Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa Fe
It’s a battle of the SUVs! The Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe are both deluxe machines with an abundance of room and seating that the entire family is sure to appreciate. As a result, these two are the perfect SUVs to sit next to each other for a side-by-side comparison.
The Kia Store has created this helpful comparison of the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe to help drivers in Louisville, KY; Elizabethtown, KY; and Clarksville, IN, decide what their next ride is going to be. Read through our review—including a breakdown of the engines, interiors, and features—to find out which model will come out on top!
Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa Fe: Engine Specs
When it comes to comparing these two SUVs, we should start with the basics. The Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe each offer two different engines. You can choose your preferred performance output according to your specific lifestyle, priorities, and sensibilities. The engines found in these two models are very similar, but do have some noticeable differences.
The standard engines found in both offer the same amount of horsepower. Take a look at the standard engines and specs you’ll get from the Sorento and Santa Fe below:
- Kia Sorento: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve 185-horsepower engine
- Hyundai Santa Fe: 2.4-liter Inline 4-cylinder 185-horsepower engine
When you upgrade to the more powerful engines, though, it’s the Kia Sorento that comes out ahead:
- Kia Sorento: 3.3-liter V6 290-horsepower engine
- Hyundai Santa Fe: 2.0-liter Turbo 4-cylinder 235-horsepower engine
The more powerful available engine in the Sorento also has the potential to help out quite a bit if you’re planning on towing. It has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, whereas the Santa Fe can only handle a maximum capacity of 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. Your small RV can make the trip if you’re behind the wheel of the Sorento, but will probably have to stay home if you were to choose the Santa Fe.
Related Post: Kia Sorento Trim Levels Review
You’ll Find Room for the Whole Family
With ample space, these two machines make for one ideal family ride. With the Kia Sorento, you’ll have room for up to seven passengers. The Santa Fe, on the other hand, only offers 5-passenger seating.
It’s likely we all agree that a comfier ride is far more enjoyable. If you’re spending a long time behind the wheel, you want to make sure you and everyone onboard is going to be nice and comfortable. The Sorento certainly has you covered in this regard, as it boasts a total passenger volume of 154.2 cubic feet. The Santa Fe isn’t nearly as spacious. Its total passenger volume only measures 110.7 cubic feet.
The extra room you’re going to find inside the Kia Sorento allows your passengers to really spread out during the ride, whether you’re taking your family for a road trip or showing some visiting friends around town.
The Sorento also provides plenty of room for your camping equipment or fishing supplies with a maximum cargo volume of 73 cubic feet. The Santa Fe is smaller at only 71.3 cubic feet of cargo room.
Learn more in the full Kia Sorento Interior Review!
Available Amenities Inside the Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa Fe
The Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe offer numerous features that are there to take your overall convenience levels up a few notches while you’re on the road.
Standard on both machines is a 7-inch touchscreen display, as well as a remote keyless entry system. Having such a large touchscreen display at your fingertips makes it possible for you to adjust the multimedia controls and settings to your liking without having to take your attention away from the drive. Remote keyless entry allows you to get inside the cabin quickly on a cold night without having to take the time to insert a key.
As you progress through the trim levels, these SUVs offer wireless phone charging and a Smart Power Liftgate™ for easy access to the cargo area when your hands are full. There are also deluxe sound systems, such as the Harman/Kardon® premium sound system, which is available inside the Kia Sorento.
The Kia Sorento also offers some features that are not available on the Santa Fe, such as:
- EcoMinder® Fuel-Efficiency Indicator: This indicates when you are achieving optimum fuel economy. This standard system tips you off when you need to adjust your driving habits to achieve better fuel efficiency.
- Smart Shift & Drive: This standard technology automatically selects the optimum drive mode (NORMAL, ECO, or SPORT) to suit the conditions for a customizable driving experience.
Finally, the Sorento lets you get into the right position while you’re behind the wheel by providing you with a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, which clearly outshines the available 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat in the Santa Fe.
When it comes to interior accommodations, you’re likely to find that the upgrades in the Kia Sorento really do improve your overall driving experience.
Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa Fe: Which SUV Is the Winner?
These two models are pretty similar when it comes to standard engines. However, it’s the Kia Sorento that successfully edges out the competition in terms of just about everything else we discussed above. When it comes to towing capacity, cargo space, and amenities, the Santa Fe simply cannot compete.
Now that you have read about how the Kia Sorento matches up against what the Hyundai Santa Fe has to offer, it’s time for you to take it out for a test drive. Experience everything the Sorento has coming your way at The Kia Store. Drivers in Clarksville, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; and Elizabethtown, Kentucky, can stop by today and schedule a test drive!
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