Such a favorable review! Steve may have received a nice check from Kia for those kind words. :-) Seriously, it is a very good SUV. Just difficult to swallow spending $46K on a Kia. Make me question in part what resale value will be in 4 years (which is average ownership time for this market segment).
Both cars have their pluses and minuses. As for resale, Kia has risen lately and resale values are on par with Honda. As is their reliability (based on actual repair data, not opinion). I hate the infotainment system on the Honda and frankly think it's hideous. But I understand how some people would gravitate to the Pilot. I've had my 2014 Sorento SX for almost three years and 30,000 miles with absolutely zero problems.
I've been waiting for this review. I liked that Mr. Hammes mentioned the new Pilot but I was kinda hoping for a small comparison with the new Murano. Everybody mentions the Pilot but nobody mentions the Murano as a competitor for the Sorento. That bodes poorly for the Murano, I think.
I always call the 3rd row in a 3 row crossover as "The penalty box." You said the Sorento's isn't as bad. However, which in the segment has a useless 3rd row. The best belong to the GM stable of Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia.
I have no doubt it's a good SUV but for $46 large I can get a decently loaded F150 or much other offerings. I still remember test driving a sorrento way back in, I think, the last 90's or early 00's. It was a V6 2wd and a manual transmission. With RWD it was a hoot to drive. I ended up buying an Explorer sport instead. But it was a fun little trucklet.
I doubt he took a check. He's not like that, he gave a very unbiased review - as always and in the end practically steered the viewer to the probably better Pilot.
+Herc Zeus I said 'probably' better. The Kia gives off a far more premium vibe. (Iprefer the Kia's style inside and out.) but as Steve noted the Honda name alone is borderline premium thanks to cache. The resale value will be better vs Kia not to mention the powertrain handily trounces Kia for pwr&fuel economy. Not to mention it is way roomier. For the practical buyer of this segment, given the choice, the Pilot is smarter.
+Herc Zeus that being said I would not look at you sideways if you pulled out of the lot in the Kia. A practicality rules all mindset is not for everyone. Style, luxury, and personal preference count for a lot when making a purchase, too.
+Herc Zeus to clarify, I said I wouldn't. A lot of people scoff at the idea of plunkin this type of coin down on a Kia. When the fact is it is a very stout vehicle. Btw I would pick this car over the mdx. I think both Honda and Acura are fussy to look at and this Kia is arguably nicer inside than even the Acura. But objectively, the Honda is probably the wiser choice because the name of the game here is practicality. But some prioritize feature content and style...myself included to a degree.
Just based on resale value I'd take the Honda or the Toyota over this. seems like Hyundai has given up on the minivan market. Steve do you test one car at a time during any given week, or do you do more than one?
What do you mean re-sale value? This thing just got out. Are you basing your 'resale value' on the last model? Or is it like that in the US? No matter how nice the Car is, as long as it's a Kia, it'll diminish it's value fast? No matter what?
+pedrof830 You are right. Hondas and Toyotas hold their value much more than KIA's. This loaded sorento is pretty close in price to a loaded highlander or pilot and I think a lot of people will choose those over a KIA.
+pedrof830 Hyundai has given up? Really? 4th largest automaker in the world! Less problems per 100 vehicles than both Toyota and Honda. Coming out with a new luxury sub brand because of strong market demand and success called Genesis in 2016. Sure looks like they gave up to me. LOL!
Once you have taken a good hard look at the placement of the 2016 pilots side mirrors, you wont live it down. Its the ugliest treatment I have seen. I was hoping Kia/Hyundai would place them on the doors but after seeing the pilot, the korean twins look great.
Emmanuel Toussaint someone talking shit before even knowing. ive owned many american and german counters and i will honestly say its worth the amount if you compare the kia to a midgrade merc that will cost you 60k+
Such a favorable review! Steve may have received a nice check from Kia for those kind words. :-) Seriously, it is a very good SUV. Just difficult to swallow spending $46K on a Kia. Make me question in part what resale value will be in 4 years (which is average ownership time for this market segment).
Both cars have their pluses and minuses. As for resale, Kia has risen lately and resale values are on par with Honda. As is their reliability (based on actual repair data, not opinion). I hate the infotainment system on the Honda and frankly think it's hideous. But I understand how some people would gravitate to the Pilot. I've had my 2014 Sorento SX for almost three years and 30,000 miles with absolutely zero problems.
