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2004 Kia Sorento LX Road Test

Living Up to Its Many Awards

I recall writing numerous news stories on the success of the Kia Sorento in the North American automotive market. To name a few, last year it held the highest consumer rating voted by new car buyers in the 2003 Strategic Vision Total Quality Index (TQI) (June 13, 2003: Kia Sorento Receives Top Award for Quality), it was voted winner of the "Official Winter Vehicle of New England" competition by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) and won the prestigious 2003 "Drivers Choice" Award for Best Mid-Size SUV (April 2, 2003: Kia Taking Its Sorento SUV to the Top).

But it is not just in North America that the Korean car manufacturers off-roader is leaving tread marks. This year was named Best Off-Roading Vehicle by 4x4 Magazine in the

The Kia Sorento has won so many awards in so many classes that its hard to keep up. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

UK (August 18, 2003: Kia Sorento Wins 4x4 of the Year Award in U.K.), and Im only scratching the surface of the many awards the Korean SUV has garnered.

During a recent test of the base LX model I decided to award it a prize of my own; "The Most Deceptive SUV Ive Driven" award! I dont mean this in a negative way. Exterior styling is attractive, with beefy but refined curves like many SUVs on the market today, but when I sat inside, engaged the clutch and put the standard

I found the Sorento to be the most deceptive SUV Ive driven, but I mean that in a good way! (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

5-speed manual gearbox (a 4-speed automatic is also available) into first gear, I knew it was going to be different.

After all the crossover-type sport utilities Ive tested, I guess Im conditioned to assume that any compact SUV on the market drives more like a raised car. The Kia however, drove more like a truck and that is why I felt a little deceived. But why was I so surprised? I knew about its numerous awards, I knew about the constant recognition for its off-roading capabilities, but perhaps all that I knew had escaped me when I initially sat in the Sorento and discovered that its

The base Sorento comes standard with 4-wheel discs and ABS, a rarity in the entry level compact SUV market. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

not a typical SUV. Its different, its a Kia.

The first difference I noted, as already mentioned, was the clutch and gearbox. The clutch pedal travel was longer than Im used to, the shifting a bit on the springy side, giving it the truck feeling. Next I took note of the brakes. Unlike the Sorentos competitors, the base model LX comes standard with 4-wheel discs and ABS, a hard find when looking for an entry level compact SUV because most come standard with rear drums.

The ride also reflected that of a true off-roading sport ute. I felt all the bumps and jumps on the road due its firm suspension. Still, handling is commendable because Kia has equipped

Unlike many in the entry level compact SUV market, the Sorento is ready and willing to go off-road. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

it with a fully independent suspension featuring a double wishbone design up front and multi-link setup in the rear. Its not as precise as its car-based competitors, such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda Tribute or Toyota RAV4, but in all fairness none of these can do much more than get you home in a snow storm.

Instead I engaged the shift-on-the-fly, electronically-controlled 2-speed transfer case on of the 4-wheel drive system (a 2WD system is standard by the way), and pulled into an especially bad, pot-holed gravel parking lot near my home. Sure it wasnt exactly a true off-road course, but it allowed me to test out the 4-wheel drive system with conditions that somewhat mimicked what I would have faced if I was driving along back country roads. Hey, I do what I can.

The LX comes with

A 217-hp 3.5-liter, DOHC, V6 engine powers the Sorento LX, with ample get-up-and-go for day to day driving. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

the standard engine found in all Sorento trims levels, a 3.5-liter, DOHC, V6 producing 192 horsepower and 217 lb-ft of torque. The engine supplied ample power for everyday use. It was nice to know that I had enough power to pass other vehicles while I ascended up a hill, and enough torque to make use of engine braking when descending the other side.

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