2004 Kia Sorento Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Inexplicably named after a town in Italy over 5000 miles away from Korea, the 2004 Kia Sorento is a mid-size SUV with two rows of seating for five passengers. Overflowing with storage compartments and six cupholders, the rear seats split-fold 60/40 flat to open up the cargo area to an adequate 66.4 cubic feet of space. Offering both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, the 2004 Sorento is equipped for off-road performance, as both the standard part-time and optional full-time Torque-on-Demand 4WD systems offer low-range gearing. The full-time 4WD is suitable for dry pavement.
Combined with the price tag and list of standard features in both the base LX and more luxurious EX trims, this makes the 2004 Sorento an attractive SUV choice competitive with comparably-sized SUVs. Equipped with a 3.5-liter, 192-hp V6 engine and 4-speed automatic, the 2004 Sorento gets an optional 5-speed manual transmission, available in a Sport Package for the LX. This package also adds alloy wheels, foglights, a roof rack, keyless entry, and a leather steering wheel, which are all standard on the EX. Wood trim in the EX is replaced by metallic trim. The EX is the upscale model, offering power driver's seat, a sunroof, wheel-mounted audio controls, a garage opener, and an auto-dimming mirror. Heated leather seats are extra only on the EX.
As with all SUVs, the 2004 Sorento gets horrific gas mileage, somewhere around 15/19 mpg, and this is its biggest drawback. Built on a truck platform, the ride can be rough on bumpy roads. Other gripes mention a long wait for parts (shipped over from Korea), an inadequate stereo, and engine noise when revving the underpowered V6. But owners love the smooth handling and tight turning radius, making it nimble even in city driving. The off-road capability is a bonus, and the seats are comfortable with plenty of legroom. A good ride height offers great visibility. By far the best feature is the overall price and warranty.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2004 Kia Sorento
Write a reviewUser rating:
by brad p
May 15, 2015
Room and Gas mileage ok for suv.
Parts are expensive, Nice Paint Combo, Handles Nice, Looks like a more expensive Manufacturer, Pro`s Parts are really pricey I guess Do to shipping from korea, And Not alot available to Independent part stores I would GuessMay 15, 2015
by Anonymous
Apr 14, 2015
Everything about the Kia Sorento is great. Off-road is fun but still safe and driving in the snow and ice is safe and comfortable. I like the looks of this car and on the radio a system was put in which made the quality even higher. I love my car.Apr 14, 2015
by Greg B
Nov 28, 2012
My wife and I were debating between the Kia Sorento, Chevy Equinox and Ford Escape. The Chevy was ruled out, only because it was the first year of the new model. I normally like to wait until the 2nd or 3rd model year to purchase; especially after my mom's history with her year-1 Pacifica. I ruled out the Ford Escape after I tried to test drive one and felt like I was eating my knees. I'm only 6', but have a large / muscular frame @ 250; a 210 or smaller man may have fit fine, but that particular model year (2004) just wasn't comfortable for me with the Escape.
After I test drove the Kia, my wife took it out and really liked it. We took it home later that day. I think we traded in my 1996 Chevy s-10.
I drive the Sorento on occasion, but it's my wife's car. She drives it to school (teacher) and back to Pittsburgh when she and my son go back in the summer. It has treated us rather well, not needing many repairs until recently, which I tend to expect at the 8 - 10 year mark.
My wife likes the ride, except for the tires not always feeling like they grip on hard turns. It has a 3.5 DOHC that generates decent power, especially when O/D is turned off. She hopes to continue driving it for several more years.
While I'm sure that a Lexus RX owner would slap me for saying so, the 2004 Sorento looks similar to the Lexus RX-line; at least to me. It's not boxy. Handles fairly well. Has good power, for a v6. Gas mileage isn't great, but not bad, especially since she only drives ~10 miles one way for school + short trips around the house. My wife likes the height vantage as well, with it riding higher than a sedan.Nov 28, 2012
User rating:
by brad p
May 15, 2015
Room and Gas mileage ok for suv.
Parts are expensive, Nice Paint Combo, Handles Nice, Looks like a more expensive Manufacturer, Pro`s Parts are really pricey I guess Do to shipping from korea, And Not alot available to Independent part stores I would GuessMay 15, 2015
by Anonymous
Apr 14, 2015
Everything about the Kia Sorento is great. Off-road is fun but still safe and driving in the snow and ice is safe and comfortable. I like the looks of this car and on the radio a system was put in which made the quality even higher. I love my car.Apr 14, 2015
by Greg B
Nov 28, 2012
My wife and I were debating between the Kia Sorento, Chevy Equinox and Ford Escape. The Chevy was ruled out, only because it was the first year of the new model. I normally like to wait until the 2nd or 3rd model year to purchase; especially after my mom's history with her year-1 Pacifica. I ruled out the Ford Escape after I tried to test drive one and felt like I was eating my knees. I'm only 6', but have a large / muscular frame @ 250; a 210 or smaller man may have fit fine, but that particular model year (2004) just wasn't comfortable for me with the Escape.
