Used 2006 Kia Sorento Consumer Reviews
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Recommended Theme Song: "One Headlight"
ColoradoGirlInAnArizonaWorld, 04/15/2021
2006 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2006 Sorento brand new, and it had 270K miles on it when I hit a deer and it was totaled. I miss it. I liked that it was extremely easy to find a 5-speed model, as that's my preference, and I am disappointed that it was no longer an option on the Sorento within a year or two. The car was a great value for the price. It was roomy, comfortable, and took me on my hour-long rural commute each day for 12 years, along with a number of family road trips. Even though I was often late with scheduled maintenance, the car never had a major issue. There was one (relatively) minor issue which drove me insane, though...beginning about a year after I purchased it, my Sorento began blowing through headlights like mad. Sometimes, it was weekly, sometimes I might get as much as 3 months out of one, but I don't think they ever lasted much longer. This problem started on the driver's side, and that was usually the side that went out. But after a time, the passenger side headlight also started frequently burning out. I took it to several different dealerships, but no one had ever heard of this problem, and nothing they tried made a difference. Back then, I found very little in my online research either, so I gave up and just became extremely proficient at changing the headlights...I got so much practice that before long, I could be reliably timed at 3 minutes or less between first raising the hood and turning the car back on with the new headlight in place! I was probably pulled over 40 times (I was once stopped 3 different times on a single trip between work and home!) for one of the headlights being out. Eventually, officers in our small town recognized my car and would just look at me and point at the offending headlight with a grin, as they knew I would immediately get it replaced. I finally just started keeping a spare in the car at all times. I also named the car "The Wallflower" in honor of the Wallflowers' song from the 90's, "One Headlight". I probably spent a few thousand dollars on headlights over the years, which stinks. I now see the problem mentioned on here, so I wasn't the only Sorento owner in the world with a car that hated headlights after all. Interestingly, a relative bought a used 2006 Sorento and has not had a single headlight failure in the years she's owned it. The gas mileage also was not as advertised...I rarely got close to 20 mpg on the highway. But there was so much I liked about this car that it outweighed those problems. At 270k miles, the engine was still running like new. "The Wallflower" took my family and me on a lot of great trips with good memories. It was like a member of the family. And while that nighttime highway collision with a large deer obliterated the front end of the car, I walked away without so much as a scratch. A sad end for my favorite car, but a good testament to its safety (And on the bright side, I finally got revenge on those stupid headlights!). I did not buy another Sorento, because the newer ones bear very little similarity to the one I liked so much. But if they brought back a similar vehicle, I would gladly buy another.
I need to brag
john, 03/05/2009
2006 Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I need to brag about my Sorento. Purchased in Sept. 06, I travel alot. I currently have 158,690 miles on it. The only issue was needing to replace the transfer case ($700 on Ebay). Tires, brakes and oil changes have been my only real purchases. As I looked at getting a replacement vehicle, I had to ask why. There is not a squeak or rattle. It handles the way it did on day one, and I can still tow my 4-wheeler to northern Maine (250 miles one way) without a problem. If you can deal with "not great" fuel economy, buy one. It is the best purchase I have ever made.
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Solid performer w/minor illnesses...
Gramotey, 03/26/2009
2006 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Our Kia purchase was quite impulsive: we've liked the ride quality right away,and we've been specifically looking for 4x4 capabilities, some economy...bought this as no 4x4 Tuscons were available in Texas :) Body is incredibly rigid,some serious off-road performance.Comfortable and predictive road manners,good breaking backed-up by standard ABS.Reasonable controls,very good visibility,very good stock sound(although we both are missing mp3/USB/AUX jacks).Outlet in the trunk was quite a nice find!Minor problems we've seen so far is 2 blown turn signal lamps(they are doubled,however) which I had replaced and that was the end of it as of now, and main dome light is incommunicado. That's minor...
You couldn't pay me to buy another Kia!
mm2kanda, 07/23/2010
2006 Kia Sorento LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful
We purchased our Kia new Feb. 2006 when it had about 18 miles on it. In less then 6 months the check engine light came on. Not a big fan of dealerships but assuming things are under warranty we take it to the dealership in the town we live in. We are told it's not covered anymore by about 800 miles ago (CO2 sensor). We fixed it ourselves. Light still randomly comes on and goes off. We blow headlamps what had been about 3-6 months apart but now as soon as 10 days. My dash light has been randomly going off for about a year and now my dome light randomly goes on. Our dome light stopped working correctly 2 years ago. Very uncomfortable on long trips especially for tall men. Just a gag car!
Kia Sorento
Mr Hank, 03/29/2006
2006 Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
With 14k miles behind me I am mostly satisfied with the purchase. Visually this is still one of the sharpest mid size suvs around for my money. Very solid build, well laid out interior and rugged exterior put the domestic models to shame. Four wheel drive works like a charm, engine has plenty of punch for highway cruising or zipping through traffic. Engine sounds a bit loud in passing gear and transmission seems unsophisticated and tends to shift at odd times. Gas mileage is also a big disappointment. Overall this vehicle offers a lot of bang for the buck and as long as it keeps humming along and I don't have to take advantage of the fantastic warranty offered it will serve its purpose.