By Josh Rosenberg
While historically high new and used car prices have forced buyers to look for "older" vehicles that may have aged well as a way of saving money, the issues of reliability and dependability have become even more crucial.
So here, ...
- We'll review this Sorento as it was released in 2011.
- Cover its general pros and cons.
- And also go over its areas of possible mechanical problems that should be checked before buying one today.
Hint: The 2011 Sorento hasn't aged very well at all with many reported mechanical problems to be on the lookout for. More on this in a later section below.
But first, two very important suggestions ...
1. Things To Do When Considering An "Older" Sorento:
Locate Lower Mileage Vehicles: They are certainly out there to be found with careful and patient shopping. Be willing to drive a distance if you have to.
Vehicle History and Maintenance: Ask for the vehicle history report (CarFax or AutoCheck) as well as documented maintenance and repair records. If not provided by the dealer or private seller, it's best to move on.
Pre-Purchase Inspection: Have the vehicle independently inspected before making a final decision. This usually will cost in the $150-$200 range but is well worth it given the potentially thousands in savings over the long term.
2. Know How To Get The Lowest Used Car Price:
Get Dealers To Compete For your Business: When you are searching vehicles to possibly purchase, the following is the absolute best way to get the lowest price, and it is extremely easy and stress-free.
Just go to a national car listing site, (I happen to prefer CarsDirect.com for their massive dealer participation and ease of use, although others will get the job done as well) and find several listed vehicles that you may be interested in.
Then write something like the following in the "Check Availability" box or "Contact Dealer" box or whatever the site you are using uses.
"Hello, I've contacted several dealers about cars I am interested in and am looking for the best value. I am also a serious buyer planning to make a decision soon. Please send me your best out-the-door price. Thank you.
After receiving the offers, follow up by explaining that based on the price, you're leaning in another direction but still really like their car and would certainly consider another offer. When dealers drop out, you'll know you're at the best price.
Using the internet to get dealers to compete for your business is extremely important. More details on this and how to intereact with the dealers can be found here at Best Used Car Buying Techniques.
2011 Kia Sorento Review
The 2011 Sorento is a crossover SUV with a long list of standard features, a ride that nicely combines comfort and handling, a capable available V6 engine, an optional third-row seat that actually accommodates adults, and affordable pricing.
As the first model year of its fully redesigned second generation, the Sorento had switched to a carlike unibody construction and added more powerful engines and the new third-row seat option. And with a starting price tag at around $20,000, it was hoping to put some pressure on the compact-SUV leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
Trims, Standard Features And Options:
The 2011 Sorento is available in three trims: base, LX and EX. The third-row 50/50-split-folding seat is an available option on the LX and four-cylinder EX, while being standard on the EX V6.
Standard features on the already fairly well-equipped base model include full power accessories, air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, a trip computer, a CD/MP3 stereo system, satellite radio, a USB audio jack and a a 6-speed manual transmission.
The midlevel Sorento LX then adds a 6-speed automatic transmission, body-color heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, a second-row armrest with a cupholder, and the availability of the Convenience package which adds heated front seats, a back-up camera with a rearview-mirror-mounted display, rear parking sensors, roof rails and foglamps.
The Sorrento EX has all of the LX's equipment, plus 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control (with rear air conditioning on V6 models), keyless entry, keyless ignition and a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel.
There's also an optional Premium package for the EX which includes leather upholstery, roof rails, the back-up camera, heated front seats and a panoramic sunroof for V6 models.
And for those outfitted with the Premium package, there's an available Limited package which adds a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic, 18 inch chrome-finish wheels, a 12-speaker Infinity sound system and interior ambiance lighting. In addition, a rear DVD entertainment system is offered on EX V6 models that do not have the sunroof.
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
Powering all 2011 Sorento models is a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 175-horsepower and 169-pound-feet of torque. It's mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission on all models except the base with its 6-speed manual.
The EX model also offers an optional 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out 276-horsepower and 248-lb-ft of torque and is coupled with the 6-speed automatic.
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EPA gas mileage estimates range from 21 mpg city and 29 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel drive four-cylinder Sorento with the automatic to 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway for the all-wheel drive EX V6.
