Hi all, does anyone have a Kia Sportage or Sorrento auto diesel? i am looking to change my car and have been told that the Kia's are a good car, what say you?.
I used to work for a combined Hyundai/Suzuki/Kia franchise dealers in the workshops. Suffice to say the majority of Sorento's and a good number of the Sportage's went out with luggage liners, parking sensors and a towbar fitted (detachable is best with parking sensors, but that's another topic). They were always a pleasure to drive, however with it just being myself, the mrs and the mutt I couldn't justify something that size.
I can't recommend a particular specification as the range has changed since I left, however if it's anything like it used to be, go as high up the model spec list as you can. Nothing wrong with the lower end ones, but usually the upgrades were well worth the price difference and you'd kick yourself a few months later if you skimped to save a few quid at the expense of useful equipment.
I had a 2004 auto Sorento up till Oct2010, best towcar i have had so far, only ever required normal servicing and a couple of rubber boots, maybe i was lucky but nothing went wrong with it at all, Auto is the way to go, towed my twin axle to Cornwall (370 miles) several times a year no problem.
We had a old shape Sportage from new, one made at the german Karman factory, and it was the bigest piece of car poo on the road, 121 faults at independent inspection, recomended for total veichle replacement at 8 months old, featured in the Caravan Club magazine 'Tried and Tested' at the time (97) and finally sold on after a total respray amoungst other faults, for a third of the price we paid for it in under 3 years from new. It spent much of that time in the workshops and being taken back to the Kia main factory to be put right whilst we had to make do with various curtosy cars which were usless to us for our caravaning needs as they had no towbar fitted.
We have stuck with Hondas ever since and not had a peep of trouble out of any of them.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
We have a 2008 Kia sportage 2.0 xs manual and it drivers like a dream and even better with our elddis xplore 546 on the back. It can be a bit thirsty if you have heavy right foot but we are pleased with it.
Just had 50,000 service cost £179 and rear pads costing £70
Just bought an 03 Sorento (Manual) sold the BMW now. It tows a dream and I am ok with the MPG I am getting ( The manual has a higher MPG) I am really supprised on just how good it is once you get past that badge
We have owned a '97 Sorento 2.5 Titan diesel automatic since new. A superb towcar which tows our 1500Kg effortlessly. We have towed all over the UK and on the Continent too. We go away for c5 weeks every summer towing the 'van on the Continent. Last year we towed to Croatia and back - 3,300 miles door to door without any problems apart from needing to replace a couple of light bulbs!
In the 3+ years we have owned the car we have only had one major problem - a servo pump failed in the 2nd year and was replaced under warranty.
My only negative is the poor fuel consumption under 19mpg around town and low 20's on longer runs. In the time we have owned the car we have done nearly 22k miles. These figures are accurate as I keep a record on a spreadsheet. Interestingly this does not vary much whether towing or not. The auto is, also, in the £425 road tax "bracket" too.
I like my Sorento - it is a comfortable car to drive.
If you are looking at a new Sportage, have a look at the Mitsubishi ASX too. Better diesel consumption than the Kia, and it will easily tow your Bailey.
Mine (4wd version) is doing 45ish round town and 50 out and about. Not had the chance yet to do any decent towing with it to really check figures, but I will be very disappointed if it is under 30. Tax bracket is £130, not bad for a 150bhp tug.
Hi guys i have been looking at 2nd hand kias, (bout £1000 bracket) and have heard good and bad about them, theres one for sale a 2 litre 1999 bout £900 but im unsure with the mpg and spare parts etc, its giving me a headache lol, need a car for work (bricklayer) and something thatll tow, and not being blessed with lots of money my choice is critical lol
I have an 09 plate Sorento all be it manual transmission. It is a brilliant car in every respect. Tows 1650 kgs with no fuss at all. I can get upper 30's solo on lomg runs, around 25 towing, and around 30 in town. I don't think these figures are too bad considering the size of the vehicle. No faults thus far in almost 20k miles.
------------- It's not what you take when you leave this world behind, it's what you leave behind when you're gone