I guess I'll wait for the mid cycle refresh.
I've been waiting for this review. I liked that Mr. Hammes mentioned the new Pilot but I was kinda hoping for a small comparison with the new Murano. Everybody mentions the Pilot but nobody mentions the Murano as a competitor for the Sorento. That bodes poorly for the Murano, I think.
Murano only seats 5, a more apt comparison would be the pathfinder
I always call the 3rd row in a 3 row crossover as "The penalty box." You said the Sorento's isn't as bad. However, which in the segment has a useless 3rd row. The best belong to the GM stable of Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia.
The Dodge Journey and the Mitsubishi Outlander have really cramped 3rd seats, almost useless.
jorge romani Another adequate 3rd row places are Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango.
I have no doubt it's a good SUV but for $46 large I can get a decently loaded F150 or much other offerings. I still remember test driving a sorrento way back in, I think, the last 90's or early 00's. It was a V6 2wd and a manual transmission. With RWD it was a hoot to drive. I ended up buying an Explorer sport instead. But it was a fun little trucklet.
vwmatt33 glad you compare a sorento to a f150. idiot
I doubt he took a check. He's not like that, he gave a very unbiased review - as always and in the end practically steered the viewer to the probably better Pilot.
+Mark Leckband I've been in a new Pilot. It's not better. At least I didn't think so.
+Herc Zeus I said 'probably' better. The Kia gives off a far more premium vibe. (Iprefer the Kia's style inside and out.) but as Steve noted the Honda name alone is borderline premium thanks to cache. The resale value will be better vs Kia not to mention the powertrain handily trounces Kia for pwr&fuel economy. Not to mention it is way roomier. For the practical buyer of this segment, given the choice, the Pilot is smarter.
+Herc Zeus that being said I would not look at you sideways if you pulled out of the lot in the Kia. A practicality rules all mindset is not for everyone. Style, luxury, and personal preference count for a lot when making a purchase, too.
Mark Leckband Do you look sideways when someone is in Honda? Or even a Acura? At least I don't.
+Herc Zeus to clarify, I said I wouldn't. A lot of people scoff at the idea of plunkin this type of coin down on a Kia. When the fact is it is a very stout vehicle. Btw I would pick this car over the mdx. I think both Honda and Acura are fussy to look at and this Kia is arguably nicer inside than even the Acura. But objectively, the Honda is probably the wiser choice because the name of the game here is practicality. But some prioritize feature content and style...myself included to a degree.
Would you take this over a new Mazda CX9 Signature?
MJ4cars97 I would because it's roomier.
Hell yeaahh.
Just based on resale value I'd take the Honda or the Toyota over this. seems like Hyundai has given up on the minivan market. Steve do you test one car at a time during any given week, or do you do more than one?
What do you mean re-sale value? This thing just got out. Are you basing your 'resale value' on the last model? Or is it like that in the US? No matter how nice the Car is, as long as it's a Kia, it'll diminish it's value fast? No matter what?
I'd personally take the Honda because of bias, i was just asking.
Chris Sorreda
I am based on how the resale value of other expensive Kias plummet (K900 and Cadenza) as well as the Hyundai Equus.
+pedrof830 You are right. Hondas and Toyotas hold their value much more than KIA's. This loaded sorento is pretty close in price to a loaded highlander or pilot and I think a lot of people will choose those over a KIA.
+pedrof830 Hyundai has given up? Really? 4th largest automaker in the world! Less problems per 100 vehicles than both Toyota and Honda. Coming out with a new luxury sub brand because of strong market demand and success called Genesis in 2016. Sure looks like they gave up to me. LOL!
Hey, do you live in the capital region? I go to school at RPI
I knew you RPI kids were smart 😂. Yes sir, born and raised.
شلونك صاحبي ابو سورينو
Kia sorento sxl 2016
I'd take this Kia with the proven V6 before I'd get the Honda with the problematic 9-speed transmission.
Once you have taken a good hard look at the placement of the 2016 pilots side mirrors, you wont live it down. Its the ugliest treatment I have seen. I was hoping Kia/Hyundai would place them on the doors but after seeing the pilot, the korean twins look great.
I hate the Hondas suspension
lmaoooo 46k
Emmanuel Toussaint someone talking shit before even knowing. ive owned many american and german counters and i will honestly say its worth the amount if you compare the kia to a midgrade merc that will cost you 60k+
One ugly overpriced car