2011 Kia Sorento

WookieOnRitalin · September 25, 2009, 11:00:45 AM

The 2011 Kia Sorento

Standard Bluetooth. Choice of I4 (172 hp) or 3.5L V6 (273 hp). Choice of 6 speed manual or 6 speed automatic.
Estimate Fuel Economy: I4 (21/29); V6 (20/28)

Feature Content: http://www.kia.com/#/upcoming/?fvVehicleID=sorento&fvPageID=features

Eye of the Tiger · September 25, 2009, 11:01:31 AM

No longer a truck.

No longer interested.

Galaxy · September 25, 2009, 11:35:58 AM

The fuel economy of the I4 is appaling compared to the V6.

SVT666 · September 25, 2009, 11:42:35 AM

Looks good.

ifcar · September 25, 2009, 11:50:53 AM

Quote from: Galaxy on September 25, 2009, 11:35:58 AM
The fuel economy of the I4 is appaling compared to the V6.

That's because the V6's mileage is excellent, not because the 4's is bad.

Galaxy · September 25, 2009, 11:54:52 AM

Quote from: ifcar on September 25, 2009, 11:50:53 AM
That's because the V6's mileage is excellent, not because the 4's is bad.

Yes I suppose that is the polite way to write it.

WookieOnRitalin · September 25, 2009, 12:49:26 PM

Quote from: Galaxy on September 25, 2009, 11:54:52 AM
Yes I suppose that is the polite way to write it.

The V6 numbers are astounding. They also managed to make it bigger, give it more interior volume, and shed 450 lbs.

23-24 mpg combined with 273 horses is damn sweet. AWD must drop the numbers by a few. Probably around 2 mpg city and highway? That puts a AWD V6 at 18/26 for 22 mpg combined. If he gets to 60 in less than 8 seconds, that is pretty awesome.

I think it will be another hit for Kia. It's got class leading specs, features, and value. Perhaps an even higher seller than the Sante Fe? Looks better than the Sante Fe.

ifcar · September 25, 2009, 12:53:50 PM

Quote from: WookieOnRitalin on September 25, 2009, 12:49:26 PM
The V6 numbers are astounding. They also managed to make it bigger, give it more interior volume, and shed 450 lbs.

To be fair, part of that is just because Kia light trucks of that era -- Sorento and Sedona -- were designed before Kia had any concept of weight control. Do you recall an old Car and Driver graphic of "where's the beef?" for the Sedona when it first came out?

TBR · September 25, 2009, 01:53:11 PM

Looks very good and that gas mileage is truly exceptional. This is significantly larger than the Rav4, right? (which gets similar gas mileage)

It's also cool that they're offering a 6MT, does anyone know if its with both engines or just the I4?

Cookie Monster · September 25, 2009, 02:30:02 PM

Damn, too bad it's not a real truck anymore.

ifcar · September 25, 2009, 03:17:51 PM

Quote from: thecarnut on September 25, 2009, 02:30:02 PM
Damn, too bad it's not a real truck anymore.

They already sell a midsize truck-based SUV -- the Borrego. Why make both trucks without selling a car-based model, especially as the market has moved firmly in the opposite direction?

ifcar · September 25, 2009, 03:18:44 PM

Quote from: TBR on September 25, 2009, 01:53:11 PM
Looks very good and that gas mileage is truly exceptional. This is significantly larger than the Rav4, right? (which gets similar gas mileage)

It's also cool that they're offering a 6MT, does anyone know if its with both engines or just the I4?

This is about the size of an Equinox, which gets better EPA ratings with the 4-cylinder.