AUTOBUZZ WITH STAN RISENER OF KCAUTOSOURCE

It's been 47 years since President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid-Highway Act of 1956 creating our system of Interstate Highways. Originally conceived by President Roosevelt on a map prior to 1938, the modern day interstate system really became part of our national defense strategy during the Cold War. President Eisenhower saw both the domestic need and military advantage of this highly advanced road system.

Because he is considered the father of the Interstate System I decided recently to take a daylong road trip to Abilene Kansas and visit the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. Because I would be traveling the nation's first official section of Interstate Highway West of Topeka it was important to find a vehicle that expressed this historic sense of accomplishment.

So why would I choose a 2003 Kia Sorento to visit the boyhood home of an all American hero as General Eisenhower? In addition to the Interstate Highway System President Eisenhower helped negotiate the armistice, which brought about the end of the Korean War 50 years ago on July 27, 1953. Since this ceasefire, the South Korean economy has rebounded and KIA has developed from a bicycle manufacturer into one of the fastest growing automobile manufacturers in the world.

It simply made sense to drive the 2003 KIA Sorento sport utility vehicle as we paid homage to the President who helped stabilize the Korean economy and whose vision aided safe and convenient interstate travel in the United States. This was also an opportunity to feast at the famous Brookfield Hotel in Abilene.

The first thing you should do before checking out the new Kia Sorento is to forget everything you think you know about KIA. In fact if you took off the KIA emblems, you would think that you were viewing a forty thousand dollar luxury ride rather than a vehicle that starts at under twenty thousand and can't even reach thirty. Combine that with the standard 10 year/100,000 mile limited warranty and you may change your preconceived notions about KIA.

The great looks from the outside continue to the impressive interior as I admired the burl wood and chrome accents. Everything you would want in a midsize SUV was packed into my 2003 KIA Sorento EX. Abundant beverage holders and storage containers proved handy for our day on the road. The premium 6-disc Delphi sound system was superb.

As much as I admire the Interstate System, the back roads really test a vehicle. So detouring slightly I found the KIA Sorento handled the curvy two lanes as well as the highway. Always providing adequate power for passing the 3.5-liter V6 engine was smooth and responsive.

After we had toured the Eisenhower Center it was time for our reservations at the famous Brookville Hotel. With a rich history reaching back into the 1870's, the Brookville Hotel has been serving their legendary "Family Style Chicken Dinners" for almost 90 years. Relocating the Brookville Hotel to Abilene three years ago, Mark and Connie Martin replicated the façade and warmth of the original Brookville Hotel. While a modern facility, each dinning room is unique in its wallpapered décor and charm. With linen tablecloths to the uniformed wait staff the ambiance is from a previous generation of fine dining.

The menu is simple. They serve "Family Style Fried Chicken" with all of the trimmings for $11.55. Drinks are extra and a full bar is available. You'll not go away hungry as you are supplied an endless supply of mashed potatoes and gravy, baking powder biscuits, cream style corn, cole-slaw, cottage cheese and relishes. They even top you off with real ice cream.

On the way back to Kansas City with my stomach full I submitted the 2003 KIA Sorento to the ultimate interstate test. I let Kathy drive and I slept. I reclined the fully adjustable heated leather seats, plugged in a blues CD and napped till Lawrence. This would have been an extremely quite and smooth ride for any vehicle but when you consider the Sorento has the off-road soul of a body on frame design with automatic four wheel drive, the result is really impressive.

There is no question about it; both the Brookville Hotel and the 2003 Kia Sorento represent the best value for my dollar. President Eisenhower's Interstate Highway System and the KIA Motor Company have come a long way in the last 50 years.

2003_Kia Sorento parked in front of the Brookville Hotel

The 11' Bronze statue is the center of the Eisenhower complex.

This Korean War era Jeep was the forerunner of the modern Sport Utility Vehicle

Dole Institute in Lawrence Kansas on the way to Abilene