Toyota Kluger or Kia Sorento

IDontKnowWhyImHere on 21/01/2025 - 07:56
Last edited 21/01/2025 - 08:07 by 1 other user

I have been looking to buy 7 seater for a while and test drive both.

Toyota Kluger Hybrid
Kia Sorento Diesel

Sorento Diesel for ~71K, can get GT line but can get Kluger GX Hybrid for ~66K or GXL for ~76K.

Considering the value, Sorento beats it with all the features, but thinking about reliability makes me think a lot.

Sorento users highly talks about Diesel variant almost equal to Hybrid fuel economy even for urban driving.

Any inputs welcome on these two for deciding?

Appreciate your inputs. Thanks.

Automotive Car Kia SUV Toyota

Comments

  • RogerLoger on 21/01/2025 - 08:17
    +1

    Read this: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/889642

    • MrThing on 21/01/2025 - 08:48
      +1

      really? 1 random poster with a very specific issue?

      Both are good, both have won drive car of the years in the past… meaning they are both solid choices

      I would lean Toyota as I am bias I have 2 toyotas currently and in hindsight wouldn't change my decision

      The Kia diesel has a DPF filter and adblue, that alone would turn me off any diesel in the future (from any brand).

      Where as the Kluger hybrid is built on a rock solid Hybrid tried and tested system - theres a reason there will probably be a wait to get your hands on a kluger hybrid in exactly the spec and color you want

      Have you looked at the Kia Carnival? or are you.. like me.. not a "van" person?

      • SBOB on 21/01/2025 - 09:08
        +2

        The Kia diesel has a DPF filter and adblue

        AdBlue in a Kia Sorento?
        Might wanna check that

      • Nugs on 21/01/2025 - 09:47
        +1

        "or are you.. like me.. not a "van" person?"
        I'm not a van person, that's why I had the snip after 3rd child was born
        .

      • IDontKnowWhyImHere on 21/01/2025 - 11:00

        Thanks for the details. I do have a Corolla and after seeing Sorento, it made me confused :) Carnival would be big for our family with 2 kids. So 7 seater would do it. GX is having very less features but reliability wise thinking about Kluger.

        • MrThing on 21/01/2025 - 11:34

          Toyota has always been lower on the latest gen features or mod cons, but relies on its supreme engineering reliability and quality build

          Depends what you're after. I value reliability above all else

      • pharkurnell on 21/01/2025 - 12:31

        both have won drive car of the years in the past… meaning they are both solid choices

        i don't take any notice of these awards.. they lost all credibility since BMW x5 won 4x4 of the year…
        too much $ involved

  • 87percent on 21/01/2025 - 08:52
    +2

    Kluger Hybrid IMO

    Although, if you are after a 7 seater, recently had a Honda CRV as a rental and the back row seats were actually quite roomy

    • IDontKnowWhyImHere on 21/01/2025 - 10:50

      Thanks. Partner turned me down for the CRV. So got approval for either of thess unfortunately.

  • Dollar General on 21/01/2025 - 09:04

    Whatever works for you and the family. You’re the one handing over the money and using the car

    • IDontKnowWhyImHere on 21/01/2025 - 10:50

      That's very true, just that deciding which one.

  • barge-in hunter on 21/01/2025 - 09:07
    +2

    It depends on your use case and how long you're planning to own it.

    To make a modern Diesel (eg, one with a DPF/EGR setup) viable and reliable for long term ownership, you need to regularly (every 2 or so weeks) drive it for long enough to trigger a burn off cycle (approx. 20-30 minutes at freeway speeds). If you don't do that, the emmissions systems will start to clog up with particulates and choke up the engine - and eventually cost a lot to repair. Here's a link to Kia's 'how to temporarily fix this' instructions when it's already started clogging up.

    So, if:
    - you're not driving high speeds
    - for decent periods of time
    - on a regular basis
    - intend to own it for more than a couple of years

    Then… just get the Kluger

    • IDontKnowWhyImHere on 21/01/2025 - 11:04

      Thanks for valuable inputs. Appreciate it. Looking to keep the vehicle as a family car for long time hence looking for reliable one. Sorento users vouch for the car and diesel engine even for urban driving. And for almost equal amount you can get top range in Kia with all the bells and whistle. I'm going through heck of the time thinking for right choice.

