Kia Sorento (XM) specifications, engines, restyling and equipment
Material content
Changes in the appearance of Kia Sorento II Restyling
Let’s take a look at the differences between the KIa Sorento before and after restyling in order. Changes in the exterior can be called quite light, but still noticeable:
- slightly changed the grille – its chrome contour has become narrower and more stylish
- the headlights have become narrower, and the DRLs are LED
- the main difference is the design of the PTF block. The three-dimensional structure with “kruglyashes” was replaced with rectangular headlights with sections for lighting in corners
- slightly changed and the front bumper
- the rear optics were radically altered, changing both the shape and the light pattern
- on the tailgate – another stamping
- reflectors arranged vertically
- rear bumper also changed shape
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Electronics
Kia Sorento 2 2013 received a kind of calling card in the form of a three-cylinder dashboard. Each dial of the device is placed in a separate well, which is equipped with an individual chrome rim. Instrument lighting is bright orange. The center console houses a color multimedia display, as well as audio and air conditioning switches.
Complete sets of Kia Sorento 2 restyling and the base model provide for a huge amount of basic and additional equipment, which has become very popular in the domestic market. Among the additional and basic equipment, one can distinguish a keyless entry system, two-zone climate control, a rear-view camera and a panoramic roof. In addition, a standard set of safety options are available in the form of ABS (system responsible for the absence of brake braking), EBD (electronic brake force distribution) and a new option that allows automatic control of tire pressure.
Gearboxes
Classic mechanics and automatic, both with six steps, are reliable and have no particular complaints.
Related materials
The mechanical box (M6GF series) is problem-free, except that the resource of the dual-mass flywheel is small. The spleen increases as mileage increases and parts wear. The first, most often, about the approach of repair by vibrations, is the support bearing of the right axle shaft. However, Sorento with mechanics on the secondary is not so easy to find – about 90% of sales fell on the automatic.
All-wheel drive is connected by the Magna Steyr clutch, which is structurally close to the Haldex 4 clutch. The splines of the front gearbox are often torn off (especially in diesel versions). Officials explain this with corrosion due to moisture ingress, independent servicemen – with poor quality metal and insufficient safety margin. Also, the weak links include the cardan crosses.
Brake system
Reliable brakes are almost the main condition for a safe trip. Numerous test drives conducted by amateur car owners and specialists were aimed, first of all, to check the car deceleration system.
Studies have shown that progressive disc brakes (ventilated on the front axle) in combination with ABS and EBD assistants do an excellent job. The size of the front discs is 320 mm, the diameter of the rear ones is 302 mm.
The car has a rack and pinion power steering system. The front suspension of the crossover is MacPherson, the rear is a lever-spring with hydraulic shock absorbers.
Salon overview Kia Sorento XM
Interior space Kia Sorento 2011 made in European style. This applies not only to interior design, but also to finishing materials. Only the narrow screen of the on-board computer reminds of Asian roots, located exactly above the 8-inch display of the multimedia system. The center console is laconic and elegant. The four-spoke steering wheel studded with buttons emphasizes the overall modernity and functionality. The dashboard is made with a hint of sportiness.
Unlike the first generation, the interior not only looks good, but is also pleasant to the touch. Finishing materials are of high quality and well adjusted to each other.
Inside Kia Sorento 2 no one will be crowded. Salon seven-seater with the possibility of transformation of the second and third row of seats. The front seats are adjustable in all directions. Adjustment ranges are enough for people of any build. But the seat cushions are American-style flat and there is not enough normal lateral support. The second row is comfortable. The back of the sofa can be adjusted, there is a central armrest and climate system deflectors. Adults will be able to sit in the gallery, but not for long, there is not enough space there, but the children will be quite comfortable.
Trunk
In the seven-seat version, the luggage compartment of the Kia Sorento XM is not impressive with its characteristics – only 258 liters.
But the third row seats can be folded down. After that, the trunk volume will be 500 liters along the window sill line. If loaded to the ceiling, then 1047 liters will enter. And if, in addition, fold the sofa in the second row, you get 2052 liters. The spare wheel is located outside under the bottom of the body.
Options Kia Sorento II Restyling
Due to the fact that the car was on the assembly line for a long time, the initial configurations of 2012 were revised in 2014 (the year Prime was released) and in 2017, and the content of the configurations was changed. For example, the 2012 Prestige has woodgrain trim, adaptive road lighting and no lumbar support, while the 2015 and 2017 Prestige has lumbar support, but the woodgrain trim has been replaced with faux leather, and they don’t even offer adaptive lighting as an option. .
There are 5 sets in total:
- Classic
- Comfort
- luxury
- Prestige
- and Premium – and all these configurations may differ in content depending on the year.
The equipment is strictly fixed and tied to the modification of the car – you can count 37 equipment options.
What is equipped
Russian users have access to “Sorento”, assembled by the “screwdriver” method in Kaliningrad. The cars leave the assembly line with a 2.2-liter diesel engine with automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. Or with a simple aspirated 2.4 liter petrol. There are very few front-wheel drive versions with manual transmission: mostly cars are equipped with automatic transmission. Restyling Kia Sorento II made changes to the transmission, but did not touch the power units.
Engines “Sorento”, built on the “trolley” Hyundai / KIA, are located transversely, the 4×4 drive is connected through a clutch with an electric drive.
The equipment of medium and top models was enriched with the Infinity multimedia system with navigation function, rear-view camera, keyless entry. The cars also received a sunroof, a third row of seats, smart climate control.
Advanced climate control means that when a high temperature is set, the heated seats and steering wheel are automatically turned on. If you turn on the cold air, then the ventilation of the seats is activated.
Cons and pros
There are no special sores in the Kia Sorento II engines. Breakdowns they do not bother. On gasoline engines, valve clearances need to be adjusted periodically. Before the overhaul, it passes 300-350 thousand km without problems. Diesel has even more resource. But he is picky about the quality of fuel. The weak point is the ultra-sensitive piezo injectors. On long runs, an oil burner may begin and the timing chain will knock. This is due to clogging of the lubrication channels. Sometimes the crankshaft pulley can fail. Traction failures are possible due to a dirty coarse filter.
Both gearboxes can be safely written down as the advantages of the Kia Sorento XM. They work for a long time and without complaints.
With a calm driving style, the machine will last much longer than its modern counterparts. In the all-wheel drive system, it sometimes licks the splines on the front gearbox. The cardan cross does not last long either.
Typical for Kia Sorento XM FL there are not many operational problems. The steering gear often starts to play (due to a worn bushing or cardan shaft). There are failures in electrical and electronic systems. At every second maintenance, the craftsmen advise checking the breakup rods and adding grease to their bolts. Suspension, although it became softer, but still remained quite shaky. Its elements do not differ in survivability. A bulkhead may be required already at 60 thousand mileage.
A lot has been said about the pros and cons of the Kia Sorento. Let’s highlight only the main ones.
Advantages:
- Reliable engines and gearboxes.
- Rich basic equipment.
- Good opportunities in the transformation of the cabin.
- Spaciousness.
Flaws:
- Interior trim quickly loses its original appearance.
- Fuel consumption during operation is very different from the declared.
- Four-wheel drive and suspension are not very reliable.