Test Drive Kia Sorento since 2009 SUV

Korean syndrome

Korean cars are becoming better from the model to the model, from generation to generation, while maintaining their initial dignity of the low price. What succeeds also due to production in our country. Kia Sorento is harvested in Izhevsk at the IL-car plant, and SsangYong Rexton (already with welding and coloring body) in Naberezhnye Chelny at the ZMA factory.
 
It was decided to compare that diesel modifications. We counted that, choosing an SUV from Korea, the buyer somehow wants to save, and therefore the future fuel economy plays a role. And the gasoline versions involve the presence of quite voracious six-liter under the hood for three liters. Our assumptions and sales statistics are confirmed: the majority of Rexton and Sorento sold in our country, working on heavy fuel. About appearance, as well as about tastes, do not argue. And we will not argue. We only note that the angular classic silhouette of KIA does not shine originality, but it looks quite harmonious, but the lupoopsee of the front and massive lattice of the radiator A la Mercedes is clearly trying to stand out from the total mass of SUVs.
This, it undoubtedly succeeds, however, the price of clearly ambiguous estimates from the general public. These cars are two extremes of the Korean Designer School. One simple and no distinguished, but the second, on the contrary, is too frosted and pompous. Before the correctness of the Japanese, as well as to the subtlety and severity of Europeans, while far. Nevertheless, many Russian buyers are enough, and a huge amount of Sorento and Rexton, found on our roads, good confirmation.
The Turbodiesel, the RX270XVT names on the front doors say under the hood of Rexton. KIA and here are reserved any signs of distinction from the gasoline version. The letters of XVT mean that a licensed Mercedesian diesel engine, to whom SsangYong traditionally equip its models, has undergone another modernization and received a changeable inlet path geometry and a new turbine. As a result, power increased to 186 hp, and torque up to 402 nm. But the XDI engine (165 hp and 340 nm) remain on the conveyor, which are equipped with simpler modifications.
Motor Sorento own development. This is a 2.5-liter CRD VGT with the COMMON Rail power system. If the turbo diesel engine developed 140 forces on the SUV of the past generation, then all 170 hp here. Obvious Progress! When turning the ignition key, the salons of both machines are filled with a characteristic grumble, although there are almost no vibrations on the controls. And only with a sharp opening of gas on neutral neutrals, both SUVs are dissatisfied with all the body. But what to gas in place, it is time to check turbodiesels in business.
 
The KIA engine with a set of revolutions works smaller, and on an acoustic sensation approaches gasoline. But the engine SsangYong is still tractorly biting, besides loudly sobbing and launching turbine, like a truck. And even good noise insulation is unable to drain this symphony. But gradually get used to this, and you begin to find something pleasant in this sipate. On the acceleration of both cars go nostril in the nostril. Reaffirm this and similar numbers in the acceleration column up to 100 km / h. Figures, I must say, very good for two-ton SUVs. None in the city nor on the highway disadvantage in the dynamics. But still liked Sorento more, or rather his automatic (both cars they are five-speed). Forecast, pretty fast switching and constant holding the tachometer arrow in the most efficient range of revolutions make control very comfortable. Reclass gearbox Possible, and at high speeds is sinned by unjustified shift.
Kia and Rexton II transmissions are slowly reacting to the kick-down, long-term transferring the transfer down, and have disgusting manual modes. SsangYong can independently select the steps or an uncomfortable checkbox on the PPC lever or buttons on the steering wheel, and only the lever on Kia, moving it from the DRIVE position to the right. Both cars are choking for a second, thinking, squatted on the rear axle, and then there is an unpleasant jerk with acceleration. It is better to limit ourselves to the usual DRIVE mode. At speeds up to 120140 km / h, both behave adequately. Good go straight, almost do not react to irregularities. In turns, everything is not so rosy. Large gear ratios of steering mechanisms cause to rotate the ram on the impressive corners, while the driver becomes completely little information. If the steering wheel of the SORENTO still allows you to feel the angle of rotation of the front wheels and has almost inconspicuous, but still adequately increasing feedback, then the rexton of this connection is completely deprived, but its steering wheel is better than vibration procurement and blows absolutely not felt on it.
SsangYong is generally a more comfortable car, not least due to the best noise insulation and a rich cabin. And on gentle waves, he smoothly burns his passengers while Sorento in a similar situation, at a speed of 150 km / h begins to swing up and down with a large amplitude. Strange, especially considering the general collens of its suspension. Maybe the test car shock absorbers have already been isolated? In any case, you wish to wear on these SUVs faster than 140 km / h there is a bit. Because then their main trump cards are lost and smoothness, and besides, there is a lack of power. The aerodynamic noises become annoying, the wind will fill in the mirrors, the cars float along the road, forcing the driver to be in constant tension. Yes, and brakes are not able to effectively perform their function, although there were no complaints in the staffing modes. More accounted for the soul of the brake Kia. But the soft long-timing pedal SsangYong liked less.
Rexton is very comfortable even on a broken settlement. But excessive softness suspension sometimes turns into breakdies on large irregularities. Sorento, on the contrary, under major ughabas rushing with pleasure, the energy intensity is excellent, but it shudders on the smallest. And the vibrations of unsophisticated masses is stronger. Apparently, the presence of a dependent bridge is affected, in contrast to independent suspension on this version of Rexton (XDI modifications still have beam-axis). All-wheel drive transmissions provided for the vehicle are deprived of any differential locks. The torque is redistributed between the axes automatically (the rigid connection of the front axle and the inter-axis diff lock is only on Rexton XDI). Therefore, wonders from these crossovers, we did not wait, and even from KIA, despite the presence of a downstream. They did not happen. Diagonal hanging cars are not able to resist. But to achieve it, you need to try.
The impressive moves of the suspension and the large angle of crossing the axes allow us to overcome a very serious off-road using the ESP system. Sorento's Patency is a bit better due to the smaller front swab and a shorter base, even despite the smaller road clearance. In addition, the presence of a demultiplier allows you to confidently storm up the lifts, and on the descents are not afraid to develop too much speed. SsangYong is equipped with a system of descent from the mountain, but before entering it into operation, the SUV accelerates to such a speed that it becomes scary. Flame. It is better to hold the car by brakes.
 
Who are the buyers of Sorento and Reston? Marketers believe that mostly middle-aged men, with family who are ready to sacrifice the acute management in favor of comfort, practicality and versatility. It is difficult to disagree with them. Moreover, such important things such as an acceptable price and good quality of modern Korean cars can be added to all this. Ah design! Here choose yourself either be a gray mouse on the Sorento, or set the receipt of the eclectic physiognomy of the Reston. Do not like neither the other? Copy money on advanced Europeans
 
Story
The current Kia Sorento and SsangYong Rexton the fruit of modernization and restyling models that appeared in 2002. In addition to external changes, the SORENTO turbodiel motor has become more powerful by 30 forces (170 instead of 140 hp), and the new modification of the XVT engine Rexton II is already developing 186 hp. Unlike 165 hp At the XDI version. All previous reserves had a rear dependent suspension (bridge) and a dispensing box with a downside.
Dmitry Krotov

 
 
 
 

A source: Motor magazine [October 2008]