2022 Kia Sorento vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe: Which Mid-Sized SUV is Best for You?

Blog Aug 11th, 2022

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The Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe are two of the most popular mid-sized SUVs on the road today. Despite the similarities between Kia and Hyundai, these two SUVs have large differences. There's one clear winner for you, depending on what you need from your vehicle and your personal preferences. Here is how the Sorento and Santa Fe compare head to head.

Category	2022 Kia Sorento	2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
Base Engine	2.5L Engine 181 HP	2.5LEngine 181 HP
Upgraded Engine	2.5L Turbo Engine 281 HP	2.5L Turbo Engine 277 HP
Seating Capacity	7 (6 with Captains Chairs on EX or higher trims)	5
Cargo Room	45 Cubic Feet	36.4 Cubic Feet
Cargo Room (2nd Row Folded Down)	75.5 Cubic Feet	72.1 Cubic Feet
Front Passenger Head Room	40.3 inches	41.2 inches
Front Passenger Shoulder Room	59 inches	59.1 inches
Front Passenger Leg Room	41.7 inches	44.1 inches

Seating and Storage

Both the Sorento and Santa Fe are built on the same platform and use the same base engine, which is why they share so many similarities. One of the biggest differences between the two SUVs is seating, where the Sorento offers more versatility with 7 or 6-seater options. The 6-seat option replaces a 2nd-row bench with two captain's chairs that offer the most spacious and comfortable experience between the two vehicles. These captain's chairs can even recline, making long road trips much more bearable for anyone in the backseat.

Besides the seating difference, the Sorento offers more storage space while the Santa Fe offers slightly more room in the front seats.

Styling

The Exterior styling of these two SUVs is another way they differentiate themselves from each other. The Sorento offers a more boxy and sporty-looking SUV while the Santa Fe offers softer lines and a more traditional SUV look.

Technology

When it comes to technology, both offer a standard 8-inch display or an upgraded 10.25-inch on the higher trim options. Both vehicles offer advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and other cutting-edge safety features. Both SUVs also offer high-end features like a heads-up display that are available on the top trim options.

Pricing

When it comes to the overall vehicle cost, the Santa Fe and Sorento have similar pricing across their many trim options, with the Sorento slightly beating out the Santa Fe. The Sorento comes in nearly $2000 less than the Santa Fe whether you are looking at the base trim option or the fully loaded option.

Verdict

The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are both great options when considering a mid-sized SUV. Both vehicles are equipped with identical engines and drivetrains and come with a 5-year / 100,000 km comprehensive warranty that will give you peace of mind well into your ownership of the vehicle. The Sorento offers additional versatility with extra seating and storage space while offering a more youthful and sporty look. The best part? The Sorento is the more affordable option despite having an extra row of seats.

Learn more about the groundbreaking Kia Sorento by checking out our research page.

Or stop by our showroom to try the Sorento, or any other member of the Kia Family lineup today!