After I test drove the Kia, my wife took it out and really liked it. We took it home later that day. I think we traded in my 1996 Chevy s-10.
I drive the Sorento on occasion, but it's my wife's car. She drives it to school (teacher) and back to Pittsburgh when she and my son go back in the summer. It has treated us rather well, not needing many repairs until recently, which I tend to expect at the 8 - 10 year mark.
My wife likes the ride, except for the tires not always feeling like they grip on hard turns. It has a 3.5 DOHC that generates decent power, especially when O/D is turned off. She hopes to continue driving it for several more years.
While I'm sure that a Lexus RX owner would slap me for saying so, the 2004 Sorento looks similar to the Lexus RX-line; at least to me. It's not boxy. Handles fairly well. Has good power, for a v6. Gas mileage isn't great, but not bad, especially since she only drives ~10 miles one way for school + short trips around the house. My wife likes the height vantage as well, with it riding higher than a sedan.Nov 28, 2012
by Misty R
Sep 02, 2008
Well...can't wait to get something else. Likes: affordable Dislikes: it's a KIA, need I say more. It's boring but safe, affordable but already having problems,... practical but ... BORING. I would recommend to someone who wants an affordable SUV with a great safety rating and warranty. If I had it my way...I'd drive a Bentley!Sep 02, 2008
by James L
Aug 12, 2008
My mom got one of these right after they came out and it's pretty nice she got it fully loaded w/ everything except the spoiler(useless) theres only a few things with these cars the light bulbs always burn out in the lights and tail lights!!! always i can't stress this fact enough and they get the worst gas mileage of there class but they are very safe and comfortable however they are rather cheap and poorly designed as the paint on the a/c button smudged the first time i got in the car and pushed it!!! that's what we get for outsourcing! Aug 12, 2008
by Shelly D
Jul 08, 2008
Comfortable, GREAT on gas for an SUV, enough room to take kids to soccer tournaments and nice size cargo area.Jul 08, 2008
by Anonymous
Mar 21, 2008
Update: 7 years later this car is still going down the road with over 180,000 miles on it.
Repairs along the way include: New drive shaft $700, 2 water pumps $200 because my friend did it both times, fuel pump/gas tank thing (could not put gas in the tank) $1100, multiple sensors $1500, lots of light bulbs $100. Air conditioner stopped over a year ago but the cost to replace it is not worth the value. ---If I had to do it over again I would not buy this car. -- We also have a Toyota minivan with 170,000 miles on it, repairs along the way, about $500. Buy a Toyota!
Initial review:
I have had the car 2 months and it seems to be working fine but I am hearing small noises that are making me nervous. Bought car with 44k miles - brake light went out on the way home and check engine light came on 2 days later! Throttle Position Sensor had to be replaced. Rear Wiper doesn't always work but Kia shop "could not duplicate" the problem. Mar 21, 2008
by Anonymous
Jan 20, 2008
car is just at 58,000 miles and giving me horribly expensive problemsJan 20, 2008
What users have asked
Kia sorento stuck in four wheel drive
comes out when the fuse removed
8684 views
how do you put a kia sorento ex year 2004 into four wheel drive
tried putting my kia sorentoe ex year 2004 into four wheel drive by turning the nob on right hand side where it say auto then 4x4 then low and nothing happened was told to stop car when i did this
1677 views
What could cause odd noise upon startup
2004 Kia Sorento made odd noise upon startup after water pump and timing belt and tensioners replacement. Timing marks and belt tension are correct upon disassembly. Baffled dont know whats going on.
34 views
2004 Kia Sorento....key behind crank shaft pulley keeps breaking.
The key or pin behind the crank shaft pulley keeps snapping. Third time since February 14. What could be the reason for this MAJOR problem.
2484 views
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2004 Kia Sorento Pricing
Original MSRP
$21,640 to $25,940Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.67
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Roof rack color: black
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time · Axle ratio: 4.67 · Limited slip differential: rear · Transfer Case: electronic hi-lo gear selection
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Roof rack color: black
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.67
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather and wood
Convenience Features
Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Drivetrain
4WD Type: part time · Axle ratio: 4.67 · Limited slip differential: rear · Transfer Case: electronic hi-lo gear selection
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent