ABS and a load-leveling system. Maximum tow capacity is 3,500 pounds.
Why should you care?
Does America need another compact SUV? Kia thinks so. The truck-based body and live-axle rear suspension will limit handling and ride quality, but the Sorento should be much more capable off-road than any car-based SUV. Think of this as a less-expensive Jeep Liberty with better warranty coverage. Final pricing hasn't been announced, but it arrives in dealerships in early Fall 2002. — Brent Romans
2003 Kia Sorento
What's special about it?
The Sorento is Kia's new SUV, and it's bigger and more powerful than the current Sportage. Unlike car-based SUVs such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Sorento is truck-based and utilizes a body-on-frame construction. Up front is an independent double wishbone suspension, while the rear suspension is a multilink design with a live rear axle.
Under the hood is a 192-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a standard four-speed automatic transmission. Both two-wheel drive (with the rear wheels being driven) and four-wheel drive are available. There are actually two 4WD systems available: One is a part-time system that is activated by a switch on the dash, while the other is a full-time system that only applies power to the front wheels when wheel slippage occurs. Both 4WD systems include a two-speed transfer case. A rear limited-slip differential is available.
Two trim levels are offered: LX and EX. The LX comes with items like air conditioning; power windows, locks and mirrors; cruise control; an eight-speaker CD audio system; and flip-and-fold rear seats. Front and rear side-curtain airbags are also standard. The upscale EX adds alloy wheels, a power moonroof, a power driver seat, HomeLink and a weather monitor that includes an outside temperature gauge, a compass, an altimeter and a barometer. Now, while driving to the mall in your new Sorento, you can say to your kids, "We're currently cruising westbound at an altitude of 1,065 feet and a speed of 35 mph. The barometer is falling with a current temperature of 48 degrees." Your kids will think you are sooo cool.
The Sorento seats five and Kia says it has an interior volume 5 cubic feet larger than the Ford Escape's and Jeep Liberty's. A luxury package includes a 280-watt audio system with a six-disc CD changer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, automatic climate control, leather trim and the aforementioned auto 4WD. The only free-standing options are leather, ABS and a load-leveling system. Maximum tow capacity is 3,500 pounds.
Why should you care?
Does America need another compact SUV? Kia thinks so. The truck-based body and live-axle rear suspension will limit handling and ride quality, but the Sorento should be much more capable off-road than any car-based SUV. Think of this as a less-expensive Jeep Liberty with better warranty coverage. Final pricing hasn't been announced, but it arrives in dealerships in early Fall 2002. — Brent Romans
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