2024 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Kia Sorento

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Kia Sorento: Comprehensive Comparison

When considering a new midsize SUV, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2024 Kia Sorento often top the list of contenders. These popular models offer a blend of style, comfort, and capability that appeals to many families and adventure seekers. As you navigate your options, understanding the key differences between these two vehicles can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your needs and preferences.

In this comprehensive comparison, we'll dive into the details of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2024 Kia Sorento, examining performance and powertrains, interior comfort and space, as well as the latest technology and safety features. By the end, you'll have a clear picture of what each SUV brings to the table, making it easier to choose the right vehicle for your lifestyle and budget.

Performance and Powertrain

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Specs

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe comes equipped with a powerful 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo engine. This power plant delivers an impressive 277 horsepower at 5800 RPM and 311 lb-ft of torque at 4000 RPM. The engine features a DOHC 16-valve system with a compression ratio of 11.0:1. You'll find both Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and Multi-Port Injection (MPI) systems as standard, enhancing fuel efficiency and performance.

Paired with an 8-speed Wet Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with SHIFTRONIC®, the Santa Fe offers smooth and responsive gear changes. You can choose between Front Wheel Drive (FWD) as standard or HTRAC All Wheel Drive (AWD) for enhanced traction and control.

2024 Kia Sorento Engine Specs

The 2024 Kia Sorento shares a similar powertrain with the Santa Fe but with slight variations. The base LX trim features a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine. However, higher trims come with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, producing 281 horsepower - slightly more than the Santa Fe. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Like the Santa Fe, the Sorento also offers a Drive Mode Select feature, allowing you to customize your driving experience. The Sorento Hybrid variant comes with 18-inch wheels, the largest available for this model.

Performance Comparison

Both SUVs offer impressive capabilities. The Kia Sorento, with its slightly higher horsepower output, might have a slight edge in acceleration. In testing, the Sorento with the turbocharged engine demonstrated impressive quickness, sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds. This performance puts it ahead of competitors like the Volkswagen Tiguan and even the V6-powered Honda Passport.

The Sorento also excels braking performance, stopping from 60 mph in 121 feet, which is better than average for its class. Its handling is confidence-inspiring, although there's room for improvement in steering accuracy.

Both vehicles offer towing capabilities, with the Santa Fe able to tow up to 3,500 lbs with trailer brakes and 1,650 lbs without. They also come with features like Idle Stop & Go and Trailer Sway Control as standard, enhancing efficiency and safety during towing.

Interior Comfort and Space

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Interior Features

When you step into the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, you'll notice a minimalistic and modern dashboard design. The centerpiece is a large 12.3-inch display with intuitive controls for the infotainment system and climate settings. The comfortable, ergonomic steering wheel adds to the driving experience with its soft touch.

The Santa Fe boasts several convenient features:

- Ambient lighting for a pleasant atmosphere

- A storage area in the center console

- A bilateral center console allowing rear passengers to access storage space

- Heated rear seats for added comfort

- Integrated sunshades for the rear seats

The cabin feels upscale with suede on pillars, sun visors, and headliner. You'll find stitched leather on the doors, dash, and center armrest, along with unique striped, birch-like accent trim on the dash.

2024 Kia Sorento Interior Features

The 2024 Kia Sorento offers a more luxurious and premium design highlighted by wood grain trim, quilted leather, and XPR badging that elevate the interior ambiance. The center console features a switchable interface, allowing you to toggle between infotainment and climate controls.

Notable features in the Sorento include:

- A premium Bose sound system (not available on lower Santa Fe trims)

- Captain's chairs in the second row

- A button to slide second-row seats forward for easy third-row access

- Heated and ventilated front seats

- Heated second-row seats

Space and Comfort Comparison

Both SUVs offer three rows of seating with room for six or seven people, depending on the configuration. Here's how they compare:

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Space and Comfort

- More headroom due to its exterior design

- Ample space in the first two rows

- Third row comfortable only for children

- Larger and more accessible trunk with a unique minivan-like tailgate design

2024 Kia Sorento Space and Comfort

- Comfortable first row for adults of any size

- Second row less plush but still comfortable with good legroom

- Third row suitable only for short trips for adults

- Traditional trunk design with a curved roofline

In terms of cargo space, the Santa Fe has an advantage with its more squared cargo opening and completely flat-folding second and third rows. This design even allows two adults up to 6 feet tall to sleep in the car when the seats are folded.

Both vehicles offer a range of comfort features and tech amenities, including large touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and multiple USB ports. The Santa Fe and Sorento each provide a unique blend of comfort and practicality, catering to different preferences in the midsize SUV segment.

Technology and Safety Features

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Tech and Safety

When you step into the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, you'll be greeted by a modern and tech-savvy interior. The centerpiece is a large 12.3-inch touchscreen display that serves as the hub for the infotainment system. You'll appreciate the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, making it easy to connect your smartphone seamlessly. The Santa Fe also features a 4.2-inch digital driver display, providing you with essential information at a glance.

For your convenience, the Santa Fe comes standard with push-button start and proximity keyless entry. You'll find four USB ports scattered throughout the cabin, ensuring that all your devices stay charged on long trips. The Santa Fe also offers satellite radio, adding to your entertainment options.

When it comes to safety, the Santa Fe is equipped with forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam headlights, and a rear-seat alert system. The driver-attention monitoring system helps keep you alert on long drives.

2024 Kia Sorento Tech and Safety

The 2024 Kia Sorento matches many of the Santa Fe's tech offerings and even surpasses it in some areas. You'll find a similar 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sorento features a slightly larger 4.3-inch digital information display compared to the Santa Fe's 4.2-inch display.

In terms of connectivity, the Sorento offers five USB ports, one more than the Santa Fe. You'll also enjoy push-button start, remote start, proximity keyless entry, and remote keyless entry as standard features. The Sorento ups the ante with a premium Bose 12-speaker sound system, which isn't available on lower Santa Fe trims.

Safety-wise, the Sorento matches the Santa Fe feature for feature. You'll find the same comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies, including forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beam headlights.

Feature Comparison of 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Kia Sorento

Both the Santa Fe and Sorento offer an impressive array of technology and safety features, making them strong contenders in the midsize SUV segment. Here's a quick comparison of some key features:

- Infotainment: Both offer 12.3-inch touchscreens with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

- Digital Display: Sorento has a slightly larger 4.3-inch display compared to Santa Fe's 4.2-inch.

- USB Ports: Sorento offers 5 ports, while Santa Fe has 4.- Third row suitable only for short trips for adults

- Audio System: Sorento's premium Bose 12-speaker system is a standout feature.

- Safety Features: Both vehicles offer identical safety suites, including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Both SUVs also feature over-the-air software updates and digital key functionality, allowing you to use your smartphone or smartwatch to enter and start your vehicle. These advanced features put both the Santa Fe and Sorento at the forefront of automotive technology in their class.

Why Invest in a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe over the 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento both bring a lot to the table in the midsize SUV market. Each vehicle has its strengths, with the Santa Fe offering a more spacious interior and unique design features, while the Sorento edges ahead in performance and premium audio options. Their similarities in technology and safety features make both SUVs strong contenders for families and adventure enthusiasts alike.

In the end, your choice between these two impressive vehicles will come down to personal preferences and priorities. Whether you value the Santa Fe's roomier cabin and distinctive styling or the Sorento's slight performance edge and luxurious touches, both SUVs provide a compelling mix of comfort, capability, and cutting-edge features. As you weigh your options, consider taking both for a test drive to get a feel for which one best suits your lifestyle and needs.