2018 Kia Sorento vs. 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe: Head to Head

Sorento vs. Santa Fe: Which Midsize SUV Is Right for You?

The Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe are corporate cousins, which means they have a lot in common. However, Kia markets the Sorento as a 2-row midsize SUV with an available third row, whereas Hyundai offers the Santa Fe in two separate midsize SUV variants. There’s even a redesigned Santa Fe coming out next year. You can choose between the 2-row Santa Fe Sport and the 3-row Santa Fe.

The Kia Sorento was completely redesigned for the 2017 model year. The Hyundai Santa Fe was fully redesigned in 2013 and was split into two models. However, Hyundai has kept the models up-to-date with new safety and convenience technologies, as well as a refresh for the 2017 model year.

U.S. News Best Cars doesn’t have a separate review for the two Santa Fe SUV variants. But, for the purposes of this slideshow, we will put both Santa Fe models against the Sorento in the categories that matter most to midsize SUV buyers.

Remember that we update scores regularly as new expert reviews and data become available. Therefore, the scores in this slideshow may not match the scores in our rankings.

Is the Sorento or Santa Fe a better choice? What sets these corporate cousins apart? Read through the following slides to discover which midsize SUV wears the crown.

• Read the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
• See 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Price

Winner: 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2018 Kia Sorento starts at $25,900 and is offered in five different trims (L, LX, EX, SX, and SX Limited). Two rows come standard in the L and LX trims. You can add a third row to the LX trim, and it is standard in the EX, SX, and SX Limited. The best value is found in the LX trim, which starts at $27,100. You can add the optional third-row seating for $1,490, but that requires you to add the convenience package ($1,700) as well. So all-in, you can get a 3-row Sorento starting at $30,290. A top-of-the-line Sorento SX limited with all-wheel drive starts at $46,200.

The 2-row 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has a starting price of $24,950. The Santa Fe Sport comes in three trims (base, 2.0T, and 2.0T Ultimate). The top-of-the-line 2.0T Ultimate starts at $35,650. The 3-row Santa Fe starts a $30,580. The 3-row Santa Fe also comes in three trims (SE, SE Ultimate, and Limited Ultimate). The top Santa Fe Limited Ultimate trim with all-wheel drive comes in at $41,300.

• Read the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
• See 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Reliability

Winner: 2018 Kia Sorento

J.D. Power has yet to release predicted reliability ratings for either 2018 midsize SUV. However, the 2017 Sorento received a score of four out of five while the 2017 Santa Fe earned 3.5 out of five.

Both SUVs are covered by a lengthy five-year/60,000-mile warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

• Read the 2018 Kia Sorento Full Review
• See 2018 Kia Sorento Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Seat Comfort

Winner: Tie

The base Sorento (pictured right) and Santa Fe Sport (pictured left) both seat five passengers. Both midsize SUVs offer third-row seats in multiple trims, which increases seating to seven. The Santa Fe Limited Ultimate has second-row captains chairs rather than a bench, so it seats six.

Both vehicles provide adequate space and comfort in the first two rows. Like many 3-row SUVs, the third row is cramped, difficult to access, and lacking in legroom.

• Read the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
• See 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Cargo Space

Winner: 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Sorento has 38.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind its second-row seat and 73 cubic feet overall. With three rows up, there are only 11.3 cubic feet in back.

The Santa Fe offers 80 cubic feet overall and 13.5 cubic feet behind its third row. Behind the second row, the Santa Fe provides 40.9 cubic feet of room while the Santa Fe Sport has 35.4 cubic feet.

Both vehicles have many small-item storage spaces and offer an available hands-free power liftgate.

• Read the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
• See 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Interior Quality

Winner: 2018 Kia Sorento

The Sorento features a stylish and premium cabin with high-quality soft-touch materials. Upper trims are especially upscale, with real wood accents, piano black inlays, and available Nappa leather seats.

The Santa Fe has a respectable interior and offers luxury materials like leather and upgraded trim pieces. However, it’s not to the level of the Sorento. The styling is bland and there are some lower grade materials.

• Read the 2018 Kia Sorento Full Review
• See 2018 Kia Sorento Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Interior Features

Winner: 2018 Kia Sorento

The base Sorento includes a 4.3-inch touch-screen display, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a USB port. The Santa Fe Sport comes with a 5-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Both vehicles offer upgrades like a 7- or 8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, push-button start, navigation, third-row USB ports, and a panoramic sunroof.

The Santa Fe offers a larger screen than the Sorento in the base configuration, but the Sorento is easier to use. The Sorento’s infotainment layout is simplistic and intuitive. The Santa Fe’s is slightly over complicated.

• Read the 2018 Kia Sorento Full Review
• See 2018 Kia Sorento Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Acceleration

Winner: Tie

The base Sorento (pictured bottom) and Santa Fe Sport (pictured top) are both powered by a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. You can also choose between a 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder drivetrain or a 290-horsepower V6. All engines come with a responsive six-speed automatic transmission. The V6 is capable of towing 5,000 pounds.

The base engines deliver a good amount of power and just enough pep to satisfy a daily driver. The upgraded V6 engine is considerably more powerful, but you do lose a bit of the pep.

• Read the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
• See 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Fuel Economy

Winner: 2018 Kia Sorento

The Sorento’s base engine returns 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. The turbo four gets 20 and 27, respectively. The V6 engine earns 18 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.

The Santa Fe is less efficient by about 1 mpg on the highway with both four-cylinder engine options. With the V6 it parallels the Sorento’s EPA rating.

According to the EPA, combined fuel economy for both vehicles is the same. However, if you tend to do more highway driving, the Sorento may save you some cash.

• Read the 2018 Kia Sorento Full Review
• See 2018 Kia Sorento Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Ride and Handling

Winner: 2018 Kia Sorento

The Sorento provides a smooth, quiet ride. It isn’t particularly athletic, though steering is responsive and maneuverability is impressive. The Santa Fe handles just as well as the Sorento. However, it lacks refinement in terms of ride. Its ride is a bit firm and it’s a bit rough on bumpy roads.

Both SUVs come standard with Drive Mode Select, which allows you to choose between Sport, Eco, and Normal modes based on driving conditions, preferences, or fuel conservation.

• Read the 2018 Kia Sorento Full Review
• See 2018 Kia Sorento Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

Safety

Winner: 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2018 Kia Sorento earned a Top Safety Pick designation, while the Hyundai Santa Fe received the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both vehicles received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Sorento and Santa Fe come standard with a rearview camera. Available features include a surround-view camera, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

• Read the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
• See 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

The Winner Is ...

2018 Kia Sorento

These vehicles are about as closely matched as it gets, which makes sense since they’re corporate cousins. Both offer comfortable seats, confident ride and handling, and excellent safety ratings.

The Santa Fe is less expensive, gets you more features for your money, and offers more cargo space. However, the Sorento edges ahead since it’s more reliable, has better ride quality, saves on fuel, and offers a more upscale cabin.

• Read the 2018 Kia Sorento Full Review
• See 2018 Kia Sorento Photos
• See Midsize SUVs Rankings

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