Kia Sorento 1st gen 2002 - 2009 - Used car, farts, flaws

Kia Sorento 1st Gen

The first generation SUV Kia Sorento came on the market in 2002 and is the first car produced in collaboration with Kia and Hyundai. The Kia Sorento is constructed as a classic SUV, which means that the body and chassis with independent suspension at the front and a rigid axle at the rear are attached to the solid chassis.

The suspension was developed in collaboration with Porsche. Unlike other SUVs, the Kia Sorento is designed for off road driving and features a rear differential lock and a powertrain designed for serious off road driving. The boot has a volume of 486 liters, and by folding the backrests of the rear seats increases to as much as 1.960 liters. The luggage maneuver facilitates a slightly lower loading edge.

Kie Sorento's competitors on the market are the Jeep Cherokee and Nissan Pathfinder. As for safety equipment, it was initially incomplete. The 2006 redesign included standard equipment as standard ABS i airbags and stability control and 4 air curtains. At the Euro NCAP crash test, the Kia Sorento won four out of a possible five stars.

The initial EX package includes ABS + EBD, stability control, fog lights and two airbags. The EX Comfort package also includes four side curtains.

Comfort and atmosphere in the interior are complemented from the start with automatic air conditioning, electric and tinted rear windows. The Prestige package gives the Kia Sorento a touch of luxury - a leather-wrapped interior, electric folding mirrors and heated front seats. The Kia Sorento is available in three engine versions: a four-cylinder 2.4 petrol engine with 139 hp, a 3.5 V6 petrol engine with 195 hp and a 2.5 CDRi diesel engine with a common rail system and 140 hp. A diesel engine consumes about 10 liters per 100 kilometers, and gasoline engines consume at least 12 liters over the same distance.

The top model Kia Sorento is equipped with Mitsubishi's 3.5 V6 petrol engine with 195 hp. In combination with the 4-speed gearbox, it goes convincingly, it is very high quality, but it also consumes more than 15 liters. Due to the favorable price, the basic petrol 2.4 with 139 hp (also Mitsubishi) is a good opportunity when buying a used car. Due to its slightly higher but acceptable consumption (10,5 l), it is significantly cheaper than diesel, and with normal maintenance it is indestructible. The problem with a quality diesel model is the higher price, which, due to its favorable properties, is sold by most when expensive services and repairs are approached.
The mechanics of the Kia Sorenta are of the same quality as the electronics, although according to ADAC reports, the reliability is only slightly above average. But mostly the little things are under attack. The models of the first series had problems with the thermostat and alternator of gasoline engines and the sensitive clutch (for driving in off-road conditions). You should also pay attention to the leakage of oil on the crankcase and oil seal, both in diesel and gasoline. The interior, despite the cheap materials, is high quality and durable, so you shouldn't rush in and buy a model with deformed and worn seats and polished controls.
The most important thing is to check that the Sorento has not survived the collision or numerous field adventures and that it was maintained by the original parts. Even miles are not a problem then.

Buyer used Kia However, Sorrento needs to know the service history of the used specimen he has selected. Namely, like any real SUV, the Sorento is sensitive and expensive unless maintained properly and in a timely manner. Improper maintenance can affect cardan problems, four-wheel drive system problems, engine problems, and the like.

Service experts have noted instances of fuel injectors malfunctioning with diesel. Specifically, in models where the fuel filter is not replaced in a timely manner, the first damage that can occur is damage to the injectors.

Lubrication and timely replacement of the oil are a recipe for the longevity of the powertrain on the Kia Sorento. Special care is taken to evenly change the gear unit oil and lubricate the PTO crosses. Replacing these elements is not cheap.
The EGR valve is sensitive to soiled fuel. It is possible to clean the EGR valve on which soot has accumulated.
Damage to the Kia Sorenta's differential is possible if the front and rear tires are of different sizes. Unevenly worn tires also cause damage. The Sorrento's basic drive is on the rear wheels, but if there is a reason to switch on the front-wheel drive (rear wheel slip), the system automatically transmits power to the front wheels as well. It is also possible to choose a mode that allows permanent four-wheel drive. This four-wheel drive system is quite efficient, but it is also quite sensitive if the tires on the front wheels are of different dimensions compared to the tires on the rear wheels. In fact, if the tires are of different dimensions, due to different wheel speeds, the system recognizes slipping at all times, and often activates four-wheel drive, leading to overloading of the entire system. The system is so sensitive that in the middle of the tire's service life, it is recommended to switch tires from the rear wheels to the front wheels, which equalizes the speed of tire wear.

Technical characteristics

Advantages - Kia Sorento

• Good equipment
• Spacious interior
• Rich equipment
• Powerful engines
• Off-road capabilities

Mane - Kia Sorento

• Turbocharger problems with diesel engines
• Engine oil leaks
• The controller does not provide enough feedback
• Comfort in the rear seats is less
• Body rusting
• Rust thresholds and fenders possible (with EX equipment)
• Unreliable handbrake

Sources:
auto-mane.com
autoportal.hr
proauto.ba

Mladen

Hi there, I am Mladen and I am an auto enthusiast. I started this blog years ago to help like minded people share information about latest cars, car servicing ideas, used car info, exotic cars, and auto technology. You will find helpful articles and videos on a wide variety of cars - Audi, Mercedes, Toyota, Porsche, Volvo, BMW and much more. Ping us if you have anything cool to share on latest cars or on how to make older cars more efficient, or just want to say hi!