When trying to find a mid-size SUV very few can compete with the ’19 Kia Sorento. The combination of sensible cost, good appearances, modern technology, and warranty are tough to beat, however the new Hyundai Santa Fe presents the very best challenge so far. The Sorento and Santa Fe were the very first SUVs from both Kia and Hyundai and they remain extremely prominent with today’s customers. While the Santa Fe is brand new for 2020, the Sorento continues on with a moderate refresh as the automaker waits on an all-new Sorento in the next year, or two. So, can the brand new Hyundai Santa Fe beat the revitalized Sorento? Let’s find out.
You may not know it, but Hyundai Motor Group is the corporate owners of Kia Motors. So, it would certainly make sense that the two automobiles would certainly share a lot of the exact same parts, the principal of which is the base motor. This engine is a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe and Sorento both get approximately 29 miles per gallon on the freeway with the base engine, in the FWD configuration. The optional engine is where the Sorento pulls away from the Santa Fe. The Sorento provides a 3.3 L V6 that produces 290hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the Santa Fe uses a 2.0 L Turbo 4-cylinder engine producing 235hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The bigger, more powerful engine seals the deal, and the Sorento is the winner in performance.
The new Sorento is not just your common SUV; it’s been made to use ideal versatility. The rugged yet fine-tuned exterior supplies available LED lights, base 17-inch wheels, and an optional Smart Power Liftgate. The Santa Fe, on the other hand, joins a fad of SUV design that presses the headlamps lower into the front fascia. It works much better than most cars but it’s still a design that isn’t for everyone. Despite being almost the very same size (inside and out) the Santa Fe just has seating for 5 yet the Sorento comes with 3rd-row seating. When considering that both SUVs can be had with heated/cooled front seating, natural leather seats, and a color multi-information display the capability to haul more individuals is a clear advantage for the Sorento.
This is the one spot where the Santa Fe apparently has the edge on the Sorento. Like many new cars, the Santa Fe takes advantage of safety functions that either cost more or aren’t even offered on the Sorento. As an example, every Santa Fe comes with a Rear Occupant Alert, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance (with Pedestrian Detection), and Driver Attention Warning. The other hand is that you are able to buy the Sorento without all of the ‘nanny’ technology that is filling some new vehicles and their prices. Taking into consideration that both SUVs can be purchased with 8-inch touchscreen display screens, NAV, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a Surround View Monitor it comes down to whether or not you want the baby-sitter technology on your SUV.
| 2019 Kia Sorento vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Kia Sorento | VS | 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe |
| PERFORMANCE | ||
| 2.4L 4-cylinder (Standard) 3.3L V6 (Available) |
Available Engines | 2.4L 4-cylinder (Standard) 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder (Available) |
| 6-Speed Automatic Transmission (Standard) 8-Speed Automatic Transmission (Available) |
Transmissions | 8-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC® |
| 185hp / 178 lbs. ft. torque (2.4L 4cyl.) 290hp / 252 lbs. ft. torque (V6) |
Horsepower Torque |
185hp / 178 lbs. ft. torque (2.4L 4cyl.) 235hp / 260 lbs. ft. torque (2.0L Turbo 4cyl.) |
| DESIGN | ||
| Projector headlights, LED DRL & accents (Standard) LED headlights, LED foglights, LED taillights (Available) |
Exterior Lighting | Projector headlights, LED DRL & accents (Standard) LED headlights, LED foglights, LED taillights (Available) |
| 17-inch (Standard) 18, 19-inch alloy (Available) |
Wheels | 17-inch (Standard) 18, 19-inch alloy (Available) |
| Panoramic Roof (Available) | Moonroof | Panoramic Roof (Available) |
| TECHNOLOGY | ||
| 7-inch display audio system (Standard) 8-inch Touch-Screen display, Navigation (Available) |
Multimedia | 7.0-inch Touch-Screen Display (Standard) 8-inch Touch-Screen Display, Navigation (Available) |
| Available | Apple CarPlay Android Auto |
Standard |
| Rear-Camera (Standard) Surround View Monitor (Available) |
Cameras | Rear View Monitor (Standard) Surround View Monitor (Available) Blind View Monitor (Available) |
Eventually the 3rd-row seating, an optional V6, and a high-end feeling of the 2019 Kia Sorento edges out the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The strong gas mileage safety technologies and value of the Santa Fe make it a challenging competitor however eventually the 2019 Kia Sorento wins this head to head comparison.
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