Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are two popular SUVs in the market, each offering unique features and benefits. Let’s take a closer look at the prices, features, styling, size, performance, gas mileage, and safety aspects of these two models to determine which one might be the better choice for you.
Prices and Features:
The base Sorento LX costs $33,500, while the Sorento Hybrid is priced at $40,000, and the Sorento PHEV at $49,500. On the other hand, the base Hyundai Santa Fe SE costs $36,000, and the Santa Fe Hybrid SEL is priced at $38,000. Both models offer industry-leading 5-year/60,000-mile warranties.
Styling:
The Hyundai Santa Fe boasts retro SUV style with a Land Rover-inspired look, while the Kia Sorento has a more modern and less unified exterior design. The Santa Fe’s interior is more streamlined and smarter-looking compared to the Sorento’s busier design.
Size and Cargo Space:
The Santa Fe is slightly longer but taller than the Sorento, providing more cargo space and headroom. Both models can seat seven passengers or six with second-row captain’s chairs.
Performance and Towing:
The Santa Fe offers a 277-hp 2.5-liter turbo-4 engine, while the Sorento has a base 191-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 engine. Both models offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid options for more fuel-efficient driving.
Gas Mileage:
The Sorento base model gets 23 mpg city, 31 highway, 26 combined, while the Santa Fe FWD with a turbo-4 engine gets 24 mpg combined. Hybrids in both models offer better fuel efficiency with ratings of 36 mpg combined.
Safety:
Both models have earned top safety ratings, with the Sorento receiving a five-star NHTSA rating and the Santa Fe getting four stars. Both come standard with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitors.
In conclusion, while the Hyundai Santa Fe offers a fresher style and excellent cabin packaging, the Kia Sorento’s higher safety rating and value-oriented trim options make it a strong contender. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific preferences and needs.
