Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
Segment: Medium SUV
Production years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Kia stepped up its game and entered the mid-sized SUV market with the Sorento in 2002, a vehicle sold worldwide under the same nameplate.
The Korean carmaker was not new to the world of body-on-frame 4x4 vehicles. It already had the first generation of the Sportage. In its history, several other vehicles followed the same construction. However, after its marriage with Hyundai in 1997, the company was upgraded, and the results followed. The Sorento was one of the most important vehicles in the carmaker's lineup and showed the world that it could produce good quality, affordable SUVs.
Born in the middle of the new-edge design trend, the Sorento sported a front fascia dominated by curved lines and sharp angles, especially on the headlights. Moreover, to emphasize its off-road capability, the car featured a gray, unpainted lower bumper area, depending on the trim level. From its sides, the greenhouse offered a profile similar to a station wagon, just higher. In addition, the curved tailgate was extended all the way to the bumper to ease up the loading and unloading.
Inside, the high seating position was appropriate for an SUV. Even though the materials used were average, the layout was clean and logical. On the center stack, Kia installed the audio system on top, which was easy to reach by the driver. Moreover, there were controls on the steering wheel. At the back, there was room enough for three passengers.
Kia installed a front independent suspension on the Sorento that enhanced comfort, while the back was supported by a live axle. Power went to the rear or in all corners via a two-speed transfer case activated by a rotary knob on the dashboard. Depending on the market, the carmaker installed a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel engine or a choice of two gasoline-fed powerplants.
ENGINE SPECS - 2.4L 16V 5MT AWD (139 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2351 cm3 |
Power: | 102 KW @ 5500 RPM 139 HP @ 5500 RPM 137 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 145 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 196 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 21.1 gallons (79.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 104.4 mph (168 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 225/75R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 179.92 in (4570 mm) |
Width: | 73.22 in (1860 mm) |
Height: | 67.71 in (1720 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 62.2/62.2 in (1,580/1,580 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.69 in (2710 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.2 in (208 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 17.2 cuFT (487 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 4052.1 lbs (1838 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5412.3 lbs (2455 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 15.9 mpg US (14.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 27.3 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21.6 mpg US (10.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 259 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.5L V6 4AT AWD (195 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3497 cm3 |
Power: | 143 KW @ 5500 RPM 194 HP @ 5500 RPM 192 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 217 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 294 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 21.1 gallons (79.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 119 mph (192 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 245/70R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 179.9 in (4569 mm) |
Width: | 73.2 in (1859 mm) |
Height: | 67.7 in (1720 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 62.2/62.2 in (1,580/1,580 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.7 in (2710 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.2 in (208 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 17.2 cuFT (487 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 4226.3 lbs (1917 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5643.8 lbs (2560 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 13.8 mpg US (17 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 19.8 mpg US (11.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 286 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.5L CRDi 4AT AWD (140 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2497 cm3 |
Power: | 103 KW @ 3800 RPM 140 HP @ 3800 RPM 138 BHP @ 3800 RPM |
Torque: | 253 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM 343 Nm @ 2000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Common Rail |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 21.1 gallons (79.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 104 mph (167 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 15.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 225/75 R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 179.9 in (4569 mm) |
Width: | 73.2 in (1859 mm) |
Height: | 67.7 in (1720 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 62.2/62.2 in (1,580/1,580 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.7 in (2710 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.2 in (208 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 17.2 cuFT (487 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 4312.2 lbs (1956 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5754 lbs (2610 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 19.9 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 32.2 mpg US (7.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 26.4 mpg US (8.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 204 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.5L CRDi 5MT AWD (140 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2497 cm3 |
Power: | 103 KW @ 3800 RPM 140 HP @ 3800 RPM 138 BHP @ 3800 RPM |
Torque: | 253 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM 343 Nm @ 2000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Common Rail |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 21.1 gallons (79.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 106 mph (171 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 225/75 R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 179.9 in (4569 mm) |
Width: | 73.2 in (1859 mm) |
Height: | 67.7 in (1720 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 62.2/62.2 in (1,580/1,580 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.7 in (2710 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.2 in (208 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 17.2 cuFT (487 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 4312.2 lbs (1956 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 23.8 mpg US (9.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 36.2 mpg US (6.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 30.5 mpg US (7.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 204 g/km |