2003 Kia Sorento Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
15 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(304 Total Reviews)
Garbage
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 2 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento LX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I own a 2003 Kia sorento and it is garbage. I can't count how many times I have had to replace a headlamp. The clock resets constantly on its own. I have blown fuses galore. Changing the rotors is impossible unless you own or can get your hands on a impact wrench. And most of all, their Service dept. has been horrible, rude and deceiving. Don't waste you money. I get 17mpg gallon highway at 65mph if I am lucky. And yes, I have completed all their recommended, bogus service schedules. I hate it. Hope I save somebody the headache of owning a pile of junk like this. 100,000 mile warranty is a joke. Be careful
Favorite Features
The AWD surprisingly works very well.
Suggested Improvements
Correct electrical problems.
Our Kia Sorento
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX Rwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I had never seen a Kia Sorento until June of 2003 when my wife and I drove past the dealership and my eye caught sight of an elegant new SUV. I got reverse sticker shock when I found out it was considerably less than the competition's and had elegant appointments. I took the car home for one day and could find NO bad points about the Sorento. Even the 15 MPG city is comparable (as it is a truck). I bought it the next day and have loved it ever since. I have owned it 5 yrs and 1 mo. Now and my only complaint was every bulb on the car has gone out at least once (most of them twice). It is smooth comfortable and responsive but keep in mind it's a truck so pot holes give ya a jolt..THX KIA
Favorite Features
Hidden storage compartments in dash and under passenger seat as well as under panel in cargo area. Red & white open door caution lights on all four doors. Sun and moon roof
Suggested Improvements
Improve gas mileage and examine causes for premature bulb failures
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Great vehicle for almost 5 years
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX Rwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
We bought our Sorento new in May of 2003. In 56K miles, we've never had a problem. Only routine maint. and a brake job, along with one set of tires.
Favorite Features
Sound system is so much better than the Bose system in my Mazda 6S. Cruises in comfort. Looks great, inside and out. Leather has held up well, even with two kids. Auto headlights are a nice touch. I've never seen another vehicle with a built in altimeter.
Suggested Improvements
Fuel economy is abysmal, but this is a body on frame SUV. Brakes could be better, and always seem to shimmy under braking above 40 mph - even 5K miles after brake job. 3rd row seat in next iteration would be nice, along with memory for seats/mirrors.
3 out 4 people found this review helpful
Kia doesn't honor warranty
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 2 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Had a 2003 Kia Sorento for 5 years. Initially had an issue with a leaking gasket that was fixed under warranty. 5 years later, the catalytic converter has failed and Kia won't cover even though it is within the warranty window. Kia immediately looks for fine print excuses to not honor the warranty. We are stuck with about $5000 in repairs to transfer case, catalytic converter, spark plugs, belts etc. Basically, left with a cheap throw away car.
Favorite Features
heated leather seats
Suggested Improvements
honor the warranty
6 out 7 people found this review helpful
Expensive replacement parts great car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento LX Rwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
We've owned this car for over a year and have been pretty happy with it. It's got 104050 miles on it. The downside is the cost and availability of parts. The major parts (and some not so major like shocks) are only available through the factory or a dealer and are considerably more expensive than typical replacement parts. On this model year two different water pumps were produced and they are not interchangeable. We didn't find this out until it was at our mechanics to get the timing belt and water pump replaced. Just the parts cost about $500. Also, the coolant reservoir has a tendency to crack/split and costs about $150 to replace.
Favorite Features
The interior room is great. How it looks and it's very versatile.
Suggested Improvements
It would be nice if the ride was smoother.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Excellent value and sporty looks
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX Rwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Bought with 15,000 miles and was pleasantly surprised with the interior room and luxury. Performance could be better but is satisfactory for everyday driving. Get lots of compliments. Am anxious to buy a 2008 Sorento, entirely new and exciting styling.
Favorite Features
Exterior styling and interior luxury.
Suggested Improvements
2008 model is supposed to be a knockout, with many improvements coming.
I love it
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento LX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I love my Kia. I have had no problems or issues.
Favorite Features
Ground clearance. I have taken it off road several times, a little rough in the drive but, for its size I have gotten several people to take a second look.
Suggested Improvements
More leg room in the backseat. I have two children and they are always hitting their feet on the front seats.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
A treat to drive
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Excellent car! I have owned many four-wheel or all-wheel drive cars including an Audi A6. This is by far the best car I have owned. Reasonably priced and so much for the money. This vehicle is built on a medium duty truck chassis that the sell in Korea. Great off-road as well. Solid!
Favorite Features
The engine is a torquemaster!
Suggested Improvements
Better electrics. Switches and lights tend to be cheap.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Bargain Luxury and Style
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
What began as a search for a luxury vehicle including such names as Lexus and Acura, quickly led us to a little known bargain of the Kia Sorento. The looks are comparable to the big two aforementioned, while the price wasn't half of equally aged vehicles. The 2003 Sorento EX is the "upscale" model. Our includes leather, tow, Harman Kardon sound, power everything, sunroof, etc. We got ours with slightly higher mileage for just under $12K. We did however opt for the additional extended warranty. The vehicle rides extremely smooth compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee we traded in. The luxury appointments are very well suited for a small suv class vehicle. All in all a bargain for the price and year
Favorite Features
Heated leather seats, steering wheel audio controls, suburb bad weather handling, luxury ride quality, storage, DVD, accessory availability.
Suggested Improvements
Some minor electrical issues (clock, interior entry lights), Nav system, better fuel mileage. Other than that it is a very well rounded vehicle. Keep it open for consideration.
1 out 2 people found this review helpful
Great Engineering
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX Rwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
KIA has their engineering down pat. I had no problems until after 100,000 miles and then the car seemed to start coming apart. First the windshield wiper control arm came apart then several of the sensors quit working and lastly the bolt on the harmonic balancer sheared causing me to get a new engine. I love the way the car drives but the reliability stinks.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
11 out 12 people found this review helpful
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