I'll admit it looks good and it certainly seems well equipped, but I packed off down to the coast the other day with 6 adults, 1 child, 2 dogs and all the necessary stuff in complete comfort. I even drove across the beach, sank and used the diff lock and low ratio to get out.
So, not quite.
|
Are Kia moving up market, or not?
They are bringing in the four pot Magentis now, but on the other hand to get the six you have to have the tarted up automatic version; the excellent value "cooking" manual version, well suited to the engine, seems to have been dropped. So, presumably, has the residual value.)
Just lucky I got ours when I did.
Tomo
|
So, HJ - If it's the Kia or the X-Trail, which one would it be? The bigger discounts that are available on the Nissan would surely bring the Kia head to head on price. Haven't compared the specs like for like, but it looks as though you'd perhaps get a bit more in the way of goodies on a list price Kia as on a discounted Nissan, but would guess there's not much in it? In which case we're back to deciding between the better known Japanese make versus the somewhat lesser known S.Korean one.
KB.
|
|
If stories of North Korea's rocket-rattling are to be believed, the Kia factory might be part of a mushroom cloud soon!
|
|
|
>So, HJ - If it's the Kia or the X-Trail, which one would it be? The bigger discounts that are available on the Nissan would surely bring the Kia head to head on price. Haven't compared the specs like for like, but it looks as though you'd perhaps get a bit more in the way of goodies on a list price Kia as on a discounted Nissan, but would guess there's not much in it? In which case we're back to deciding between the better known Japanese make versus the somewhat lesser known S.Korean one.>
KB,
What sort of discount are you being quoted on an X-Trail and what model ?
I am struggling to get anything off at all on a 2.2 diesel 6-speed Sport model - apparantly there are not many around.
JD
|
www.showroom4cars.com
Imports, but with a three year warranty I think, and a good couple of grand off last time I looked.
|
|
|
jd, Glyn Hopkins in Romford and Buckhurst Hill are advertising models from £15995,also Motoroint and Trade Salesadvertise them at a discount, as do Bob Gerard, if I remember correctly.
KB.
|
>Glyn Hopkins in Romford and Buckhurst Hill are advertising models from £15995,also Motoroint and Trade Salesadvertise them at a discount, as do Bob Gerard, if I remember correctly.>
KB, thanks for this info.
However, I think this is only for the 2.0 petrol version.
Wherever I try, there just don't seem to be any Sport models with 2.2 diesel engine.
However, I have been quoted £1500 off list from Drivethedeal, Virgin and jamjar so this might be the way to go once I sell mine.
Thanks again / JD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You say that it is excellent off road. Is there any way of quntifying that as you often here manufacturers claims about their cars off road abilities which plainly are false. I know that you tested it off road (so have no obvious reason to up its abilities0 but there are many journos who think that the X5 has good off road ability!!
(I usually take a Land Rover Defender as a benchmark.)
|
|
|
>Off the road, and this is a genuine ?off-roader?, it so >outclasses the X5 I can imagine Sorrento owners kindly throwing >a tow-line to X5 drivers in distress. It?s the kind of >car that brings out the best in a person?s character.
'in distress' - is that in Kensington or Chelsea ? When did anyone see an X5 off the road (other than parked half on the pavement ;-)
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up
|
'in distress' - is that in Kensington or Chelsea ? When did anyone see an X5 off the road (other than parked half on the pavement ;-)
I saw one about 3 months ago. It had road tyres on and was stuck in a wet grass field and took about 10 people to push it out. Funnily enough I didn't seem to have any problems in the Land Rover!
|
And you didn't offer a tow ?
It baffles me slightly that people will pay a premium for something that they can't be bothered to learn to use properly, and that in most cases, is not necessary.
Having been round some of the wild bits of Iceland in a Transit van, and done some Production and Classic Car Trialling (strictly 2wd) I know that 4wd is no more important than observation and car control - but hey, how many drivers of anything are bothered about observation and car control ?
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up
|
|
HJ
Is it just the photos, or is there a bit of M class about the styling?
Regards
John S
|
Funnily enough it was the styling that caused me to pause and check the road test. I have no need for a 4x4 yet something in me said "stop! Have a look at this".
Oh dear. Must remember to take my medication tonight and perhaps tomorrow I won't find myself drawn to chelsea tractors.
|
|
|
|
|
Interesting. Does that replace the smaller Sportage (which is also better off-road than most)?
|
Given that the Sportage came out around 1995, isn't it due for replacement or, at the very least, a diesel engine?
KB.
|
I think I've said may a time how I'm fed up with our roads being cluttered up with these Tonka toys but for the cash it does seem very well equipped indeed with a good warranty. Shame about the typo where they actually called the car 'Sorento' instead of 'Sorrento'!
If the basic product is sound does this mean the residuals should be better than the other Kia products?
|
May I offer an Asian viewpoint? Kia are a force to reckon with here. They turn out well put together cars that don't go wrong in adverse conditions, are beginning to look a little less "Korean" and have all the accoutrements. I don't know if the Starex SUV's has reached the UK market yet. Millions of them 'ere. They are a 9 seater, aircon front and rear, DVD TV, leather all the gubbins and they look smart.
Their beat-up Kia Prides have been running arounda staxis with millions of km on their (disconnected) odometers.
If I was in the market for the class mentioned in this post Kia would be high on the list. They have an excellent reputation throughout Asia.
Perhaps in Europe Korean products are sort of where the Japs were late '70's. The will I won't I kind of stage. Sort of the Datsun 120Y era. I would say if you like it and it fits your bill go for it.
PS Don't worry about that guy with the bad hair in PyongYang, Brian. I have it on the QT from Condi if he tries that one on he'll be toast in ten minutes.
I would have no hesitatioon
|
|
|
|
