The relationship between Hyundai and Kia is very much like that shared by squabbling siblings.
Despite sharing the same parents – the Hyundai Motor Group in this case – the South Korean brands are permanently locked in a fierce rivalry with neither taking a backward step.
It can be difficult to comprehend at times, especially when you look at the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento large SUVs.
Hyundai Santa Fe Kia Sorento
While the carmakers are closely intertwined, both fight for the same customers with these vehicles.
Given the Santa Fe has received a complete overhaul for 2024, it’s the obvious pick then… especially in top Hybrid Calligraphy AWD trim, right?
Not necessarily. The flagship Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD is cheaper, and not everyone is a fan of Hyundai’s new, boxy design language.
Let’s try and split the pair on paper.
Pricing
Both SUVs featured here are range-topping hybrid variants priced in excess of $70,000 before on-road costs. The Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD comes in $1670 cheaper than the Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD.
The same applies at the bottom of the range; the entry level Sorento S V6 petrol retails for just over $50,000 before on-road costs, while the base Santa Fe Hybrid 2WD is $55,500 before on-roads.
There are petrol versions of the Santa Fe due locally late in the fourth quarter of 2024 which will likely reduce this ~$5000 entry price gap.
| Model Variant | Price before on-roads |
|---|---|
| 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD | $75,000 |
| 2024 Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD | $73,330 |
Drivetrains and efficiency
It’s basically impossible to split the Santa Fe and Sorento in this regard as they share a powertrain.
Hyundai Santa Fe Kia Sorento
The Hyundai takes small wins when it comes to power, torque, and fuel economy, as it has a newer version of the hybrid powertrain, but this really is like splitting hairs.
| Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD | Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.6L turbocharged 4cyl | 1.6L turbocharged 4cyl |
| Engine power | 132kW | 132kW |
| Engine torque | 265Nm | 265Nm |
| Electric motor power | 44kW | 44kW |
| Electric motor torque | 264Nm | 264Nm |
| Battery | 1.5kWh | 1kWh |
| Total system power | 172kW | 169kW |
| Total system torque | 367Nm | 350Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed auto | 6-speed auto |
| Driven wheels | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 5.6L/100km | 5.7L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 67L | 67L |
| Fuel type | 91 RON | 91 RON |
| C02 (combined) | 128g/km | 129g/km |
Dimensions
There are also plenty of similarities to be found here as the Santa Fe and Sorento are built on the same platform.
However, the Hyundai is the bigger car, being longer, taller and 91kg heavier.
That doesn’t translate to much of a boot space advantage. With two seating rows in place the Santa Fe has 20L more room, but Kia claims a roomier maximum figure for the Sorento with the second and third rows folded.
Both cars are boxy in shape, and come with a braked towing capacity of 1650kg.
| Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD | Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4830mm | 4810mm |
| Width | 1900mm | 1900mm |
| Height | 1770mm | 1700mm |
| Wheelbase | 2815mm | 2815mm |
| Ground clearance | 177mm | 176mm |
| Boot capacity | N/A/628L/1949L | 179L/608L/1996L |
| Kerb weight | 2105kg | 2014kg |
| Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) | 2680kg | 2640kg |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1650kg | 1650kg |
Servicing and warranty
Hyundai and Kia differ when it comes to warranty offerings.
The Sorento offers a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty as opposed to five years of coverage for the Santa Fe.
But, you’ll pay more to service the Kia through your local dealership. The fourth service for the Sorento costs $1098, which is more than double the cost of the equivalent Santa Fe service.
Both the Santa Fe Hybrid and Sorento HEV have shorter 12-month/10,000km logbook service intervals compared to the typical 12-month/15,000km intervals.
