2008 Kia Sorento Review

June 14, 2008

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Stylish bobbed tail
Car and Driver

could easily be mistaken for a high-end Japanese SUV
Kelley Blue Book

remarkably similar to the Grand Cherokee
Automobile

stunning curves
Jalopnik

The 2008 Kia Sorento has a pleasantly rounded shape, but it’s grown old rather quickly, and its interior is more useful than it is handsome.

According to Cars.com, the 2008 Kia Sorento bears a strong family resemblance to its little brother, the Sportage, sharing that vehicle's "multi-slat grille, narrow air dam and larger headlights with orange borders,” while Car and Driver likes its "stylish bobbed tail." Automobile comments on the 2008 Kia Sorento's similarity to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, oddly enough, saying it shares the same proportions as the Chrysler-built SUV. The basic shape is rather plain to TheCarConnection.com’s editors, and looks fairly thick from some angles, but Jalopnik admires its “stunning curves”—ironically, it turns out. Buyers who choose to upgrade to the 2008 Kia Sorento's EX trim will get their vehicle outfitted with fog lights and chrome door handles.

Inside the Sorento, Automobile comments that the "interior accommodations are also similar" to those of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The interior has been upgraded since the Sorento was introduced in 2003, and Motor Trend noted the "new center fascia, gauge cluster, and floor console as well as new, upscale wood and metal trim materials" and described the interior as "refined." Edmunds praises the "upscale ambiance to this modestly priced SUV" and says that "the ergonomics are sound," though they note that the "styling of the interior has begun to look dated."

Conclusion

The 2008 Kia Sorento has decent if dated styling.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Stylish bobbed tailCar and Drivercould easily be mistaken for a high-end Japanese SUVKelley Blue Bookremarkably similar to the Grand CherokeeAutomobilestunning curvesJalopnik The 2008 Kia Sorento has a pleasantly rounded shape, but it’s grown old rather quickly, and its interior is more useful than it is handsome. According to Cars.com, the 2008 Kia Sorento bears a strong family resemblance to its little brother, the Sportage, sharing that vehicle's "multi-slat grille, narrow air dam and larger headlights with orange borders,” while Car and Driver likes its "stylish bobbed tail." Automobile comments on the 2008 Kia Sorento's similarity to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, oddly enough, saying it shares the same proportions as the Chrysler-built SUV. The basic shape is rather plain to TheCarConnection.com’s editors, and looks fairly thick from some angles, but Jalopnik admires its “stunning curves”—ironically, it turns out. Buyers who choose to upgrade to the 2008 Kia Sorento's EX trim will get their vehicle outfitted with fog lights and chrome door handles. Inside the Sorento, Automobile comments that the "interior accommodations are also similar" to those of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The interior has been upgraded since the Sorento was introduced in 2003, and Motor Trend noted the "new center fascia, gauge cluster, and floor console as well as new, upscale wood and metal trim materials" and described the interior as "refined." Edmunds praises the "upscale ambiance to this modestly priced SUV" and says that "the ergonomics are sound," though they note that the "styling of the interior has begun to look dated." ConclusionThe 2008 Kia Sorento has decent if dated styling.  2008 KIA SORENTO STYLING | [6 out of 10] Car and Driver: "Stylish bobbed tail" Kelley Blue Book: "could easily be mistaken for a high-end Japanese SUV" Automobile: "remarkably similar to the Grand Cherokee " Jalopnik: "stunning curves" The 2008 Kia Sorento has a pleasantly ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Traditional SUVs with truck frames and four-wheel drive are becoming scarcer. The Ford Explorer used to be the best seller in the class, but it's fading and will likely be replaced by a crossover vehicle in 2011. The Mercury Mountaineer is nearly identical to the Explorer; both offer three rows of seating and optional V-8 engines. The GMC Envoy is a traditional SUV with good towing capacity and smart styling. The Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen are similar vehicles that offer V-8 engines, four-wheel drive, and coming this fall, a hybrid powertrain.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Kia Sorento

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Kia Sorento

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Kia Sorento near you

See the Kia Sorento in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy