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2004 Kia Sorento Road Test

Guided By Principal

If I didnt know the Kia Sorento was constructed on an assembly line in Korea, I would suspect that it had been carved from a singular block of granite; its just that solid.

Seldom have I driven a test vehicle I can say that about. Such a high degree of integral rigidity eliminates shudders and rattles that reverberate through a vehicle when it encounters a vicious stretch of degenerating roadway. You know the type of road I mean - so beat-up that it causes one question where our Government is spending the all-too-many gasoline tax dollars collected from hapless motorists.

Taxation rant aside, Kias compact entry into the wildly competitive SUV market is a rugged body-on-frame stalwart whose smooth ride over the aforementioned road surface impresses all whove experienced

Kias solid compact entry into the wildly competitive SUV market is a rugged body-on-frame stalwart. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

it. And that can be as many as five at a time. There is no third row seat in the Sorento; resulting in generous dimensions afforded those in the front buckets or rear split folding bench seat.

"But whats the history to this upstart out of South Korea," I can hear you asking. Well, founded in 1944, Kia Motors Corporation began as a bicycle parts manufacturer and evolved over the years into a full-scale automobile manufacturer that now produces passenger

Although the Sorento lacks a third row of seats, that means there is more than ample room for passengers and cargo. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

cars, vans and cargo trucks. According to Kia, their name has origins in the Chinese language. The first syllable, ki, means to "arise or come up out of." The second part of the word, a, refers to Asia. Join the two syllables together and suddenly the name "Kia" takes on the very apropos meaning of, "arise or come up out of Asia." Kia 101 - class dismissed.

Kia has ensured that Sorento owners and passengers enjoy the give-them-more-for-less principle that Kia applies to all of its vehicle

Kias guiding principle of providing high-quality, high-value vehicles at prices well below the competition continues to hold true for the Sorento. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

lines. Kias guiding principle of providing high-quality, high-value vehicles at prices well below the competition has auto journalists sitting up and taking notice. The 2004 Sorento is an excellent example of how Kia has successfully implemented that principle.

My very well equipped test vehicle was the base LX model, equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox. This handsome SUV is large for its compact size rating, almost identical in size to the new BMW X3 and Hondas 2004 CRV. In addition to being efficiently sized the Sorento is, in my view, one

Nicely designed, but not over-the-top, the cabin has an airy feel to it. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

of the best looking compact SUVs in todays marketplace. Slightly stubby in appearance and sporting a "bob-tail" rear end design, the Sorento imparts a larger-than-life rugged image. Unlike the Kia Amanti sedan, the Sorento borrows from no one. It can proudly boast that its design is all its own.

Climbing into the interior of the Sorento is effortless. Step-in height is easily managed regardless of gender or apparel. Once inside, the aforementioned solidity of the Sorento becomes apparent. Nicely designed, but not over-the-top, the cabin has an airy feel to it thanks in part to the large windows that encircle all occupants. The primary gauges are cleanly grouped

Fit-and-finish inside the Sorento is above average, especially for the SUV segment. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

beneath a single arch along the dash. To the right of the gauges is a prominent center stack, not unlike that used by Cadillac in its CTS as well as its related SRX sport utility.

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