2011 Kia Sorento
We have all seen them. The sad charity cases in line at the supermarket that only have Jack Daniels, hair dye and cake frosting in their shopping cart. You can't do anything but feel sorry them. If there was ever a drunken, inappropriate hair color-wearing, sugar binge-eating SUV on the market it would have to have been the pitifully slow, ugly and overweight last generation Kia Sorento. But that's all changed for the 2011 model year.Where cheesy exterior styling and woeful interior build quality once stood now there is now a stylish crossover with one of the best interiors to date in any Kia product. Now available with navigation, Bluetooth, push button start and realistic leather, the 2011 Kia Sorento is a perfectly sound alternative to a CR-V or RAV-4 instead of a consolation prize with a long warranty. Praise be.As the first model to be manufactured at Kia's new Georgia plant buyers can also take heart knowing that this decidedly roomy SUV is made in the U.S.A. Given the interior dimensions it appears that Kia gets that North Americans also tend to be roomier in the hips than other Earth dwellers. Blame all of those convenient Burger King drive-thrus next to Wal-Mart. What is it about shopping for things you don't need that are made in China that makes you so hungry?Looking a bit like a miniature Acura MDX, exact pricing for the new Sorento has not yet been announced but expect Kia to hold the line pretty firmly with 2010 prices. So a nicely equipped version should available within the mid $20,000 range.Engine choices start with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder offering 172 horsepower and CR-V rivaling fuel economy. On the options list is a class leading 3.5 liter V6 with a competition thumping 273 horsepower. Whereas the 2.4 liter four cylinder will no doubt be the sales leader with bargain hunters, those of us with a heavy right foot will probably prefer the V6. If Kia can hold the line on price for the V-6 the Sorento may decimate sales of the Escape and even Santa Fe SUVs.As always all Kia models come with a 5 year/60,000 mile warranty and 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty that is non-transferrable to the second owner. But with an SUV this good it is doubtful that you will want to give it up. And that is something no one ever said about the last generation Sorento. That was less a car you wanted and more one that your Uncle Phil would give you because your credit rating was about the level of your IQ.Kias used to be cars that you settled for and not the sort of machines you lusted after. While this South Korean manufacturer still has a bit of a way to go there is no reason now not to cross shop the Sorento with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4. Much unlike that sad person in line at the supermarket little Kia no longer needs your sympathy.
We have all seen them. The sad charity cases in line at the supermarket that only have Jack Daniels, hair dye and cake frosting in their shopping cart. You can't do anything but feel sorry them. If there was ever a drunken, inappropriate hair color-wearing, sugar binge-eating SUV on the market it would have to have been the pitifully slow, ugly and overweight last generation Kia Sorento. But that's all changed for the 2011 model year.
Where cheesy exterior styling and woeful interior build quality once stood now there is now a stylish crossover with one of the best interiors to date in any Kia product. Now available with navigation, Bluetooth, push button start and realistic leather, the 2011 Kia Sorento is a perfectly sound alternative to a CR-V or RAV-4 instead of a consolation prize with a long warranty. Praise be.
As the first model to be manufactured at Kia's new Georgia plant buyers can also take heart knowing that this decidedly roomy SUV is made in the U.S.A. Given the interior dimensions it appears that Kia gets that North Americans also tend to be roomier in the hips than other Earth dwellers. Blame all of those convenient Burger King drive-thrus next to Wal-Mart. What is it about shopping for things you don't need that are made in China that makes you so hungry?
Looking a bit like a miniature Acura MDX, exact pricing for the new Sorento has not yet been announced but expect Kia to hold the line pretty firmly with 2010 prices. So a nicely equipped version should available within the mid $20,000 range.
Engine choices start with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder offering 172 horsepower and CR-V rivaling fuel economy. On the options list is a class leading 3.5 liter V6 with a competition thumping 273 horsepower. Whereas the 2.4 liter four cylinder will no doubt be the sales leader with bargain hunters, those of us with a heavy right foot will probably prefer the V6. If Kia can hold the line on price for the V-6 the Sorento may decimate sales of the Escape and even Santa Fe SUVs.
As always all Kia models come with a 5 year/60,000 mile warranty and 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty that is non-transferrable to the second owner. But with an SUV this good it is doubtful that you will want to give it up. And that is something no one ever said about the last generation Sorento. That was less a car you wanted and more one that your Uncle Phil would give you because your credit rating was about the level of your IQ.
Kias used to be cars that you settled for and not the sort of machines you lusted after. While this South Korean manufacturer still has a bit of a way to go there is no reason now not to cross shop the Sorento with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4. Much unlike that sad person in line at the supermarket little Kia no longer needs your sympathy.
