Compare the2023 Hyundai Tucson HybridVS 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Tucson Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Sorento Hybrid.

Both the Tucson Hybrid and the Sorento Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tucson Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sorento Hybrid is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

The Tucson Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Sorento Hybrid’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tucson Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sorento Hybrid.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 9 places higher in reliability than Kia.

As tested in Motor Trend the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is faster than the Kia Sorento Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Tucson Hybrid gets better mileage than the Sorento Hybrid:

The Tucson Hybrid Limited handles at .82 G’s, while the Sorento Hybrid EX pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Tucson Hybrid has a 1.45 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Hybrid (8.3 vs. 6.85 inches), allowing the Tucson Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the Kia Sorento Hybrid.

The Tucson Hybrid is 7.1 inches shorter than the Sorento Hybrid, making the Tucson Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Tucson Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Tucson Hybrid has 2.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sorento Hybrid (107.9 vs. 105.3).

The Tucson Hybrid has .4 inches more rear headroom and .6 inches more rear legroom than the Sorento Hybrid.

The Tucson Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Sorento Hybrid with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

The Tucson Hybrid’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sorento Hybrid’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Tucson Hybrid’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sorento Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Both the Tucson Hybrid and the Sorento Hybrid have standard heated front seats. The Tucson Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Sorento Hybrid.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Sorento Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Tucson Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Tucson Hybrid will retain 48.97% to 49.88% of its original price after five years, while the Sorento Hybrid only retains 45.41% to 46.07%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid will be $3615 to $6792 less than for the Kia Sorento Hybrid.

Consumer Reports® chose the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tucson Hybrid third among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Sorento Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Kia Sorento by almost two to one during the 2022 model year.