The Kia Sorento is equipped with an automatic gearbox, which was developed by Kia and Hyundai - A6LF3. This box belongs to the classic and torque converter types. It has six gears and is electronically controlled.
Every car owner knows that automatic transmissions are constantly being improved and improved. KIA Corporation engineering specialists apply various technological innovations to gearboxes. One such solution is to position the ring, which has teeth directly on the transformer, replacing those previously located on the flywheel.
In addition, the automatic transmission is firmly attached to the torque converter housing in particularly significant places. To prevent transmission fluid leaks while the car is moving, KIA decided to secure all bent connections. This significantly increased the efficiency of the entire system.
Slots that are not filled with solder can allow the high-pressure oil they contain to flow into low-pressure spaces, reducing torque converter efficiency. 
This technical innovation only improves efficiency in urban conditions when the torque converter is not locked. When using a car on the highway, the torque converter plays the role of a regular clutch.
KIA also introduced an improved pressure regulation algorithm, which allowed the box to turn on immediately at any temperature. Otherwise, the automatic transmission is not much different from its predecessors, but only well-tested and proven solutions were taken.
The data provided by the manufacturer of the Kia Sorento car indicates what fuel consumption should be according to its indicators. Most often, a car is tested under ideal conditions and therefore they do not always coincide with real fuel consumption.
If we look at the official data on fuel consumption, they indicate that a Kia Sorento with a 2.5-liter diesel engine consumes 8.8 liters of fuel in mixed mode.
According to car owners, the most popular is a 2.4-liter engine with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. This Kia Sorento consumes at least 13 liters of fuel per 100 km in the summer. In winter, fuel consumption is even higher - 15 liters.
If the car has an engine with a volume of more than 3 liters, then the consumption will be from 15 to 28 liters per 100 km in city conditions. Such units are in the least demand on the market. Modern cars are now equipped with improved automatic transmissions, which can reduce fuel consumption.
The most economical engines are those running on diesel fuel, the Kia Sorento of the second and third modifications. Until 2006, the most common engine was the DCR 2.5 liter, which had a power of 140 horsepower. After improvement, its power reached 170 horsepower. The latest modifications of the Kia Sorenta have power from 184 to 197 horsepower.
Diesel fuel consumption declared by the manufacturer
According to real reviews from owners of a Kia Sorento equipped with a diesel engine, the consumption was higher. For example, a 2.0 liter engine actually consumed 10 or 11 liters. And with a volume of 2.2 liters, the consumption was 15 liters. If we compare manual transmissions and automatic transmissions, then equipping a car with an automatic transmission increases fuel consumption by about 1-2 liters, depending on driving style.
It must be said that efforts can be made to reduce fuel consumption if a number of conditions are met:
- The aerodynamic rule must be observed, i.e. the car should be as streamlined as possible. This will be helped by closed windows and unclogged surfaces with top rails and designer spoilers.
- It is important to constantly monitor tire pressure. For example, if you increase the pressure by 0.3 bar, this will definitely reduce the flow rate. Tires must be selected correctly and match the required width and diameter.
- Electrical appliances must be used only if necessary.
- The car requires constant care and diagnostics.
In order to save fuel, the Sorento is equipped with an all-wheel drive system that uses automatic connection. The transfer case is responsible for transmitting torque from the automatic transmission to the rear wheels, connected via a cardan to an electronically controlled electro-hydraulic multi-plate friction clutch mounted on the rear axle gearbox.
Typical problems
The service life provided for automatic transmissions, subject to careful handling, is approximately 500 thousand kilometers. If highly heated transmission oil was used, the service life is reduced to 100 thousand kilometers.
If the car is constantly operated on overheated oil, then when it reaches 150 thousand mileage there will be a need to thoroughly check the automatic transmission, completely disassemble it and replace all the rings that act as seals and gaskets, not excluding those on the valve body. Using a vehicle in conditions where the oil is very hot leads to the destruction of the insulating surface of electrical parts.
A malfunction is indicated by a jolt when switching gears, slowness in the operation of the box, problems with blocking the transformer. All this leads to the need for a complete disassembly of the automatic transmission.
An automatic transmission oil change must be carried out every 90,000 kilometers, and an external inspection - every 45,000 kilometers. If the car is used most of the time in an urban environment, then the oil needs to be changed more often. The automatic transmission uses SP-IV oil; for a partial change, 5 liters will be enough, and for a complete change, 8 liters.
The automatic transmission wears out from the shifts made. If the car is used in a calm manner, that is, with the clutches turned on, when the gears rotate without jerking, the equipment will not wear out and friction will be created, but only rolling.
The vehicle manual does not recommend immersing the transfer case in water, as this may cause corrosion of the spline joints. Water may leak into the junction of the transfer case and the automatic transmission through the seal. This causes the metal to rust. The teeth of the differential cup can be damaged by the hypoid gear, which will simply sweep them away.
Is it possible to repair an automatic transmission on a Kia Sorento?
When developing the automatic transmission, Kia Sorento engineers took into account the possibility of repairing this unit. Almost any part can be purchased separately and replaced. All valve body solenoids are supplied separately. You can also purchase a hydraulic plate, gaskets, and a separator plate.
Every time you disassemble the automatic transmission, you need to change the filter. A plastic tray is installed on the Kia Sorento; if it breaks, it can be supplied complete with a gasket. But if the automatic transmission needs to be disassembled, but the pan has not failed, then it does not need to be changed, but only the gasket must be replaced.
