Kia Sorento 2018 Problems

While some vehicle keys can be programmed at home almost all contemporary vehicles use a smart key system that requires a qualified locksmith or car dealership to code the key to your particular car using specialist software.

You should be able to get an example of the current crop of large seven-seat SUVs for under $40k, and we recommend the Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-9, Toyota Kluger and Hyundai Santa Fe, in that order. 

You'll also be able to get a new mid-size SUV for well under that price, with Mitsubishi offering the base Outlander with seven seats for $29,990 drive away at the moment. 

You can also get the Honda  CR-V VTi-L for just under $40k and the Nissan X-Trail. Our pick would be the Honda, but bear in mind it lacks a lot of active safety equipment fitted standard to the other brands.

The current Kia Sorento measures 4800mm in length, while other dimensions include: 1875kg (weight), 1890mm (width) and 1690mm (height).

Both the current petrol and diesel Kia Sorento can tow up to 750kg unbraked or 2000kg of braked trailer. 

The Kia Sorento range sold in Australia is either front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Kia does not sell a rear wheel drive Sorento Down Under so your choice of the SLi, GT Line and SPORT models are front wheel drive and all wheel drive.

Properly looked after (as in, doing mechanical services by the book) Kia Sorentos shouldn't require too many expensive parts replaced during their several-hundred-thousand-kilometre lifetime. The key to having vehicles last is to drive them sympathetically and have them serviced regularly. All cars will break down or have a failure at some point as they do wear out eventually, but you can limit this by not driving like a New York cabbie, and having a qualified mechanic look after your car.

Under the strictest terms of what makes a good "car" the Kia doesn't really cut the mustard. However, Kia's Sorento is a nicely equipped SUV that can ferry a family in comfort for a competitive price point. So, if you're looking for a small sedan that is excellent at high-performance driving, look elsewhere.

The third-generation Kia Sorento is built in several facilities around the world by Korean car manufacturer Kia. The plants where the Sorento is built include Hwaseong, South Korea, Gurun in Malaysia, and Georgia in the USA.

All diesel engines today have turbochargers, and believe me you wouldn’t want to drive a non-turbo diesel. Of those you mention I would go for a Mitsubishi ASX, or consider a Kia Sorento.

An SUV would seem to be the best choice given your concerns about getting in and out of the car. Most carmakers now offer FWD versions as well as all-wheel drive models, and without knowing what your budget limitation is I would think an SUV like a Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester or Kia Sorento would fit your needs well.