I have owned my Kia Sorento since February 2003, and can't stop scratching my head at how a company could hit a home run while launching its first SUV!

I've never owned a large truck, but am a veteran of quality-made vehicles: I've owned a Toyota, a BMW, a Harley, and a Chrysler Prowler. Dollar for dollar, this has been my best purchase yet. In fact, when I bought my Kia, I traded in my 3-series BMW during the deal.

I must be honest and say I had low expectations for this vehicle, but after the first four months, I can admit that I totally underestimated Kia and the product they put out. I chose the Kia after extensive online research and test drives of a number of competitors: the Saturn VUE, the Honda CRV, the Honda Element, the Toyota RAV4, the Toyota Highlander, and the Nissan Murano.

The Kia beat all comers in terms of off the line acceleration, standard features, warranty, audio sound, safety options, and dealer support. Although a few other models may have beaten it out in terms of gas mileage and styling, the Kia felt like a more solid vehicle when I got behind its wheel. Similarly, the vehicle was incredibly quiet: I've had a couple of instances where my wife had the vehicle on and I started it again (much to the starter's chagrin).

The ride is very comfortable. Be careful not to overinflate the tires, because then the ride becomes punishing! Proper inflation demonstrates the great refinement that this vehicles truck suspension has over smooth pavement and rough roads. Speaking of rough roads, the suspension is extremely heavy duty! I experienced this first hand. I was at my father-in-law's weekend home in LaPorte, Indiana. I drove to his farm and missed his driveway which is right off of a busy highway. I missed it by only ten feet or so, and decided to reverse and back into the driveway. His driveway has a two-foot deep ditch that serves as a buffer between his property and the highway, and I underestimated my turn into the driveway while reversing.

My right rear tire literally dove into the ditch, and jumped right out with a thunderous boom! I thought for sure that I broke a spring, a strut, or at a minimum warped a rim...but miraculously, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the vehicle after my brother-in-law (a mechanic by trade) inspected the hardware underneath! I swear, the worst went through my mind...but after three weeks nothing has gone wrong. What a solid truck! It is amazing. No wonder it has received top ratings in terms of off-road handling.

Mileage is my only real complaint. On a 20 gallon tank, I get roughly 350 miles per tank. Not bad...more like minivan specs, but with Asian engine technology I would expect a little better.

Overall, you could spend $10K more on a similarly equipped vehicle, but why? Do yourself a favor and give Kia a shot...you won't regret it! One last note: I have been so happy with my Sorento that I am going to buy a Kia Optima in a few weeks. Cheers, Kia...you have done a great job!

UPDATE: December 22, 2003

I can only say that every bit of praise I wrote about the vehicle still holds, and I can confidently add more!

I recently moved to West Trenton, New Jersey due to reassignment from Michigan. I kept my word and bought a Kia Optima (I will be writing a good review on that car, too), and left the Sorento with my wife in Wisconsin. Since she was in school, I decided to switch out vehicles because she wasn't using the Sorento as much as planned.

Glad I made that decision! A week after Thanksgiving, we had a large snow storm in the area. It was my first true test of the Sorento's snow capability in the harsh urban environment. WHAT A CHAMP. The vehicle NEVER got stuck or slipped. Amazing ability to plow through the thick stuff that piles up on curb-side.

To illustrate, my neighbor and I graduated from the US Naval Academy (albeit 30 years apart). He had an extra ticket to the Army-Navy game, and invited me along. We were going to get a ride from a friend of his who drove an early 90's Nissan Rodeo. When I went to my neighbor's home to jump in our ride, I asked how his Rodeo handled in the weather. He trembled in fear, stating that he was very leery about taking the Rodeo to the game. I unhesitantly volunteered to drive the Sorento, and at first they were skeptical since they had never heard of the brand.

Well, that all changed once we got on the road. My three passengers were speechlessly impressed at how sure-footed the Sorento managed the sloppy I-95. They were also impressed by the powerful acceleration it demonstrated when we had to pass snow plows, and the solid breaking it showed when people in front of us would panic and brake without notice. Both 4-hi and 4-low demonstrated FANTASTIC versatility in managing highway and urban street environments.

Please try one of these vehicles out! I have convinced my neighbors that this is the SUV to get, and the gentleman who defrayed his Rodeo ride informed me that he was buying one this month. What other proof can you ask for? Keep up the good work, Kia!
Amount Paid (US$): 25,000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2003
Model and Options: EX