Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento
Midsize SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Santa Fe's own years, its best bet is 2020; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024. Among the Sorento's own years, its best bet is 2021; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Hyundai Santa Fe
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2020
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2017, 2025
Kia Sorento
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2021
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2011–2014, 2016–2017
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Santa Fe year says nothing about whether it beats a Sorento. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly power train and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly engine and power train | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly engine and steering | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and structure | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and structure | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and structure | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and air bags | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and structure | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Not rated | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2026 Kia Sorento | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $35,050 to $48,700 base price by trim, 9 trims | $32,390 to $53,490 base price by trim, 12 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo hybrid 1.6L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl turbo |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 21–36 mpg | 23–37 mpg |
| Seats | 6–7 | 6–7 |
| Third row | Yes | Yes |
| Cargo behind last row | 14.6 cu ft | — |
| Max cargo | 79.6 cu ft | 75.5 cu ft |
| Max towing | 2,000–4,500 lb | 2,000–4,500 lb |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 4 · 50 | 2 · 6 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Santa Fe SE lowest price, $35,050 | Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy highest price, $48,700 | Sorento LX lowest price, $32,390 | Sorento Plug-In Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige highest price, $53,490 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | Standard | Standard | — | Standard |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Santa Fe, Sorento).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Hyundai Santa Fe
43 manufacturer programs on file: 15 extended coverage, 28 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Certain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 – 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 – 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and… (Z01, 2013–2019 models)
- Extended coverage The warranty coverage of certain engines for repairs and replacement has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles (15years or 240,000km) from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs first, and is valid… (HSE25-12-P270, 2013–2019 models)
- Extended coverage Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. Hyundai is extending warranty coverage for the engine under this condition to 15 years/150,000 miles from… (25-EM-008H, 2013–2019 models)
- Extended coverage Certain 2013 – 2019 model year Santa Fe/Santa Fe XL vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may experience abnormal engine noise or engine damage. In an effort to meet this commitment, the warranty coverage for certain engine… (TXX8, 2013–2019 models)
Kia Sorento
32 manufacturer programs on file: 19 extended coverage, 13 repair programs.
- Extended coverage This warranty extension is to address a horn sound malfunction condition on 2021-2025 MY Sorento vehicles manufactured from September 10, 2020, through June 3, 2025, 2021-2025 MY Sorento Hybrid (HEV) vehicles manufactured from September 2,… (WTY042, 2021–2025 models)
- Extended coverage This warranty extension addresses failures of the driver’s front airbag clock spring, as well as the diagnosis of any concerns related to the airbag warning light. Kia is extending the warranty coverage for the driver’s front airbag clock… (TSB ELE108, 2011–2015 models)
- Extended coverage Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the repairs related to the Oil Pressure Switch leaking for eligible vehicles from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date… (WTY026, 2014–2018 models)
- Extended coverage This warranty extension addresses failures of the drivers front airbag clock spring as reported by some vehicle owners, as well as the diagnosis of any concerns related to the airbag warning light. Is extending the warranty coverage for… (WTY003DEALERP, 2011–2015 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2015, 2018–2024. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Years to skip: neither model has a year we rate avoid.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Santa Fe 2024; Sorento 2025.
- Third row: both the 2026 Santa Fe and Sorento offer one.
- Lower starting price in 2026: the Sorento, from $32,390 against $35,050. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: Sorento at 37 mpg (Santa Fe: 36), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.