According to Hyundai and Kia, this is because the hybrid engines are turbocharged.
| Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD | Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Interval | 12 months or 10,000km | 12 months or 10,000km |
| 1st service | $459 | $352 |
| 2nd service | $459 | $732 |
| 3rd service | $459 | $426 |
| 4th service | $459 | $1098 |
| 5th service | $459 | $396 |
| Total first 5 years | $2405 | $3004 |
| Avg. service price first 5 years | $459 | $600.80 |
Safety
The Hyundai Santa Fe has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Hyundai Santa Fe Kia Sorento
The 2024 Kia Sorento carries over the pre-update model’s five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2020, which is based on Euro NCAP tests.
Here’s a breakdown of the standard safety equipment on each car:
| Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento | |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 10 airbags | 7 airbags |
| Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keep assist | Yes | Yes |
| Blind-spot monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive cruise control with stop/go | Yes | Yes |
| Traffic sign recognition | Yes | Yes |
| Reversing camera | Yes | Yes |
| Surround-view camera | Yes | Yes |
| Rear cross-traffic alert | Yes | Yes |
| Parking sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Park assist | Yes | Yes |
| Tyre pressure monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Standard features
The biggest differences you’ll notice between the new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD and flagship Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD comes in their design and standard equipment.
| Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD | Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 20-inch alloy wheels | 19-inch alloy wheels |
| Spare wheel | Full-size alloy | Full-size alloy |
| Headlights | Dual-projector, dusk sensing LED with DRL | Dusk-sensing LED with DRL |
| Fog lights | Yes, LED | Yes, LED |
| Wipers | Auto rain-sensing | Auto rain-sensing |
| Side mirrors | Heated, powered with auto-dip on reverse, auto folding | Heated, powered with auto-dip on reverse, auto folding |
| Sunroof | Panoramic glass sunroof | Panoramic glass sunroof |
| Tailgate | Hands-free, powered | Hands-free, powered |
There are plenty of common features on the outside of these vehicles, although the Santa Fe is treated to larger 20-inch alloy wheels in Calligraphy trim.
Neither car is lacking here, boasting all the features you’d expect of a top-specification family SUV.
| Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD | Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Upholstery | Black Ink Nappa leather upholstery | Quilted Nappa leather-appointed upholstery |
| Front seats | Heated, ventilated and massaging 14-way power adjustable (10-way passenger) | Heated, ventilated and massaging 14-way power adjustable (10-way passenger) |
| Rear seats | Heated | Heated |
| Steering wheel | Heated, leather-wrapped | Heated, leather-wrapped |
| Gear selector | Column-mounted | Shift-by-wire rotary gear selector |
| Paddle shifters | Yes | Yes |
| Rear-view mirror | Auto-dimming | Auto-dimming |
| Climate control | Dual-zone | Dual-zone |
Many of the specifications align again here, so it comes down to personal preference in materials, aesthetics, and layout.
One difference? The Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD is available in a six-seat configuration with second-row captain’s chairs as a $500 option. The Sorento HEV on the other hand is only available with seven seats.
You’re also able to opt for Forest Green and Pecan Brown upholstery colours for an extra $295 in the Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD. The Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD on the other hand is only offered with black upholstery.
| Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD | Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Instrument cluster | 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster | 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster |
| Head-up display | Yes | Yes |
| Infotainment | 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (with OTA software updates) | 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (with OTA software updates) |
| Satellite navigation | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone mirroring | Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay Wired and wireless Android Auto | Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay Wired and wireless Android Auto |
| Phone charging | Dual wireless chargers | Single wireless charger |
| USB | USB-C all three rows | USB-C all three rows |
| Sound system | 12-speaker Bose Premium Sound System | 12-speaker Bose Premium Sound System |
| Key | Smart key with push button start, keyless entry and remote start | Smart key with push button start, keyless entry and remote start |
If you were still on the fence before reading this section, that won’t change.
The Santa Fe and Sorento are near-identical from an interior technology perspective, although each has a uniquely designed user interface.
Hyundai also takes the win for connectivity, with an extra wireless smartphone charger available to passengers.
With so little splitting these SUVs separated at birth, which would you pick? Let us know in the comments
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