Author Topic: 2011 Kia Sorento (Read 10967 times)

Shnak · « **on:** September 24, 2009, 09:42:13 am »

Officially Official: Kia drops pics of the U.S. spec 2011 Sorento
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/officially-official-kia-drops-pics-of-the-us-spec-2011-sorento/

I think it looks great. No-nonsense, attractive, well-proportionned, amber turn-signals!

It'll be offered with a 2.4L and 3.5L, both with a six-speed automatic transmission.

We still haven't seen the interior or the price, but it looks like Kia has another winner with this one IMO.

mrthompson · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2009, 09:59:29 am »

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Shnak · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2009, 10:05:11 am »

I'll be interested to see the performance and fuel econonmy of the 2.4L. If decent, it would be a strong contender to replace our Sportage in a few years!

I'm not sure about the actual dimensions, but it looks to be a tad bigger than the Santa Fe to me, maybe Vera Cruz-sized? If so, that's about the perfect size for most families IMO.

EV Dan · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:14:20 pm »

I may be remotely interested in this with 2.4 engine (over new Tucson) if it comes with direct injection, giving it around 200hp and better economy. They say it is even bigger than the previous sorento, so chances are it is not lighter by much. If someone needs to tow, or else why buy a big and heavy suv, then a 4cyl should be out of the question, IMHO.

Shnak · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:30:41 pm »

Quote from: DanYanoff on September 25, 2009, 01:14:20 pm

I may be remotely interested in this with 2.4 engine (over new Tucson) if it comes with direct injection, giving it around 200hp and better economy. They say it is even bigger than the previous sorento, so chances are it is not lighter by much. If someone needs to tow, or else why buy a big and heavy suv, then a 4cyl should be out of the question, IMHO.

The previous Sorento was a hugely overweight vehicle, especially because of its Body-On-Frame constitution. I wouldn't be surprised it the new one is at least 7-800 pounds lighter.

About the direct injection, I don't think that it's in the plans initially... maybe by year 2 or 3 of the Sorento though.

EDIT: Just looked up the numbers: the current Sorento weighs around 4300lbs while the Santa Fe is closer to 4000lbs; not as big a difference as I would've thought. In any case, going from old Sorento 3.8L to new Sorento 2.4L should be a pretty big weight difference.

Ontariodriver · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:32:32 pm »

looks very generic. Not at all like what they have been bringing out lately which has been a surprised I must say. I wonder why the went so Conservative on this model.

Shnak · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:40:54 pm »

Well it's less generic-looking than the Borrego IMO. And will all the crappy redesigns recently (Mazda3, Honda Pilot, Acura everything), I think it's a good idea to go for a more conservative look, especially for bigger SUVs where looks shouldn't be as important as their practicality. In this segment, IMO, looks aren't as important and anything that isn't ugly is just fine.

inco · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:07:54 pm »

Front end treatment looks quite nice. Back end reminds me of a Outlander. So maybe we will see this in the spring?

Shnak · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:17:25 pm »

I read January somewhere...

carcrazy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2009, 09:01:02 pm »

The front end looks acceptable in my eyes, clean and simple, but the rear end looks like it's been chopped off and welded from another car (Borego?!). My guess is that it should be about the size of the Santa Fe, Tribeca, Edge, etc.
I see no benefit putting a 4 bangers engine in a car this size.

Toyota put the 2.7L I4 in the new 4Runner (2WD) and it gets 1 MPG better fuel economy than the 4.0L V6 (AWD) and 100+ hp less. Why?

Careener · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2009, 08:11:12 am »

At first glance I thought "forester".

Trainman · « **Reply #11 on:** September 27, 2009, 05:39:11 pm »

Quote from: Careener on September 26, 2009, 08:11:12 am

At first glance I thought "forester".

Good thing you said that with a little "f"

The way the window line goes up to the rear is very un-Forester like; also the treatment of the rear quarter window is quite different. But liket he Forester, the front grill looks like a lot of other CUV's out there. No uniqueness in any of them.

Shnak · « **Reply #12 on:** September 28, 2009, 08:10:58 am »

Quote from: carcrazy on September 25, 2009, 09:01:02 pm

I see no benefit putting a 4 bangers engine in a car this size.
Toyota put the 2.7L I4 in the new 4Runner (2WD) and it gets 1 MPG better fuel economy than the 4.0L V6 (AWD) and 100+ hp less. Why?

Probably a $3-4k lower asking price... That's why. At 172hp, that 2.4L will be tight in power for such a big vehicle, but by year 2 or 3, when they update this engine to the upcoming direct injected, then it might make more sense. But who knows? Maybe it'll be more than enough power with a good 6 speed auto transmission...

