Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa Fe in the Tri-Cities: Gas and Hybrid Compared
Last updated Nov 10, 2026
Specs note: Kia figures are from kia.com and Hyundai figures from hyundaiusa.com, with EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov, all checked Nov 2, 2026 unless noted. Specs vary by trim. Confirm on the window sticker or kia.com.
Sorento or Santa Fe? They’re cousins: two midsize 3-row SUVs, each with a turbo gas engine or a 1.6L turbo hybrid. I’m Rick G. at Overturf KIA in Pasco. Here’s how they compare on paper, so you can come drive the Sorento knowing what to look for.
Quick answer
On paper they’re close in size: both list a 110.8-inch wheelbase, and the Santa Fe is 0.6 inch longer. The Santa Fe lists a little more 3rd-row legroom (30.0 vs 29.6 inches) and cargo behind the 3rd row (14.6 vs 12.6 cubic feet). The Sorento gets the better EPA rating with gas, offers a base non-turbo engine, and is the only one of the two with a Plug-In Hybrid. With hybrids, FWD is nearly a tie and the Santa Fe Hybrid leads with AWD.
Gas: 2027 Sorento vs 2027 Santa Fe
| 2027, gas | Kia Sorento | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | 2.5L, 186 hp (LX, S); 2.5L turbo, 274 hp / 311 lb-ft (EX and up) | 2.5L turbo, 277 hp / 311 lb-ft |
| Drive | FWD or AWD by trim | FWD or HTRAC AWD by trim (XRT is AWD) |
| EPA combined, FWD / AWD | 26 / 25 mpg; turbo 23 / 23 | 24 / 23 mpg; XRT 21 |
| Seats | 7 (LX, S, EX; 6 with EX Premium Package) or 6 (SX and up) | 7 or 6, by trim |
| Length / wheelbase | 189.6 in. (X-Line and X-Pro 189.8) / 110.8 in. | 190.2 / 110.8 in. |
| Width | 74.8 in. | 74.8 in. |
| Ground clearance | 6.9 in. FWD, 8.2 in. AWD | 7.0 in. (XRT 8.3) |
| 3rd-row legroom | 29.6 in. | 30.0 in. |
| Cargo behind 3rd / 2nd / 1st row | 12.6 / 38.5 to 45.0 / 75.5 cu ft | 14.6 / 40.5 / 79.6 cu ft |
| Towing with trailer brakes | 2,000 to 3,500 lb by trim; 4,500 lb X-Pro SX Prestige | 3,500 lb; 4,500 lb XRT |
| Fuel tank | 17.7 gal | 17.7 gal |
Sources: kia.com 2027 Sorento specs (Oct 28 and Nov 2, 2026); hyundaiusa.com 2027 Santa Fe specs and fueleconomy.gov 2027 Sorento and Santa Fe listings (Nov 2, 2026). Confirm on the window sticker or kia.com.
Hybrid: Sorento Hybrid vs Santa Fe Hybrid
| 2027, hybrid | Kia Sorento Hybrid | Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 1.6L turbo hybrid, 232 hp combined, 6-speed automatic | 1.6L turbo hybrid, 6-speed automatic |
| Drive | FWD or AWD (EX); AWD (X-Line trims) | FWD or HTRAC AWD |
| EPA city / hwy / combined, FWD | 37 / 36 / 37 mpg | 37 / 36 / 36 mpg |
| EPA city / hwy / combined, AWD | 32 / 35 / 34 mpg | 35 / 34 / 35 mpg |
| Seats | 7 on the EX (6 available); 6 on X-Line trims | 7 or 6, by trim |
| 3rd-row legroom | 29.6 in. | 30.0 in. |
| Ground clearance | 6.9 in. | 7.0 in. |
| Cargo behind 3rd row | 12.6 cu ft | 14.6 cu ft |
| Towing with trailer brakes | 2,000 lb | 2,000 lb |
| Fuel tank | 17.7 gal | 17.7 gal |
Sources: kia.com 2027 Sorento Hybrid specs, hyundaiusa.com 2027 Santa Fe Hybrid specs, and fueleconomy.gov 2027 listings, checked Nov 2, 2026. Sorento Hybrid 3rd-row legroom from kia.com, Oct 28, 2026. Confirm on the window sticker or kia.com.
