2020 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Kia Sorento

When shopping for a new 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, buyers had to choose between SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels. The "2.0T" versions offered a turbocharged engine for enhanced power and performance, and all-wheel drive (AWD) was an optional feature. The selection process also included choosing paint color, interior color, and dealer-installed accessories. The test vehicle, a Limited 2.0T trim, came with dealer-installed floor mats, totaling $39,170. The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, featuring a unique grille shape, stacked front lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings. Inside, the dual-cowl dashboard design and high-contrast interior colors added character, although the materials quality didn't quite match the high-style design.

The 2021 Kia Sorento represented a significant design evolution from its predecessor, shedding its bubbly look for a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The test car, an SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package, featured roof rails and a shark fin antenna. The front showcased an expansive tiger-nose grille and squinting headlights, while a silver accent along the side added visual interest. The rear design included vertical taillights that looked cohesive and modern. Inside, the Sorento offered high-value features like heated outside mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and keyless entry. The SX Prestige trim provided 10-way driver’s seat adjustment and 8-way for the front passenger, with heated and ventilated seats available on higher trims. The panoramic sunroof and large windows ensured excellent visibility.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe had a minimum curb weight of 3,591 pounds and a maximum of 3,946 pounds. Its standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine was shared with the Kia Sorento but was not the preferred choice. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, was the better option. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience. The Santa Fe's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, and it achieved 22.1 mpg in combined driving. While competent, the Santa Fe's driving dynamics were more utilitarian than engaging.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most common being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. However, the test car featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This setup provided ample power for merging, cruising, and passing. The Sorento also offered a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric motor. The AWD system with torque vectoring and a center-locking differential ensured good traction, while the suspension provided a smooth ride. The various drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, allowed for different driving experiences, with Sport mode offering improved throttle response.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was designed with thoughtful attention to detail, offering creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric in cloth-seat versions. The test vehicle featured eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, with additional lumbar and thigh support for the driver. The dual-zone automatic climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the panoramic sunroof extended beyond the rear seat head restraints. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with air conditioning vents, rear side-window sunshades, and heated bottom cushions. However, the Santa Fe's cargo space was limited, with 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and a maximum of 71.3 cubic feet. The hands-free "smart" liftgate was a convenient feature.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, a three-row SUV, was best considered a four-seater in its top trims due to the second-row captain's chairs and tight third-row space. The test vehicle's second-row seats were comfortable, with ample legroom in both the front and rear. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, but total cargo volume was 75.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Sorento offered practical storage solutions, including a phone spot with optional wireless charging, cupholders, and a center console bucket. The door pockets and second-row cupholders provided additional storage, although they were not suitable for large items.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, stereo control knobs, and main menu shortcut buttons. Every Santa Fe included Bluetooth connectivity, 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 an 8-inch display, navigation system, surround-view camera, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. The head-up display provided useful data, including blind-spot monitoring. The voice recognition system was sophisticated and responsive.

The 2021 Kia Sorento's tech included an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. The smaller screen had hard buttons and knobs, while the larger screen used haptic touch buttons. The larger screen required a physical connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the right third of the screen displayed redundant information. The Sorento had plenty of USB ports but no USB-C ports. The optional Bose stereo was adequate but not exceptional. The navigation system needed improvement, particularly in voice search and Point-of-Interest functions. Most drivers would likely rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for navigation.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned a five-star overall crash-test 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, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The SEL trim added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a safe exit assist system. The SEL Convenience Package included an ultrasonic occupant alert system, and the Limited trim featured a Blind-Spot View Monitor.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. The test car also had a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA awarded the Sorento four out of five stars overall, with perfect scores in side-impact crash tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick designation, with the SX trim levels receiving top marks for their LED headlights.