2003 Kia Sorento Review
Fuel Economy
15 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Good-looking, comfortable, rugged and well-equipped, the new Sorento will force consumers to view Kia in a new light.
Pros
Great value, class-leading warranty coverage, long list of standard features, solid construction, true off-road capability.
Cons
Engine needs more power, subpar fuel economy, seat upholstery could stand improvement.
What's New for 2003
The Sorento is an all-new SUV from Kia. Larger and more powerful than the pint-size Sportage (which is expected to return for 2004 after a 2003 hiatus, by the way), the Sorento straddles the emerging middle ground between small SUVs and midsize SUVs. And it does so while offering interested buyers true off-road ability. Key competitors are the Ford Escape, the Honda CR-V, the Jeep Liberty, the Nissan Xterra and the Toyota Highlander.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Poor Quality Parts
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I have owned my Sorento for over five years now and for the most part I have been happy with it. However, It does have some re-occurring issues. For the first two years I had to replace the rotors every 6 months. All along the dealership telling me that it was my driving habits. I finally quit buying kia parts and replaced the rotors with after market part off the internet. I have not had an issue since. I have also had numerous electrical issues that the dealership can never fix because it doesn't occur when we take it in. Unfortunately if the cars computer doesn't tell them what is wrong, they are done looking. It is too bad because the vehical isn't that bad, it just needs better parts.
Favorite Features
looks, design, and power.
Suggested Improvements
quality, quality, quality!....also need to remove some of the rattles, but that goes back to quality.
Love that truck...
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
It's a really nice truck with great styling inside and out with good fit, finish and quality... also plenty of power... great offroader, too... had no issues except a split overflow canister which was replaced under warranty... and break shudder comes into the picture once the rotors wear down... but can be avoided by installing better grade after market replacement rotors which are actually cheaper than the original ones...... otherwise my six year old Sorrento is still rock solid and running smooth... it is quiet on the road and comfortable compared to other SUV's out there... will replace it with the same model if it ever falls apart... but so far it's holding up very well...
Favorite Features
looks, handling and quality
Suggested Improvements
Shoulda bought a 4 runner
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Wife bought the car new in 2003. We have 70K on it now and to be honest, I'm surprised it has been as reliable as it had been. Still, the maint schedule is unreasonable, $$, and he dealerships are completely incompetent. Last three times I needed to take the car back after maint because of dealer error. Will say the car has been off road on NE beaches all 5 summers about 60 trips in all and never had an offroad perf problem. Bought this over 4 runner because it offered leather,moonroof and warrnty for a few grand less than 4 runner. Stripped 4 runner is now worth 4K more at trade in than this though! if you can do w/o some options, there are better cars with better resale than KIA.
Favorite Features
Short wheel base for the room inside. Seating position, off road ability. Good quality differential and transmission.
Suggested Improvements
Driving dynamics, electrical system, exhaust system, fuel economy.
Great Car for the $$
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento EX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I bought the Sorento for my company car and 227,000 miles later am amazed at how it's held up. No it's not a Lexus, but with only minor problems in 5 years I am looking to buy another one. I have owned GM, Ford and Toyota cars and this Korean one has been by far the least trouble and the overall best ride. I have recommended it to many who were skeptical when I purchased it!
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Kia unable to repair.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 2 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Kia Sorento LX 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
Review
After driving my 1.5 year old 20,000 km Sorento for 10 meters in 50 cm deep water, it stopped running. The Dealer/Importer had the car for over 6 month in the shop and could NOT get it running again. I paid for a new Computer, but still, as of today it is not running. The location of the air intake is for an SUV on one of the most stupid places you can find in an 4 weal ATV. and so is the location of the Computer.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Make it possible to get in contact with the Importer if you are not happy with the Dealer. If the Importer does not answer so put at least an e=mail address from the head office in. All the addresses I could find had delivery failure
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