2008 Kia Sorento Consumer Reviews

Yuck

Written by: Kitch on 12/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Really DO NOT Like it. Have returned it to the dealer for brakeing issues. Manual seat does not go up as high as the power seats, engine (3.3) is slow to respond. Have to remove the rear seat headrests in order to put the back seat down, with all of the rear seat headrests & seat belts crossing in my view in the rearview mirror you do not get a clear view out the back, nice storage under the rear floor, but you have to remove EVERYTHING from the back of the vehicle to access it. The cover for the rear area cuts down on the amount of stuff you can put in there unless you remove it & you have to remove it to put the rear seats down. REALLY WISH I had returned it & gotten my old vehicle back.

Favorite Features

Nice mileage, haven't seen how it handles in the snow yet.

Suggested Improvements

Put the rear cover on the side of the vehicle so that it pulls across and stores on the side wall and doesn't take up as much room. Move the rear hatch out to the end of the vehicle instead of leaving the "Step" on the rear would give better storage.

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Passenger side air bag issues

Written by: redmymail2 on 10/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.8L 6cyl 5A)

Review

My Kia is fun to drive, handles like a dream, I just wish the passenger side airbag sensor light wouldn't come on when there is someone in the seat. I too have had the seat repaired only to have the light come on again. My service tech has recommended that I call Kia directly to ask for help. The 5 star crash test rating, a main reason for buying the Kia, obviously doesn't account for a defective sensor. I would heartily recommend the vehicle to anyone if not for this issue.

Favorite Features

Ease of entry, visibility, 21 gallon fuel tank, seat comfort and spaciousness. Turning radius, feels solid and sure on the road.

Suggested Improvements

Recall the airbag sensor in the passenger seat. Find a way to fix it so I can truly enjoy my can and feel comfortable having a co-pilot.

18 out 18 people found this review helpful

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Happy new owner

Written by: Seibs on 10/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Took delivery of vehicle in the morning, and took a 250+ mile trip in the afternoon - mostly freeway in hilly country. Got 22/5 MPG. Traded in 1997 Pathfinder - much the same size vehicle. Having a super time with the manual control of the automatic tranny. Vehicle is so quiet, and great fun to drive. So far, best choice of car ever made -- and the price was definitely right

Favorite Features

Manual tranny control. And just the right size SUV. Not big hunkin truck

Suggested Improvements

Exterior temp indicator

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Good deal

Written by: Ravi on 09/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.8L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I was looking for a car with value for my money. I didn't want to spend a load of money on features which are attractive but after a while we don't use it. Kia Sorento was perfect in my budget and the other accessories i was looking for. So far the car is running absolutely fine.

Favorite Features

Simple yet elegant. Interior space is enough for five passengers. Long drive doesn't seem tiring.

Suggested Improvements

Mileage could be improved. Engine noise can be reduced.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Traded in Expedition

Written by: Jay Gillette on 09/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV (3.8L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I traded in a Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer with all the toys so please keep this in mind when I compare to my new Sorento EX with leather, sunroof, 6 cd, etc. Gas: The Expedition was getting an average of about 16-17 mpg. Thus far the Kia is getting 21-22 mpg for the same daily route taken to home/work. Space: It is lacking with comparison to the Expedition however is very consistent with a mid size SUV. They could have added about 4-6 inches in length to the cargo area to better round out the car, (I think the test should be to fit an average baby stroller in straight with having to put it sideways.) The front has plenty of room for me and I am above average in size, same for the passenger.

Favorite Features

Solid feel, look & style

Suggested Improvements

Cross bars that fit the 08 model. Longer cargo area to fit average stroller.

10 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Great for the Money!

Written by: Armtek on 07/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.8L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Sorento EX replaced a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer Premier. We wanted better gas mileage and smaller size SUV (no more hauling around gaggles of girls sports teams). Only gave up 3rd row seat (which we wanted to do anyway), passenger power seat adjustment/lumbar support (which would be bad but the seats are very comfortable), and a little on the stereo quality (but we are rectifying that with an aftermarket nav/sound next month). Comfort is very good, fit/finish is very good, ride is very good and stable (plus we can get our favorite Goodyear Tripletred tires for it). Performance was much better than expected, with the 3.8l V-6 really pushing the Sorento better than our older V-8 SUV.

