Kia 2012 3.5 V6 Buying advice needed

[Happy go Lucky]

Hi all,

I am looking at getting a new vehicle to replace my clapped out Colt.

There's a 2012 Kia Sorento v6 3.5 with 208 000 on the clock, one owner with FHS in good condition.

Has any one had experience with these vehicles (especially this motor), and can comment on reliability and fuel consumption?

I am looking for something that can handle dirt roads and has decent road handling manners. (My dream is the t2 Touareg but am frightened off the by the maintenance.


All the best!

[Chopped]

Swambo has one. Same year. The 2 wheel drive version.

Fuel, its a v6 but it's not bad. Depending on how you hammer it, 10km/l is possible. Better on the long trips. Swambo has a heavy foot and she gets 8km/l.

Maintenance at the dealership is heavy. Service costs are not bad but don't do things like shocks and brakes there.

They're comfortable, ours has full black leather, heated seats, dual zone climate control, etc.

This is the second kia, she had a rio when we met. The auto gearbox in both are a weak point in my opinion. So double check that it shifts from park to drive/reverse etc, smoothly. Check that the lights on the shifter come on, like they're supposed to.
The sorento clunks sometimes but hasn't given us issues. She got it in 2016.

They're fun to drive. Loads of torque steer if you take off aggressively.. I've had many german 'fast' cars show visible confusion at this mommy wagon on their tail.

I'd buy another one happily.

[Chopped]

I just saw that you're new. Welcome.
Maybe drop an introduction in the introduce yourself thread.

[Happy go Lucky]

Thanks for the advice! and indeed I am brand spanking new. Will defently introduce myself in the introduction thread!!

Swambo has one. Same year. The 2 wheel drive version.

Fuel, its a v6 but it's not bad. Depending on how you hammer it, 10km/l is possible. Better on the long trips. Swambo has a heavy foot and she gets 8km/l.

Maintenance at the dealership is heavy. Service costs are not bad but don't do things like shocks and brakes there.

They're comfortable, ours has full black leather, heated seats, dual zone climate control, etc.

This is the second kia, she had a rio when we met. The auto gearbox in both are a weak point in my opinion. So double check that it shifts from park to drive/reverse etc, smoothly. Check that the lights on the shifter come on, like they're supposed to.
The sorento clunks sometimes but hasn't given us issues. She got it in 2016.

They're fun to drive. Loads of torque steer if you take off aggressively.. I've had many german 'fast' cars show visible confusion at this mommy wagon on their tail.

I'd buy another one happily.

[Chopped]

Just one thing that I forgot.
The suspension on the v6 is a little hard, it's great for handling purposes but you do feel the bumps. The standard tyre size also has a relatively low profile, so that plays a role too.
We've done holidays in it on gravel but if it was more often, I'd consider an at tyre to try soak up some of the bumps.