Compare the2023 Hyundai Santa Fe HybridVS 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

Both the Santa Fe Hybrid and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Santa Fe Hybrid is 1.2% less likely to roll over than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

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 Santa Fe Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

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

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Santa Fe 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 Plug-In Hybrid.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Santa Fe Hybrid’s reliability 29 points higher than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Santa Fe Hybrid has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (17.7 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For greater off-road capability the Santa Fe Hybrid has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8.2 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Santa Fe Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Santa Fe Hybrid has .9 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more rear legroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The front step up height for the Santa Fe Hybrid is 1.5 inches lower than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (17.5” vs. 19”). The Santa Fe Hybrid’s rear step up height is .7 inches lower than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (18.3” vs. 19”).

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (36.4 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Santa Fe Hybrid easier. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

The Santa Fe Hybrid uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

When the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Santa Fe Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Santa Fe Hybrid will cost $330 to $1725 less than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Santa Fe Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Santa Fe Hybrid will retain 50.72% to 50.86% of its original price after five years, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid only retains 45.04% to 45.21%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid will be $7729 to $10985 less than for the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Santa Fe outsold the Kia Sorento by 43% during 2022.