Overview & Reviews

The Sorento is an all-new SUV from Kia. Larger and more powerful than the pint-size Sportage (which is expected to return for 2004 after a 2003 hiatus, by the way), the Sorento straddles the emerging middle ground between small SUVs and midsize SUVs. And it does so while offering interested buyers true off-road ability. Key competitors are the Ford Escape, the Honda CR-V, the Jeep Liberty, the Nissan Xterra and the Toyota Highlander.

• Great value, class-leading warranty coverage, long list of standard features, solid construction, true off-road capability.

• Engine needs more power, subpar fuel economy, seat upholstery could stand improvement.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 321.00

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  Please Be Careful! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By seaojoy - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my Hyundai Santa Fe for the Kia Sorrento LX, BIG MISTAKE!!! Poor gas mileage, over-steering, and by far the most DANGEROUS aspect to this SUV are the BLIND SPOTS that the Sorrento is plagued with. The front hood slope makes parking w/o hitting a curb or stall barricade impossible. Complete driver and passenger side blind spots. Finally, because the rear cargo hatch window is situated so high, you really cant see smaller cars directly behind you. Ive been driving for 34-years, and this SUV terrifies me.

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  Shoulda bought a 4 runner - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By QCYNCY - August 7 - 3:36 pm

  Wife bought the car new in 2003. We have 70K on it now and to be honest, Im surprised it has been as reliable as it had been. Still, the maint schedule is unreasonable, $$, and he dealerships are completely incompetent. Last three times I needed to take the car back after maint because of dealer error. Will say the car has been off road on NE beaches all 5 summers about 60 trips in all and never had an offroad perf problem. Bought this over 4 runner because it offered leather,moonroof and warrnty for a few grand less than 4 runner. Stripped 4 runner is now worth 4K more at trade in than this though! if you can do w/o some options, there are better cars with better resale than KIA.

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  Turning sour on a lemon - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By cm in boston - September 18 - 11:13 am

  We loved this SUV at first; great in the snow, nice interior and good price for features. However, now in its third year, it is falling apart. The transmission plug fell out, requiring a new transmission. Kia paid however we had to pay for the rental. Then one of the belt pulleys broke off requiring a new "lower engine block" This second repair took two weeks. Kia covered rental for this repair, but nothing for the inconvenience. Still like the vehicle, but I probably made a mistake buying it the first year out.

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  Big mistake - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By dswanson1 - August 4 - 1:40 pm

  This was the worst vehicle choice ever!! We had it for 3 months and the radiator blew. Then all the window switches stopped working and the AC would not hold its charge. The transmission started going out when we hit 110,000 miles and when we traded it in, we only got $1500 for it. Thought that would be the last time I got a KIA that was build prior to 2005, but my wife tricked me and bought a 2003 Kia Spectra. We have had nothing but issues with that one also.

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  Warranty is just a Word - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By UnhappyOwner - February 15 - 10:03 am

  Beware of the warranty, Kia really does not cover much at all. 10-Year 100,000 mile warranty really means that anytime you have a problem the dealer will attempt to explain why it is not covered. The warranty is garbage. Do not let the warranty enter into your decision to purchase this vehicle because the warranty is a big joke.

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  PLEASE, NO OTHER PROBLEMS - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By DOROTHY - August 24 - 10:00 am

  I HAD BEEN SHOPPING FOR A JEEP OR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. I BOUGHT A KIA SORENTO EX, AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 6 DAYS LATER FROM MY GARAGE TO THE DEALERSIP FOR REPAIR. IT WOULD NOT START. IT HAD 260 MILES ON IT. IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, AND WILL BE IN THE SHOP FOR 4 DAYS WHILE WE WAIT FOR A PART TO COME IN. IM NOT SURE I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION ON BUYING THE KIA.

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  Pretty Good SUV - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Walkers - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Like the veh except the ride. First off the suspension is too stiff. Second there is a high frequency viabration over 60 that drives me nuts. you can feel it in the seats, steering wheel and see it in the mirror. Also there is a roaring sound along with the vibration. I have had the tires balanced and checked for round. No luck. I took it to Kia. They changed the drive shaft. No luck. The factory rep, Great guy, had a engineer come from the factory. The drive shaft was changed again. No luck. The alignment was checked and was ok. They are now going to replace the gear box. If that dont work I get a new vehicle.

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  Kia doesnt honor warranty - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By mikes - January 24 - 5:50 pm

  Had a 2003 Kia Sorento for 5 years. Initially had an issue with a leaking gasket that was fixed under warranty. 5 years later, the catalytic converter has failed and Kia wont cover even though it is within the warranty window. Kia immediately looks for fine print excuses to not honor the warranty. We are stuck with about $5000 in repairs to transfer case, catalytic converter, spark plugs, belts etc. Basically, left with a cheap throw away car.

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  Satifsied so far - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By joecal - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Ive only owned my Sorento a couple of months, but so far I like it.The ride is very good, and it handles decent. The interior is very nice and the quality seems comparable to General Motors, if not better in some aspects. I guess time will tell how this vehicle holds up.