Used 2011 Kia Sorento SUV Consumer Reviews
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The real deal!
Had my Kia Sorento EX V6 for 1 month. Engine is great, very quick! The suspension is the problem. If you are considering it, please take a spin in one, go over some bumps, even the reflectors in the road, you will not like it. The suspension is too tight! It is an SUV and not a Corvette. I hate the suspension. I called Kia to try to deal with it and they say that is the design of the car, no other SUV handles rougher road as bad. REALLY look into it before buying the car!! If I had to do it all over, I would not buy it again!
Never buy a Kia
I am so pissed at kia, I have to rant. I am so pissed that I paid almost $30,000 for a V6 sorento to tow my boat and I can't use it. two dealers told me it can tow 3500 pounds, the brochure and website says it can tow 3500 lbs. I get the vehicle home buy a hitch and then I see in the owners manual that everything I was told was wrong. Kia advertises the 4 cylinder tows 2000 pounds, but the owner's manual say not to tow with it. They advertise the v6 tows 3500 pounds but the owners manual say it tows 2000 pounds. After dealing with Kia on this issue I will never deal with them again. Sorry about the rant review but I have to get it out.
- EX 4dr SUVMSRP: $10,999128 mi away
- LX 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,500156 mi away
- LX 4dr SUVMSRP: $3,995277 mi away
My 2011 Kia Sorento EXV6 AWD vehicle
I am really enjoying my new Kia, I love driving it and love the looks of it.The rear camera is a wonderful feature to have and I also enjoy the bluetooth, and we all enjoy the double moonroofs! We went out for dinner the other night and all 7 of us went in my car!(smaller people need to sit in the 3rd row seating)My husband enjoys driving it so much,he is thinking of getting one also! I would definitely recommend this car. Judy Cadorette
For the money
Bought in March 2010 and have 16,000 miles on so far. Have no regrets with this car so far. Rides rough but is quiet. Best value for a vehicle that has Nav, leather, dvd and awd.
Not good at all
Drive far on a daily basis due to job location. Have had this car for about 7 months. In may the car would not start at all. Had to be towed to the dealership! Apparently a loose cable came loose and had to be tighten. July. Car back in dealership car turned off while in motion. No I did not put in neutral it was in drive and the car turned off. Dealership can't find anything wrong. Sorry Kia better luck next time! Safety is a big concern!
2011 Kia Sorento EX AWD 3.5 L (6CYL)
I bought the Sorento because I liked the style and features including AWD for the cost. Also that Kia built a state of the art facility in Georgia which provides American jobs. Like any new vehicle, the first test drive seems pretty good. Soon after I bought it it didn't take long for the buyers remorse to set in. Within days the transmission seems to twist or knock harshly half the time you start the engine. The brake pedal is hard and won't let you start without pumping it to release? When parked on a hill the vehicle the transmission seems to not engage like the brake is still on. It also surges forward a bit while driving on the freeway and the gas mileage is not near what advertised.
Definitely Recommend
While I don't understand any of the negative reviews, I guess there are exceptions to everything. After test driving many other manufacturers, we went back to Kia knowing what we were getting. This car is more comfortable than any of the Honda's, Hyundai's, Toyota, Ford and Chevy's. It drives really smooth, notice absolutely no problems with shifting gears, the interior and dash is extremely functional, lots of room and the extra storage in the back is great. I question some of the other reviews and their problems... I wouldn't base my decision on them to buy this vehicle. And the $19600 out the door (all taxes, tag, ect included) definitely helped, considering it was $28k sticker!
500 Km to My First BREAK DOWN
I will keep this short.......Bought the 2011 Sorento 2 weeks ago.....and still on the first tank of gas and just under 500 kms right off the dealer lot........my new car breaks down!!!! Its now been 5 days with the car still in the dealer garage.......WOW....thats really reliable (sarcasim). I am not pleased. Asked dealer for a loaner car and was refused....becuse I did not buy the extended warrenty. Excuse me! I have just paid over $32K for my car and it breaks down and the Kia dealer left me high and dry!!!! Never shall I sway from my American 3 choices,........this Canadian will only buy American from this day on......