      • barge-in hunter on 21/01/2025 - 11:14
        +1

        That's ok - it's a tough choice - and you're right. Some modern diesels are better than others… but a quick google search indicates there are plenty of Kia owners who have to regularly run the "manual burn off" process (the one I linked above), and either they deliberately change the way they drive the car, or accept it as just part of owning the car.

        The choice is ultimately yours. I personally, just want a car to work - not throw regular engine error messages that I have to keep "rectifying".

        • IDontKnowWhyImHere on 21/01/2025 - 11:59

          Thanks again.

          True, get your point, with Kluger, no interventions like this.

      • SBOB on 21/01/2025 - 11:33

        Went through this same cross shopping a couple of years ago
        I drive a Sorrento, with no regrets.
        Have a couple of friends also that wen through similar SUV/7-seater cross shopping and also drive Sorrentos of varying trim and year releases over the last few years

        • IDontKnowWhyImHere on 21/01/2025 - 12:00

          Thanks for the update. Do you own Diesel variant? GT? And go through the same process to clean DPF?

          • SBOB on 21/01/2025 - 12:07

            @IDontKnowWhyImHere: Yep, diesel
            Sport series but a couple of friends stumped up the extra for gt (I couldn't justify the wait and price when i was buying)

            Zero dpf issues and I've not seen dpf being an issue commonly mentioned for the engine layout used in the sorrento.

      • Daabido on 21/01/2025 - 11:56

        Sounds like an easy way to get half an hour to yourself.

    • Mechz on 21/01/2025 - 14:15
      +1

      Kia & Hyundai don't have DPF issues.

  • Euphemistic on 21/01/2025 - 09:42

    Just pick the one YOU like best.

  • afayd on 21/01/2025 - 09:59
    +1

    Interior of the Sorento is very nice though. I drove the hybrid and absolutely loved how responsive the throttle was. 7 year warranty would put mind at ease in relation to reliability.

    • IDontKnowWhyImHere on 21/01/2025 - 10:56

      Love the interior in Sorento. Diesel also very nice for my driving. Just reliability and long term usage making me to think.

    • MrThing on 21/01/2025 - 11:36
      +2

      Warranty =/ Reliability, it = peace of mind

  • Duckie2hh on 21/01/2025 - 10:00

    Diesel

    You monster. Gretta will be turning up to your place.

    • Daabido on 21/01/2025 - 11:58

      I'm surprised she hasn't been cancelled after her recent comments in Germany.

  • JimB on 21/01/2025 - 10:57
    +1

    I'd take the Sorento over Kluger.

    However if you have to drive more than 5 people regularly, I'd get the Carnival.

    • Daabido on 21/01/2025 - 11:59

      Yes, save on the snip. One of those slams the doors shut by itself.

      • JimB on 21/01/2025 - 12:34

        After having more than 3 kids, probably a good idea.

  • sticky8anana on 21/01/2025 - 11:05
    +1

    kluger

  • pharkurnell on 21/01/2025 - 12:32

    Have you driven either? That may make up your mind.

  • LanceVance on 21/01/2025 - 13:43
    +1

    Kluger. For 3 reasons.

    1. Reliability - Yes Kia has the longer warranty, but modern diesels are more likely to have issues due to the emissions requirements, things like EGR's & DPF's. Toyota's hybrid system is rock solid & very proven. Also even though you have warranty, having to use it is always a pain. The Kia also uses a dual clutch gearbox with no scheduled transmission oil change last time I checked if thats still true that is a bad sign. So I'd go with the brand where you're less likely to need to draw from that well.

    2. Resale - Toyota's, particularly hybrid ones hold their value better than Kia's. Go compare resale of a used Sorrento vs a used Kluger, try looking for 5 year old ones, equivalent grade and km's. You are likely to burn less money via depreciation with the Toyota.

    3. Economy - People saying diesel economy is the same as hybrid even in urban are stretching it. Diesel's are much more variable depending on how and when you drive. Hybrid's have much more ability to keep their number's consistent across freeway or inner city.

    Side note - Active cruise control is one of the best features in new cars for me. Having driven both new Kia's and Toyota's, Toyota's version of this is superior.

  • netjock on 21/01/2025 - 15:49

    Price difference not enough to go KIA.

    Nice insides are nice if the car is reliable. Maybe helps if you are going to sleep in it if you are broken down middle of nowhere.

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