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Vehicle Tests > 4WD Comparison: Mid-sized diesel wagons
4WD Comparison: Mid-sized diesel wagons
Issue: December 2008
Words by Fraser Stronach Photos by Mark Bean
Three turbo diesel wagons. Three different countries of origin. Three very different vehicles. But which is best?
Last month we looked at a diverse range of mid-sized petrol 4WD wagons, all with auto gearboxes and all with a fair degree of off road ability. This month it's the turn of their turbo-diesel stablemates, with the Jeep Cherokee (in Sport spec), the Kia Sorento (EX spec) and the Nissan Pathfinder (ST-L) all going around again.
So what do these three have in common?
First up, they are all powered by four-cylinder, common-rail, turbo diesels that range in capacity from 2.5-litres to 2.8-litres and with claimed power outputs in the 125 to 130kW range. All four also have 5-speed 'tip-shift' automatic gearboxes and dual-range gearing.
Where they differ is in chassis and suspension design, seating, and in price with over $10,000 separating the least expensive (the Kia) from the most expensive (the Nissan) in the spec levels seen here.
Kia Sorento CRDi EX
The Kia Sorento first appeared on these shores in 2003 but the 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine didn't arrive until 2007 when this quiet achieving Korean received a major makeover.
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The engine in question is a modern twin-cam, 16-valve design that employs common-rail injection and a variable geometry turbocharger. The power and torque outputs make for familiar reading for those versed in the ways of turbo diesels with a modest 125kW (at 3800rpm) backed by a solid 392Nm of torque that's already on tap at a very accessible 2000rpm.
Backing the engine is a modern 5-speed tip-shift automatic gearbox and an old-school part-time 4WD system, the only traditional part-time system among the three contestants here.
On the road the Sorento offers a relaxed and fuss-free driving experience thanks to the strong low-rpm torque and a happy marriage between engine and gearbox. The CRDi is still no tearaway performer and falls short of the assertive Jeep when the throttle is pressed to the firewall but it is still punchier than the Nissan. It's reasonably refined too - once on the move - with little diesel clatter finding its way to the cabin despite the fact the engine is noisy at idle. The Sorento also proved the most economical on test (12.0L/100km) although the official ADR figure (9.4L/100km) has it line-ball with the Cherokee. Either way an impressive result given the Korean offering is some 136kg heavier than the smaller and lighter American vehicle.
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Words by Fraser Stronach Photos by Mark Bean
Three turbo diesel wagons. Three different countries of origin. Three very different vehicles. But which is best?
Last month we looked at a diverse range of mid-sized petrol 4WD wagons, all with auto gearboxes and all with a fair degree of off road ability. This month it's the turn of their turbo-diesel stablemates, with the Jeep Cherokee (in Sport spec), the Kia Sorento (EX spec) and the Nissan Pathfinder (ST-L) all going around again.
So what do these three have in common?
First up, they are all powered by four-cylinder, common-rail, turbo diesels that range in capacity from 2.5-litres to 2.8-litres and with claimed power outputs in the 125 to 130kW range. All four also have 5-speed 'tip-shift' automatic gearboxes and dual-range gearing.
Where they differ is in chassis and suspension design, seating, and in price with over $10,000 separating the least expensive (the Kia) from the most expensive (the Nissan) in the spec levels seen here.
Kia Sorento CRDi EX
The Kia Sorento first appeared on these shores in 2003 but the 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine didn't arrive until 2007 when this quiet achieving Korean received a major makeover.
read on below advertisement
The engine in question is a modern twin-cam, 16-valve design that employs common-rail injection and a variable geometry turbocharger. The power and torque outputs make for familiar reading for those versed in the ways of turbo diesels with a modest 125kW (at 3800rpm) backed by a solid 392Nm of torque that's already on tap at a very accessible 2000rpm.
Backing the engine is a modern 5-speed tip-shift automatic gearbox and an old-school part-time 4WD system, the only traditional part-time system among the three contestants here.
On the road the Sorento offers a relaxed and fuss-free driving experience thanks to the strong low-rpm torque and a happy marriage between engine and gearbox. The CRDi is still no tearaway performer and falls short of the assertive Jeep when the throttle is pressed to the firewall but it is still punchier than the Nissan. It's reasonably refined too - once on the move - with little diesel clatter finding its way to the cabin despite the fact the engine is noisy at idle. The Sorento also proved the most economical on test (12.0L/100km) although the official ADR figure (9.4L/100km) has it line-ball with the Cherokee. Either way an impressive result given the Korean offering is some 136kg heavier than the smaller and lighter American vehicle.
next page »
