Greg B

Reviewed a 2004 Kia EX 4WD on Nov 28, 2012

My wife and I were debating between the Kia Sorento, Chevy Equinox and Ford Escape. The Chevy was ruled out, only because it was the first year of the new model. I normally like to wait until the 2nd or 3rd model year to purchase; especially after my mom's history with her year-1 Pacifica. I ruled out the Ford Escape after I tried to test drive one and felt like I was eating my knees. I'm only 6', but have a large / muscular frame @ 250; a 210 or smaller man may have fit fine, but that particular model year (2004) just wasn't comfortable for me with the Escape. After I test drove the Kia, my wife took it out and really liked it. We took it home later that day. I think we traded in my 1996 Chevy s-10. I drive the Sorento on occasion, but it's my wife's car. She drives it to school (teacher) and back to Pittsburgh when she and my son go back in the summer. It has treated us rather well, not needing many repairs until recently, which I tend to expect at the 8 - 10 year mark. My wife likes the ride, except for the tires not always feeling like they grip on hard turns. It has a 3.5 DOHC that generates decent power, especially when O/D is turned off. She hopes to continue driving it for several more years. While I'm sure that a Lexus RX owner would slap me for saying so, the 2004 Sorento looks similar to the Lexus RX-line; at least to me. It's not boxy. Handles fairly well. Has good power, for a v6. Gas mileage isn't great, but not bad, especially since she only drives ~10 miles one way for school + short trips around the house. My wife likes the height vantage as well, with it riding higher than a sedan.