Needs Improvement
Purchased vehicle in March 2010, Kia needs to address the issue with the noisy front end struts and the ride quality on bumpy roads asap. I had to the dealer twice for this issue and they said that Kia is aware of the issue but has no fix as of yet. This is unacceptable! If they know there is a problem then why don't they take care of it. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone at this point because of this issue. Very annoying.
Disappointed
It's been 3 months since my unfortunate purchase. Vehicle shimmies on first morning start up. Burning smell in cabin -interior lighting shuts off by itself -Electrical problems in general. Bad customer service. I thought $45,000 would go further than 5000km. I guess not by Kia standards. Service manager said the shimmy on morning start up was "the natural characteristics of the vehicle" Like that was going to make me feel better. I haven't even mansion the loud undercarriage noise when you hit small bumps. In short, I took my chance with Kia and lost miserably
Great New CUV - GET ONE!
After walking out of one extra-mark-up-hugging dealer ($2000) struck a reasonable deal with a smarter dealer. The vehicle is really a great value for the price right around $30K. Ours has the Limited/Premium II package with most of the bells and whistles. Ride is quiet and comfortable. Handling and road feel via the rack & pinion steering is very competitive for the class. It is roomy and thoughtfully laid out with plenty of cargo space (we don't use the third row seat). The V6 supplies more than enough power and torque. Fuel economy is competitive. We love the panoramic sun roof. We are very happy with the car. Kia has hit a home run and it's BUILT IN AMERICA! Bravo Kia!
KIA keeps amazing me!
Just bought a new 10 KIA Soul in Aug,loved it!Saw the new Sorento,had to have it! I checked out all the models,I felt the base model was the best choice for mileage and features.I like a manual trans.It has a black Ext. with chrome;handles,grill,rear trim.Nice alloy wheels.It has privacy glass.Very upscale looking!The interior is classy looking!Dk.grey and Lt,grey with a classy faux Blk/silver wood trim between them.The base model is loaded with all the safety features and power options you could want.Power;windows,locks,mirrors,cruise ,a/c,bluetooth,satelite radio,cd, stereo,ipod,usb port.Safety should be the same or better as the Hyundai Santa Fe it is based on,has excellent rating !
Big Mistake
I traded in a 4Runner for the Kia Sorento back in June. The 4Runner was just too big for me. I thought that this would be a good compromise. During the test drive I was taken on smooth highway roads. As soon as I got onto my neighborhood roads, WOW, the loudest road noise I have ever had in a car. I also apparently have the known defect of the right front strut. Sounds like thunder going over even the smallest bumps. Turning up the radio doesn't help at all. The red lights under the door handles are very off putting. I wish I was told about them before I bought the car. Test drive it at night! Not very pleasant interior lighting. The radio and navigation get stuck often.
Not happy at all!
I purchased my Kia Sorento in March. I've driven it 648 miles. So far, the car has at least 3 rattles that sound like the car is falling apart. I got the back up camera - a waste of time because it cuts down your view in the rear view mirror. The mirror dims at night so you can't see where cars are behind you - dangerous! It rides like a truck and the brakes make me pray every time I try to apply them -- never know if they will stop me! Fairly decent gas mileage. I traded in my Toyota Highlander for this vehicle, and as soon as I can save up enough money, I'll trade the Sorento in to get back to my Highlander. I've driven Toyotas for 22 years -- never a rattle. Not so with Sorento!
New Kia
I have only had my Kia Sorento 3 weeks. So far it was an excellent choice. the only issue I have with it is the pairing of my cell phone. I have a Samsung Omnia and it doesn't want to reconnect with bluetooth when i get back in the vehicle after leaving it.
