The current Automatic Kia Sorento 2.2 crdi diesel is rated at 194 emissions with an annual road tax of £235 although your FIRST year roadtax will of course be higher. Like the manual driver I like to hear the engine buzzing comfortably up a gradient and that's why I slip over into 'manual' selection for climbing up to, say, the Millau Bridge. This year it was absolutely spectacular as the mountains were shrouded in mist. The hazy sun illuminated the nearest Southernmost sets of upright cables to contrast with the downward set on the Northern side of each arch. Photo? Didn't think there would be anything to see in the mist. Funny old life.
Glad you are happy with your new towcar David Klyne! I too drive a xs manual. Its a great car solo or towing and although it is a large heavy car it still seems to manage 30mpg, and sometimes even better (if you drive it like a vicar). I always wondered if the trim level of XS was chosen as a bit of a laugh because it looks just like X5 - or maybe its a very convenient coincidence! Now i wonder what the new one is like compared to the 'old girl' - better or worse solo and towing? Sometimes the old uns are the good uns! I love mine and i do not think i will change it until it falls apart which going by the number of older high milage ones still out there will be a very long time hehehe...
------------- Why am i doing this instead of camping??!!
When we upgrade our present outfit we been thinking of getting a Bailey Pegasus 554 and we were thinging of two a Kia Sportage 2.0 crdi diesel auto or Kia Sorento 2.0 crdi diesel auto . Are both of these suitable to tow the van .
New Sorento 2.2crdi should handle the Bailey Pegusus 554 with no problems. However the manual version of the Kia Sorento has a 100kg ball joint maximum whereas the automatic has only a 80kg maximum. The Bailey is very slightly heavier fully laden and slightly shorter (7") than the Lexon SE which I tow with the Kia 2.2 Auto and power is not a problem. Getting the van loaded to an 80 kg nose weight is not as easy as a 100kg margin. (so mind what you stuff under your island bed!)See my earlier posting on page one of this forum.The Mpg I can confirm was 22mpg (towing) and the Auto box was a pleasure.Particularly pulling away on a slope. Just slide your foot off the brake and onto the accelerator and there is no roll-back. And she moves.