In the midsize SUV category, the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe have gained significant ground and often find themselves at or near the top of shoppers’ lists. Both are strong in performance, design, and technology and represent great value in their respective classes. While Sorento and Santa Fe share much in common, both being products of South Korean manufacturers that fall under the same parent company, Hyundai Motor Group, there are some minor differences between the two to make one better suited to a given driver’s needs and preferences. This will delve into the head-to-head comparison of both cars regarding specs, features, performance, and overall driving experience to provide you with in-depth insight.
Both the Sorento and the Santa Fe, available at Used Cars for Sale, are quite comparable in terms of power as both offer pretty much the same engine options with hybrid variants as well. The front-wheel drive is standard with options of all-wheel drive on higher trims. Here’s a breakdown of their figures.
The engine options include a baseline 2.5L inline-4 engine that produces 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque.
The next comes the 2.5L turbocharged inline-4 engine pumping out 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque providing a more exhilarating drive.
In the hybrid variant, there is a 1.6L turbocharged inline-4 with an electric motor producing 227 hp combined.
The Plug-in Hybrid powertrain 1.6L turbo inline-4 paired with an electric motor has 261 horsepower.
Gasoline engines come with an 8-speed automatic transmission whereas a 6-speed automatic for hybrid variants.
The Santa Fe also has a lot to offer in terms of power with variations in engine options.
Among these is the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder base, which produces 191 horsepower, and also a turbocharged 2.5-liter variant with 277 horsepower, pretty much the same as Sorento’s.
The Santa Fe is a hybrid and plug-in hybrid variant with a release of 226 horsepower and 261 horsepower, again just like the Sorento.
The 8-speed automatic transmission is standard in gasoline engines whereas the hybrid variants come in a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Santa Fe can tow up to 3,500 pounds with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine.
One can see two personalities and design languages well brought forward by the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The Kia Sorento is much more aggressive-looking, loaded with a more pronounced tiger-nose grille, razor-sharp LED headlights, and a generally more muscular stance. This SUV has a more adventurous and sporty aura, particularly given its slightly stretched body and greater ground clearance. It allows the Sorento to have a brawny look than its sibling, perfect for those wanting bolder grounds on the road.
Hyundai Santa Fe leans towards a sleeker, more refined design. Its large cascading grille goes very well with its slim LED headlights for that elegant, modern look. The Santa Fe seems slightly smaller, which appeals to the urban driver who values ease of maneuverability. It may seem less aggressive-looking, but sophistication is no compromise.
Interior room and comfort are some factors most car buyers consider when they want to settle on an SUV, and here is where the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe differ significantly.
It features three rows of seating capacity for up to seven passengers, making it suitable for larger families. Although the third row is best for small children or for shorter trips, it’s nice to have this extra seating available. The interior is well put together with solid materials, and a spacious cargo area of 75.5 cubic feet behind the first-row, and second-row legroom of 41.7 inches.
The Hyundai Santa Fe also offers pretty much the same space, seating capacity, and comfort making it a good choice for families. However, Santa Fe’s cargo space gets compromised with all three rows in. With the third row folded, you’ll have 40.5 cubic feet, and 79.6 cubic feet with both the second and third row seats folded.
Modern SUVs would do well to keep up with technology and the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe do not disappoint on this count.
The Sorento has a 12.3-inch touchscreen and 4.3-inch digital information display compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Advanced options offered in the Sorento include the surround-view camera and blind-spot camera, along with a head-up display. The Sorento’s interior is a bit more futuristic and user-friendly.
The Hyundai Santa Fe also has a 12.3-inch touchscreen and 4.2-inch digital information. You also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto besides wireless charging.
Both the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe come with a range of advanced safety features. They have excellent safety ratings across all levels from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Advanced safety features include the following:
All these safety features make sure both SUVs provide wonderful safety for drivers and passengers.
In the midsize SUV category, these cars offer decent fuel economy. The base models of the Sorento get an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway whereas higher trims with the turbo-charged engine give an average of 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
The Santa Fe’s base model gets 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway while the turbo-charged variants will net you 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The figures are quite similar for both cars but the Sorento gets a slight edge over the Santa Fe.
As for the pricing for the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, they’re almost neck to neck with each other but with slight differences in some respects:
The starting price for the base model of the Kia Sorento is around $30,000. Then the full-loaded version plus the plug-in hybrid variant can go as high as $50,000.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is slightly expensive for the base model, which starts at about $34,000, with upper trims available at around $50,000.
The Kia Sorento, for its better seating capacity, is more practical for larger families. It has a rugged design and a sportier feel appealing to those who want something sportier.
Opt for the Hyundai Santa Fe if you prioritize comfort, luxury, and a more refined experience. Its premium feel, ample cargo space, and affordable pricing make it an excellent choice for smaller families or couples.
Both cars offer the same set of features and luxury and are good buying options. The decision to choose either of them depends on your preference.
After going through the key specs of Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, you have reached a better level of understanding about which car fits you best. Next in line would be securing the best deal and for that purpose, SAT Japan is here for you. Being a top global exporter of Japanese cars to over 200 countries, SAT Japan strives to make the car-buying process as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
At SAT Japan, we offer both new and used models from various manufacturers. And regardless of the model you are looking for whether it’s a sporty sedan or an expansive SUV, we have them available and ready to roll off the lot for you. Every automobile in our inventory is fully inspected and tested before being sold to ensure top quality. Moreover, you also get personal consultations from our highly experienced team of experts to find your ideal car, and our international shipping network ensures your car finds its way to your door no matter where in the world you are. You can visit our website at satjapan.com to explore more options and contact us to find your perfect vehicle.
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