Owning
The Kia's length, width and stretched wheelbase provide excellent legroom in the rear. The boot is also generous, with a 420-litre luggage capacity. In the front, though, the cabin doesn't give you the same sense of space, because the driving position is flawed. Upper-range LS and V6 models get an electric driver's seat as standard, but it doesn't adjust low enough. The amount of reach and rake movement on the steering wheel isn't sufficient, either, so you end up feeling cramped. Seats don't offer much side support either. And although the Kia is very well screwed together, it is summed up by annoying touches such as the aftermarket-style radio and indicators that are on the wrong side of the steering wheel - which ruin the everyday ownership experience. The weighting of the controls could also be better. But equipment levels are very good indeed, though arguably they have to be, given some steep list prices. Depreciation will also be a bit steep, while returns of 38.8mpg from our diesel test car were disappointing - though it had very few miles on the clock. Looser engines often return better figures.
See also:
Power steering
Checking the power steering fluid
level
With the vehicle on level ground, check
the fluid level in the power steering reservoir
periodically. The fluid should be
between MAX and MIN marks on th ...
SUPER PACKAGING POTENTIAL
Kia expects the better-equipped next-step-up 2.0L Soul “+” model to represent
the most popular choice. At $14,950, it squares off at the soul (sorry, had to)
of the compact car market, as the ...
Safety
Full-length side curtain airbags, antilock disc brakes, stability and
traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system and a driver knee airbag
come standard across all trim levels. The Sorento ...