There’s plenty to choose from when it comes to three-row, midsize SUVs, but if you’re shopping with a budget, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are affordable options in the segment. The Santa Fe is slightly more upscale than the Sorento, but the Sorento covers all the basics, while still being affordable. Let’s take a look.
Reasons to Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe
The latest generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe features a sharp, boxy design with extra inches added to the length, height, and width of the SUV. Inside, you’ll find three rows of seats and enough seating for seven passengers. On the Calligraphy trim, this is reduced to six thanks to captain’s chairs in the second row. The Santa Fe uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 277 horsepower. AWD is optional, and FWD is standard.
The Santa Fe offers the semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist from Hyundai. This system combines various technologies like adaptive cruise control and lane centering to make driving on the highway safer. Compared to the Sorento, the Santa Fe is slightly roomier. There’s more space in the third row and the cargo area.
On the latest Hyundai Santa Fe, you’ll find a built-in grab handle on the side to make it easy to access the roof for cargo applications. The handle is lockable and only pops out when you push it in.
Reasons to Buy the Kia Sorento
If you decide to visit a Kia dealership instead, the Kia Sorento is a nice option that slots into the midsize category with a third row. The base Sorento is powered by a four-cylinder that makes 191 horsepower, but you can get a turbocharged engine that makes 281 horsepower. The more powerful engine doesn’t drop the combined fuel economy by much.
Like the Santa Fe, the Sorento offers AWD as an option. It also offers its own version of easy access with the Smart Power Tailgate, which allows you to open and close the hatch hands-free. This makes loading and unloading the cargo area a lot easier.
X-Line models of the Sorento add rugged aesthetics, plus an extra inch of ground clearance. These models come standard with AWD. Kia’s Drive Wise is standard on every Sorento, providing a suite of safety tech that includes automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist.
Similarities and How To Choose
The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento both have attractive, modern designs and roomy cabins with many convenience features. Both SUVs have roughly the same infotainment tech and come with three rows. The base price of the Santa Fe is just under $36,000, while the base price of the Sorento is around $33,000. The Sorento also has an X-Line tier of trims with four models.
The price difference between the two isn’t huge, and it’s worth remembering that the base Santa Fe engine has more power than the base Sorento. It’s a difficult comparison, since both vehicles have many similar features. The Sorento is cheaper, but the Santa Fe is roomier and more powerful in its base form.