When I rent a vehicle I know I am probably not going to get the one advertised.  But, I at least get a car that has a name that I can recognize.  This time when I went to the kiosk to pick up the keys to the car I was renting I was told I would be driving a Kia Sorento.  The conversation between me and the rental clerk went something like this: 

Me: I'm getting a what?
Her:A Kia Sorento.
Me:And just what is a Kia Sorento?
Her: An intermediate SUV.
Me:No...Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, Toyota RAV4...those are intermediate SUVs.
Her:Now you can add Kia Sorento to the list.
Me: No, I can't...I won't!
Her: Oh, but you will.  You've already prepaid this vehicle class.

She had me there.  I took the keys to the Kia Sorento LX and did the never will I prepay again walk to the car lot.  My first impression when I saw it was that this might not be so bad.  It was a smaller, 4-door, hatchback SUV that looked a little snazzy.  It was silver with a black luggage rack.  The interior was beige, including the cloth seats.  It wasn't cramped, but it definitely didn't have the room I had expected in the vehicle I was supposed to get.  The rear seats did fold down/up in several ways.  I found that the seat would go up, leaving the back in place, making the perfect spot for our cooler.  It held the cooler in place even when I had to brake hard or swerve.  The cargo space held 2 large and 2 small suitcases without blocking the rear window.  But, I probably couldn't have fit much more than that in there.

The interior was definitely basic.  The instrument panel had the speedometer, tachometer, mileage and combination temp/fuel gauge.  I could set the mileage from overall to trip only.  The air/heat was controlled by two knobs and a few "picture" buttons.    From the driver's door I could maneuver all four windows and/or lock the two back windows.   The sideview mirrors could be adjusted by the button on the driver's door handle as well.

Cruise control was located on the center part of the steering wheel.  It was a smooth transition from manual to cruise when I set it.  Plus, it didn't lose or gain speed over time as I have experienced in other vehicles.

There was a button to the left of the steering wheel, on the dash, that I had to look up, ESC.  It apparently means Electronic Skid Control.  According to the manual if engaged it allows the vehicle to take control of itself to maneuver out of the skid.  I'm not real big on relinquishing control of a vehicle I am driving, so I turned that off.  Note:  I have been informed that turning off ESC is not a wise decision.  I will suggest that you consult your Kia dealer or mechanic before choosing whether you want to disengage the ESC or not.

Also, on the left dash there were buttons for 4X4 High and Low.  I could push them "on the fly" if needed.  I did use the 4X4 High briefly as I took a little sidetrip down to a sandy beach.  I didn't have any problems getting in or out of the area.  But, it was wet, packed sand and didn't offer a real challenge.

The gear shift was different than I was used to due to it only having reverse, neutral and drive in the sequence.  To get to Low 1 and 2 I had to put the gear shift in drive and then move it to the right and down.  It wasn't difficult, just different. 

The stereo system (AM/FM radio/CD) was the most complicated thing about this vehicle.  But, I did enjoy the sound it put out.  I especially like that it drowned out the annoying wind versus sideview mirror noise.  It wasn't extremely loud, just a moderate whistling whenever I got the Kia above 40mph.

The 3.3L, V6, 242 horsepower engine...well...I like it.  I entered several highways from on ramps and never had a problem getting up to speed before I ran out of ramp lane.  Being able to merge into 65 to 70 mph traffic made my trip more enjoyable, without the let me in road rage.  I never experienced engine hesitation at any speed.  Reports on the Kia Sorento state that it gets 15 mpg in town and 22 mpg highway.  I found that to be close to my experience, averaging 18 to 25 mpg on various stages of my trip.

Now that I've told you a lot about the vehicle let me switch gears to what I think about my experience with the 2009 Kia Sorento LX.  I drove this Intermediate SUV for 7 days and 3000+ miles.  We went across plains, hills and mountains.  Quick and simple...I love the Kia Sorento.  It was the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven.    And, it is moderately stylish.  Everything was easy to figure out and use without a lot of fumbling while driving.  For those that need/want all the gadgets and gizmos that go in cars now, this may not be a good choice.  But, in a few years I will be ready to buy a new vehicle and the Kia Sorento will be at the top of my list.
Amount Paid (US$): 600/week
Model Year: 2009
Model and Options: LX