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2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento

Affordable, agile, and full of features. Both the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2017 Kia Sorento have a lot to offer in the midsized SUV segment.

Carsforsale.com Review Team December 21, 2016

2017 Kia Sorento vs 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe -carsforsale.com

We are celebrating SUV month at Carsforsale.com. Midsized, third row SUVs have commandeered the market, encouraging innovation in the industry. With the recent redesign of the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, and the 2017 Kia Sorento carrying over last year’s refresh, let’s look at two affordable and reliable midsized SUVs and what they have to offer.

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Overview

3.3 L V6 Engine
290 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque
Up to 18 City / 25 mpg Highway
$30,800 Starting
10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain, 60 month / 60,000-mile basic warranty, and 60 month / unlimited mile roadside assistance

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Review

Design

With refreshed fascia and rear-end, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe is bold, but not bulky. The 18” alloy wheels, chrome accents, and LED running lights are a modest hint at the many premium features it carries. The headlights wrap up and slightly over the front fender while the newly designed brushed-appearance grille sits neatly between them. Approaching in a rearview mirror, it says “get out of the way.” For a mid-generation refresh, it sets itself apart from other SUVs nicely, without losing any of the “dapper” we expect from the Santa Fe.

The Interior

With room for up-to seven passengers, the Santa Fe has a clean, roomy interior. While not the most spacious in its class, the third row offers extra seating when you need it. The new center stack layout holds a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth hands-free smartphone system. Steering wheel mounted audio and cruise control keeps your hands on the wheel, and the rearview camera is a great standard feature to get you out of a tight parking spot. The Santa Fe doesn’t disappoint, with several other standard features.

Additional standard features include:

Android Auto
Remote Keyless Entry
12-way power driver seat
Stain-resistant cloth seats
Dual-zone automatic temperature control with CleanAir Ionizer
Sliding 40/20/40-split second-row seating
Six-speaker sound system
Satellite/HD radio
Hyundai Blue Link System

Performance

The 6-speed automatic transmission is paired with a 24-Valve DOHC 3.3 L V6, producing 290 hp and 252 lb-ft torque. Estimated mileage is 21 mpg combined for the standard FWD option and 20 mpg combined for the available AWD. With smooth shifting, quick acceleration, and a max towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, expect some pep and power from the Santa Fe.

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe 2017 Top Safety Pick+ honors. It has not yet been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). With the Santa Fe, safety comes first by design. Standard safety equipment includes roof-mounted side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors and driver’s knee airbag, Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist Control with Downhill Brake Control and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Available safety features include Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Smart Cruise Control.

Features

Want more bang for your buck? Other standard features include roof rack side rails, headed side mirrors, privacy glass windows, and USB jacks. Our favorite optional feature on the base model for parents is the Hands-free Smart Liftgate with auto-open which is standard on the Limited, SE Ultimate, and Limited Ultimate trims.

Warranty

Hyundai’s 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain, 60 month / 60,000-mile basic warranty, and 60 month / unlimited-mile roadside assistance.

2017 Kia Sorento Overview

2017 Kia Sorento (Base)

2.4 L 4-Cylinder Engine
185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque
21 mpg City / 28 mpg Highway
$25,400 Starting
120 month / 100,000-mile Powertrain, 60 month / 60,000-mile basic warranty

2017 Kia Sorento EX

3.3 L V6
290 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque
18 mpg City / 25 mpg Highway
$33,100 Starting
120 month / 100,000-mile powertrain, 60 month / 60,000-mile basic warranty, and 60 month / 60,000-mile roadside assistance

2017 Kia Sorento Review

Design

The Kia Sorento underwent a full refresh in 2016, giving it a more attractive quality. 2017’s Sorento carries over the design from last year. What makes it most interesting is the size and shape are that of a minivan, but doesn’t lose the appearance of a Sorento. Standard 17-inch alloy rims (18-inch on the V6 EX), a unique bulleted grille, and powerful LED running lights help it stand out.

The Interior

Crafted with high quality, soft touch materials, the Sorento offers a classy cabin. It has plenty of legroom in the second row and rides quietly and comfortably – perfect for longer trips or quick errands around town. The third row offers seating when you need it and is great for children or smaller adults. The second and third-row seats fold down to provide plenty of cargo space, and we love the nicely designed cargo storage compartment in the rear cargo area for even more storage space and organization. Upgrade to the 10-speaker Infinity Audio system for world-class sound, and upgrade the seats to enjoy heated first and second rows and ventilated driver and front passenger seating.

Standard features include:

Steering Wheel Mounted Audio, Hands-free Phone, and Cruise Control
Stain-resistant cloth seats
Apple CarPlay (late availability) and Android Auto
Bluetooth
Sliding 40/20/40-split second-row seating
Dual-Zone Climate Control
50/50 Split-Folding third-row seats (EX)
10-way power driver seat (EX)
Remote Keyless Entry
Six-speaker sound system
Satellite/HD radio

Performance

Quiet and smooth by design, the Sorento provides a tranquil driving experience. Three engine options are offered, paired with 6-speed automatic transmission. For the environmentally minded consumer, The base 2.4 L 4-Cylinder produces 185 hp and 178 lb-ft torque with 24 mpg combined fuel efficiency. The 2.0 L Turbocharged 4-Cylinder produces 240 hp and 260 lb-ft torque, and the 3.3 L V6 produces 290 hp and 252 lb-ft torque. If you are looking for enough up and go and gusto to haul, opt for the 3.3 L V6. It has the power and performance you want and can tow up-to 5,000 lbs.

Safety

The IIHS awarded the 2017 Kia Sorento Top Safety Pick+ honors in 2016 and the NHTSA scored the Sorento 5 Stars overall. Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist Control, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Roll Over Mitigation (AWD), and Cornering Brake Control(AWD) come standard.

Available Safety Features include:

Vehicle Stability Management
Forward Collision Warning
Smart Cruise Control
Blind Spot Detection
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Surround View Monitor

Features

Heated Mirrors with LED turn signal indicators come standard, as does privacy glass, Sirius XM audio, and USB jacks. Optional features include rearview camera, roof rails, 4.3-inch touch screen, blind-sport monitor, dynamic headlights, and heated seating.

Warranty

120 month / 100,000-mile powertrain, 60 month / 60,000-mile basic warranty , and 60 month / 60,000-mile roadside assistance.