Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Kia Sorento

Last Updated on June 1, 2023 by Ali

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Introduction:

Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe are two popular midsize SUVs. Both cars share the same mechanical parts, platform, and other design elements. The exterior and interior aesthetics, available equipment, and powertrain options are only some notable areas where they diverge. To assist you in selecting the SUV that best suits your needs, we will compare and contrast the two in this article.

Exterior Design:

Both the Santa Fe and the Sorento have streamlined contemporary looks with powerful lines and appealing curves. The Sorento has a more threatening appearance thanks to a wide front grille and sharper headlamps. On the other hand, the Santa Fe has a more refined appearance, with a wider grille and a sleeker profile. Both vehicles have roof rails, a panoramic sunroof, daytime running lights, fog lights, and LED headlights.

Interior Design:

Both the Santa Fe and the Sorento offer roomy, comfortable interiors with enough for up to seven people. On the other hand, The Sorento has a more sophisticated appearance thanks to its attractive dashboard and premium materials used throughout. While still comfortable, the Santa Fe has a more functional design and fewer luxuries. Both SUVs have several standard features, including a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rearview camera. The Sorento, however, is available with a larger touchscreen, a premium audio system, and a 360-degree camera system.

Powertrain Options:

Both the Santa Fe and the Sorento offer two different engine options. The base engine in Santa Fe is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of this engine are available, and they come mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The optional engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine is also paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and is available only with all-wheel drive.

The Sorento, on the other hand, offers a choice between a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft torque or a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Both have an eight-speed automatic transmission and can operate with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Fuel Economy:

The Santa Fe and the Sorento have similar fuel economy ratings. With front-wheel and all-wheel drive, Santa Fe’s standard engine achieves combined fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg (22 city/29 highway) and 24 mpg (21 city/28 highway), respectively, according to the EPA. The optional turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway) with all-wheel drive. With front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, the Sorento’s standard engine achieves combined fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg (22 city/29 highway) and 24 mpg (21 city/28 highway), respectively, according to the EPA. With front-wheel drive and 23 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway) with all-wheel, respectively, the optional turbocharged engine achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings.

Safety Features:

Both the Santa Fe and the Sorento have several standard safety features, including a rearview camera, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Kia Sorento has an essential safety feature called the attention warning system. This system uses sensors to monitor the driver’s behavior, such as steering wheel inputs, and detect if the driver is becoming tired or distracted.

In addition to the attention warning system, the Santa Fe and the Sorento also offer a range of advanced safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. These features can help to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents, especially in hectic or challenging driving situations.

Overall, the Santa Fe and the Sorento are well-equipped with safety features and have earned high ratings from independent safety organizations. The Santa Fe has earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Sorento has earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Price and Value:

The Santa Fe and the Sorento are both competitive in their respective segments in terms of pricing and value. The base price for the Santa Fe is around $27,000, while the Sorento starts at around $30,000. Both vehicles offer a range of trim levels and options that can increase the price, with fully-loaded models costing upwards of $40,000.

While the Sorento costs a little more than the Santa Fe, it also comes with a few extra features and abilities that some customers would find to make a better deal. For example, Sorento’s available turbocharged engine offers significantly more power than Santa Fe’s optional engine, which may be worth the additional cost for some drivers. The Sorento’s higher-end versions provide several luxury options not found on the Santa Fe, including leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and panoramic sunroofs.

Conclusion:

Overall, both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento are excellent midsize SUVs that offer a range of features and capabilities to meet the needs of different drivers. While they share many similarities, they also have some significant differences, such as their exterior and interior design, powertrain options, and available features.

The decision between the two will ultimately come down to your unique priorities and tastes. The Sorento might be better if you prefer an elegant and sophisticated cabin. On the other hand, if you prioritize power and performance, Santa Fe’s optional turbocharged engine may be more appealing. Additionally, if you want to get the most for your money, you might want to examine the features and capabilities of each model to determine which one gives you the most value.

No matter which SUV you choose, you can be confident that you are getting a high-quality vehicle with a range of safety and convenience features to make your driving experience more enjoyable and stress-free.

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Ali

Mansoor Ali, a Feature Writer, embarked on his journey five years ago with showroomex.com, fueled by his enthusiasm for cars. Starting as an eager journalist, he quickly became a seasoned professional, expanding his expertise to cover both bikes and cars. (Full Bio)

Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Kia Sorento