Am I seeing things...

[swampdodo]

A little story...

Before I got married...I had two vehicles...my 2005 4runner Sport V8 4WD and a 2000 XJ Cherokee 2Dr 4WD. Jeep was a daily driver/beater and the 4runner became my 'weekend' vehicle.

After I got married, the Jeep died from a cracked head...just before my son was born, which was a good thing I guess since it only had 2 doors.

My wife at the time had a 2006 CRV...it became my daily driver, and she got a newer (used) 2008 CRV...EX-L...she likes leather.

Two years ago...the 2008 CRV became my daily driver and wife got a new 2016 CRV.

Wanted to get back into a truck-based true 4wd vehicle (because of job travels and tickering)...already had a 4runner...Jeep again? Well, newer ones are too expensive, and older ones are not exactly safe with the gas tank in the rear...I ended up with a 2008 Kia Sorento EX 4WD (no leather! yea!) believe it or not.

While it is not a Toyota, I have been surprised by this little Kia truck. I know the 1st gen Sorentos has issues crank shaft bolts shearing and other things...but this gen 1.5 (2007-2009) has a different motor and transmission (Nissan 5sp). The 3.8L engine in this thing is sweet...it would give the 4runner 4.0 (and even the 4.7L on a good day) a run for its money. I would best describe it as a 7/8 attempt at a 4runner.

But here is the thing I will admit...I've always been attracted to the 1/1.5 gen Sorentos...never could figure out why until recently. Could the Sorento be Kia's attempt at 'copying' the Toyota Fortuner? Maybe that's why the size and shape have always appealed to me...

 

[swampdodo]

Just in case you guys are curious...the (my) Sorento has a upper and lower control arm front suspension with coil overs...similar to that of the 4runners/Tacomas, and has a multilink solid axle with coil springs with a removal able center diff section just like the 4runners...but has a wierd (almost) unique wheel/bolt pattern and center bore...???...almost like the old Jeeps.

 

[CookieRoe]

I've seen the Fortuner up and close. I love them, BUT they are small. Chances of Toyota importing them are zero. Import them when the time comes (25 years old?). Anyway, I lived in Lima Peru and having friends who had the KIA. They told me it was cheaper than the Toyota which is why they got it. It wasn't bad mechanically, but wasn't as robust as the Toyota (as told to me by a mechanic in Lima who worked on both of them). I've had Jeeps in the past and have abolished them from my life.

Korean automakers have copied notoriously in the past. The older Sorrento is nice looking, I'll give you that, but I would never own one.

Love the CRV, the newer gen I'm scared of (oil dilution issues the 1.5 turbo is having). Oddly enough, I'm considering getting one when my DD dies.

 

[T4R2014]

So I'm guessing that the moral of your story is to not get married?

 

[swampdodo]

hmmm...maybe...

CRV are good CARS...but strangely, I like the older ones (Gen 2.5) better than the newer ones even with all the tech...that CVT in my wife's '16...just doesn't feel right.