Faults:

Minor issue with setting the cruise control - quickly fixed by adjusting the footbrake!

General Comments:

Although I have had several Land Rover Discoveries in the past, I came to this directly from a fantastic Saab 9-3 convertible - so it was a bit of a culture shock! Having got over my grumpiness in having to go back to a 4x4 in order to tow a horsebox for my family, I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed this car. Of course, it's not as quick as my Saab, nor does it corner as well, so I have to be very objective when judging its handling. That said, I suspect that if I had come to it directly from my earlier Discoveries, I would have been overjoyed!

It is beautifully finished, & comes with all the extras you will need - right down to heated leather seats & heated (& folding) wing mirrors. My entire family are impressed with its interior design & comfort - even the children.

In permanent 4-wheel drive, it handles very well on the road (well, not as well as my Saab!). And off road, & in low-ratio, it is superb. It's a great towing vehicle too - much better than my father-in-law's Nissan Trooper with (I think) a 3 ltr engine).

It seems quite economical if driven sensibly on the open road, although it does guzzle diesel if you do much town driving in traffic.

Faults:

Brake lights stopped working on the way home from the dealership - was a loose connector.

Cheap plastic interior is already scratched after only 3 months light use.

Hydraulic clutch goes when stuck in traffic - meaning it revs like mad and feels unresponsive, to get over this you need to put it in neutral and 'pump' the clutch a few times to clear the air. Very safe when on the motorway!!

At 2600 miles I broke down in a car park, the gearbox was stuck in 2nd, it is now with the dealership for a NEW GEARBOX.

Climate control is rubbish, you may as well just get used to the fact that you will either be too hot or too cold as irrespective of which way you turn the dial it does its own thing. It may or may not do as you want eventually.

Kia have been helpful depending on who you get on the phone. One guy I spoke to offered me no help whatsoever. The lady I dealt with has arranged for me to have a courtesy car.

General Comments:

This car is a lovely 4x4 to drive, very powerful, amazing turning circle, lots of space, comfortable, all the mod cons and (in my opinion) looks good. Let's face it I have only had it 3 months, 2600 miles, it's hard to say more!

Sadly the reliability has really let me down in this short time and now I am going to sell it once it's repaired at huge loss. I feel the car is currently dangerous.

It's quite expensive to run in urban areas, as it will drink diesel like there is no tomorrow in traffic, but on open road it's actually reasonably economical.

Insurance was high, but may be average for 4x4's.

I did really like this car and it's a bargain at the list price for what you get really - but for me I would rather pay more for a car I felt safe in. Having had both the clutch and gearbox go on me I just can't take the risk.

It may be I have a lemon but from now on I am sticking to Ford.

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

This is my first Kia & my first diesel... well impressed with it so far. Pound for pound, the best 4x4 I have ever owned. I traded in a Range Rover 4.6HSE for the Kai and I would not entertain another RR.

I have driven a ML270 Merc back to back with the Kia and it was hard to believe that there was 20k difference in the price tag!!!

I opted for the XT rather than the popular XS and I personally feel that the XT was worth the extra few grand.

Don't let the Kia badges put you off, I have owned BMW's, Merc's, Volvo's, a Shogun, a Cherokee & the above mentioned Range Rover and I wouldn't swap the Sorento for any of them.