2007 Kia Sorento EX 4×4

By Jim Woodman

2007 Kia Sorento

The last time I reviewed a Kia Sorento, in 2004 on a road trip to Colorado from San Diego, I came away very impressed. Now, just three short years later, I’m even more impressed with the continuous improvement in quality and craftsmanship from this South Korean automaker.

The second generation 2007 Sorento boasts a new, more powerful all-aluminum 3.8 liter V6 engine producing 262 horsepower – more than Toyota Highlander V6, Ford Explorer V6 and Toyota 4Runner V8. In contrast, the 2004 Sorento I reviewed produced an adequate 192 horses.
There’s also a new electronically controlled five-speed transmission that allows drivers to switch between automatic and manual shifts. The new powertrain, mated to the rugged body-on-frame construction, increases towing capacity to a very respectable 5,000 pounds. You can choose between rear-wheel and four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. My test vehicle was full-time four-wheel drive, though I never had the opportunity to take it off-road.

The full-time automatic Torque-On-Demand(tm) four-wheel-drive system, also with a low range, is available on the EX trim level as part of the $3000 Luxury Package. The system automatically detects wheel slippage 200 times per second, seamlessly transferring power between the rear and front wheels without requiring driver input. The advantage here is having the confidence that you’re getting the best traction control regardless of changing weather and terrain.

I was most impressed with the solid feel to this latest Sorento. Going over irregular surfaces and speed bumps gave no indication that anything was loose or poorly constructed. The steering wheel had no play and acceleration was terrific. For a mid-size SUV, this is certainly one of the better choices in the industry.

I’m absolutely certain the original poor-quality stigma associated with South Korean automakers, Kia and Hyundai, is going to be something we look back at and laugh about.

One need only look at history and see the similar rise in quality and craftsmanship from Japanese automakers during the 1980s. The South Koreans have learned very well from studying Toyota, Nissan and Honda and it’s easy to see they’re not reinventing the wheel here. In my opinion, the quality is now on par and it’s only a matter of time before we mention Kia and Hyundai in the same breath as the big three Japanese automakers.
What fascinates me to no end is why the American manufacturers don’t take the same notes and copy what’s been successful for the other importers. Given the choice of similar quality and craftsmanship, I’d buy American every time.

Okay, enough of my rant, I’ll get back to the Kia Sorento.

Two trim options

Buyers can choose between LX and EX trim lines, in two-wheel or four-wheel drive, with optional LX Sport Package and EX Luxury Package. Some of the subtle exterior refinements from its predecessor include redesigned front headlamps with projection lights, a revised front grille insert, new front fascia and bumper, more rounded body-side cladding, and redesigned tail lamps and rear fascia with reflector inserts. A new 17-inch wheel comes with the optional LX Sport Package and a new 16-inch wheel design fits the EX, while carry-over 16-inch silver and machined wheel designs sit at the four corners of the LX and EX Luxury Package trims respectively.

Dramatically restyled interior

More dramatic changes inside the vehicle take 2007 Sorento’s interior to a new level. A new center fascia, gauge cluster and floor console are enveloped in new, upscale wood and metallic finished trim materials, creating a functional and comfortable cabin feel.

Inviting first- and second-row seats, with available leather on the Sport and Luxury Packages, feature front active headrests and a new rear seatback lever for easier reclining adjustment. Additional interior upgrades include a standard front passenger side central door lock, and revised steering wheel-mounted cruise control and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

Standard comfort and convenience features on all but the price leader model include air conditioning (dual-zone auto on EX Luxury Package), power windows/door locks/heated mirrors, cruise control, 10-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, full overhead console with sunglass storage, map lights and garage door opener pocket, four 12V power outlets, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40 split flip-and-fold rear seats, rear privacy glass, cargo cover, roof rails and keyless entry with alarm.

LX Sport Package models have unique and exclusive black interior cloth or leather, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, side step bars, spoiler and the new 17-inch wheels and tires. The EX trim line features an eight-way power driver’s seat, fog lights, deluxe door scuff plates, HomeLink(r) programmable remote system, trip computer in the multi-meter that includes outside temperature gauge, compass, average speed, range and travel time to the overhead console and new 16-inch alloy wheels.

While I would like to see a three-row, seven-seater, crossover from Kia, this five-passenger vehicle gives you plenty of rear cargo space for carrying bicycles or sports equipment. I had plenty of room to easily carry two standard road bicycles with their front wheels removed.

With the rear seat folded down, there’s plenty of room to carry extra cargo.

Standard Safety

When it comes to safety, Sorento offers even more standard features for 2007. Building on the previous model’s five-star NHTSA rating for both front and rear side impact crash tests, Sorento offers the following standard safety features across all trim lines: advanced two-stage airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control (TCS), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), active front headrests, energy-absorbing steering column, driver knee airbag, rear child door locks, rear seat fixed upper and lower anchors for child safety seats (LATCH), and three-point seat belts for all seating positions with adjustable anchors and pretensioners with force limiters in front.

Installing my children’s car seats was ridiculously easy. It took less than a minute to install my two year-old’s car seat. Latches were very easy to clamp and I didn’t have to wedge open a gap between the seat cushions just to reach the hooks.

If there’s anything I can knock about the latest Sorento, it would be the adequate fuel economy. It’s a fairly heavy vehicle, tipping the scales at 4462 pounds with all the 4×4 bells and whistles, which party explains the gas mileage. EPAs suggest 17 and 22, city and highway respectively and I don’t think I was getting anywhere near that. That said, I’m a little heavy-footed and certainly didn’t want to back off taking advantage of the 260 pound-feet of torque.

For those concerned about Kia durability, a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty plus a five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty; and a five-year or 100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty should comfort any doubters. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan is also part of Kia’s comprehensive coverage program.

Starting at a base price of $26,195 and loading the luxury package and destination charge only squeaks over our ALV $30k luxury limit at $30,065. This is why I’ve classified this as a best value vehicle. There’s no question that dollar for dollar this is one of the best mid-size SUV values on the market.

Quick Facts:

Base price: $26,195
Price as tested: $30,065
Horsepower: 266 Hp @ 6000 r.p.m.
Torque: 260 lbs.-ft. @ 4500 r.p.m.
0 to 60: N/A
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: No
Towing: Yes
Off-road: Yes
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Fuel economy: 17/22 m.p.g. city/highway

2007 Ford Edge

Sleek urban styling with a practical bent

By Nina Russin

2007 Ford Edge

Generally speaking, it’s hard to find a bad car these days. That makes the engineers’ jobs harder, because making a good car is no longer enough. To lure buyers away from competitive products, a vehicle has to offer more.

Meet the Edge: Ford’s answer to the humdrum SUV. From its sleek, aerodynamic profile to an available panoramic sunroof, the Edge should appeal to drivers who don’t want to sacrifice style for practicality.

Those of you familiar with the current generation of Mercury designs may see some similarities in the Edge. Designer Peter Horbury, who has penned major facelifts for both Volvo and Mercury, headed up the design team on Ford’s newest crossover.

Horbury’s trademark is the use of architectural elements in car designs. The strong, geometric grille, and horizontal chrome trim that ties the taillights into the beltline, are two examples.

From the side, the Edge’s wheels look large and planted, framed by large wheel wells that give the vehicle a muscular stance. The glass area or greenhouse is relatively narrow compared to the sheetmetal: the idea is to give this relatively high profile car a sleeker, more aerodynamic appearance.

The available panoramic sunroof sheds ambient light over both rows of passengers. White stitching on black leather upholstery with chrome accents is reminiscent of modern Scandinavian furniture.

A chassis tuned for urban adventure

Despite the availability of all-wheel drive, the Edge is not designed to go off-road. That’s not to say that it won’t negotiate the occasional graded dirt road, but don’t try crawling through a boulder-strewn creek bed along the way. Basically, the Edge is a car-based chassis with a sport-utility body.

