"Bob Edwards" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
> > > Do a comparison of the 2 cars on the What Car website and much of the
> data
> > > shows in some ways a strange similarity: e.g. Power (138 and 134 bhp)
> and
> > > torque (232 and 232 lb/ft) are virtually identical - so both cars will
> tow
> > > well.
> >
> >
> > True, although the Sorento achieves both max bhp and max torque at lower
> > revs.
>
> Minor difference.
7.5% and 5% differences may not be major - but you mention a a difference in
running costs all built into the "cost per mile" which differs by "only" 5%
so I am not to worried about it!!
> > >Surprisingly the X-Trail is only 57 mm shorter than the Sorento,
> > > though lower.
> >
> > True it is only 57mm longer, but the 119mm extra width and 149mm extra
> > height make a real difference, more passenger space and boot space
> massively
> > up based on the figures on What Car (several times the volume).
>
> Agree
Oh good!
> > >Then look at the top speed, mpg and acceleration figures and
> > > the X-Trail wins hands down.
> >
> > Thats pushing it a bit - the Sorento is approx 33% heavier than the
Nissan
> > and you would expect something that much bigger and heavier to use a but
> > more fuel and be a bit slower (if similar engine). The Xtrail returns
> about
> > 10% or so to the gallon and achieves 112 against the Sorentos 106 -
> neither
> > of which can really be described as "winning hands down" in fact given
the
> > Sorentos 33% extra size and weight I would consider that advantage
pretty
> > poor.
> > Acceleration 0-60 is a bit more of an issue with a 3 second difference,
> but
> > "real world" performance is not an issue.
> Now you are trying to twist the arguement to suit yourself. I'm not
talking
> about efficiency - just look at the FACTS. Fuel consumption, service
> intervals, service costs, pence per mile etc etc - the X-Trail is better.
Fuel consumption, service intervals, service costs all come into "cost per
mile" dont they - well the What car cost per mile indicates a difference of
5%. You may not be interested in efficiency (which indicates that the
Sorento does well considering its 33% extra weight), but 5% is hardly
massive is it.
> > > I too sold a Discovery to buy an X-Trail and I am exceptionally
pleased
> > with
> > > it. If you like driving (with and without the caravan) then the
X-Trail
> > is
> > > much more car-like, is nippy and handles really well. If you want a
> > higher
> > > driving position, cumbersome handling and performance which is more
> > > agricultural, then the Kia or Discovery fits the bill.
> >
> > Higher driving position, yes - to call the Kia "agricultural" in any
sence
> > is plain stupid (and, yes, I know What Car used that word). The
discovery
> is
> > agricultural, the kia is nothing like it at all.
> So all the professionals at What Car are wrong and you are right?
Lets just say that there are MANY road tests that give a different opinion
on this point than What Car - it is therefore not so much me that is saying
that What Car professionals are wrong - more you that are saying that MANY
other professionals world wide are wrong! Bottom line is they cant all be
right can they, and "agricultural" is certainly not a word (or one of
several words meaning the same thing) that is remotely common to reviews of
the Sorento
> > Handling is far from the likes of older "agricultural" 4x4's and it was
> > tuned by Porche, yes - on bad roads the ride is a little harsh but it is
> > very well controlled. The ride is not the Sorentos best point
>
>
> Just shot yourself in the foot.
Not at all - just because the ride is not (in my opinion) the Sorentos best
point does not actually mean that it is bad or a problem - or agricultural.
It is a far more comfortable ride than many sports cars and you would not
call them agricultural would you. It can mean something completely and
uttelry different.
Given the number of areas the Sorento receives great praise the ride could
still be its wost feature yet still be perfectly acceptable to most people.
The ride is a little "firm" on some country roads in my opinion (not so much
potholes - more the sort of iregularities in surface - lumps and dips - that
are the preserve of pretty minor roads). It is never a noisy ride, never
feels uncontrolled but could be a bit better from a comfort point of view in
some situations. Some testers have made negative comments about it - and
some have made positive comments about it - it is the one area where people
seem to agree to differ. However, even testers that make a negative comment
about the ride dont generally use the term "agricultural" or anything
meaning the same thing.
Neither the X-Trail nor the Sorento will be "right" for everybody - and it
is clear that the owners of both vehicles are generally very happy with both
of them. The difference is the people who choose a Sorento because it suits
their needs will also feel that they have somehow "beaten the system" - i.e.
they have a vehicle which offers them the combination of things that matter
to them and that no other vehicle comes close to at remotely the same
price - yet it is still very well put together and looks good.
My one and only aim is to get people who may not have even considered the
Sorento to look at it if they are considering a 4x4 at 20k +/- 2k. For some
people the Sorento will offer them something that they couldnt previously
afford with decent quality to boot - for others, for what ever reason it may
not be for them - fine, I dont want to see the streets full of them!
My gardener bpought a new X-trail last summer and he likes it - but when he
saw the Sorento he was really ****ed off because he had not looked at one
before. For him the Sorento would have given him a LOT more space (next size
up) and real 4x4 (low range - useful when he is felling trees and needs to
tow weight over quite rough ground) in a quality generally modern package
the likes of which he previously simply could not afford. Just want people
with similar requirements to know there is a choice - a lot of people,
especially ones who dont read the mags, still dont know about the Sorento -
and I know that from the questions I get asked still when I park mine. These
people "assume" it is more expensive than it is and therefore wouldnt even
look at one. So please understand the points I am trying to make.
> Bob
>
>
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