Pretty nice crossover and with more aggressive tires would probably do better in the rough stuff. It has the technology just not the right wheel and tire package. I like Kia's they give you a lot of features not because they are making up for crappy quality but because they believe in value for dollar.
You know that “three peak snowflake” rating they have for tires? There should be a similar industry standard for cars and off-roading. Basically a nonproprietary version of Jeep’s “trail rated” self certification.
Great review! I really like seeing you guys put these crossovers through their paces. I certainly wouldn't take this one off road, but it definitely looks like a nice daily driver and highway cruiser. And the color looks fantastic! As usual, you guys hit the nail on the head with this one.
Did you guys ever turn the Center Diff to "lock" and use "snow" mode? In the USA, these are the settings to use when going off road. More "off road" type tires instead of the all season tires (OEM) will also make a big difference.
I agree with Howard, it’s not an off roader. I finished commenting on Tommy from TFL with the Subaru cross treck.Same thing manufacturers got to stop promoting their vehicles as off roaders. Even Jeep does this with their products. Everybody thinks all Jeep’s can go off roading. If it doesn’t have the trail rated badge it’s not a true off roader. Only 95 percent of these type of vehicles are ment for black tarmac,snow and un paved farm gravel roads only.
Wow, my 2013 has hydraulic hood struts. Talk about step back. Great job. First test I've seen on one that has the of road modes. No idea why the US model doesn't get them.
5;20 what drive modes have to do with awd? Use terrain modes, duh. Kia DCT are not for off roading unless you want cook your transmission. For day to day snow and wet traction this awd works great.
Compared to my original British spec Sorento this really is a Softroader. Mine was body on frame, low transfer case, centre dif lock and limited rear dif. It handled so much.
There's an older Sorrento, I'm thinking maybe it's the first gen, that is lifted with 32-in BFG all-terrain tires in my neighborhood. I took a peek underneath once and it has a solid rear axle. I wonder if this is the model that you're talking about? Anyway, the thing looks fantastic, and is definitely unique compared to all the 4Runners and Jeeps around.
Not too bad. I like to buy 17 or 18" winter wheels with higher side wall winter tires, so at least for 6 months I have better traction. But honestly those 3rd row seats are too small, there should be an option for a bench seat and 3rd row delete (Santa Fe style), especially since they have the Telluride.
All the mfg are claiming “off road” packages because people want to think they can go anywhere. I think they should be called off pavement because you are definitely not going on any kind of trail with them
Nice review , I have had my 2012 LX V6 AWD for 9 years , it's been a great car , especially in Canadian winter , but like you said , not off road 100 percent , I wish they would have kept the V6 , still skeptical about the durability and longevity of the turbo 🤷♂️, I really like your review on the GMC canyon 👍
It looks like there Original six speed transmission and regular all-wheel-drive system was a better performer than this new X package edition. Just raising the vehicle 1 inch was probably enough and should’ve kept everything else the same.
Just picked up the X-Line Sorento in the S trim with 18 inch rims which gives it more meat to work with. I'm wondering how the X-Line S would do with its wheel setup but much lower power output.