Shnak · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2009, 08:25:11 am »

Here's a shot of the interior:

I'm not liking the pods for the gauges, but I suppose I'd get used to it. The rest looks pretty good IMO. It looks 'german' with hints of VW and M-B here and there, which I obviously really like. I also like how high all the controls are; nothing is blocked by the gear lever.

to Kia!

Trainman · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2009, 11:21:35 pm »

Quote from: Shnak on September 28, 2009, 08:25:11 am

Here's a shot of the interior:

I'm not liking the pods for the gauges, but I suppose I'd get used to it. The rest looks pretty good IMO. It looks 'german' with hints of VW and M-B here and there, which I obviously really like. I also like how high all the controls are; nothing is blocked by the gear lever.

to Kia!

OK, I am getting a bit choked with all the look alike fronts and now dash's. This is way too close to the Forester, with the pods (they work well on the Forester), the shifter (even down to the gating) and the rest. And I am sure the Subaru is not very original either. Why can't designers come up with something new

Shnak · « **Reply #15 on:** September 29, 2009, 07:07:30 am »

Quote from: Trainman on September 28, 2009, 11:21:35 pm

Quote from: Shnak on September 28, 2009, 08:25:11 am
Here's a shot of the interior:

I'm not liking the pods for the gauges, but I suppose I'd get used to it. The rest looks pretty good IMO. It looks 'german' with hints of VW and M-B here and there, which I obviously really like. I also like how high all the controls are; nothing is blocked by the gear lever.

to Kia!

OK, I am getting a bit choked with all the look alike fronts and now dash's. This is way too close to the Forester, with the pods (they work well on the Forester), the shifter (even down to the gating) and the rest. And I am sure the Subaru is not very original either. Why can't designers come up with something new

I was just going to say that...

Besides, when I'm sitting in a vehicle, I really don't care if this is 'ripped-off' from another vehicle or if it's truly original. I only care about the design, quality and functionality, and in the end, do I like it.

I really don't understand why people get hung up on 'originality' so much... it's a car! It's not a dress where one designer might copycat another... It's just a car. I don't know about everyone else, but looks are not even close to being the top of my list of criterias when I buy a vehicle. As long as it's not downright ugly and I like the color, that's usually good enough for me. The interior is a whole another ballgame though; it's what you stare at 99% of the time, and you have to like it.

Shnak · « **Reply #16 on:** September 29, 2009, 07:21:06 am »

The rumors are that the Sonata's 2.4L direct injected will produce 195hp... if the Sorento gets the same engine by year 2 or 3, I would that this engine would be strong enough for this vehicle, especially in FWD form...

In comparison, the Equinox's direct injected 2.4L only produces 182hp for a weight of 3900lbs. The Sorento should weigh around 3900-4000lbs as it lost around 400lbs from the previous gen. We'll see...

Then again, if the price is right, I'd pick one up with the 3.5L instead for its more ample power for passing when loaded and for its higher towing rating.

inco · « **Reply #17 on:** September 29, 2009, 07:31:55 am »

Quote from: Trainman on September 28, 2009, 11:21:35 pm

Quote from: Shnak on September 28, 2009, 08:25:11 am
Here's a shot of the interior:

I'm not liking the pods for the gauges, but I suppose I'd get used to it. The rest looks pretty good IMO. It looks 'german' with hints of VW and M-B here and there, which I obviously really like. I also like how high all the controls are; nothing is blocked by the gear lever.

to Kia!

OK, I am getting a bit choked with all the look alike fronts and now dash's. This is way too close to the Forester, with the pods (they work well on the Forester), the shifter (even down to the gating) and the rest. And I am sure the Subaru is not very original either. Why can't designers come up with something new

'My' Pods are 'in' don'tcha know!

Shnak · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2009, 08:04:55 am »

Quote from: inco on September 29, 2009, 07:31:55 am

'My' Pods are 'in' don'tcha know!

Well I'll say that if I have to compromise on the gauges, I MUCH prefer the pods than the center gauges like the Yaris or the weird-star-trek-bridge-deck-look of the Civic... I prefer the simpler look of a VW, but would settle for pods if I like everything else on the vehicle.

ggweci · « **Reply #19 on:** December 13, 2009, 12:08:36 am »

Autoblog's first drive:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/first-drive-2011-kia-sorento-finally-crosses-over/

Looks like a great package. I really like the exterior design... looks upscale imo. Interior looks a little bland, but not bad. Better than being offensive.

I wonder how it will be priced up here? Im guessing in the $26 (base) - $36K (loaded) range?