Kia Sorento Problems

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

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.

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

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.

Certainly change the oil and oil filter, and the air filter. You could also replace the coolant, and even change the radiator hoses and clamps. Have the air conditioning serviced, and maybe replace the fluid. Check the brakes for wear and replace if they’re down, replace the brake fluid. Also check the tyres, including the spare, for wear and any signs of damage, and replace if they need it. Obviously set the tyre pressure to the correct pressure for the load it will have.

Check for the Kia dealers that will be in towns along your way, so you can have it serviced if needed while you are away. And regularly check all fluids on the trip.

Of those you list I would go for the Mitsubishi ASX. You could also try the Kia Sorento or Mazda CX-5.

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.