KIA is half of the ''K2'', or Korean two. The other half is sister company Hyundai and both have been making huge strides over this past economically challenged year. KIA is up 23 per cent, a new twelve-month sales record with a market share that has jumped a full percentage point. KIA isn't just proud of their past accomplishments they went to great lengths to display their newest family member, the 2011 Sorento at their all new $1 Billion manufacturing facility at West Point Georgia. This new factory is built on 890-hectare (2200 acre) parcel of land in the heart of once mighty cotton country. The highly automated facility, capable of producing over 300,000 vehicles a year, is a testament to the direction KIA is heading. No longer content to be a ''value'' brand, KIA wants to improve quality to the point that they are top three in JD Power and Associates initial quality study within three years. A mighty ambition but with a sparkling new facility, as a beachhead in North America, they should be taken very seriously.
The Skin
The 2011 Sorento was benchmarked against the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Chevy Equinox in terms of design and size. Longer and wider but a tad lower than the outgoing model, it is almost as long as the class leading Equinox but is the widest of the group, providing almost mid-sized dimensions at a compact crossover price. The design is meant to look robust with a simplicity of design, integrating the ''tiger nose grill'' first introduced, last year, in the KIA SOUL. Another feature that will be integrated in all new KIA designs is a honeycomb grill, which is mirrored in the rear tail light design. KIA was able to achieve a pleasant design but the problem with any crossover is that it is hard, other that front and rear lights and trim, to get away from the basic shape of these vehicles.
Allan Hagan 8:26 AM on August 3, 2012 What is your opinion about purchase of Kia: 2013, 4 cyl., 4door AWD? Also would the purchase price be better in say Arizona. I believe sales tax is refundable as we live in Alberta Canada. Thanks, Al
Motormouth.ca says: 11:46 AM on August 6, 2012 The price in Canada is very competitive plus you would not get a Canadian warranty and have to pay cash for the car. In my opinion, unless there is $5000 difference in price it isn't worth it. The Sorento is a good product, one of the biggest ''compact'' crossovers.
Jordan 5:37 AM on April 24, 2012 We were about to buy a 2011 KIA Sorento which was purchased in US by people living there. They subsequently moved to Canada, registered the vehicle here with KIA Canada, who honored the warranty for them. Now KIA claims that the warranty is not transferable to the next owner, and we would need to take it to the US for warranty if we buy it. Is this true, and legal?
Motormouth.ca says: 5:12 PM on April 24, 2012 The warranty comes from the individual company of origin. The US warranty comes from Kia USA, not Canada. If the US wants to limit the warranty, you will have to take it up with the US Kia.
Dorothy Stewart 11:19 PM on February 29, 2012 Hi Zack, We are a retired couple in our 70's and need another car. Tried out the Hyundai 2011 Santa Fe and we both like it, but don't know anything about it, or if we should be looking at other similar easy to get in and out of vehicles. The one we are looking at is at a dealer in Chilliwack, has 16000 km's and is pretty much fully loaded asking $29,900.00. The last car we bought was a 1994 Buick Le Sabre so we are pretty green when it comes to car shopping. We would greatly appreciate any help or your opinion. Thanks in advance. Dorothy Stewart
Motormouth.ca says: 11:06 AM on March 10, 2012 The Santa Fe is an excellent product, you might want to also try the Kia Sorento which is the cousin to the Santa Fe. Good choice.
kelvin 6:32 PM on February 9, 2012 I am looking at this vehilce. It has 159000km. Are they a good vehicle? I live in edmonton.He is asking$6500.00 or best offer. I use the same mechanic as he does. The mechanic is the one that told me about it. They have always serviced it. They just had the timing belt done and some other workk What do you think\/
Thahks Kelvin Ernewein
Motormouth.ca says: 10:41 PM on February 12, 2012 I would ask the mechanic what he thinks about the condition of the vehicle. When you are buying a 9 year old product, the maintenance done over the years is worth knowing. Also, go to www.canadianblackbook.com to get the wholesale value of this Sorento, the price seams high.
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