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Topic: Kia Sorento 138BHP

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sxw17

27/3/2016 at 6:20pm
Location: Newtown Mid Wales
Outfit: Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 D-id Auto

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Hi,
Just looking for advice on the Kia Sorento with the 138 BHP engine, is it man enough for my Abbey Spectrum 520 t/axle 1730kgs, at the moment I tow with an old 2.8 LWB Shogun Auto which is a very stable set up but a little under powered. I know the Sorento's have a great towing reputation but they dont look physically big enough compared to the Shogun. Also is the 138 BHP engine any good? as I am thinking about looking at one.
Many thanks
Steve

Rob and Tina

27/3/2016 at 6:40pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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I was looking into Sorentos and I found that if you do a search on this forum there are quite a lot of discussions on them. I think there were a dozen or more threads.

Rob

sxw17

27/3/2016 at 6:56pm
Location: Newtown Mid Wales
Outfit: Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 D-id Auto

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Thanks rob, I can only find 1 thread on the 138 BHP and that is negative towards the 138 engine for the size of my van, its strange really because the one I'm looking at is Dec 2006 model and the reviews say that after August 2016 they were all 168 bhp. This was registered 27/12/2006 and the hpi report states its a 138 bhp engine.

clbewi

27/3/2016 at 7:02pm
Location: Essex
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I tow our twin axle with a Sorento its a 2.2 auto I think it's about 198hp, it's tows fine although the manual will tow more 2.5 ton auto 2.0 ton. We have self levelling suspension as well which is great.

Colin

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Claire and Colin

David Klyne

27/3/2016 at 11:12pm
Location: Milton Keynes
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That engine was in the original Sorento, circa 2003-2005. I had an auto version and that towed 1500kgs with general ease. I ungraded to the next model with the 169 hp engine again with an auto box. Whilst it was a more powerful I didn't think it was a better car than the original. The earlier Sorento's had SLS which the 2006 model did not.There were lots of people towing big twin axle vans with the 138hp engined car.

David

sxw17

27/3/2016 at 11:50pm
Location: Newtown Mid Wales
Outfit: Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 D-id Auto

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Thanks for that David, I'm not to concerned about the power as I usually sit with the lorries around 56mph on the motorways it's just stability I would like as the caravan is 25ft shipping length, as you say the SLS is probably a big plus.

AL53HX

28/3/2016 at 6:16am
Location: BLACK((gods)) COUNTRY
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Have a look at What tow car,it will tell you if it's a good match,the CC also do it

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AL53HX

28/3/2016 at 6:27am
Location: BLACK((gods)) COUNTRY
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Just had a look at what tow car and if the sorento is the 2.5 diesel auto,then it's a good(75%) match,I have the bigger bhp model and it tows my van great,A word of caution,series one Sorentos had a recall on their rear axle brackets,the free dealer rectification offer ends on 31st of this month,make sure it's been done,it could prove costly otherwise

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Whippets,you cant have just one

Paul B

28/3/2016 at 9:57am
Location: Bradford West Yorkshire
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Is this the 2.0 CRDI 138 bhp that was used in the Sportage as well? We tow just under 1500kg without any issues, although you need to be prepared to change down as few gears on the long hills on the A38 coming out of Cornwall! I'd be nervous therefore having the large, heavier Sorrento with the same power output.

Supatramp

28/3/2016 at 9:24pm
Location: Ayrshire Scotland
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Quote: Originally posted by sxw17 on 27/3/2016
Thanks for that David, I'm not to concerned about the power as I usually sit with the lorries around 56mph on the motorways it's just stability I would like as the caravan is 25ft shipping length, as you say the SLS is probably a big plus.

If it's stability rather than power that you're concerned about, why are going on about a specific engine?

Both original model Sorentos are brilliant towcars. I towed large twin-axles with both and had no problem with stability or pulling power.

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I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure!

664DaveS

29/3/2016 at 1:15pm
Location: Shropshire
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The 06 facelift models on were 168bhp, we had 2 brilliant towcars.
We have the 2012 now which is even better.

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David Klyne

29/3/2016 at 8:13pm
Location: Milton Keynes
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I did find that my original 138hp Sorento was a more stable towcar than the 168hp one. That might have been down to the lack of SLS on the newer one. It was also an issue for some early post 2009 Sorento's.

David

sxw17

29/3/2016 at 8:57pm
Location: Newtown Mid Wales
Outfit: Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 D-id Auto

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Quote: Originally posted by Supatramp on 28/3/2016

Quote: Originally posted by sxw17 on 27/3/2016
Thanks for that David, I'm not to concerned about the power as I usually sit with the lorries around 56mph on the motorways it's just stability I would like as the caravan is 25ft shipping length, as you say the SLS is probably a big plus.

If it's stability rather than power that you're concerned about, why are going on about a specific engine?

Both original model Sorentos are brilliant towcars. I towed large twin-axles with both and had no problem with stability or pulling power.

Well I don't want to drive like Lewis Hamilton but at the same time I don't want to be thrashing the living daylights out of a motor just to keep a nice steady pace, however you have answered both of my questions positively and it appears that the 138 bhp would be adequate for my requirements stability and power, the decision now is auto or manual?

Supatramp

29/3/2016 at 9:42pm
Location: Ayrshire Scotland
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Well I don't know if you've had an auto before, but once you have, you'd never go back to manual.

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David.

I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure!

naturlist123

29/3/2016 at 9:56pm
Location: Southport
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Practical Caravan magazine did a tow test on the Sorrento recently if you contact them, they will sell you the issue with unbiased. Report all pros and cons costs and which version or model to avoid, they even tell you service costs.
The Hyundi and kia are from same maker but Kia cost more for servicing ETC but use same engines and a lot of common parts but parts from Kia dealer are dearer ?.?
Why dont you have Shogun remapped for bigger HP and more grunt in lower gears and exta mpg cost you less than buying another motor.

Post last edited on 29/03/2016 22:02:27

AL53HX

30/3/2016 at 9:47am
Location: BLACK((gods)) COUNTRY
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Well I don't know if you've had an auto before, but once you have, you'd never go back to manual.
--------------------------------------------------
I have to agree,but with the tiptronic box,you have the best of both worlds,put it into tip' when on long hillclimbs

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Whippets,you cant have just one

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