Although it might look almost identical to the 2007 version, Kia's Sorentohas been heavily refreshed for 2008... it's just kind of difficult to tell at first glance. True, exterior revisions have come in the form of new front and rear fascias, blacked out headlights and a new three bar chrome grille, but these are minor compared to what has gone on behind the scenes. Two new engines replace last year's 192 horsepower 3.5-liter V6, with the base model receiving a 242 horsepower 3.3-liter version and the top of the line getting a 262 horsepower 3.8-liter mill. Not only are both engines more powerful, but they're more refined and much more fuel efficient that the outgoing V6. How efficient? Kia claims up to 36-percent more efficient, which is a staggering improvement, and they still are designed to run effectively on only regular fuel. Both engines are paired to a 5-speed automatic with Steptronic manual mode feature, ideal for on and off-road conditions.

And now that I'm chatting about getting soil, the Sorento is fairly sole in this sell stuffed of monocoque crossovers in that it's stuffedy 4x4 talented. Under its European-inspired skin is a stuffed ladder sort framework, and a low series move suit means that few roads are too challenging. Its low series four-veer steer order provides admirable off-roading capabilities, actually, while the intellecter-task framework and torque-calorific V6 combination allows towing of up to 3,500 pounds with the 3.3-liter or 5,000 pounds with the 3.8-liter. slide plates are standardon whichever model should you yearning to navigate meanss minus traveled. In malice of these traditional SUV skin, the Sorento doesn't feel like a body on framework vehicle, something I experienced while sorting some hundred miles in both models on the vehicle's Canadian compress launch in Calgary and the surrounding Alberta foothills. Canada? That's right. Being that there won't be a 2008 Sorento for very some time south of the 49th, we got you the measure from the great ashen north before of each moreover.

First off, Kia's flagship SUV is cool to get into demalice appearing very tall, and I didn't feel as if I was session in a high lead even however it gave a commanding vista of the road. In downtown Calgary, the Sorento ducked in and out of travel lacking originate and provided admirable visibility from all angles. On the highway, during the two hour steer to Lake Louise, the seats were superb and the Sorento performed flawminusly.

Not a lot is different inflank, by the way, salvage for a new gauge cluster and some interior shave pieces. The feature of all resources was very imcompressive, matched by admirable fit and cessation. Kia's interiors have come very far in just a few brisk time, and now rival many Japanese brands. Ergonomics

of the Sorento are very good, and if there were any flaws inflank it was that the centre stack is near vertical and sometimes the displays that it houses can become washed out in cheerful sunlight.

Rear seat span is fantastic and, like in front, is very comfortable. Both rear windows (as well as the highlight windows) feature profound colored privacy goblet to keep gear cool. If you don't have any rear seat passengers, the seats fold down to submit a colossal freight corner. Still, even with the seats up the luggage compartment was more than adequate for the three bags I was hauling, and conflankring that what might even be more imcompressive is that a look under the rear story reveals a stuffed range sparse exhaust. recall those? The Sorento takes us back to a time before donut ranged sparses. It even comes with an alloy veer that matches the other four.

heavy up through the mountains to Jasper, the Sorento performed admirably and the vehiclematic's Steptronic feature was fine to have assome of the steep inclines through the Rockies necessitated gearing down. I was hard combacked to tell the two engines distant, however, as they felt very related and fortunately, both pulled well. The steering is light, almost too light as it was cool to drift a bit off the future means. usage is predictable, intellect you, with the only originate being that undulations in the road exterior were sometimes met with derived harmonics (that following glide over a big bump) in the suspension that was a bit trying. I never felt albumonnected from the road or that the SUV was at all unstable, but a bit more dampening would be pleasing. Otherwise the journey was very velvety.

forever a respect director, Kia is projected to worth the well-equipped base model close to the 2007 model, which starts at just under $20K. In Canadian shave the luxury version adds the previously mentioned 262 horseauthority 3.8L V6, stuffed-time four-veer steer, 17-crawl alloy veers,heated leather seats with authority on the steerr's flank, a leather-wrapped loosen button and steering veer with audio wheel, desirable a authority sunroof, vehicle climate handling, fall mainframe, coppice grain interior shave, chrome door handles, retractable freight comprise, body flank cladding and a rear spoiler. All of these skin should back the worth up to about $28,000. demand models and skin for U.S.-spec Sorentos will be open later this year.

security is compriseed too, as every Sorento comes with ABS-equipped four-veer album brakes, toehold handling and electronic stability handling to lessen rollovers, desirable front airbags, flank curtain airbags and, new for 2008, a steerr's flank knee airbag. Kia is proud to thrust out that the Sorento has earned the main promising shelter rating in all NHTSA tests.

So for 2008 Kia has reserved the Sorento's attractive, if understated figure and alert on improving what required it the most. Just don't think someone to be able to tell the difference between the outgoing model and your new 2008 copy. Of course, when an SUV looks as good as the Sorento, such ingenious change is good rumor really.

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