2019 Kia Sorento vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2019 Kia Sorento was an attractive SUV, featuring updated styling with revised front and rear bumpers, a new grille, and redesigned headlights and taillights. The SX Limited trim, which was the top-tier option, showcased premium Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. However, despite these high-end touches, the interior still had some inexpensive plastic surfaces that felt out of place in a nearly $50,000 vehicle.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe had a bold and experimental design that was not universally appealing. The interior, however, was dramatic and full of character, with a dual-cowl dashboard and diamond-textured speaker grilles. The materials used were not as high-quality as the design suggested, but the build quality was excellent. The Santa Fe's interior was comfortable and well-equipped, making it a good choice for those who appreciate daring design.

The 2019 Kia Sorento offered two engine options: a standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and a more powerful 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6. The V6 engine provided smooth power and quick acceleration, paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sorento also featured multiple driving modes and optional all-wheel drive with Torque Vectoring Cornering Control for improved handling. During testing, the Sorento returned 20.7 mpg, close to its EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, was underwhelming. The better choice was the 2.0T model, which featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 235 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided better performance, especially at higher altitudes. The Santa Fe also had an 8-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. The test model returned 22.1 mpg, close to its EPA rating of 23 mpg. The Santa Fe offered a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, making it a competent daily driver.

The 2019 Kia Sorento was a 3-row, 7-passenger SUV, but the third-row seat was best suited for emergency use due to its limited accessibility and lack of comfort. As a 5-passenger SUV, the Sorento offered 38 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 73 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The SX Limited trim featured premium amenities like Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, rear-seat comfort was less impressive due to tight legroom and a flat bottom cushion.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was a two-row, five-passenger SUV with thoughtful attention to detail. The test vehicle featured eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with air conditioning vents, sunshades, and heated bottom cushions. The Santa Fe offered 35.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 71.3 cubic feet, with additional storage compartments under the cargo floor. The hands-free "smart" liftgate was a convenient feature for easy access to the cargo area.

The 2019 Kia Sorento came with three infotainment systems depending on the trim level. The base system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim added UVO eServices with a 5-year service plan, while the top-tier system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The SX Limited trim also included a 360-degree surround-view camera system, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo control knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and a programmable button. All models included Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services with three free years of service. The Limited trim featured a larger 8-inch display, navigation, a surround-view camera, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. The head-up display provided useful information within the driver's line of sight.

The 2019 Kia Sorento was a safe choice, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims except the base L. The EX trim included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Sorento received top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe also excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The SEL trim added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a safe exit assist system. The Limited trim featured a Blind-Spot View Monitor, providing a live video feed of the blind spots.