Kia Sorento

[RhiannonE]

Hi,

thinking of buying one of these - probably 04/54 plate as can't afford anything much newer. Does anyone have one? And if so do you use it for towing? I know it's won several awards for towing but I want a big car that can tow but that's not going to cost me an absolute fortune to run (as in i don't want some v12 engine or something - just 2.5 diesel would be ideal) or keep maintained (due to breaking down all the time)

Thanks

Rhi

 

[BeckyD]

I'm a bit of a zealot about these cars, so be warned I am not impartial

I have one (55 plate, XS, diesel) and I think it's the best thing since sliced bread. I use mine as an everyday car (I do about 20,000 miles a year in it) plus for towing one horse, which is does perfectly. I think it could probably tow two horses but I've never tried.

Servicing is every 10,000 miles, and alternates between a less expensive (£280) and more expensive (£500) each 10,000 miles. Insurance costs me £560 p.a. but I use it for work and my OH with only a few years' driving is insured on it as well, plus it's parked on the street.

I get about 30-34mpg out of mine in Milton keynes (known for being an uneconomical place due to all the roundabouts). Comfortable, if somewhat firm, suspension, cruises happily at 80mph on the motorway, was super in the snow. Mine's done 70,000 miles and hasn't yet gone wrong. Although the speedo has just got a bit temperamental so it's being serviced tomorrow and they're going to investigate.

Not by any means a sports car, but can accelerate fairly decently (despite Jeremy Clarkson's assertions to the contrary!).

If I won the lottery I'd have one in every colour

(only kidding; I'd actually have a black range rover but I do love my Sorento).

 

[Baileyhoss]

I also think the Sorento is the best thing since sliced bread. I have a 53 plate & I love it for towing and for ordinary driving. Not half as gutsy as my shogun and pulls away with 2 horses & an ifor 505 just fine. I know one other person with one and they love theirs as well.

LOADs of boot & storage space as well. Good choice

 

[RhiannonE]

OK thanks - I've heard similar reviews about this car. The mpg isn't that bad considering you drive mostly in MK - i'd be using mine daily also from Hemel to yard in Flamstead then onto to work in Welwyn so i'd prob get about the same mpg!
It sounds ideal, hope I find one in my price range!x

 

[RhiannonE]

What do you guys pay for car tax on them? I need all the facts to go to my OH half with haha! x

 

[flyingfeet]

They are built like tanks underneath with a proper chassis. I find mine (06 XS auto 2.5 D) fantastic to tow with, although very easy to go faster than you intended. Can barely feel the ifor 510 and a horse on the back.

Mine is thirsty, on a tow and weekly work run (10 miles each way) mine does 21 mpg. However I have a heavy right foot and the car does more miles towing than the work commute.

 

[flyingfeet]

£215 road tax and £450 fully comp insurance

 

[BeckyD]

£215 road tax - as long as you get one registered before something like March 2006 (I think) - then it goes up to £400 or something. BUT - these tax brackets are constantly changing due to the government's daft agendas, so keep a close eye on it.

 

[BeckyD]

You'd probably do better mpg than me actually - hopefully! Or at least nearer to 34 than 30. I also have a very heavy right foot

 

[LankyDoodle]

We have an 07 reg (but have a personalised plate

)

They won JD Power's Best Towing Vehicle several years running.

We chose ours over a Disco, simply because it pulled better and was more mechanically reliable (my husband has had a lot of Defenders and rebuilt loads).

We love ours. It is coming up for 2 years old and is like a dream to drive. Ours is the top model and was at the Bath and West Show. Because it was a show model, we got money knocked off and managed to get it for £20k! Bargain really.

 

[rforsyth1984]

I love mine - its an automatic so tows upto 3500kg (2 horses and a trailer no problem) but the tax is £400 a year. Costs me about £35-40 a week in diesel to do around 200 miles (no towing), obviously more when towing.

Insurance was over £1000 because I dont have no claims (first car Im the main driver on) and Im only 24, this was with Direct Line and the cheapest quote I got, but still much cheaper than other cars I'd looked at.

 

[LankyDoodle]

My car was registered in 07, obviously, and our road tax is £215.

I'm not insured on it because I am only 25, but my OH, who is 34, is insured on it and pays about £350 a year insurance.

Tows up to 3.5t.

Does well on diesel compared to our old lorry. Does cost £70ish for a tank, but that can do up to 500 miles without a trailer on the back.

 

[RhiannonE]

Thanks guys for all your help and advice that's brilliant - feel a lot happier about taking a step forward to getting one of these cars now!

 

[RhiannonE]

I'm only 24 too but I have a few years no claims so hopefully my insurance would be a bit cheaper but even then, £1k isn't too bad considering - I paid that on my first car so could do it again! I probably wouldn't go for an automatic which means the car tax should be cheaper/£215 so all in all it's sounding really good to me!

 

[Britestar]

my chum has one, loves it and tows her Equitrek with it. Says no problem at all.

 

[merlinsquest]

I have one..... and I dont think its the best thing since sliced bread

I think it has been in the garage at least 7 times in the last 14 months with various problems and it is a capable but jerky tow vehicle.

Despite having had the top people at Kia have a look at it, it apparently has no problems, although they also agree it is not a nice ride when towing.

BUT I am the only person I know who doesnt like it..... .so go get one