The three-row midsize SUV section continues to develop, not simply within the variety of autos provided with three rows but in addition within the dimension of these autos. For buyers, think about it the Goldilocks Conundrum. Some SUVs could also be too massive to deal with, some SUVs could also be too cramped for a 3rd row, and a few, just like the autos in contrast right here, are good.
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Kia Sorento dimension up smaller than the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, however nonetheless have sufficient room within the third row to deal with carpool responsibility. They’re additionally extra environment friendly, simpler to maneuver, and higher to suit into garages and parking spots than their bigger counterparts.
The Hyundai Santa Fe nonetheless seems contemporary after its 2024 redesign, however that newness is mirrored in the next beginning worth than the ageing Sorento. Take into account that the Sorento’s decrease beginning worth features a much less highly effective, non-turbocharged engine.
For 2026, Hyundai changed its troublesome 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission (DCT) with a extra conventional 8-speed transmission that includes a torque converter, paired to the usual engine. The DCT led to a recall requiring new transmissions in sure Santa Fes. Apparently, though some variations of the Kia Sorento make the most of the identical DCT, Kia didn’t substitute it for the 2026 mannequin yr.
Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe’s boxy design made it longer, taller, and broader than its predecessor, which opened up the car’s cabin and made it roomier than the Sorento.
Just like the Sorento, the Santa Fe gives three rows of seats commonplace, permitting seating for seven. The exception is the Calligraphy trim that options captain’s chairs within the second row, lowering seating to only six passengers. The cabin options its new Panoramic Curved Show, which integrates the digital gauge cluster and the infotainment display into one cohesive show.
The Santa Fe is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 277 horsepower, which is distributed to the entrance wheels or to the non-compulsory all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. There’s additionally a Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid that trades energy for effectivity. It encompasses a 231-hp hybrid system and an EPA score of 36 mpg mixed, in comparison with 24 mpg mixed for the non-hybrid Santa Fe with FWD. The Hybrid solely prices about $1,500 extra.
Hyundai Santa Fe Highlights
Semi-autonomous: Hyundai’s Freeway Driving Help combines varied applied sciences, together with adaptive cruise management and lane centering, to make freeway driving safer and simpler. It’s obtainable in two variations, together with Freeway Driving Help 2 on the Calligraphy fashions, including performance like lane-change help.
Additional room: These SUVs are comparable in dimension, however because the specs desk beneath highlights, the Santa Fe is the roomier of the 2. The Hyundai gives barely extra space within the third row and cargo space in comparison with the Kia, enhancing its consolation and flexibility.
Easy accessibility: The brand new Santa Fe encompasses a built-in seize deal with on the facet, offering customers with simpler entry to the SUV’s roof. The deal with stays flush with the facet of the car till you push it in and use it. It’s additionally lockable to stop others from utilizing it.
Examine this week’s Truthful Buy Value or see the Santa Fe fashions close to you.
2026 Kia Sorento
Sitting someplace between a compact and a midsize, the Sorento enjoys simply sufficient house to incorporate an non-compulsory third row. It’s good to have when it’s essential to haul smaller individuals round for brief journeys. Nonetheless, average-sized adults can’t match for any affordable size of time.
One of many causes the Sorento is cheaper than the Santa Fe is as a result of it has a smaller 191-hp 4-cylinder base engine. On EX and above trims, it has the identical 281-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder because the Santa Fe. Including the turbocharged engine will increase the worth by roughly $4,000 and reduces the gasoline economic system from 26 mpg to 25 mpg. It’s additionally obtainable with AWD.
For the fuel-conscious shopper, Kia gives the Sorento Hybrid, which is solely $600 greater than the Sorento EX non-hybrid. In contrast to the Santa Fe, Kia additionally sells a Sorento Plug-In Hybrid that allows you to journey on electrical energy just for 31 miles, good for tailpipe emission-free driving for many day by day errands. When the electrical juice runs out, it nonetheless will get about 33 mpg mixed. The draw back is that it prices almost $10,000 greater than the Sorento Hybrid.
Kia Sorento Highlights
Easy accessibility: Sorento fashions with the EX trim and better function the Sensible Energy Tailgate, permitting hands-free opening and shutting. This provides appreciable comfort to loading and unloading the cargo space.
X-Line: The X-Line fashions within the Sorento lineup function a rugged look bundle, together with an additional inch of floor clearance, high-utility roof rails, and distinctive wheels and bumpers. All of them come commonplace with torque-vectoring AWD for added functionality.
Drive Sensible: Normal on each Sorento, it’s a collection of security expertise that features automated emergency braking, lane-keep help, automated excessive beams, driver consideration warning, and extra.
Examine this week’s Truthful Buy Value or see the Sorento fashions close to you.
Similarities
The Santa Fe and Sorento are engaging on the skin whereas offering loads of room and comfort options on the within. They each come commonplace with 3-row seating and primarily the identical infotainment tech.
Pricing
New 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Costs
|
Retail Value
|
Truthful Buy Value (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$36,295
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$38,835
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$43,285
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$45,845
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$48,845
|
TBD
|
New 2026 Kia Sorento Costs
|
Retail Value
|
Truthful Buy Value (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$33,635
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$36,535
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$39,735
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$43,535
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$44,035
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$45,335
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$48,035
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$49,035
|
TBD
|
The Kelley Blue E-book Truthful Buy Value for any particular person used car can range enormously based on mileage, situation, location, and different components.
The costs right here mirror what consumers are presently paying for New 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe autos and New 2026 Kia Sorento autos in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s urged retail worth (MSRP) quoted consists of the vacation spot charge, however doesn’t embody tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
Specs
| 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2026 Kia Sorento | |
| Common Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capability | 3,500 kilos | 2,000 kilos |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 191 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 181 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | automated, 8-speed w/shiftronic | automated, 8-speed |
| Gas Economic system | 20 metropolis/29 freeway/24 mixed mpg | N/A |
| Specs | ||
| Primary Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 10 years/100,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA General Security | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capability | 7 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 110.8 inches |
| General Size | 190.2 inches | 189.6 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 74.8 inches |
| Top | 67.7 inches | 66.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.9 toes | 37.9 toes |
| Headroom, Entrance | 41.1 inches | 40.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.6 inches | 39.1 inches |
| Headroom, third Row | 37.7 inches | 36.8 inches |
| Legroom, Entrance | 44.4 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 42.3 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, third Row | 30.0 inches | 29.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Entrance | 59.5 inches | 59.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 58.1 inches | 58.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, third Row | 53.5 inches | 53.0 inches |
| Cargo Behind Final Seat | 14.6 toes | 12.6 toes |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | 40.5 toes | 45.0 toes |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 79.6 toes | 75.5 toes |
Specification desk displays the everyday configuration of autos proven.
Conclusion
The Kia Sorento gives a broader vary of powertrain choices and a corresponding vary of costs, making it each extra reasonably priced and dearer than the Santa Fe. The Santa Fe has extra daring styling and a luxury-leaning Calligraphy trim line. Its third row and cargo space are additionally barely bigger. These two autos have been just lately put by means of their paces by KBB editors, and the Santa Fe completed on high—barely.
