2023 Kia Sorento Vs. 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Head-To-Head Comparison

If you are trying to choose a new SUV with comfort, versatility, and AWD capability for your family's excursions, you are probably trying to compare the Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe.
To help you select the ideal vehicle and trim for your garage, we've put together a model overview and comparison that will have you calling our dealership to schedule a test drive in one of our new Hyundai SUVs for sale.
Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Interior
The Hyundai Santa Fe interior begins with stain-resistant cloth seats and a six-way adjustable driver's seat. The lineup adds the availability of leather-trimmed seats and power driver's seats with power lumbar support and culminates in a flagship model that provides quilted premium Nappa leather and a perforated leather steering wheel.
The higher Kia Sorento trim models finally add leather seating trim and power front seats with driver memory. Still, these are features found on Hyundai Santa Fe models earlier in the lineup.
Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Dimensions and Cargo Space
One of the questions we often get asked in a Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Hyundai Tucson comparison is, "Which one's bigger?" If your decision between the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento comes down to how many passengers you can fit, the Kia Sorento offers three rows of seats to the two-row Hyundai Santa Fe. However, the Hyundai Santa Fe is more comfortable for the passengers it does seat.
The new 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is 188.4 inches long and sits on a 108.9-inch wheelbase. The vehicle provides a total interior volume of 147.9 cubic feet, 115.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, 72.1 cubic feet of cargo room behind the first row, and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo area behind the second row. The Kia Sorento is only an inch longer, the same width, and offers three inches less legroom in the front row. The driver and front-seat passenger will also get more than two inches less headroom. In addition, this vehicle only provides 12.6 cubic feet of trunk area behind its last row.


Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Features
The trim model lineup is the next place we can compare the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. 2023 Kia Sorento differences. The Hyundai Santa Fe arrives in five trim configurations to help you dial in your ride to your needs.
The new Hyundai lineup starts with the new 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe for sale, including a standard six-way adjustable driver's seat, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and a Bluetooth® hands-free phone system. The Kia Sorento LX also comes with a Smart Cruise Control system.
In the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL, we find the option of leather-trimmed seats, an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and an 8-inch color touch screen. By contrast, the mid-tier Kia Sorento S, X-Line S, EX, X-Line EX, and SX come with SynTex seating materials, not leather-trimmed seating.
Step up to the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT if you're looking for the added convenience of having power release (folding) second-row seats, wireless device charging for supported devices, and dual automatic temperature control with a CleanAir Ionizer with Predictive Logic. If you want a new Kia Sorento with wireless charging capability, you need to advance another trim to the Sorento EX.
The Hyundai Santa Fe Limited gives you the added performance of an eight-speed Wet Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with SHIFTRONIC and an increased towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. The Hyundai Santa Fe Limited also increases traction and ground clearance with 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/55 R19 tires.
The flagship model is the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy and comes with quilted premium Nappa leather seats. Along with a Head-up Display, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy also boasts an eco-suede microfiber headliner, a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power windows with rear passenger auto-down/up.
Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Performance
Under the hood of the new Hyundai Santa Fe for sale could be a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque as the eight-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC delivers a smooth ride. FWD is standard on this model, but the HTRAC All Wheel Drive (HTRAC AWD) is optional if you're looking for increased handling and traction in the wet.
If you opt for the FWD Hyundai Santa Fe, you can anticipate your fuel consumption to be an EPA-estimated 25/28/26 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).1 Climb into the HTRAC AWD and enjoy an EPA-estimated 22/25/24 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).1
The Kia Sorento is also motivated by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that sends 191 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, they both have an available engine that makes 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. If a Sorento has caught your eye, we carry a selection of used Kia SUVs for sale. We invite you to visit our dealership for an in-person SUV comparison.
After your purchase, the best way to get the most longevity out of your vehicle is with routine maintenance and regular oil changes performed by the trained technicians in our certified Hyundai service department and oil change center.
Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Safety and Reliability
The list of standard safety features on the Hyundai Santa Fe new five-passenger family SUV is long when it comes to keeping you and your passengers safe. When you choose Hyundai Santa Fe for lease, you can expect a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with an individual tire indicator, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Hillstart Assist Control.
Step up to the Hyundai Santa Fe Limited, and gain additional features, such as Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Parking Distance Warning (Forward and Reverse), Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist.