With FWD the two hybrids are within 1 mpg combined. With AWD the Santa Fe Hybrid is rated 1 mpg higher. Want to plug in? Only the Sorento comes as a Plug-In Hybrid (kia.com, checked Oct 29, 2026); see my Sorento gas vs Hybrid vs PHEV guide.
Third row and cargo
Hyundai lists 30.0 inches of 3rd-row legroom in the Santa Fe, and Kia lists 29.6 in the Sorento, so both suit kids and shorter trips best. Behind the 3rd row it’s 14.6 cubic feet in the Santa Fe vs 12.6 in the Sorento. If adults ride back there every week, also read my Sorento vs Telluride guide. Bring your car seats when you come in.
Winter, AWD and highway miles in the Tri-Cities
Both come in FWD or AWD by trim. AWD Sorentos list 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and the Santa Fe XRT lists 8.3. For Columbia Basin frost and ice, tires matter more than either badge. AWD helps you get going; good winter tires help you stop and turn. Real mpg on Hwy 240 or I-82 in January will be lower than any sticker, for both.
Towing
Gas: the Sorento is rated 2,000 to 3,500 lb on most trims and 4,500 lb on the X-Pro SX Prestige. Hyundai lists 3,500 lb for the Santa Fe and 4,500 lb for the XRT. Both hybrids list 2,000 lb. Towing takes the right hitch and trailer brakes, so read the owner’s manual and check the window sticker.
Budget: MSRP plus published incentives
Compare the two trims you’d actually buy. When you come in, I’ll write up the Sorento fresh on the lot: MSRP plus that day’s published incentives.
Warranty
Kia lists 5-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage for the original owner (kia.com warranty page, checked Oct 29, 2026). Hyundai lists a 5-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Limited and a 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited warranty. Shopping a Kia Certified Pre-Owned? You get the remainder of the original factory warranty.
How to compare: on paper first, then drive the Kia
- Pick gas or hybrid first, then FWD or AWD.
- Compare 3rd-row room and cargo with every seat up.
- Bring your car seats and measure your garage.
Compare on paper here, then come drive the Sorento at Overturf KIA in Pasco.
Common questions
Is the Sorento bigger than the Santa Fe?
They’re close. Kia lists the 2027 Sorento at 189.6 inches long, or 189.8 on X-Line and X-Pro trims, and Hyundai lists the 2027 Santa Fe at 190.2. Both list a 110.8-inch wheelbase and 74.8-inch width.
Which hybrid gets better mpg, the Sorento Hybrid or the Santa Fe Hybrid?
With FWD, the EPA rates the 2027 Sorento Hybrid at 37 mpg combined and the Santa Fe Hybrid at 36. With AWD it’s 34 for the Sorento Hybrid and 35 for the Santa Fe Hybrid.
Do both have a third row?
Yes. Kia lists 29.6 inches of 3rd-row legroom in the 2027 Sorento, and Hyundai lists 30.0 inches in the 2027 Santa Fe.
Is there a plug-in hybrid?
Of these two, only the Sorento comes as a Plug-In Hybrid. kia.com still showed the 2026 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid when I checked on Nov 10, 2026.
Ready to compare?
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Checked Nov 10, 2026 (PT) unless noted: kia.com 2027 Sorento specs; kia.com 2027 Sorento Hybrid specs; hyundaiusa.com 2027 Santa Fe specs; hyundaiusa.com 2027 Santa Fe Hybrid specs; fueleconomy.gov 2027 Sorento; fueleconomy.gov 2027 Santa Fe; Kia warranty. Always confirm the window sticker for the VIN you drive.