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The relationship between Hyundai and Kia is very much like that shared by squabbling siblings.

Despite sharing the same parents – the Hyundai Motor Group in this case – the South Korean brands are permanently locked in a fierce rivalry with neither taking a backward step.

It can be difficult to comprehend at times, especially when you look at the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento large SUVs.

While the carmakers are closely intertwined, both fight for the same customers with these vehicles.

Given the Santa Fe has received a complete overhaul for 2024, it’s the obvious pick then… especially in top Hybrid Calligraphy AWD trim, right?

Not necessarily. The flagship Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD is cheaper, and not everyone is a fan of Hyundai’s new, boxy design language.

Let’s try and split the pair on paper.

Pricing

Both SUVs featured here are range-topping hybrid variants priced in excess of $70,000 before on-road costs. The Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD comes in $1670 cheaper than the Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD.

The same applies at the bottom of the range; the entry level Sorento S V6 petrol retails for just over $50,000 before on-road costs, while the base Santa Fe Hybrid 2WD is $55,500 before on-roads.

There are petrol versions of the Santa Fe due locally late in the fourth quarter of 2024 which will likely reduce this ~$5000 entry price gap.

Model Variant Price before on-roads
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD $75,000
2024 Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD $73,330

Drivetrains and efficiency

It’s basically impossible to split the Santa Fe and Sorento in this regard as they share a powertrain.

The Hyundai takes small wins when it comes to power, torque, and fuel economy, as it has a newer version of the hybrid powertrain, but this really is like splitting hairs.

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD
Engine 1.6L turbocharged 4cyl 1.6L turbocharged 4cyl
Engine power 132kW 132kW
Engine torque 265Nm 265Nm
Electric motor power 44kW 44kW
Electric motor torque 264Nm 264Nm
Battery 1.5kWh 1kWh
Total system power 172kW 169kW
Total system torque 367Nm 350Nm
Transmission 6-speed auto 6-speed auto
Driven wheels AWD AWD
Fuel economy (claimed) 5.6L/100km 5.7L/100km
Fuel tank capacity 67L 67L
Fuel type 91 RON 91 RON
C02 (combined) 128g/km 129g/km

Dimensions

There are also plenty of similarities to be found here as the Santa Fe and Sorento are built on the same platform.

However, the Hyundai is the bigger car, being longer, taller and 91kg heavier.

That doesn’t translate to much of a boot space advantage. With two seating rows in place the Santa Fe has 20L more room, but Kia claims a roomier maximum figure for the Sorento with the second and third rows folded.

Both cars are boxy in shape, and come with a braked towing capacity of 1650kg.

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD
Length 4830mm 4810mm
Width 1900mm 1900mm
Height 1770mm 1700mm
Wheelbase 2815mm 2815mm
Ground clearance 177mm 176mm
Boot capacity N/A/628L/1949L 179L/608L/1996L
Kerb weight 2105kg 2014kg
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) 2680kg 2640kg
Towing capacity (braked) 1650kg 1650kg

Servicing and warranty

Hyundai and Kia differ when it comes to warranty offerings.

The Sorento offers a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty as opposed to five years of coverage for the Santa Fe.

But, you’ll pay more to service the Kia through your local dealership. The fourth service for the Sorento costs $1098, which is more than double the cost of the equivalent Santa Fe service.

Both the Santa Fe Hybrid and Sorento HEV have shorter 12-month/10,000km logbook service intervals compared to the typical 12-month/15,000km intervals.

According to Hyundai and Kia, this is because the hybrid engines are turbocharged.

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD
Warranty 5 years, unlimited kilometres 7 years, unlimited kilometres
Interval 12 months or 10,000km 12 months or 10,000km
1st service $459 $352
2nd service $459 $732
3rd service $459 $426
4th service $459 $1098
5th service $459 $396
Total first 5 years $2405 $3004
Avg. service price first 5 years $459 $600.80

Safety

The Hyundai Santa Fe has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. 

The 2024 Kia Sorento carries over the pre-update model’s five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2020, which is based on Euro NCAP tests.

Here’s a breakdown of the standard safety equipment on each car:

Hyundai Santa Fe Kia Sorento
Airbags 10 airbags 7 airbags
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) Yes Yes
Lane-keep assist Yes Yes
Blind-spot monitoring Yes Yes
Adaptive cruise control with stop/go Yes Yes
Traffic sign recognition Yes Yes
Reversing camera Yes Yes
Surround-view camera Yes Yes
Rear cross-traffic alert Yes Yes
Parking sensors Yes Yes
Park assist Yes Yes
Tyre pressure monitoring Yes Yes

Standard features

The biggest differences you’ll notice between the new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD and flagship Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD comes in their design and standard equipment.

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD
Wheels 20-inch alloy wheels 19-inch alloy wheels
Spare wheel Full-size alloy Full-size alloy
Headlights Dual-projector, dusk sensing LED with DRL Dusk-sensing LED with DRL
Fog lights Yes, LED Yes, LED
Wipers Auto rain-sensing Auto rain-sensing
Side mirrors Heated, powered with auto-dip on reverse, auto folding Heated, powered with auto-dip on reverse, auto folding
Sunroof Panoramic glass sunroof Panoramic glass sunroof
Tailgate Hands-free, powered Hands-free, powered

There are plenty of common features on the outside of these vehicles, although the Santa Fe is treated to larger 20-inch alloy wheels in Calligraphy trim.

Neither car is lacking here, boasting all the features you’d expect of a top-specification family SUV.

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD
Upholstery Black Ink Nappa leather upholstery Quilted Nappa leather-appointed upholstery
Front seats Heated, ventilated and massaging 14-way power adjustable (10-way passenger) Heated, ventilated and massaging 14-way power adjustable (10-way passenger)
Rear seats Heated Heated
Steering wheel Heated, leather-wrapped Heated, leather-wrapped
Gear selector Column-mounted Shift-by-wire rotary gear selector
Paddle shifters Yes Yes
Rear-view mirror Auto-dimming Auto-dimming
Climate control Dual-zone Dual-zone

Many of the specifications align again here, so it comes down to personal preference in materials, aesthetics, and layout.

One difference? The Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD is available in a six-seat configuration with second-row captain’s chairs as a $500 option. The Sorento HEV on the other hand is only available with seven seats.

You’re also able to opt for Forest Green and Pecan Brown upholstery colours for an extra $295 in the Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD. The Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD on the other hand is only offered with black upholstery.

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line AWD
Instrument cluster 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Head-up display Yes Yes
Infotainment 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (with OTA software updates) 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (with OTA software updates)
Satellite navigation Yes Yes
Smartphone mirroring Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay
Wired and wireless Android Auto
Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay
Wired and wireless Android Auto
Phone charging Dual wireless chargers Single wireless charger
USB USB-C all three rows USB-C all three rows
Sound system 12-speaker Bose Premium Sound System 12-speaker Bose Premium Sound System
Key Smart key with push button start, keyless entry and remote start Smart key with push button start, keyless entry and remote start

If you were still on the fence before reading this section, that won’t change.

The Santa Fe and Sorento are near-identical from an interior technology perspective, although each has a uniquely designed user interface.

Hyundai also takes the win for connectivity, with an extra wireless smartphone charger available to passengers.

With so little splitting these SUVs separated at birth, which would you pick? Let us know in the comments

MORE: Buy a Hyundai Santa Fe
MORE: Everything Hyundai Santa Fe

MORE: Buy a Kia Sorento
MORE: Everything Kia Sorento



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