USED Kia Sorento 4x4 (03 - 10)

My car

This is my second Sorento, an 05 Plate XS. My previous being a 54 Plate XE. Both Manuals. Go for the XS rather than the XE - its much better equiped. Proper side steps are a worthwhile investment too. It makes getting in/out so much easier. Its a great towing car, but rather a noisey and rattley 4x4. I ve found the Sorento capable, roomy, and (so far) reliable. I don't find them economical and don't understand claims of 40+mpg. I travel 70 miles a day 90% at 55mph on A Roads. I still only manage 32 mpg. My overall mpg is under 30. The Sorento is looking dated now both inside and out but its good value so long as you choose full service history and one that has obviously well looked after.

My car

Bought the vehicle new in September 09 (59 plate). It was supplied with a clutch fault as the pre-delivery check had not been carried out correctly. Gearbox started jumping 3rd after 400 miles and had to be replaced (we understand that there was quite a few vehicles that had this fault).

Transmission locked up twice over the winter when using 4 wheel drive. Dashboard developed a rattle which turned out to be incorrect fitting of the dashboard itself.

Fault on power-steering pipe and the rear load cover started to pull out of its fixing clips. We understand that this also a common complaint. The build quality of this vehicle is very poor to say the least!

Worst car we have ever owned ... and are currently putting it up for sale.

As if this was not bad enough, the after sales service was absolutely appalling! and one time even resulted in one of the franchises slamming their phone down on us (even though we as the customer were right on both the points raised!).

The franchises do not seem very effective in locating faults under warranty. Their most frequent response to us has been "we can't replicate the fault"!!! We have had contact with Kia's head office with virtually no success. Based on the reply received, our initial letter to them wasn't even read properly and subsequent conversations have proved frustrating and fruitless.

After this experience we would not go anywhere near a Kia again!!! and would think twice about buying a brand new vehicle.

My car

I bought a used Kia Sorento from a local Evans Halshaw garage and in my opinion got a bargin. I phased a '56 XE model with 5k on the clock for just over £12k. The car was initially bought to tow our 22ft caravan so I didn't expect the refinement and comfort the Kia provides. In a word it's excellent. The gear box is smooth and gear changes are precise throughout the range. Steering is light and deliberate and the vehicle holds the road as well as some smaller cars. I liked the Sorento before I towed with it, now I love it. It has all the raw grunt and power I expected with the quality and comfort of a top of the range family saloon. Best 4x4 on the market in it's price range.

My car

We were looking for a diesel car to tow a 1700kg twin axle caravan and considered a number of options. I am 6' 5" tall, and I just managed to squeeze in the Disco 2, but the styling is a disappointment. The latest Disco looks too much like a Transit. The BMW X5 was too much of a Sloane Ranger and the Touareg too expensive to run and service.

However, the Sorento ticked all the boxes. I climbed in, made myself comfortable and drove away for a very pleasant test drive. I chose the auto box to avoid an overworked left leg while towing and found the XS level of trim is more than sufficient. It tows the caravan with no problems whatsoever, and pulled out of a soggy site following a rain storm without a problem.

If you are going to spend time behind the wheel, you have to 'engage' with the car; I did just that. The Sorento is solid, reliable and friendly. That's it; it's friendly.