Base Model Sorento

[oneorangetree]

i want to purchase a 2WD Sorento Base Model 2008

Kia says that the max tow capacity on any Sorento is 3500lbs.

My concerns are

1. Can a rear wheel drive actually tow 3000lbs? (my boat weighs about 2,650lbs). I dont know the trailer's weight so I'm guessing that the total combined weight is close to 3500 (near max).

2. When towing, would electronic brakes help the tow?

Any info would be helpful. I've never towed before and I am about to buy this sorento 2wd 2008 base and I want to make sure it can do the towing with no issues.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Base Model Sorento

Pulling and stopping are two different things. A rear wheel drive vehicle will out pull any front wheel drive (transaxle) vehicle. Large cars and trucks are rear wheel drive; did you mean front wheel drive?

Brakes are necessary and it is illegal in most states to pull a trailer over 2000lbs without brakes. I would highly recommend them.

As it's Kia and at the maximum of it's towing capacity I would recommend aginst towing with it. It may tow to the ramp perfectly fine but can it pull a 3500 lb boat up hill on a slippery ramp AND stop it safely on the highway?

 

[rbh]

Re: Base Model Sorento

another thing to consider is tongue weight.
theres nothing like loosing good contact with the road with the steering tires
rob

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Base Model Sorento

Pulling and stopping are two different things. A rear wheel drive vehicle will out pull any front wheel drive (transaxle) vehicle. Large cars and trucks are rear wheel drive; did you mean front wheel drive?

Brakes are necessary and it is illegal in most states to pull a trailer over 2000lbs without brakes. I would highly recommend them.

As it's Kia and at the maximum of it's towing capacity I would recommend aginst towing with it. It may tow to the ramp perfectly fine but can it pull a 3500 lb boat up hill on a slippery ramp AND stop it safely on the highway?

Richard: The Sorento is a truck based design with a front to rear V6 engine (not transverse mounted). It is rear wheel drive.

Original poster...
I test drove a Sorento with 4WD. It drove and rode like a truck, but seemed to have plenty of pep and stopping capacity. I also have a 2008 Sorento with the 3.3 engine. (I assume that this is the same engine you have, but not sure.) Again plenty of pep. I would carefully check the braking capacity of the vehicle (stopping distance from 70MPH for example). Read the reviews. See if someone has any similar experience or actual knowledge. Look for people who are not simply pointing fingers at Kia because it is a Korean vehicle. Hyundai/Kia are now top notch vehicles. Check out the Consumer Reports. They are with or above Toyota and Honda and better than most of the big three. As another observation, you should consider the Ford Escape 3.0L AWD series. Consumer Reports has tested that vehicle with a 3500 pound tow with good results.

TerryMSU

 

[oneorangetree]

Re: Base Model Sorento

This is the Kia Sorento Spec

http://autos.aol.com/cars-Kia-Sorento-2008-Base__4x2_Sport_Utility/specs

Engine Specs (from AOL Auto)
Base engine size 3.3 liters
Base engine type V-6
Horsepower 242 hp
Horsepower rpm 6,000
Torque 228 lb-ft.
Torque rpm 4,500
Payload 1,277 lbs.
Maximum towing capacity 5,000 lbs.
Drive type rear-wheel
Turning radius 17.7 '

I just found out that if the vehicle has JC as the 4th and 5th digit in the VIN then it's 4WD. So this Sorento is 4WD.

One of my friend emailed me the following. I'm a total noob so any information would be helpful.

"Regardless of 2WD or 4WD, the 08 Sorento you are looking at will probably have the 3.3 V6 and has a tow rating of 3,500 lbs. These engines are powerful. Don't worry too much about the transmissions either. In Europe the same 3.3 V6 Sorentos have even higher tow ratings (up to 7,700 lbs, depending on country).

So towing just 2,600 lbs will not be a problem. You say you are going to tow a car or boat ...do you mean using a tow-bar or tow-strap? The best way to transport a car or boat is putting it on a trailer. Remember the trailer itself can be 2,000 lbs.

Having brakes (either electrical or hydraulic) on your trailer will definitely be a good thing. The Sorento brakes are not the best in class when you tow a lot, and may warp. Aftermarket upgrades are available."

In addition, I'd love to know what I need to buy. Im a noob and I dont want the dealership to sell me something that can't do the job.

I need to know which Tow Hitch I should get, what brakes to get (Hydraulic or Electric), etc.

Basically i need to know everything i need to get so that the mechanic can install it (if i cant do it)

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Base Model Sorento

Are you looking at an EX or an LX version? The LX 4X4 is a 3.3L and is rated for 1653 pounds without trailer brakes and 3500 with brakes. The EX 4X4 is a 3.8L and is rated for 1653 pounds without trailer brakes and 5000 with brakes. This is a big difference. I would consider adding a transmission cooler if the vehicle does not already have one. By the way, here is a good link to a VIN number decoder...

http://www.motoverse.com/tools/vinDecoder.asp

Ask your Kia dealer service department about the rated towing capacity of that vehicle. They are the experts. (Better yet, ask two dealers the same question.)

Here is a link to a Kia owners group. They should know.

http://www.kia-forums.com/kia-sorento-forum/53750-sorento-2008-base-model-tow-question.html



Good luck,
TerryMSU

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Base Model Sorento

if it's rated for 3500 pounds then don't jeopardize your or anyone elses safety--get a better tow vehicle

 

[PRW]

Re: Base Model Sorento

Bringing this one back from the dead.

Thought I could add some real world experience as I've logged thousands of miles worth of towing on my Kia Sorento.

I've got a 2007 LX model 4X4 with the 3.8L V6 260hp and some change.

I've towed my 16 foot car hauler loaded with a VW Beetle from Arizona to Alabama - no issues stopping or going.

Towed a U-haul car trailer loaded with a VW beetle from Alabama to Illinois - no issues

Towed a 25 foot Pontoon all over Alabama - no issues

Towed a 19 foot bass boat all over Alabama - no issues

Towed my 19 foot Baja with V-8 engine from Illinois to Alabama and all over Alabama - again no issues.

With all that being said my Sorento is a very capable tow vehicle. The biggest thing to me is the safety aspect. Don't try to travel excessive speeds and of course always allow yourself more stopping distance and time.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Base Model Sorento

And when you ask for tow capacity or other technical data, have them show it to you in PRINT. The sales person has likely never towed anything in his/her life and will tell you anything they want you to hear. If you take their word for it and something happens because the vehicle is over the towing limits guess who ends up holding the bag?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Base Model Sorento

Great comment from Silvertip.
Many salespeople just want the sale.

 

[mike343]

Re: Base Model Sorento

You need to know that that the max tow rating is for the bare tow vehicle and the driver. Additional people and gear reduce tow capacity one for one.