Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 37 mpg combined versus 36 mpg for the Hyundai Santa Fe, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Kia Sorento leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
Hyundai Santa Fe
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 90 configurations
2015–2027
Kia Sorento
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 74 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 36 mpg | 37 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 37 mpg | 39 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 36 mpg | 36 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,700 | $1,650 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 111 g/mi | 105 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6, SIDI; PHEV | SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (AM-S8) | Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (AM-S8), Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 90 | 74 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Santa Fe vs Sorento: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Kia Sorento?
The Kia Sorento is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 37 mpg combined versus 36 mpg for the Hyundai Santa Fe, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Kia Sorento runs about $1,650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,700 for the Hyundai Santa Fe — a difference of roughly $50 per year.
What engines do the Santa Fe and Sorento offer?
Hyundai Santa Fe: SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6, SIDI; PHEV. Kia Sorento: SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: hyundai-santa-fe-vs-kia-sorento