Favorite Features

Power, and lots of it! No wimpy on-ramp events with this vehicle! Also, more power at this altitude (CO) does help with economy (underpowered vehicles just don't cut it).

Suggested Improvements

Passenger seat power adjustments, fold-down rear seats, OEM nav system option, more storage under rear deck (like Santa Fe)

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Not bad, could be better

Written by: Looking to trade on 06/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I traded a sedan for the Sorento. I use it to transport bikes and dogs (one of which is a 75 lb. Greyhound) and commute to work. I wanted a vehicle that sat higher than a car and had plenty of cargo room. I drive combined city/highway and get 22.5 mpg. I've had trouble with the passenger airbag-my brother (140 lb.) has ridden with me and one minute the airbag sensor screen shows it's on, then a few minutes later it's off. Doesn't exactly make you feel safe. There's a rattle (already) on the driver's side that the dealership fixed, then a few weeks later it came back.

Favorite Features

The look of the exterior, cargo room, plenty of power, console layout (I use the little change drawers a lot). I live in a windy area and it does surprisingly well. I love the tire pressure monitoring system. Good for those who don't always notice a tire that's a little low. Warranty. Decent mpg.

Suggested Improvements

Some materials feel cheap. I can feel a spring in the driver's seat (and I'm not that big-140 lb.). Rear seats need to fold completely flat. Passenger air bag needs to actually work. The rear door could be difficult for short/weak upper body strength people to close.

14 out 14 people found this review helpful

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Had this as a rental for one month

Written by: Joe on 06/13/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This SUV is quick. It revs high and will throw you back in your seat when you get on the gas. The ride is very smooth even over bumpy brick roads I've been on. I took in on a 200+ mile road trip and was very comfortable. The stock stereo system isn't bad and would be adequate for most people. It's really a sharp looking SUV, the inside isn't Lexus or Mercedes fancy, but if you're not trying to impress everyone with your fancy car, then who cares? I've carried up to 8 people in this thing, of course, two were in the seatless trunk area. Seats fold down real nice to make a ton of cargo room. Definitely a good family hauler, would be great for long roadies or just tooling around town.

Favorite Features

Strong engine, auto stick, comfort, high profile tires that eat up bumps, nice rims, nice overall appearance, good visibility.

Suggested Improvements

The gas mileage is TERRIBLE!!! I'm an aggressive driver and I got 13 mpg mixed driving on one tank. The next tank was on my road trip, had the cruise set at 75 mph on the highway and I got 16.8 mpg. I think if you feather footed it you might get 16/18. Steering wheel is real sensitive!

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Broke KIA

Written by: Steve on 06/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

The main problem I have with this vehicle is the passenger seat airbag. I have had numerous problems with my passenger seat air bag and with five trips to the dealership it still has not been fixed. Now they say it is not working because my wife does not weigh enough, and with her just over 100 pounds I find that hard to believe. Simply stated the vehicle is junk, and they have no regards to our safety by not fixing it.

Favorite Features

Starbucks Coffee machine at dealership. I have used it a lot with the service waits I have had.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the airbags.

9 out 26 people found this review helpful

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Bang for the Buck Truck

Written by: Rodney Allen on 04/28/2008

Vehicle

2008 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

After looking at lots of V6 midsized SUVs, I bought an `08 Sorento LX two weeks ago and have been very happy with it--once I tracked down a rattle up front and a chain-like jingle coming from somewhere in the rear. The rattle was caused by the garage door opener compartment. I fixed it by putting two washcloths in it, which put some pressure on the plastic door, as well as providing some sound baffling. The chain-like jingle was coming from the latch on the rear hatch. Some silicone lubricant put an end to that. With those initial annoyances out of the way, I was free to enjoy the refined character of the Sorento--great looks, good performance, unmatched value. This truck is a real deal.

Favorite Features

The LX Sport and Leather Packages, with the black-on-black interior. I prefer the LX to the EX because the sunroof in the EX takes up too much headroom for my 6'3'' frame, and I also don't like the EX cladding or the chrome door handles. My silver exterior and black leather interior look great.

Suggested Improvements

Better mileage, power seat on LX, slightly longer and softer seats, outside temp gauge, IPod jack on stereo, lock on fuel door. But at $5000 less than the Mazda CX-7, or the Rav4 with a V6, and the great warranty, the Sorento's faults are trivial. This SUV has many, many great qualities you'll love.

24 out 25 people found this review helpful

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