Faults:

The car was delivered with a torn seat, broken moon roof, rear hatch that wouldn't close, passenger air bag that sometimes turned on, sometimes didn't.

It took over a month to get the seat replaced. The air bag and hatch have never been fixed. They told me to keep slamming the rear hatch and eventually it would break in. It hasn't.

At 3K the car started shuttering when starting off in forward and reverse. After a few visits (80miles round trip) they finally got the part. The dealer and Kia didn't know where it went. Can you believe that! We have to return again. Good thing gas is so cheap!

General Comments:

Two dealerships have dropped their franchises since I bought this 10 months ago. I now have to drive 40 miles each way to get the car fixed.

As a second time Kia owner I expected more. The first one was a little rough around the edges and I traded it in at a little over 15K miles expecting to get more than I had. What a mistake!

This one will be lucky to make it to 7K before I get rid of it.

Pluses:

Much improved ride, great power, better, but not good gas mileage, comfortable.

Negatives

Poor brakes, Unreliable, Poor Service- Too bad.

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

Purchased the Sorento to replace the 02 Honda CRV; mainly for stronger towing purposes and also as a replacement vehicle after the Honda was rear ended.

Found the Sorento a much more luxurious ride and certainly a more capable vehicle off road. Let's face it; the Sorento is a truck based SUV and therefore heavy, so driving the vehicle means a different style to driving a Honda or Toyota. I find myself allowing more braking distance and feathering the brakes somewhat as an allowance for the extra weight (approx 600kgs more than the Honda), and so far no brake problems as reported in other reviews.

Some reviewers have complained about vibration in lower rev ranges, and should be reminded that the transmission is programmed to read the technique of the driver and adapt to their style of driving. My opinion for what its worth is that the vibration at lower speed is due to the engine labouring. Change to manual mode, drop the transmission to 4th, and what do you know; no vibration.

As already stated, you get what you pay for and here in OZ a similar spec Toyota Prado would have cost around $25000 more. Kia longevity is probably no contest against the Toyota, but for $25K less I was willing to take the punt. So far no complaints, and if this vehicle goes 80000kms with no major maintenance issues, I'll probably buy another one. 10K down, 70 to go!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie oy oy oy.

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.