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A cherry Sorento – KIA

Growing up in the wholesale automobile business I learned a few things…

  • If I look good driving a particular car.
  • What colors are IN for cars.
  • How to get my dad to give me a new car every 6 months or so.
  • Which cars will fit ALL of my friends when we go out.
  • How to get my dad to pay for my gasoline & insurance.
  • How to buy a car for a fraction of the cost (when my dad got wise to me).
  • What I like.

I recently had the opportunity to spend about 10 days with a 2012 Dark Cherry Kia Sorento. Mind you, there are 2 3 of us living here, and you’d think that we don’t really need an SUV at this stage. I’d agree, but those 2 3 sets of golf clubs don’t fit into the Alfa Romeo Spider that I’ve been dreaming about, so while I drive a small hybrid, Mr. S & Ben share a Jeep Grand Cherokee (until Ben’s Accord is repaired).

My relationship with KIA is looks to be a fun one. Not only have they given me this Sorento EX (followed by an Optima hybrid) to review, but they’ve also challenged me to create a RECIPE based on my experience with the car. You’ll find that a little farther down in this post.

To start I loved the black cherry color, since you know I’m all about looks & luxury when it comes to cars. Pair that with the luxurious leather interior with sophisticated top-stitching and features that would be a treat in a high-end German auto and it grabbed my attention from the moment I opened the door.

Aside from my Costes perfume, there’s nothing that smells as wonderful as that leather laden new car smell & this Sorento drew me in like one of those cartoon characters who floats through the air towards a smell. I sank into the sumptuous seats and immediately set the seat position to #1 (like in everything, I hate being #2). One look around and I saw that it had everything that I could ask for in a luxury vehicle…only this was a KIA!

I’ve owned my fair share of Jaguars and Mercedes and my last two cars were an Acura and a Volvo (and a sorely missed convertible) – so I know luxury touches when I see them. This baby came equipped with everything from

      • Dual control – one degree can make a world of difference
      • Navigation with backup camera – directions to that party on the beach in Miami PRONTO
      • Bluetooth phone options directly on the steering wheel – important for making dinner dates
      • Push button start – so, when are they going to install the psychic start?
      • Sirius/XM radio – I got there first & put in “my” music and NPR
      • Cup holders galore – front, back AND 3rd row
      • Third row seating – for when we’re bringing the party along with us
      • Heated seats – not necessary here in Florida, but when I hit the slopes mid-winter up North it’s a NEED TO HAVE
      • Eco-Minder – my 2nd car is a hybrid and driving green is important to me – love this feature
      • Jacks, jacks, jacks – USB, electric and yes the iPod/iPad/iPhone too
      • Airbags galore – more than I could count
      • 22/32 mpg (in the EX that I tested) – Put our Jeep to shame!
      • Fog lights – essential on evenings like we’ve been having
      • Alloy wheels – sharp looking ones at that
      • Folding outside mirrors – great way to protect them is smaller spaces
      • Roof Rails – for bringing all of our snowboard & ski gear with us this winter
      • Built in the USA
      • and that’s just a drop in the bucket

All this and a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty – all at KIA pricing. The model that I tested was on the VERY high end $32,000 and frankly I probably wouldn’t pay that for a KIA had I not driven this one. Still, you can find a base model starting in the $15,000 range and just add the features you need (as advertised on television recently).

My take? I loved the look and the features, but the reality is that I prefer driving a hybrid. Thankfully, KIA has one of those as well, and I’ll be telling you all about THAT one next week. Ben and Mr. S had a different perspective as seen by the 2 sets of golf clubs, cleats, Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee cups in the cup holders and the iPod that never left the little holder all week. We truly are different beasts, but that’s why we have separate cars. I did love the luxury feel, and if I had a large family I’d be all over it…

Now for my recipe!! Since the Dark Cherry KIA Sorento was a sweet ride…I created a sweet drink called the…

Cherry Sorento

INGREDIENTS

  • Ginger Ale
  • Grenadine
  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Whipped Cream
  • Maraschino Cherry

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill a glass 3/4 full of ginger ale. Splash in some grenadine. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Top with whipped cream and a cherry. ENJOY

Thank you to KIA for providing me with this hot set of wheels. To test drive one for yourself, head to your local KIA dealer and take a spin. Then come back and tell me what you think!


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