Kia Sorento vs Escape/Tribute questions...

I am considering buying a smallish SUV and was wondering if anyone has
experience with the 2004 Kia Sorento and/or the new(er) Ford
Escape/Mazda Tribute..
Overall the Sorento seems like a nice vehicle, however there are a
couple of things that I am curious about.
One thing that I have noticed on the 2 test drives that I have been on
is that the vehicle does not seem to stop easily. Admittedly, both
test drive vehicles have been brand-new with next to no miles on them,
so I am assuming that the brakes are not yet worn-in, and that's why
the vehicle is harder to stop than normal. Does anyone know if the
stopping distance/force gets any better after the brakes are worn in?
I don't like the "have to stand on the brake pedal" feeling of the
Sorentos that I have driven.

Another thing that I am curious about is the Sorento's off-road
capability. I am interested in the 4x4 model and while I don't plan
on doing any heavy-duty off roading, there are some places that I
would like to go where the roads would require a vehicle with at least
a "moderate" off-road ability.
By comparison, I am also considering the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute
twins, and their AWD systems, which I also like very much, however I
get the distinct impressions that they will not withstand even slight
off roading. Anyone have opinions or experience on the Escape/Tribute
and Sorento and off-roading them?

Also, I noticed that the Sorento has low gas mileage stats. Any
Sorento owners out there who get better-than-stated mileage after the
vehicle is "broken-in"?

I am also looking for a car rental agency in the Southern California
area that actually rents Sorentos. I have been able to rent a Ford
Escape in order to take a longer-than-usual test drive in them, but I
have not been able to do this with a Sorento yet. I would really like
to get a good long drive in one, instead of the usual 5 minute dealer
test drive around the block.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
- G

Greg wrote:

> I am considering buying a smallish SUV and was wondering if anyone has
> experience with the 2004 Kia Sorento and/or the new(er) Ford
> Escape/Mazda Tribute..
> Overall the Sorento seems like a nice vehicle, however there are a
> couple of things that I am curious about.
> One thing that I have noticed on the 2 test drives that I have been on
> is that the vehicle does not seem to stop easily. Admittedly, both
> test drive vehicles have been brand-new with next to no miles on them,
> so I am assuming that the brakes are not yet worn-in, and that's why
> the vehicle is harder to stop than normal. Does anyone know if the
> stopping distance/force gets any better after the brakes are worn in?
> I don't like the "have to stand on the brake pedal" feeling of the
> Sorentos that I have driven.
>
> Another thing that I am curious about is the Sorento's off-road
> capability. I am interested in the 4x4 model and while I don't plan
> on doing any heavy-duty off roading, there are some places that I
> would like to go where the roads would require a vehicle with at least
> a "moderate" off-road ability.
> By comparison, I am also considering the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute
> twins, and their AWD systems, which I also like very much, however I
> get the distinct impressions that they will not withstand even slight
> off roading. Anyone have opinions or experience on the Escape/Tribute
> and Sorento and off-roading them?
>
> Also, I noticed that the Sorento has low gas mileage stats. Any
> Sorento owners out there who get better-than-stated mileage after the
> vehicle is "broken-in"?
>
> I am also looking for a car rental agency in the Southern California
> area that actually rents Sorentos. I have been able to rent a Ford
> Escape in order to take a longer-than-usual test drive in them, but I
> have not been able to do this with a Sorento yet. I would really like
> to get a good long drive in one, instead of the usual 5 minute dealer
> test drive around the block.
>
> Any help is greatly appreciated!
>
> Thanks!
> - G
I would go with the Escape Hybrid or the Forester - stay away from that
Korean stuff. You can get a turbo in the Forester and it will spank just
about any other SUV on the road.

"Greg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am considering buying a smallish SUV and was wondering if anyone has
> experience with the 2004 Kia Sorento and/or the new(er) Ford
> Escape/Mazda Tribute..
> Overall the Sorento seems like a nice vehicle, however there are a
> couple of things that I am curious about.
> One thing that I have noticed on the 2 test drives that I have been on
> is that the vehicle does not seem to stop easily. Admittedly, both
> test drive vehicles have been brand-new with next to no miles on them,
> so I am assuming that the brakes are not yet worn-in, and that's why
> the vehicle is harder to stop than normal. Does anyone know if the
> stopping distance/force gets any better after the brakes are worn in?
> I don't like the "have to stand on the brake pedal" feeling of the
> Sorentos that I have driven.
>
> Another thing that I am curious about is the Sorento's off-road
> capability. I am interested in the 4x4 model and while I don't plan
> on doing any heavy-duty off roading, there are some places that I
> would like to go where the roads would require a vehicle with at least
> a "moderate" off-road ability.
> By comparison, I am also considering the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute
> twins, and their AWD systems, which I also like very much, however I
> get the distinct impressions that they will not withstand even slight
> off roading. Anyone have opinions or experience on the Escape/Tribute
> and Sorento and off-roading them?
>
> Also, I noticed that the Sorento has low gas mileage stats. Any
> Sorento owners out there who get better-than-stated mileage after the
> vehicle is "broken-in"?
>
> I am also looking for a car rental agency in the Southern California
> area that actually rents Sorentos. I have been able to rent a Ford
> Escape in order to take a longer-than-usual test drive in them, but I
> have not been able to do this with a Sorento yet. I would really like
> to get a good long drive in one, instead of the usual 5 minute dealer
> test drive around the block.
>
> Any help is greatly appreciated!
>
> Thanks!
> - G

Stay away from anything Korean. They are crap. They feel like they ride on
rails, and yes, there is a problem with the brakes. First 6 months you will
like it, then you will hate it. My friends plastic is cracking all over,
even by the windshield. Dealer told him it happens. When you ride in it, it
feels like there is only some cardboard between your feet and the road.
Also, outside screws tend to rust quickly, breaking off easily. The outside
plastic components get brittle and lose color. There are many other
alternatives. I would look at Toyota Highlander or RAV 4.

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Greg) wrote:

> One thing that I have noticed on the 2 test drives that I have been on
> is that the vehicle does not seem to stop easily. Admittedly, both
> test drive vehicles have been brand-new with next to no miles on them,
> so I am assuming that the brakes are not yet worn-in, and that's why
> the vehicle is harder to stop than normal. Does anyone know if the
> stopping distance/force gets any better after the brakes are worn in?
> I don't like the "have to stand on the brake pedal" feeling of the
> Sorentos that I have driven.
>
> Another thing that I am curious about is the Sorento's off-road
> capability. I am interested in the 4x4 model and while I don't plan
> on doing any heavy-duty off roading, there are some places that I
> would like to go where the roads would require a vehicle with at least
> a "moderate" off-road ability.
> By comparison, I am also considering the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute
> twins, and their AWD systems, which I also like very much, however I
> get the distinct impressions that they will not withstand even slight
> off roading. Anyone have opinions or experience on the Escape/Tribute
> and Sorento and off-roading them?
>
> Also, I noticed that the Sorento has low gas mileage stats. Any
> Sorento owners out there who get better-than-stated mileage after the
> vehicle is "broken-in"?
>
> Any help is greatly appreciated!
>
> Thanks!
> - G

I've owned my Sorento for just under a year and have subjected to all
sorts of conditions save off-road.

Firstly, the basics. The Sorento is actually rated as a mid-size SUV,
not compact, albeit at the smaller end of the class. Its width is
easily that of its midsize brothers while height sometimes exceeds them.
The length is on average 4 to 8 inches shorter. Reference the
Highlander, X5, Acura, Lexus 330 and so on. In short, a good deal
bigger than the Escape/Tribute pair or even the Subaru Forester.

The brakes on my vechicle are fine. Quick response and short stopping
times/distances. In fact, when I tested a Subaru Forester, I was left
wondering about its brakes!

