The Santa Fe and Sorento are close in size and share a lot of engineering, but they differ in base power, cargo room, pricing, and electrified options. Here is how they compare for 2026.
Choose the 2026 Santa Fe if you want more cargo space, more standard power, and a lower-priced hybrid. Choose the 2026 Sorento if the lowest possible sticker price or a plug-in hybrid matters most.
Both are midsize SUVs with three rows of seating for six or seven passengers, and both are built on shared Hyundai Motor Group engineering. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe uses a boxy shape that frees up more room behind the third row and behind the second row. Every gas Santa Fe uses a 277-horsepower 2.5-liter turbo engine, now paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission for 2026.
The 2026 Kia Sorento is slightly shorter and tighter inside, especially in the cargo area. Its LX and S trims use a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter engine without a turbo, which keeps the starting price lower. Turbo trims make 281 horsepower. Kia also sells a Sorento Plug-in Hybrid, an option Hyundai does not offer on the Santa Fe in the US.
Key specifications for the gas models unless noted.
| Spec | 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2026 Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle class | Midsize three-row SUV | Midsize three-row SUV |
| Seating | 6 or 7 | 6 or 7 |
| Overall length | 190.2 in | 189.6 in (189.8 in X-Line/X-Pro) |
| Second-row legroom | 42.3 in | 41.7 in |
| Third-row legroom | 30.0 in | 29.6 in |
| Cargo behind 3rd row | 14.6 cu ft | 12.6 cu ft |
| Cargo behind 2nd row | 40.5 cu ft | 38.5 cu ft |
| Maximum cargo | 79.6 cu ft | 75.5 cu ft |
| Base gas engine | 2.5L turbo, 277 hp, 8-speed automatic | 2.5L, 191 hp, 8-speed automatic |
| Max towing | Up to 4,500 lbs (XRT); 3,500 lbs other gas trims | Up to 4,500 lbs (X-Pro SX Prestige) |
Cargo volumes are manufacturer figures; Hyundai and Kia measurements can differ slightly by method. Towing requires proper equipment, including trailer brakes. Specifications are current as of publication and subject to change; confirm details on the specific vehicle you are considering.
A hybrid pairs a gas engine with an electric motor and a small battery that charges itself while you drive. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has a larger battery you charge from an outlet, allowing short trips on electric power alone before the gas engine takes over.
| Powertrain | 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2026 Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 277 hp turbo; from $35,050 MSRP (SE FWD) | 191 hp (LX/S) or 281 hp turbo; from $32,390 MSRP (LX FWD) |
| Hybrid | 1.6L turbo hybrid, 231 hp; from $36,400 MSRP (SE FWD) | 1.6L turbo hybrid, 227 hp; from $38,890 MSRP |
| Plug-in hybrid | Not offered in the US | 261 hp, AWD standard, EPA-est. 31 miles electric range; from $48,290 MSRP |
| Drivetrain | FWD standard; HTRAC AWD available (standard on XRT) | FWD standard; AWD available (standard on PHEV) |
Prices are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices excluding destination charges, taxes, title, registration, and dealer fees. Pricing is subject to change; see Elder Hyundai for current Santa Fe pricing and offers.
The Santa Fe’s upright tailgate and boxy body add 2 cu ft behind the third row, 2 cu ft behind the second row, and about 4 cu ft of maximum cargo space over the Sorento. It also has a bit more second- and third-row legroom.
Every gas Santa Fe, from the SE up, uses the 277-hp turbo engine. On the Sorento, you need to step up to the EX or higher to get turbo power. For 2026, the gas Santa Fe moves to a conventional 8-speed automatic.
The new Santa Fe Hybrid SE trim brings the 231-hp hybrid in at $36,400 MSRP, below the Sorento Hybrid’s starting price, while keeping three-row seating and a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Match your priorities to the right model.
Pick: Hyundai Santa Fe. More cargo room with all three rows up means strollers, sports bags, and groceries fit without folding a seat.
Pick: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Similar hybrid output to the Sorento Hybrid, with a lower starting MSRP and more cargo space.
Pick: Kia Sorento LX. Its non-turbo base engine gives it the lower starting price, though with 86 fewer horsepower than the base Santa Fe.
Pick: Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. It is the only one of the two offering a plug-in option. If you are open to a fully electric three-row SUV, ask us about the Hyundai IONIQ 9.
See how the Santa Fe fits your family at Elder Hyundai.
Our Hall Road showroom serves drivers across Macomb, Clinton Township, Roseville, and the Detroit metro. We can walk you through Santa Fe gas and hybrid trims and help you compare them against the Sorento you have been researching.
Browse in-stock Santa Fe models online, learn more about the Santa Fe Hybrid, or get a value on your current vehicle.
Slightly. The 2026 Santa Fe is 190.2 inches long versus 189.6 inches for the Sorento, but the bigger difference is inside. The Santa Fe has 14.6 cu ft of cargo space behind the third row compared with 12.6 cu ft in the Sorento, and 79.6 cu ft of maximum cargo space compared with 75.5 cu ft.
No. Hyundai and Kia are sister brands that share engineering, so the two SUVs use related engines and hybrid systems. Each has its own body, interior, and trim structure. The Santa Fe has more cargo room and a turbo engine on every gas trim, while the Sorento offers a lower-priced non-turbo base engine and a plug-in hybrid.
No. In the US, the 2026 Santa Fe is offered as a gas model or a hybrid. The Kia Sorento is available as a gas model, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid with an EPA-estimated 31 miles of electric range.
The Sorento has the lower starting MSRP for a gas model at $32,390 versus $35,050 for the Santa Fe, excluding destination. The base Sorento uses a 191-hp engine, while the base Santa Fe has a 277-hp turbo. For hybrids, the Santa Fe Hybrid is less expensive, starting at $36,400 compared with $38,890 for the Sorento Hybrid.
They match at the top. The Santa Fe XRT and the Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige can each tow up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped. Other gas Santa Fe trims are rated at 3,500 pounds, and the Santa Fe Hybrid is rated at 2,000 pounds with trailer brakes.
See the extra cargo room and standard turbo power for yourself at Elder Hyundai, 19077 Hall Road in Macomb, MI.
