2005 KIA SORENTO NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2005 Kia Sorento?
Several changes accompany the Kia Sorento into 2005: The Sport package gains blacked-out headlamps, and the LX with the Sport package also adds a premium audio system. A five-speed automatic replaces last year's four-speed transmission and the 3.5-liter V6 adopts LEV-II emission standards. Fresh colors for the 2005 Kia Sorento include Spark Blue, Clear Silver and Radiant Red.

Advantages of the 2005 Kia Sorento:

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

Objections to the 2005 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 2005 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 2005 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 2005 Kia Sorento makes a compelling case for itself.