2004 KIA SORENTO NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2004 Kia Sorento?
For 2004, a five-speed manual transmission debuts on the Kia Sorento, dropping the price of entry. It’s also part of a new Sport package for the Sorento LX that provides side step bars, fog lights, Michelin tires, alloy wheels, a roof rack, remote keyless entry and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A new two-tone gray interior is also available for 2004.

Advantages of the 2004 Kia Sorento:

• Excellent powertrain warranty
• Comfortable seating
• True off-road capability
• Impressive braking performance
• Bargain price tag

Objections to the 2004 Kia Sorento:

• Poor fuel economy
• Cheap-feeling upholstery
• Drives more like a truck than a car
• Lacks mid-range power
• Weak 3,500-pound tow rating

Editor's Advice:
In our opinion, the 2004 Kia Sorento is the most appealing Korean vehicle on the road today. It is sized right, equipped right, and priced right. Furthermore, it is styled right, proving (along with the Hyundai Tiburon) that Korea can, indeed, produce appealing sheetmetal. Competing with a large number of crossover and traditional SUVs that cost between $20,000 and $25,000, the 2004 Kia Sorento holds its own despite a few shortcomings. Because it’s a truck underneath the bodywork, it’s capable of true off-road excursions, but the downside is that it rides and handles like a truck, too. And though it’s equipped with a 192-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, it quaffs fuel like a V8. Still, considering how comfortable it is, how inexpensive it is, and how the powertrain is covered by a warranty for ten years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, the 2004 Kia Sorento makes a compelling case for itself.