The plastics, unlike the opinion of one poster here, are quite solid.

As I've stated, I've never taken it off-road but as it is built on a
truck style body-on-frame design, it should handle it well. The frame
uses an all steel "ladder" style design.

Gas mileage is on the low side (about average for heavy SUVs) but I knew
that going in. The level of control I have in winter is worth it.

I would submit that there are two Kias here, pre 2002 and post 2002.
The level of car build seen on their models seem to bear that out.
Before 2002, the cars were of modest worth at best. After 02, we saw
the Sedona, Sorento, Magentis, Amanti, I think a redesigned Rio and
possibly others.

My advice is to check out reviews and see if a dealer will let you take
it out for a real spin somewhere. See for yourself.

BTW, I wish you luck in finding a rental place. One option is to take a
year's lease on a Sorento. A tad expensive perhaps but at least you'll
know.

Get a 2004 Nissan X-Trail.
Nuff said.

--
Nige
------ End of Message ------
"Tim Lapin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] (Greg) wrote:
>
> > One thing that I have noticed on the 2 test drives that I have been on
> > is that the vehicle does not seem to stop easily. Admittedly, both
> > test drive vehicles have been brand-new with next to no miles on them,
> > so I am assuming that the brakes are not yet worn-in, and that's why
> > the vehicle is harder to stop than normal. Does anyone know if the
> > stopping distance/force gets any better after the brakes are worn in?
> > I don't like the "have to stand on the brake pedal" feeling of the
> > Sorentos that I have driven.
> >
> > Another thing that I am curious about is the Sorento's off-road
> > capability. I am interested in the 4x4 model and while I don't plan
> > on doing any heavy-duty off roading, there are some places that I
> > would like to go where the roads would require a vehicle with at least
> > a "moderate" off-road ability.
> > By comparison, I am also considering the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute
> > twins, and their AWD systems, which I also like very much, however I
> > get the distinct impressions that they will not withstand even slight
> > off roading. Anyone have opinions or experience on the Escape/Tribute
> > and Sorento and off-roading them?
> >
> > Also, I noticed that the Sorento has low gas mileage stats. Any
> > Sorento owners out there who get better-than-stated mileage after the
> > vehicle is "broken-in"?
> >
> > Any help is greatly appreciated!
> >
> > Thanks!
> > - G
>
> I've owned my Sorento for just under a year and have subjected to all
> sorts of conditions save off-road.
>
> Firstly, the basics. The Sorento is actually rated as a mid-size SUV,
> not compact, albeit at the smaller end of the class. Its width is
> easily that of its midsize brothers while height sometimes exceeds them.
> The length is on average 4 to 8 inches shorter. Reference the
> Highlander, X5, Acura, Lexus 330 and so on. In short, a good deal
> bigger than the Escape/Tribute pair or even the Subaru Forester.
>
> The brakes on my vechicle are fine. Quick response and short stopping
> times/distances. In fact, when I tested a Subaru Forester, I was left
> wondering about its brakes!
>
> The plastics, unlike the opinion of one poster here, are quite solid.
>
> As I've stated, I've never taken it off-road but as it is built on a
> truck style body-on-frame design, it should handle it well. The frame
> uses an all steel "ladder" style design.
>
> Gas mileage is on the low side (about average for heavy SUVs) but I knew
> that going in. The level of control I have in winter is worth it.
>
> I would submit that there are two Kias here, pre 2002 and post 2002.
> The level of car build seen on their models seem to bear that out.
> Before 2002, the cars were of modest worth at best. After 02, we saw
> the Sedona, Sorento, Magentis, Amanti, I think a redesigned Rio and
> possibly others.
>
> My advice is to check out reviews and see if a dealer will let you take
> it out for a real spin somewhere. See for yourself.
>
> BTW, I wish you luck in finding a rental place. One option is to take a
> year's lease on a Sorento. A tad expensive perhaps but at least you'll
> know.