The Kia Sorento is equipped with the Kia Drive Wise Driver Assist Technology suite of safety features, but the TPMS does not feature an individual tire indicator.
Kia Sorento Hybrid vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
Now that you've seen how the Hyundai Santa Fe outperforms its chief rival from Kia automakers, let's see how their hybrid counterparts stack up. Will the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid offer more than the Kia Sorento Hybrid in the same areas?
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid provides a combined 178 horsepower and comes standard with HTRAC AWD to produce an EPA-estimated 36/31/34 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).2 This new hybrid SUV arrives in three trim styles to compare: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Blue, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SEL Premium, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Limited. Each model comes standard with HTRAC all-wheel-drive and offers a suite of key features.
The new Kia Sorento only offers two trim models and does not have standard AWD, but the powertrain provides comparable fuel economy.
To further separate the two vehicles, the Hyundai Santa Fe also comes in a plug-in hybrid option as well that is even more incredibly fuel efficient. It gives drivers an all-electric range that lets them complete nearby chores without using any gasoline and delivers up to 260 horsepower. Visit our dealership to learn more information about these specs.
2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid (EX FWD) |
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Engine: | 1.6-liter, 4-Cylinder Engine (Gas/Electric Hybrid) |
Horsepower: | 227 |
Combined MPG:3 | 34 |
Seats: | 7 |
Length: | 189.0 in |
Width: | 74.8 in |
Cargo Room Behind Last Row: | 12.6 cu ft |
Fuel Tank Size: | 17.7 gal |
Interior Benefits: |
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Shop Model: | Used KIA Sorento |
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe HEV (Blue AWD) |
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Engine: | 1.6-liter, 4-Cylinder Engine (Gas/Electric Hybrid) |
Horsepower: | 226 |
Combined MPG:2 | 34 |
Seats: | 5 |
Length: | 188.4 in |
Width: | 74.8 in |
Cargo Room Behind Last Row: | 36.4 cu ft |
Fuel Tank Size: | 18.8 gal |
Interior Benefits: |
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Shop Model: | New Hyundai Santa Fe |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more cargo space: Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has more cargo space than the Kia Sorento behind the back row. The Hyundai Santa Fe offers 36.4 cubic feet behind its second row of seats. The Kia Sorento is made for larger families, with a small third row that is best suited for young kids. Because of this, there is only 12.6 cubic feet of trunk area behind the last row.
Which is more reliable: Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe?
Provided that the vehicle is well-maintained, the service schedule is followed, and oil changes are performed at the proper intervals, a typical Hyundai Santa Fe SUV will last between 200,000-250,000 miles. If you average 15,000 miles annually, that equates to 13-17 years of dependable service. The typical Kia Sorento will last up to 200,000 miles when properly maintained.
What's the price difference between the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe?
While vehicle pricing varies on many factors, a base model Hyundai Santa Fe SE will often be priced at approximately $2,000 less than a comparably equipped Kia Sorento LX. If you are looking for lease deals on new Hyundai SUVs, you can get pre-qualified for low-APR auto loans when you apply for Hyundai financing through our dealership.
Which should I buy: Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento?
If you're trying to decide between the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento SUVs and want a vehicle that will last longer, cost less, and give you plenty of cargo space and passenger room while doing so, we recommend the Hyundai Santa Fe. However, if you think we're biased, we invite you to visit our dealership to meet the new Hyundai Santa Fe in person.
12023 SANTA FE SE/SEL/XRT: FWD 25 City/28 Hwy/26 Combined MPG, HTRAC AWD 22 City/25 Hwy/24 Combined MPG. Limited/Calligraphy: FWD 22 City/28 Hwy/25 Combined MPG, HTRAC AWD 21 City/28 Hwy/24 Combined MPG. All figures are EPA estimates and for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition.
22023 SANTA FE Hybrid Blue: HTRAC AWD 36 City/31 Hwy/34 Combined MPG. 2023 SANTA FE Hybrid SEL Premium/Limited: HTRAC AWD 33 City/30 Hwy/32 Combined MPG. All figures are EPA estimates and for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition.
3MPG: Based on EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle’s condition. For more information, please see www.fueleconomy.gov. 2023 Sorento Hybrid EX AWD (shown) is rated at an EPA estimated 36/33/34 MPG (City, Highway, Combined).