2005 Kia Sorento vs 2005 Chevrolet Blazer: Which One Should I Buy?
SUVs are great for playing in the mud, taking kids and friends to different places, and just doing errands around the city. Although they are known to be not very good for gas mileage, this problem is negated…
SUVs are great for playing in the mud, taking kids and friends to different places, and just doing errands around the city. While notoriously not very economical, this problem is offset by the fact that they are simply more fun to drive than a standard car.
The Kia Sorento and Chevrolet Blazer are relatively similar models, but the 2005 model year didn't favor either product. Kia was just starting to come of age, and the Blazer was a boxy beast that was expensive but couldn't cover all those extra costs, except for size.
Outdoor Lighting
The simple appearance of the Jane-style Sorento was second in unattractiveness only to the boxy profile of the Blazer, as both of them are very reminiscent of a retro SUV in the exterior design of the cars. The Blazer's $3,000 extra cost doesn't seem justified, especially when you consider that the Sorento as a whole boasts more advanced standard options in the base model than the Blazer, even as options: things like four doors to make getting in and out easier, rear-view mirrors with double electric adjustment, heated exterior mirrors, spoilers and roof racks.
Security and Protection
Safety and security are critical for families traveling, and the manufacturers of the Kia Sorento were well aware of this. 1st and 2nd row curtain airbags were standard, as were presence sensors to keep children safe when seated in airbag seats. Height-adjustable front seat belts and pretensioners were available as standard in this model year Sorento, but were not available at all in the Blazer. Daytime running lights were standard on both models, but only the Sorento had standard daytime running lights, exterior indicator lights and 4 curbs. The door locks in the Sorento were also excellent, with power door locks and a standard tailgate lock for child safety, and a standard child first aid kit included in the build.
Fuel economy
Fuel consumption was very similar, with city mileage per gallon being the same for both cars, while highway mileage was only marginally better for the Blazer at 22 mpg. A 21-gallon fuel tank versus the Blazer's 19-gallon means the Sorento will even go to gas stations a few times less every year.
Both of these midsize SUVs are solid, with the Blazer offering a higher price tag, and the Sorento, oddly enough, offering more features and a bit more panache.