Great Purchase
I love this vehicle! We purchased the 4cly. b/c we wanted to save on gas (it gets better than my Sebring!) I would get the 6cyl if you are going to tow anything though (there was a noticeable difference) We bought the LX w/ the convenience package so we saved money and still got a lot of the extra features we wanted. It drives smooth; I haven't experienced any of the loud noises everyone else wrote about. I even tried to hit every pothole possible when I test drove it. It has an amazing turning radius and I could see to backup a lot better than the other vehicles we test drove (Edge,Traverse)
Watch their GPS, Mapnsoft sytem
I am very happy with my 2011 Sorento. I have only about 40,000 miles. The only thing I am really unhappy about is the gps system. It takes me on routes that are sometimes double the shortest route which I get using Garmin with my other vehicle. The phone service is also spotty. I purchased an upgrade, thinking it would help improve performance, but sadly it was just the same. Not good if you depend on your GPS to get you somewhere in the most efficient way. When I contacted them about it, they did not think that the GPS giving a route that took twice as long was a big deal. But come on!!. The whole purpose of the GPS is to make the journey better. Very unhappy with the upgrade, which cost about $170.00, I asked them if I could reset my system and return their upgrade. They declined. I would not purchase another upgrade from them and would not purchase another Kia or Hyundai as long as this is the system and the service they provide at mapnsoft. If I were purchasing a vehicle without GPS, then these are really good value.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
"Time to go"
This is a peach! My health precludes me to purchase a new car for my wife. She is short and has difficulty seeing over the hood, other wise I would keep the car. She will be most of the future driving. This is a great car!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Follow up review
I purchased my sorento in 1/2010 I have had problems with sunroof not being fitted correctly and constant problems with Gas Mileage, Automatic AC, front seats not being secured properly and most recently Transmission problems. I have accumulated 15000 miles already and this week my car started out of nowhere slipping gears and revving unintentionally and even chirping the tires from each gear took it to a locale dealership and was provided with a rental car (dodge avenger) and notified i needed a new transmission after 15,000 miles I've never experienced something like this and will no longer recommend or promote any Kia products. I was told it would be 2 weeks until i get my car. We will see
KIA Mechanical Problems
2011 KIA Sorento - Transmission Problems/Pulls to the right/Sudden Acceleration/Cruise Control problems. Transmission broke on trip out of state. 6 Weeks to repair. Broke again. Accelerated on its own. Too dangerous to drive. To initiate a recall, file complaint with www.safecar.gov then go to vehicle owners then file a complaint. Stay away from 2011 KIA Sorento.
My 1st SUV
I would highly recommend a Sorento to anyone looking for a "smallish SUV." After driving a 2-door sports car for 9 years, the jump to an SUV was a dramatic change for me, but I couldn't be happier! The Sorento is such a smooth ride, and the base model has all of the bells & whistles I could possibly need. Just took it on its 1st road trip (600 miles), and it handled beautifully. Around town I average 26- 27 mpg, and easily get 30-31 mpg on the interstate. The mpg sweet spot seems to be between 55-60 mph, and on my road trip I actually bumped the mpg average all the way up to 38.3 mpg at one point!! Obviously fuel economy was the selling point for me, and I honestly couldn't be more satisfied.
Good Bang for the Buck
We bought our Sorento in September and have 4K miles on it. We were impressed initially with the features that came standard and were won over by the options added that made it more affordable comparatively speaking to the Honda CR-V and Toyata Rav4. Power is a little something to be desired but not horrific by any standard for small 4 even when loaded with the family. The interior features are well designed except and the seats are comfortable and roomy in the front and spacious as well in the back. The biggest issue I would have is the noise and ride from the suspension. I've heard that the newer versions have dampers and I'll chekc with my dealer concerning that. A great buy!
Suprise KIA
We bought a 2010 Rav4. Recall, poor customer service and poor comfort drove us to reevaluate. The Sorento surprised both my wife and I. Very comfortable stable and powerful platform. We love all the standard features. They all seem to be very smart, just what you need but not a lot of gimmicks. Time will tell how well it all holds up.
Very Happy
I bought the Sorento three months ago and I am very happy with it. The V6 engine is very powerful and the car accelerate much better than previous cars I owned. I personally like the rough ride. I also find the noise level to be pretty low compared to my Accord.
