Kia Sorento

Infobox Automobile


name=Kia Sorento
aka=Naza Sorento (in Malaysia)
manufacturer=Kia Motors
production=2003–present
class=Midsize SUV
assembly=Hwasung, South Korea
body_style=4-door SUV
parent_company=Hyundai Kia Automotive Group
engine=2.4 L I4
3.3 L "Lambda" V6 (2007-present)
3.5 L "Sigma" V6 (2003-06)
3.8 L "Lambda" V6 (2007-present)
2.5 L Diesel I4
related=Hyundai Terracan
Kia Borrego
transmission=4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
5-speed automatic
length= Auto in|180.7|0 (2007-present)
Auto in|179.8|0 (2003-06)
width= Auto in|73.3|0
Auto in|74.2|0
height= Auto in|68.1|0
Auto in|71.3|0
wheelbase= Auto in|106.7|0
layout=Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

The Kia Sorento is a midsize SUV produced since 2003 by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors.

First generation (2003–present)

It has two transmission options: a 5-speed manual or 4/5-speed automatic transmission (pre-2005 models have a 4 speed automatic, whilst 2005 Sorentos come with a 5 speed tip-tronic style automatic transmission). Sorentos are equipped with a Hyundai-manufactured 3.5L 24-valve DOHC V6 producing Convert|192|hp|kW|0|abbr=on at 5500 rpm, and Auto ft.lbf|217|0 of torque @ 3,000 rpm. The Sorento is very capable off-road, with an automatic four-wheel drive system featuring low range gearing. A sport package is available for the LX base model which adds a 5 speed manual transmission, fog lamps, alloy wheels, step bars, a leather wrapped steering wheel, a roof rack and remote keyless entry. All American Sorentos also come with dual front airbags and dual side-curtain airbags in the front and rear. The 4x4 system is a shift-on-the-fly nob located usually on the lower panel to the left of the steering column. Three modes available are Two-Wheel Drive, Four-High, and Four-Low. On-dash indicators show when the Four Wheel Drive System is active.

Common features of the Sorento family are 4 wheel disc brakes (standard on all models) Optional anti-lock braking system, and a 21.1-gallon fuel tank. Also standard is a battery saving feature which prevents wearing out the battery by leaving your headlights turned on (a shutoff engages when the key is removed from the ignition, even if the lights were left turned on). The chassis of the vehicle is also based on a ladder frame design which is more often used in building trucks. This lends a rigidity to the Sorento that other vehicles in its class lack, even at the same price point. (See Also: unibody)

2007

The 2007 Sorento has received upgrades, such as the transition from the 3.5L Sigma to the 3.8L Lambda that will almost double the Sorento's towing ability and boost Horsepower from 192 to 262. Projector beams were added in the head lamps, along with new tail lamps. The 5 speed manual transmission is no longer available; the 5 speed Sportmatic tip-tronic automatic transmission is standard for all trims. The 2007 Kia Sorento earned a five-star crash safety rating, the highest rating possible, for all seating positions in the latest frontal and side impact crash tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (NHTSA) [http://www.kiamotors.com/Inter_Corp/Pr/News/ReadPress.aspx?Index=377]

2009

The Kia Sorento received another facelift, and the model went on sale in August 2008.

Dimensions information from the Kia Motors Website:

Second generation (2010)

The Sorento will be redesigned in 2010, and its platform will be shared with the Hyundai Santa Fe and Veracruz mid-size crossover SUVs. It will abandon its ladder frame construction for a monocoque chassis. [ [http://paultan.org/archives/2008/07/15/new-kia-sorento-snapped-without-disguise/ New Kia Sorento (XM) snapped without disguise] ]

References

*http://www.internetautoguide.com/reviews/45-int/sport-utility-vehicles/kia/sorento/2004/
*http://www.autobuyguide.com/2005/09-aut/kia/sorento/"'

External links

* [http://www.kia.com/sorento/index.php Kia Sorento Official Website]
* [http://www.nazakia.com.my/model_sorento_overview.html Naza Sorento]
* [http://www.sorentosite.com Sorentosite.com - The Kia Sorento Community]