Safety:
The 2011 Sorento also boasts impressive safety equipment with standard features (for all trims) that include antilock disc brakes (ABS), hill descent control, hill-start assist, stability control, front seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front active head restraints.
Interior:
The Kia Sorento's cabin is attractive, well made, user-friendly and consists of higher-grade materials than one would expect in this price range. The front seats are comfortable and supportive with a commanding road view, while the rear bench can accommodate three adults.
A big plus for those anticipating larger passenger counts is the optional third-row (standard on EX V6) which features 50/50-split-folding seatbacks and is roomy enough room for even taller adults.
Drive:
The 2011 Sorento offers a well-balanced combination of comfort and handling. The interior is also fairly quiet while cruising down the highway. While the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is fine for light loads and around-town driving, it's probably not the best choice for those who expect extra passengers and/or heavier loads.
The EX's 3.5-liter V6, however, is quite capable and offers a smooth and pleasant driving experience with respectable fuel economy.
2011 Kia Sorento Pros
Affordability: It's relatively affordable compared to some competitors in its class.
Good Fuel Economy: Its fuel economy was decent for its size and class, especially with the four-cylinder engine option.
Comfortable Ride: The Sorento offered a comfortable ride quality with well-tuned suspension, making it suitable for daily commuting.
Available Third-Row Seating: This was a plus for families needing extra seating, although the third row was a bit cramped for adults.
2011 Kia Sorento Cons
Limited Cargo Space with Third Row: When the third-row seats were in use, cargo space was severely limited.
Underpowered Base Engine: The four-cylinder engine lacked power, especially when the car was fully loaded or towing.
Average Interior Quality: Some rivals in the segment offered higher-quality interior materials and finishes.
Limited Towing Capacity: Compared to some competitors, the Sorento's towing capacity was relatively low.
2011 Kia Sorento Possible Mechanical Problem Watchlist
It's important to note that the frequency and severity of these problems could vary widely among individual vehicles based on factors like maintenance history, driving conditions, and how well the car was cared for by previous owners. Regular maintenance and addressing issues promptly may have helped prevent or mitigate some of these potential mechanical problems.
Engine Concerns: While the engines themselves were generally robust, there were a significant number of reports of engine-related issues, such as oil leaks, particularly from the oil pan or valve cover gaskets. This could cause the coolant to mix with the engine oil and lead to possibly severe engine damage.
Recalls: There were six which included a wiring harness, brake calipers, intermediate drive shaft, stop lamp switch, and the brake-shift interlock. Make sure any vehicle you are considering has completed its recalls.
Transmission Problems: Complaints about transmission issues were relatively common. Owners reported problems such as rough shifting, slipping gears, or premature failures. Some of these issues could be attributed to a faulty transmission control module or issues with the transmission fluid.
Electrical System Faults: Some owners faced issues with the electrical system, including problems with power windows, door locks, or dashboard instrument cluster malfunctions. These issues could sometimes be challenging to diagnose and fix.
Faulty Doors: More annoying than dangerous, some owners reported the doors wouldn't open when accessed from the outside. Plus, some owners using the child-lock feature reported faulty door handles.
Suspension and Steering: A few drivers reported problems related to the suspension system, including noises, premature wear on suspension components, or issues with the power steering system, such as leaks or stiffness.
Defective Ignition Coils: Bad ignition coils will cause the engine to misfire and could cause significant damage if not repaired promptly. This particular issue was mainly reported at around 100k miles or more.
Brake-related Concerns: A handful of owners noted issues with the brakes, including premature wear of brake pads or rotors, which might necessitate more frequent replacements than expected.
Also, Always Know The Value Of Your Trade-In
Whether you are trading or selling on your own, it's just a good idea ... even whether you are in the market or not at the moment. You can then use this important information for a number of purposes ... to negotiate with a dealer, or to know how to price your car in the retail market, or simply to know the value of one of your assets, which is always a good idea.
Getting trade-in values online tend to vary a lot from site to site. But I've found the one at Edmunds Trade-In Quotes is particularly comprehensive and accurate.
It's free and just takes a couple of minutes. I think what helps its accuracy is the inputs will include either your plate# or VIN# followed by many simple, but specific, yes/no questions. It really focuses in on the detail of the specific vehicle.