Kia Sorento snow/mud/towing?

[SnowandSunshine]

I recently bought a 2014 Kia Sorento as I wanted something that would tow up to 2500kg but not as thirsty (or pricey!) as Discovery, Landcruiser, Pathfinder.

I'd read a few threads that people loved theirs, good to tow etc but I hate it!
When we had snow it couldn't make it up a not particularly steep slope which some 2WD drive cars were managing. Also didn't do very well on small amount of mud. Flipping doors auto lock every time I drive and various other annoying things but the rubbish 4x4 ability is my biggest concern (it is working, was in 2nd gear).

I haven't bought a trailer yet but not looking forward to getting stuck in a field.
Just wondered if anyone else had same problems?

 

[fidleyspromise]

A friend has one (2010) and I know she said it's rubbish in snow.
She hasn't towed on fields so can't comment on that.

 

[Annagain]

I've had several Kia hire cars in work and I hate them with a passion. Not had a Sorrento but the people carrier is particularly dire. Gearbox is like stirring soup. You never find the same gear in the same place twice!

 

[paddi22]

I had two kia sorrentos and they were both rubbish for four wheel drive. i always had to get towed out of muddy grounds. the other issue I had was that they seemed to eat through oil, no matter how much I topped it up. engine ended up going on both of them.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

I had a 2002 old Sorrento & it was absolutely amazing! Towed like a dream & literally got everywhere in snow & mud - I had full confidence in it. Unfortunately the welding needed eventually was ridiculous so I got rid - I should have fixed it!

I now have a 'newer' one 2013 expecting the same - couldn't have been more wrong. Its feeble towing just one horse, I'm up & down the gears like a yoyo & it has now guts! Despite saying it can 2500kg I'd never tow more than one in it at 1700kg, it also regularly gets me stuck in both mud & snow - its absolutely useless!

Get an old one & definitely a manual.

 

[Sealine]

I had an 2008 Kia Sorento auto and it was amazing. It regularly towed a trailer with two large hunters off a field in the middle of winter. I can't comment on the newer model. It may be worth getting off road tyres if you don't already have them.

 

[LittleLegs&Co]

Loved my Sorrento, and it coped better than any other car I've owned in snow and mud - BUT, it was one of the older models and I had really good tyres on it. Doesn't matter what car you have, road tyres will not work well on snow and ice
Kia service on the other hand is a pile of *^%£ so won't have another purely because of that!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Discovery, Landcruiser, Pathfinder.

Sadly you can’t get everything with cars (I’ve found) the brands above are thirstier but more advanced in their 4 wheel drive systems IMO. My friends Kia is awful in a muddy field or anywhere it needs to use the 4 wheel drive yet it seems to tow ok.

I use to have Landrover, sold for a few years but re bought one because when they work - they really are great cars. Just a shame about the reliability although touch wood mines been good so far.

 

[Annagain]

Sadly you can’t get everything with cars (I’ve found) the brands above are thirstier but more advanced in their 4 wheel drive systems IMO. My friends Kia is awful in a muddy field or anywhere it needs to use the 4 wheel drive yet it seems to tow ok.

I use to have Landrover, sold for a few years but re bought one because when they work - they really are great cars. Just a shame about the reliability although touch wood mines been good so far.

I've had a 10 year old Defender from new and it's only stopped working once (master cylinder went). It's had a few problems that needed sorting (most recent was the windscreen wipers breaking) but it was drivable. Even better is that with them stopping making it and with it being so low mileage, it's worth more now than we paid for it!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I've had a 10 year old Defender from new and it's only stopped working once (master cylinder went). It's had a few problems that needed sorting (most recent was the windscreen wipers breaking) but it was drivable. Even better is that with them stopping making it and with it being so low mileage, it's worth more now than we paid for it!

Can’t beat a Defender! Its value will probably go up still! We’ve had a couple of TD5s, both been very reliable and one still in the family on 200,000 miles. I had one unreliable Freelander 2 but my latest one has been great.

