USED Kia Sorento 4x4 (03 - 10)

My car

I have owned this car for a week. I traded in my Audi A4 Convertible for the Sorento as I have recently got myself a dog and the Audi was no good for my needs anymore.

The Sorento was actually an impulse buy. Whilst in the showroom paying for my wife's Picanto (our families third Picanto) I spotted the Sorento and thought, 'That looks the business'. I went to have a look inside expecting to be disappointed with a load of tacky plastic and cloth. I was surprised: the car had EVERYTHING I could ever wish or need for, every gadget you can think of apart from sat-nav. But who wants built-in Sat Nav when you can have portable Tom Tom?

I did a deal there and then and picked up a Sorento CRDI XT Auto in black two days later having never even driven the car.

I own a Mitsubishi L200 pickup and to be honest thought it might drive a bit like the pick up - but no way. This vehicle drives like a car, the engine is superb and it has plenty of pull and zips along nicely. Two days later I spent a whole day visiting various spots in London and it was a delight to drive.

Everyone who has seen the car so far loves it (including my dog, by the way).

My car

This my second Sorento. The first one was used, but I was so impressed that I bought a new one - a 2.5 XS.

The value for the price is excellent, the running costs are very good and also the reliabilty is very good.

Prior to buying the Sorento I owned a Sportage, which was also perfect to own.

My car

I am in the process of getting my third Sorento. The first was a brand new (at the time), an 05 XSE manual which was faultless, and the only bad thing I have to say is that the windscreen needs an electric demister instead of using the air-con all the time.

The second Sorento was a second-hand 53 plate auto XS which is just starting to go wrong, with the injection system losing pressure.

Now I'm getting a 57-plate XT auto. I know I've lost a lot of cash by selling them, but after the XSE we got a Suzuki Grand Vitara (the new shape) and we only had for six months before I was having withdrawl syptoms, so we got the XS and I was happy again.

My car

I have an XS diesel manual.

It's my first 4X4. It's a good vehicle. Loads of room and economical - it beat the 1.6 petrol Zafira for fuel economy.

There are problems - there was an oil leak on the engine which took six attempts by the dealer to fix. This was a leak from the timing case and turbo pipe.

The alloys are prone to corrosion too. The spare was put into use for the first time with the original new tyre. However the alloy coating was peeling off in numerous places. You really need to regularly clean them and protect with a quality alloy cleaning kit. Kia has replaced four of the five alloys in the last 12 months.

The wheel locking nuts are cheap and nasty and I have replaced them. The adaptor is easily damaged and wears easily and WILL let you down!

There are a couple of electrical faults on the radio system which Kia are still trying to sort out. It is onto its second radio.

My friend has an 07 Freelander diesel and that has been nothing but trouble.

Overall the Kia is good value. The kids love it and in my opinion is that it is a good looking vehicle.