Kia Sorento

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Not to be confused with Sorrento.

Kia Sorento

Manufacturer	Kia Motors
Parent company	Hyundai Motor Company
Also called	Naza Sorento (in Malaysia)
Production	2003–present
Assembly	Hwasung, South Korea
Class	Compact SUV (2003-08) Mid-size crossover SUV (2009-)
Body style	4-door SUV
Engine	2.4 L I4 3.5 L Sigma V6 3.8 L Lambda V6 2.5 L Diesel I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 5-speed automatic
Length	180.7 in (2007-present) 179.8 in (2003-06)
Width	73.3 in 74.2 in
Height	68.1 in 71.3 in
Related	Hyundai Terracan
Similar	Jeep Liberty Nissan Xterra Suzuki Grand Vitara

Facelifted Kia Sorento

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

1 First generation (2003–present)
2 2007
3 Second generation (2009)
4 Name
5 References
6 External links

[edit] 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 192 Horsepower at 5500 rpm, and 217 ft·lbf 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 ABS 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)

[edit] 2007

The Sorento will get upgrades, such as the movement from the 3.5L Sigma to the 3.8L Lambda that will almost double the Sorrento's towing ability and boost Horsepower from 192 to 262.

Dimensions information from the Kia Motors Website:

DIMENSIONS	LX and EX
Wheelbase	106.7 in.
Track, front / rear	62.2
Length	179.8 in.
Width	73.3 in. (LX) 74.2 in. (EX)
Height	68.1 in. (LX) 71.3 in. (EX)
Ground clearance	8.2 in.
Approach angle	28.4 degrees
Departure angle	26.7 degrees
Head room (front/rear)	39.7/39.5 in. 38.3/38 in. (sunroof)
Shoulder room (front/rear)	58.9/58.4 in.
Leg room (front/rear)	42.6/36.1 in.
Hip room (front/rear)	55.3/58 in.
SAE volume, interior	138.4 cu. ft.
SAE volume, front seat	57.6 cu. ft.
SAE volume, rear seat	49.4 cu. ft.
SAE volume, cargo	31.4 cu. ft.
SAE volume, rear seat folded down	66.4 cu. ft.

[edit] Second generation (2009)

This article contains information about a scheduled or anticipated future automobile.
It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final version of the vehicle.

The Sorento will be redesigned on the Santa Fe platform for the 2008 or 2009 model year, and will move to a mid-size crossover SUV. It is likely for the next Sorento to be a clone of the Hyundai Veracruz with a similar wheelbase. Spy shots of the redesigned Sorento have been leaking on the Internet since August 2006.

[edit] Name

Kia needed a name for its 2003 SUV. The vehicle is rugged yet refined and appeals to a wide but mostly male demographic. And, the name must work for an international audience.

Namebase® created SORENTO®. The brand name rolls off the tongue with strong, masculine phonetics and a ring of Italian styling and performance. KMC then decided to drop an "r" (from Sorrento) for three reasons: 1. to add distance from place, 2. to save badge space 3. to make the name that much more ownable. SORENTO® has become one of KIA's best selling vehicles - doubling sales yearly.