Know how much you can spend on a car but haven’t made up your mind which one to buy? Each month we recommend some options and this month, Peter Palm looks at the Kia Sorento.
Looking for a new or used Kia? Find it here with CARmag!
This month we chose the large SUV/Crossover category winner from our 2019 Top 12 Best Buys to see whether it remains an excellent choice as a used buy. We then list two rival options for comparison.
Kia Sorento
The first Sorento arrived in 2004 featuring a 2.5-litre turbodiesel. We were impressed by this SUV during an extended 12-month test. With a low-range transfer case it could negotiate tricky terrain, too. One team member witnessed one tackling the steep and rocky ascent at Matroosberg to reach the snow that occasionally falls there in winter. This first generation Sorento was replaced by a sleeker package in 2012 under the leadership of former Audi design chief, Peter Schreyer. The move from ladder frame to a monocoque-design body ushered in a noticeably better ride. Drive was now to front- or all wheels and a new 2.2-litre engine was introduced. It has a graphite iron block (lighter and stronger than cast iron), aluminium head, and DOHC with four valves per cylinder.
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The common rail direct injection fuel supply is from Bosch and a balancer shaft is added to improve smoothness. Camshafts are chain driven and tappets are hydraulic for low maintenance. At that time, it produced 147 kW and 436 N.m of torque, figures that were significantly more impressive than most rivals. Along with the ladder frame chassis, the low-range transfer gearbox was also dropped. The rationale was that most adventurers wanting to climb snow-tipped mountains would choose a double-cab bakkie, or more rugged SUV. Five, and later six-speed automatic transmissions were smooth shifters and proved great matches to the engine. Even more impressive is the low fuel consumption for such a large, powerful vehicle. Our fuel index worked out to 7.92 L/100 km and our standard fuel route returned 7.60 L/100 km.
Although we have concentrated on the diesel models, there is an entry-level petrol in LS spec. This was more than R200 000 cheaper than the top SX model. The engine is Hyundai/Kia’s well-known “world” engine, the 2.4-litre inline-four – a 127 kW unit renowned for its mechanical robustness. It does, however, lack low-down grunt and a lofty torque peak of 4 000 r/min. If this seems harsh, we looked for used examples to check on availability and pricing and very surprisingly found… just one. This was a 2018 model selling for R259 900.
In 2015 we tested a facelifted version. Add-on luxury features on the higher-specced versions included electric seats, dual-zone climate control, touchscreen infotainment systems and panoramic sunroof. The top-spec SX even has air-conditioned front seats. We noted that with seven occupants filling the seats and luggage added, the ride quality was little affected. The middle row is adjustable to allow some extra legroom for the third row.
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When comparing prices, remember that the base models are front-wheel drive, have five seats and dual airbags in place of six. The only diesel maintenance issues to keep an eye on are oil consumption if worked hard and the eventual need for high-precision fuel injector replacement. Turbos require clean, top-quality oil due to counter wear. Engine life should be over 300 000 km if well maintained and Hyundai transmissions are among the most reliable units out there.
- 0 to 100 km/h: 9.52 seconds
- Top speed: 203 km/h
- Power: 147 kW
- Torque: 440 N.m
- Fuel consumption: 7.92 L/100 km
Ford Everest
Another local favourite to rival the ubiquitous Toyota Fortuner, the Everest shares a similar development path to that of the Sorento. Our first Everest was based on the ladder-framed Ranger and used a 3.0-litre turbodiesel developing 115 kW. The new model appeared in 2015. The engine was upgraded to the popular 3.2-litre, five-cylinder diesel with 147 kW. This was later joined by the 2.2-litre, and then a biturbo 2.0-litre delivering 157 kW. One turbo is a small, high-pressure unit for lower engine speeds joined by the larger, low-pressure for higher engine speeds. This engine was mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission that, while smooth, could sometimes hunt around the gears.
What did remain, however, was the separate chassis. One reason for its sustained popularity was keen pricing when new and the fact the ride quality was good, thanks to coil spring rear suspension replacing the leaf springs of the Ranger bakkies. Issues to bear in mind are older six-speed auto transmissions that can give slipping problems. The 10-speed transmission was a joint venture between Ford and General Motors, built in-house and features an unusual three-clutch setup. If you experience jerky shifting or slippage, it is best to conduct an examination by a gearbox expert. For engine issues, look at fuel injectors, EGR valves and the potential turbocharger complications.
- 0 to 100 km/h: 10.88 seconds
- Top speed: n/a
- Power: 157 kW
- Torque: 500 N.m
- Fuel consumption index: 9,12 L/100 km
Toyota Fortuner
The Fortuner has built up a solid reputation for reliability and also tends to hold its value better than many other SUVs in its segment. The chassis remains a ladder frame from the Hilux bakkies, but the newly-designed 2.4 and 2.8-litre engines took over from the trusted 3.0-litre. Many Toyota fans were sceptical of what were then relatively untried units, but they have by more than now earned their stripes.
The only flaw in the Fortuner’s design was the retention of the sideways folding arrangement for the rearmost seats. A carry-over from the previous generation, these use up far too much space when folded, impeding the loading of bulky goods into the boot. Many owners who do not need seating for seven, unbolt and store these to increase the utility volume from 1 292 litres to a figure closer to the Sorento’s near 1 500 litres.
The most popular version, sales-wise, is the 2.8 followed closely by the 2.4. A similar situation to that of the Sorento exists when examining the petrol engine models. The 2.7-litre four-cylinder is an extremely robust unit used in other Toyotas such as the Innova. It’s not the most popular, though, as just two are listed in the classifieds. The 4.0-litre V6 fares slightly better with 46 units. These are sometimes chosen by buyers who need to tow caravans or boats. Fortuners are bought to be driven regularly and far, so low mileage examples are rare. Issues to look out for include exhaust manifold gasket leaks and engine-to-gearbox oil leaks.
- 0 to 100 km/h: 12.02 seconds
- Top speed: 180 km/h
- Power: 130 kW
- Torque: 450 N.m
- Fuel consumption index: 10.20 L/100 km
Find the full feature in the June issue of CAR Magazine.