Base Model Bargain
I printed out a coupon for 25 dollar gift card if you test drove a new Sorento. I drove one and bought it on the spot. With the owner loyalty and cash back rebates, along with another 2 grand off from the dealer, I walked out of the door for 18,500. That price included sales tax, plates, doc fees, and accessory floor mats.
It can't get better than this
I've had my new Sorento only 3 days and less than 200 miles, yet the car is built like a champ. It doesn't have AWD but with the front wheel drive and all of the safety systems I do not believe I will need the upgrade for New York's Hudson Valley. The safety and tech features are either unmatched or very rarely matched for the selling price. AND you don't have to pay extra for the longer warranty and road side assistance. The 4 cylinder engine/6 spd transmission is plenty of power for this car in city, country & highway driving (thankfully I wasn't stopped).
No more minivan!
I loved my PAID FOR '03 Chrysler T&C, but after the 2nd accident (not my fault), husband insisted on new vehicle for us (2 young kids). I needed 3rd row - we carry extra kids at times, but didn't need cargo space for strollers and giant kid carseats any longer. Hubby fanatical about safety features. We tested EVERYTHING - even new Odyssey and Swagger wagon (Sienna), Acadia, Traverse (all too big). Sorento just the right size! City MPG 22-23, hwy about 25-26 so far. Kids LOVE IT! Will be taking 1500 mile road trip next week. Looking forward to it.
My wife and I are in love... with our Kia Sorento SX!
My wife and I are extremely happy with our white pearl 2011 Kia Sorento SX. The V6 engine is best in class and doesn't chug gas so long as you drive conservatively mixed city/hwy. We had looked at the Mazda CX-9 but it was too large, expensive, and thirsty on the gas. The Sorento on the other hand is the perfect size for many families and a great value, even in its top-of-the-line SX trim. The dual flow damper shocks on the SX give the car a sporty ride that's only occasionally jittery on rough roads. This car is seriously one of the best buys we have made in a long while. I would highly, highly recommend it.
Sorento Surprise
My husband and I set out to replace our 2004 Mazda MPV with a 7 seater crossover. We drove the Flex, the Journey, and two versions of the Traverse before the Kia. We were looking to test drive the Borego but the dealership didn't have any so we jumped into the 2011 Sorento and were really surprised by what we found. The Sorento has a comfortable, smooth ride. It has great pick up, nice features and enough room for our family of 5. We've had the car for 2 weeks now and we have no regrets. This car is fun to drive!! It has plenty of zip with it's V6 3.5L engine, pretty good gas mileage and the features like the dual vista moon/sun roofs give a new cool to mom's "people mover"!!
Very good car
I bought the car just two weeks ago. My only complaint is the fuel economy. It is 19 MPG: mixed city/highway driving which is lower than the advertised. Otherwise, this is a very good car. This is my first crossover/SUV type of vehicle and I love it. The ride is quiet and comfortable. The performance is great with the V6 engine. I synced my iPhone immediately and now I can play all my music through the speakers and make all my calls with voice activated commands. The interior design is simple but stylish and sleek. The car feels very spacious. Very comfortable driver seat. Overall, after two weeks of daily driving, I really like this car.
Totally Suprised
The Sorento's price, features, and ride totally amaze's me! I wasn't even LOOKING at Kia's! Stopped to look at a used Edge on the lot, and Don (salesmen) asked if I'd considered a Sorento. As he described features not standard on other models I was looking at he got my attention! I bought a 4 cyl. for the mpg which is much better than my Saturn Vue's manual. The ride is VERY car like, The cabin is SO quiet. Even the blinker and blower motor are quiet! And the satellite radio and blue tooth are luxury's I'd have never looked for, but seem indispensable now! It was the fifth SUV I drove (on a list of four) and I could not be happier. Even the sales experience- Was FUN! A+++ Kia!
Lovin' our SX
The SX is the way to go; the DFD dampeners make the ride unbelievable. I feel like I am driving an expensive European SUV. The whole family loves it, back seat recline and adds to the spaciousness.