 

[SnowandSunshine]

Thanks all. Maybe the reviews I read were about the older model which I would've gone for but the mpg wasn't as good.
Glad to know it's not just me and maybe I need to look at selling & getting something else

 

[Esmae]

I recently bought a 2014 Kia Sorento as I wanted something that would tow up to 2500kg but not as thirsty (or pricey!) as Discovery, Landcruiser, Pathfinder.

I'd read a few threads that people loved theirs, good to tow etc but I hate it!
When we had snow it couldn't make it up a not particularly steep slope which some 2WD drive cars were managing. Also didn't do very well on small amount of mud. Flipping doors auto lock every time I drive and various other annoying things but the rubbish 4x4 ability is my biggest concern (it is working, was in 2nd gear).

I haven't bought a trailer yet but not looking forward to getting stuck in a field.
Just wondered if anyone else had same problems?

You need proper tyres. I have all terrain ones. Never get stuck wherever I go. Good boots make all the difference.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I looked at these when thinking of changing my car recently (and before I bought my last disco). Friend had one and the engine blew. She said she found it gutless at times and would never touch another, put me off slightly. The newer models don't seem to have as much towing capacity depending on the model and the mpg is similar to the disco.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I've got a 2009 and find it great for towing. I think the older models are much better than the newer ones.

 

[L&M]

I had a 2006 sorento and best 4x4 I've had for towing/mud/snow and got me out of a pickle many a time when living on a hill farm in the depths of winter.

Sadly the newer ones do not match up from what I understand......

 

[McFluff]

Definitely worth looking at new tyres, preferably all season or winter. I had a Saab convertible and with winter tyres it got everywhere (ground clearance allowing).

But I do think that if you want to tow your horse you need to be 100% happy with the car. So if you have doubts maybe best to change.

We have an 18 yo defender (had since it was 1). It has only broken down once, so not the reliability issues for us (thankfully). Just had it refurbished so it can do another 18 years…

 

[JoA]

Agree tyres are worth looking at. Changing cars is such an expense. I have a friend who keeps separate tyre sets for winter and summer.
I had a Freelander Td4 which I loved and never had a days problem with but when it came to need replacing Landrover were out of my price range (& notoriously unreliable for the Disco - had one etc), so I have swapped my allegiance to Ssangyong and have a late March 2017 auto Rexton. It is brilliant! I know it's guzzly around town (but no worse than the Freelander) but for towing (including fields and forest), bunging the dogs in and all the rubbish that goes in with horses and dogs, I just wouldn't swap it.

 

[alsxx]

I had a 2009 sorento and it was great in snow, never let me down up or down hills, 4x4 mode in wet fields, on muddy showgrounds when towing. I think they changed the spec after that year and I heard they were not as good.

I only just got rid of it, downsized and also it developed an expensive issue with the 4x4 mode meaning it flickered on and off, I got stuck harrowing my fields in April as a result, first time getting stuck ?‍ but it did me well for 8 years as a trusty horse and tow car.

 

[MagicMelon]

I have a 2020 Sorento (7 seater one) having had a Sportage I loved before it. Sorento has been great, good to tow (tow one 16.2 no probs) and have had no issues in the snow we've had (live in rural NE Scotland on top of a hill so we usually get pretty decent snow). Not had it in a muddy field yet so cant advise on that. I love the car, its so roomy for my 3 kids, its comfy and doesnt drive like a big 4x4 so easy for school runs etc. I wanted one as needed the 7 seats, but also wanted to tow. Theres not much on the market to fit that bill.

Is yours the older version OP?

 

[ponynutz]

Parents have a Mazda CX-7 that has always successfully towed an Ifor Williams complete with one 15.3hh brick shit house and small pony as well as having towed a twin axel caravan very successfuly. Also have a chunky jeep that's been excellent but not sure on the model of that one.

I've never personally towed but HAVE driven the mazda and it drives beautifully; really smooth and even at high speeds makes you feel very in control. Does feel it's size but I'd just come out of a mini cooper which might've had some effect on that.

Not a very thirsty car for what it is but is 2.2l diesel so would be slightly more expensive fuel wise anyway.