The automatic transmission has a filter that is disposable and does not need to be washed. This is done to ensure compliance with all Euro 6 requirements. This filter reduces the cost of the part and the plastic is recyclable.
If the car gets into water, it will be necessary to disassemble the entire automatic transmission in order to install a new differential cup. But it is impossible to get by with just one replacement, since it will be necessary to change all the parts and consumables associated with the equipment.
It is possible to replace only the damaged shaft, but it can only be purchased together with the main pair, bearings and tail. In this case, it is impossible to avoid complete disassembly of the transfer case.
But even if all the necessary equipment has been replaced, repairs will not be needed until the car gets into the water again. The manufacturer recommends carefully inspecting the position of the oil seals during each technical inspection.
The problematic part in the Kia Sorento is the clutch, which reacts negatively on off-road conditions. It cannot be repaired. Even if one part fails, the entire coupling will have to be replaced.
The oil poured into the coupling is intended for the entire period of operation, but it is not possible to order it. If the coupling is overheated frequently, extraneous noise may occur, which will indicate bearing wear. This will lead to breakdown of the main pair of the rear gearbox, which practically does not fail.
It must be said that if you choose between repairing or completely replacing the automatic transmission with a new or used one, the choice, as a rule, falls on repair, since it is much cheaper. The cost of a new automatic gearbox for a Kia Sorento is from 40,000 rubles and more, depending on the modification. As for used automatic transmissions, their price varies from 14,000 to 35,000 rubles.
Based on all of the above, we can conclude that the automatic transmission on the Kia Sorento positions itself as a fairly strong and durable unit, subject to proper operation of the vehicle, as well as timely technical inspection.
Just a few days ago, the updated 2018 Kia Sorento Prime crossover was presented. The car received cosmetic improvements that affected the optics, radiator grille, fog lights, alloy wheel design and plastics. The interior has new upholstery in the form of light leather, which is available either as an option or in the top-end trim. By the way, Kia has decided to move a little away from producing affordable cars for the masses and is slowly approaching the premium segment.
In the appearance of the new product, the outlines of its predecessor are visible, but the current version has gotten rid of angular lines in favor of more rounded and smoothed ones. These changes, in our opinion, allowed us to look at the Korean crossover differently, and also made it look richer.
Under the hood of the Sorento Prime, three engines can be installed - two petrol and one diesel. The first 2.4 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine with 188 hp. the second volume is 3.3 liters and the power is 250 hp. and Finally, the third 2.2-liter turbodiesel with 200 hp. Of all the proposed options, the most interesting is the diesel engine, which demonstrates an excellent combination of power and fuel consumption, and, if desired, the power can be increased by increasing the boost.
As for the gearbox, all three engines are equipped with a 6-speed automatic, which can also be found on, and. However, the 2018 model will be equipped narrower, because owners often complain about the slow operation of the transmission, although in terms of reliability, none of the owners had any questions.
As for the price in Russia, today the cost of a Sorento Prime with a 2.4 liter gasoline engine starts from 2,134,900 rubles, the price of a version with a 3.3 liter engine from 2,444,900 rubles, the price of a diesel Sorento in Russia from 2,344,900 rubles. Competition in this segment comes from the Ford Explorer, costing from 2,749,000 rubles,
“Please tell us about the automatic transmission KIA Sorento 3.5 petrol, 2003 model year. I would like to know about the reliability, advantages and disadvantages of this automatic transmission. Thank you".
Until 2005, the Kia Sorento was equipped with a 4-speed A44DE gearbox from the Japanese company Aisin. Slowness in work is compensated by a powerful engine, but there is also a flip side to the coin: the gasoline Sorento with a V6 engine is quite gluttonous (and this is one of the reasons why this version is not very widespread in our area).
The “automatic” itself is very reliable, and the problems that arise with it are either age-related (after all, the most recent copies are already 10 years old) or caused by operational reasons. After all, we are talking about a real SUV with a powerful engine, which is not a sin to drive off-road, or to pull a heavy trailer - that’s it. As a result, increased loads on the transmission also affect the service life of the box. Therefore, when test driving before purchasing, pay attention to how the automatic transmission works. Shocks when switching, noises and vibrations signal that expensive repairs are just around the corner.
What is usually asked for replacement? Burnt clutch packs, oil pressure regulator, valve body may require attention. But let us repeat: such questions can arise only as a result of intensive or harsh operation, and the “automatic machine” itself demonstrates enviable reliability.
But in an all-wheel drive vehicle, in addition to the gearbox, you should also pay attention to other elements of the transmission. This is a good time to remember that the Sorento had all-wheel drive in two variations. A simpler Part-time scheme with a rigidly connected front axle has proven itself to be very reliable (of course, provided that all-wheel drive was not used on asphalt, because this Sorento does not have a center differential).
The second version of the DOT transmission developed by Borg Warner implied automatic connection of the front wheels when the rear wheels were slipping. This is where problems with the electronically controlled clutch in the transfer case are possible. While driving, the problem is indicated by jolts and grinding noises when connecting the rear axle.
When inspecting the car from below, pay attention to the condition of the gearbox seals, CV joint boots and transmission parts, in particular the drive shafts. Vibration when driving is a sign of failure of the driveshaft crosspiece.
In general, the condition of the transmission depends to the greatest extent on the previous operation of the vehicle. Off-road exploits and regular loads (for example, when towing a trailer) can affect the reliability and service life, which should definitely be remembered when considering the next copy offered for sale.
Ivan KRISHKEVICH
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