Quite Satisfied
I have to say, I really like this vehicle so far. Driving is enjoyable. The steering wheel is a bit heavy, but is not a distraction. The V6 engine has plenty of power. My gas mileage keeps going up the more I get used to it. Currently about 20 MPG in mixed driving. I am coming out of an Infiniti M35 and have not missed it. Comparatively, the backup camera is not quite as clear. The Bluetooth Phone connectivity was a bit challenging with two phones connected. Voice recognition is average. I found the transmission gearing a bit close and noticed some RPM pull in some downshifts. Overall I am very happy with the quality and driving impression of this car. Go drive one!
Bad Purchase
Traded in a 2008, lx, v6,4x4, real mistake. The 2011 sorento lx 4 cyl. Has loud strut noise, rides rough, loud road noise and the transmission whines on the 4 cyl. The 4 cyl only gets 1 mpg better than my v-6 got. I was told undercoating would help, it didn't. The only solution for the tranny noise was to play the radio louder. This was my fourth Kia in four years. The only good one was the 2008 sorento. Don't take a short test drive on a smooth road like I did.
Georgia and Drivers win with this KIA
I just took delivery of the 2011 Kia Sorento and if the price doesn't make you smile the car will. I loved the aggressive lines, size and exterior features that made this redesign stand out as the newest competitor on the block. I bought the LX in Titanium Silver with black cloth interior and the Convenience Package. This $1,000 package gave me a lot of extras such as a color back-up camera, back-up sensors, heated seats, fog lights and a roof rack. This is just where the extras start considering the inside is packed full of the latest technology from blue tooth in the steering wheel to a jack for every elctronic I own. If I had to shop for a car all over again Sorento would win again.
Not a bad pick
Definitely the nicest vehicle i have ever owned. Very comfortable, attractive design, and smooth ride. Only problem ive had was 3 days after i purchased it i was on my way to go skiing and just about every light you could think of started to show up on the dash board. Then every time i hit the break pedal the sorrent started to shake violently. When i stoped the vehicle i could not put it into park. I had to have road side assistance towe me back to the dealership. 3 days later the dealership called me and told me that there was a piece of plastic stuck in between the fuse and the connecter that powered the alternator. To me that was a sketchy explanation and a poor experience.
Nice vehicle, but!
Excellent purchase price, as well as cooperative dealership. This vehicle is a real head turner. Purchased on 2/22/10 and have had many positive comments. Lives up to its hype re: high seating w/good view of road etc. and fuel mileage is OK, not great, but ok. Ride is a bit hard as are the seats. I went w/heated leather. Not real quiet on road and mine sounds like I may have a loose shock up front. (Will be checked by dealer) Front doors need to be a bit larger, for access. I'm 6' and must be careful not to bump my head when getting in. Have all the options, Nav, Satellite Infinity radio, bluetooth, homelink, 18" chrome wheels. So far, am happy w/the vehicle.
Best Vehicle!
I love my new Sorento! As of all new models they sometimes have problems, had a recall fix but with no other problems! I wouldn't trade this vehicle for anything. Its so fun to drive and the 4 cyl gets great gas mileage with all the power I need. I would recommend Shottenkirk Kia of Quincy Il to anyone. they are great and really treat their customers from everything to the sale to follow up to service!
Promising not perfect
Overall a great value and exceptional follow up service from the company. We had an initial vibration problem that was solved and corrected. Our biggest complaint is gas mileage which is pathetic for a 4-Cyl. Were we to do it over we would opt for the V-6.
Transmission
We purchased our new 2011 Sorento and after 3 weeks and 2000 km we had 3 major transmission shocks in a single day, as well as one event when it seem to completely come out of gear, before once again dropping into gear with a major jolt. This is our second Kia, we traded our Spectra as it was also having transmission problems when it would lock in third gear and only reset if we would stop and shut off the engine. right now we are not to pleased with kia, they have had the Sorento in the shop or 4 days and say it is a sensor problem. right now we are not very happy with Kia and regret our purchase.
