2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Kia Sorento
Comparison Overview
Picking between the refreshed 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2025 Kia Sorento often comes down to whether you prioritize outright power or initial savings. The Santa Fe demands a higher starting MSRP of $34,300 compared to the Sorento's $31,990 entry point, a notable $2,310 difference right off the bat. However, that premium buys you significantly more muscle; the Santa Fe delivers 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, crushing the Sorento's 191 hp and 181 lb-ft. While the Sorento is slightly thriftier, achieving 26 combined MPG versus the Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG, the power difference is substantial—an 86 hp gap. Furthermore, the Santa Fe offers more practical space, measuring 190.2 inches long compared to the Sorento's 189.6 inches, and provides 14.6 cu ft of cargo space against the Sorento's 12.6 cu ft, making the choice a trade-off between economy and performance/utility.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento wins for daily commuting due to its superior fuel economy, delivering 26 combined MPG versus the Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2025 Santa Fe is better for families as it offers a slightly larger cargo capacity at 14.6 cu ft and greater overall size dimensions.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe clearly wins for driving enjoyment thanks to its substantial 277 hp engine generating 311 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento presents better initial value, boasting a lower MSRP starting at $31,990 compared to the Santa Fe's $34,300.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- You need the extra performance, as the Santa Fe provides 86 more horsepower (277 hp vs 191 hp).
- You plan to haul significant gear, given the Santa Fe's superior 14.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
- You prefer a larger presence on the road, with the Santa Fe being 190.2 inches long.
Choose the Kia Sorento if...
- Sticking closer to budget is key, as the Sorento starts $2,310 cheaper at $31,990.
- Maximizing miles per gallon is a priority, with the Sorento achieving 26 combined MPG versus 24 MPG.
- You prefer a traditional automatic transmission over the Santa Fe's 8-speed automated manual.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 190.2" | 189.6" |
| Width | 74.8" | 74.8" |
| Height | 67.7" | 66.7" |
| Wheelbase | 110.8" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automated manual | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 23/31 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 354.0/513.3 mi. | 407.1/548.7 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | — |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speaker System | — | 6 |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.1 in. | 40.3 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.4 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.5 in. | 59.1 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.6 in. | 39.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.3 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.9 in. | 55.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2025 Kia Sorento.
How much more powerful is the 2025 Santa Fe than the 2025 Sorento?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is significantly more powerful, boasting 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This is an 86 hp advantage over the Kia Sorento, which produces 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.
Which vehicle is cheaper to buy initially?
The 2025 Kia Sorento is the budget-friendlier option, starting at an MSRP of $31,990. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe has a higher entry price of $34,300.
Which crossover offers better gas mileage for highway driving?
The Kia Sorento edges out the Santa Fe slightly in fuel economy, achieving 31 MPG highway compared to the Santa Fe's 29 MPG highway. However, both use regular unleaded fuel.
Is the cargo space substantially different between these two models?
Yes, the Hyundai Santa Fe offers more room with 14.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Kia Sorento provides 12.6 cubic feet, meaning the Santa Fe has 2.0 cu ft more room behind the second row.
Do these crossovers offer similar drivetrains?
Both models come standard with front-wheel drive, but they use different transmissions; the Santa Fe uses an 8-speed automated manual, while the Sorento uses a traditional 8-speed automatic.
Are either of these vehicles significantly larger than the other?
The differences are minimal, but the Santa Fe is technically the larger vehicle, measuring 190.2 inches in length and 67.7 inches in height, while the Sorento is 189.6 inches long and 66.7 inches high.
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