 The 265-horsepower V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission have plenty of power for weaving through urban traffic, and the independent front and rear suspension should prevent passengers from feeling potholes in the base of their spines.

The large wheels and relatively low center of gravity give the Edge better steering response at speed. The standard rack and pinion steering system is quiet and responsive, allowing drivers to maneuver the Edge in and out of tight spaces.

The six- cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission give the Edge respectable fuel economy: 17/24 miles per gallon city and highway on the all-wheel drive model.

The Edge runs on standard 87-octane gas. Of late, Ford engineers have spent a lot of time working on the problem of noise intrusion, with innovative solutions such as quiet steel that dampens noises from the engine and exterior before they reach the passenger cabin. On this project, wind tunnel work included modifications to the side mirrors and antenna to further reduce noise.

While the engineers succeeded in making the Edge extremely quiet on the inside, they inadvertently reduced visibility to the front and sides of the car. It is very difficult to see around the front A pillars and side mirrors while cornering. I found this especially annoying when turning onto highway entrance ramps, and maneuvering through a crowded parking lot.

As a famous architect once said: “God is in the details.” Certainly a driver can learn to compensate for the blind spots that seem to be part of almost every vehicle. But on today’s crowded highways, those blind spots make it harder to avoid fender benders.

Elegant, functional interior

The Edge is an easy car to live in. The leather seats are as comfortable as they are stylish, with both rows of seating offering adequate legroom for most adults. A tilt and telescopic steering wheel is standard on all models.

 The center console has two cupholders large enough for the rear world, and a center bin that can cold a laptop computer. There are three power points up front, and one in the rear, as well as a MP3 jack, located inside a bin in the center console. A small cubby at the base of the center stack is a convenient place to stash the cell phone.

Dual climate controls allow passengers to vary the heating or air conditioning according to their needs. Redundant climate and audio controls on the steering wheel allow the driver to adjust the temperature or change the audio channel without taking his eyes off the road. The touch screen on the optional navigation system was easy to figure out, without digging through the owner’s manual. And the panoramic sunroof is a nice touch here in Arizona, where sunshine is a big contributor to quality of life.

The test car also came with a reverse sensing system that uses an audible warning when there are objects to the rear of the car, and eighteen-inch wheels: an upgrade from the standard 17-inch rims.

The optional trailer-towing package allows the Edge to tow up to 3500 lbs. The spacious interior has plenty of room for loading cargo, especially with the second-row seats folded flat.

The front passenger seat also folds flat, so that the driver can use it as a makeshift work area, or to load cargo up to eight feet in length into the interior. Roof rails come standard on the upscale SEL model (tested).

The optional audio system upgrade with Sirius satellite radio makes lengthily commutes a little more pleasant.

Exceptional standard safety

The Edge comes standard with, antilock brakes, and Ford’s safety canopy: a side curtain airbag system that remains inflated long enough to protect passengers during an extended rollover accident. Traction control, front and side airbags are also standard.

All models also come with standard roll stability control: a system developed by Volvo to keep high profile vehicles from tipping over. Two gyroscopic sensors monitor yaw and roll, making adjustments to engine power and braking as necessary.

Base price on the all-wheel drive test car was $30,720, putting the Edge in our luxury vehicle category. Optional equipment and a $675 delivery charge added about $6,000 to the sticker price. The Edge is manufactured at Ford’s Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. It is currently available for test drives at Ford dealerships nationwide.

Likes: Attractive, European styling inside and out, with a engine and transmission package that delivers smooth power both on and off the highway. The interior is spacious and quiet, and the standard safety roster includes an exceptional side curtain airbag system.

Dislikes: The front A pillars and side mirrors obstruct the driver’s view while cornering in either direction.

Base price: $30,720
Price as tested: $36,355
Horsepower: 265 Hp @ 6250 r.p.m.
Torque: 250 lbs.-ft @ 4500 r.p.m. 
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: No
Towing: Yes
Off-road: No
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Fuel economy: 17/24 m.p.g. city/highway