My Sorento LX-6
Got one of the first LX-6 models, drove the 4 cyl and was going to get the EX-6 but didn't need all the equipment. The 4 cyl is a bit underpowered but adequate. The 6cyl has great power and is fun to drive. All 6 cyl models come with rear A/C and rear 3rd row seats which are to small for an adult and if used there is little storage space. Has 18 inch tires so its rough of bumpy roads but quiet and smooth otherwise. So far gas mileage here in S. Fl with a/c used most days has been close to sticker. Vehicle is comfortable, brakes and handling are very good and price was even better for what you get.
You Must Drive One!
Great car - fun to drive, great in the snow,awesome options. A lot of SUV for a little price!
Pull back problems
I love the satellite radio, the Bluetooth so I can answer my phone or make calls by name or number, speaking to the car. Manual 6 speed or auto is fine. Up and down hill support is good too. Seat heaters and sunglasses holder is a great thing to have too.
Horrible Mistake
The worst mistake ever, we decide to give KIA a chance, and now we are full of regret. After only 5 months of having the car, the second row seat broke after pulling it down for the first time, it took 3 visits to the dealership to have it fixed, and now I was left stranded in a gas station at 10:00 pm with 3 small children by myself because the gas door would not open, I tried the "emergency" handle to open it unsuccessfully for 30 mins. By the way the "emergency" handle is a big joke, is just a very thin thread. Don't waste your money!
POOREST MPG
I regret trading in our '02 Venture van that averaged 22 city. This vehicle is only getting an awful 16. My 5.3l V8 Silverado gets that! I was told it would get better after 1000 miles of break in, but that was a big fat lie! Now the turn signals will not cancel after turning. After 2 months still haven't received paperwork for title and registration, Hyundai motor credit lost it! Can't wait to get rid of this one. I've never said that about any car before.
Looks Expensive
This is an awesome vehicle. I love it. Was going in for a Sportage and got this. The only thing that I don't like about it is the cup holders in the console, they are two different sizes and just don't fit right. Also when I get it washed, the hatch back collects soap, I have to ask them to lift it up and wipe it out.
Dont waste your money
We have had one problem after another with this vehicle since driving if off the lot! First, the turn signal housing went out completely and had to be replaced. The back-up camera has never worked correctly and is finally being replaced after several trips to the dealership service center. Now, the service engine light is on and the engine is missing out or dying altogether - in the middle of traffic no less! We've never gotten the gas mileage (not even close) as advertised or on the sticker. Now, today, we get notified of a safety recall due to wiring and possible fire hazard! This is our first non-Chevy purchase and our last!
Best mid-size SUV on the market today
I bought my 2011 Sorento SX AWD new and it has been an absolute pleasure to drive. It is the best new car I've ever owned in my 50+ years on this planet. It was heavily researched before purchasing and there were very, very few negative reviews. Anything that did come up was related to some early transmission problems on the 4 cylinder models. The 2011 Sorento has been a joy to drive and I expect to drive it well past the 10 year/100,00 mile warranty. KIA knocked it out of the park with the Sorento.
What a surprise!
We were in the market for a gently used SUV with a 3rd row seat and had driven the Lexus GX-470, Mazda CX9, Acura MDX, and the Subaru Tribecca. All nice vehicles. Prior to this I wouldn't have pushed a Kia off a cliff, but I read that Edmunds was singing its praises. We test drove the 2011 Kia Sontera and instantly fell in love with it. It is completely loaded, including Nav. Backup Camera w/sensor and DVD Player. I couldn't be more impressed with this vehicle. We have 2000 miles on it and it's a pleasure to drive and the kids love the 3rd row seat. As long as it holds together I'm sold. But, for now I couldn't be happier with this vehicle.
front edn problem with 2011 Kia
We bought a 2011 new Kia Sorento 1 month ago. From the start the the steering pulled to the right. I took the car back to the dealer twice. the problem was not fixed. Yesterday ,I got a call for the service manager that there is a problem with the v6 2011 Sorento and it is with the spring coils in the front end. Apparently this has been a problem because the spring coil parts are on back order. I guess a lot of poeple are having this issue with their Sorento. I am very disappointed with Kia. This is a brand new car and already I'm having issues with the car. The car has not been fun to drive because of this uncomfortable hold I have to use while steering the car.