2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Kia Sorento: Trim Levels, Safety, and More

If you’re shopping for a midsize SUV in Alabama, you probably have the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2023 Kia Sorento on your shortlist. Both of these SUVs are highly sought-after because of their well-rounded excellence and great value for the money. These contenders are at the top of their class and similar in many ways, which can make it difficult to choose between them. To make a better-informed decision, you’ll need to take a closer look at their individual specifications and features. Let’s find out how the Hyundai Santa Fe compares to the Kia Sorento in the following departments:

Hyundai Santa Fe For Sale

Trim Levels and Prices

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has a simplified trim lineup comprised of five models: the entry-level SE, the SEL, the rugged-looking XRT, the Limited, and the range-topping Calligraphy. The MSRP for this new Hyundai model starts at $28,450 for the SE and goes up to $42,300 for the Calligraphy.

The 2023 Kia Sorento, on the other hand, comes in eight trim levels: the base trim LX, the S, EX, and SX, the adventure-ready X-Line S and X-Line EX trims, the SX Prestige, and the top-of-the-line X-Line SX Prestige. The LX has a starting MSRP of $30,090, whereas the all-wheel-drive X-Line SX Prestige AWD begins at $43,690. As you can see, the Kia SUV is more expensive than the Santa Fe.

Performance

The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento share the same unibody platform and engines, so they’re quite similar in terms of performance. The two SUVs come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower, making them powerful enough to handle most types of driving. However, if you want a more engaging driving experience, go for a model equipped with the turbocharged version of the base engine. Rated at 281 horsepower, this powerhouse offers noticeably quicker acceleration and robust passing power.

Handling

Despite being similarly potent as its Kia cousin, the Santa Fe has a slight edge when it comes to handling. Thanks to its smaller dimensions and precise steering, this Hyundai SUV is easier to maneuver in confined spaces, making it a better choice for urban commuters. Furthermore, the driving experience is more enjoyable as it feels more agile around corners and winding roads. Both SUVs soak up bumps and potholes with ease, resulting in a smooth and comfortable ride.

Interior Quality and Space

Regardless of whether you choose the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, you’ll be impressed with the interior build and quality. The cabins of these two SUVs look and feel upscale with their top-notch finishes and generous use of premium materials. They also do an excellent job of filtering out road and wind noise, contributing to a quiet and serene ride.

One of the main differences between the Santa Fe and Sorento is their seating capacities. The Hyundai is a two-row SUV accommodating up to five people, while the Kia seats up to seven people in three rows. However, if you’re a tall person, you may feel more comfortable in the Santa Fe as it provides a whopping 44.1 inches of front legroom — 2.7 inches more than the Sorento. Both SUVs offer 41.7 inches of legroom in their second rows, easily accommodating most adults.

Cargo Capacity

The Kia Sorento has a slight upper hand over the Hyundai Santa Fe in terms of cargo capacity. This Kia model offers 38.5 cubic feet with the rearmost seats folded and 75.5 cubic feet with both the middle and rear rows folded. In contrast, the Sorento gives you 36.4 cubic feet behind the back seats and 72.1 cubic feet behind the front seats.

Infotainment Features

The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento each have a solid list of infotainment features to keep you informed and entertained behind the wheel. They come standard with an 8-inch touch-screen display, USB ports, HD radio, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In addition, available features include a 10.3-inch touch-screen display, navigation, and a wireless device charger.

Safety

Again, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are about the same in the safety department. They offer plenty of driver-assistance features as standard equipment, including forward automated emergency braking, forward collision detection, lane departure alert, lane-keeping assistance, automated high-beam headlamps, blind-spot alert, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic warning.

Both SUVs also come with upgrades such as a 360-degree parking camera system and the semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist. However, the Santa Fe is available with the Remote Smart Parking Assist system, which is unavailable in the Sorento. This feature lets you move your vehicle in and out of a parking space via remote control.

It’s also worth noting that the Santa Fe offers better protection against collisions than the Sorento. The similar 2022 version of the Hyundai SUV garnered the best possible overall crash safety rating of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the highest honor of Top Safety Pick Plus from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2023 Sorento received only a four-star rating from the NHTSA and the Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.

Why Should You Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe Over the Kia Sorento?

If you’re looking for an SUV that offers good value for money, the Hyundai Santa Fe may be a better option for you than the Kia Sorento. Despite its lower starting price, this Hyundai is comparable to its rival in terms of interior refinement, comfort, and feature content. Not only that, it’s more fun to drive. Additionally, the Santa Fe may save you more money down the road as it has a higher predicted reliability rating than the Sorento.

If you’re considering buying the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, stop by and see us at Hyundai of Auburn. Serving Auburn, Woodland, Salem, Montgomery, Waverly, and Tuskegee, our dealership has one of the largest selections of new Hyundai vehicles in east-central Alabama and we also have inventory of the used Santa Fe as well. Therefore, we can provide you with a Santa Fe model that best suits your budget, driving needs, and lifestyle. Browse our new inventory now and contact us for more information or to book a test drive.