Kia Sorento: Smoother, More Elegant Ride than Hyundai Santa Fe

Jan 29, 2016

When it comes to South Korean mid-size SUVs, the Kia Sorento far outpaces the Hyundai Santa Fe, offering a classier, better performing vehicle that has the added benefit of being less expensive than its rival. For North Dakota residents seeking a midsize SUV that’s a true joy to drive, a visit to the Kia dealership should be the first and only stop they make on their next car shopping trip.

The Kia Sorento is completely redesigned for 2016, with a bevy of new features, as opposed to the Santa Fe, which largely carries over the design of previous years. Some of the big changes Kia made for the 2016 Kia Sorento include adding a turbocharged four-cylinder engine option, stepping up interior materials quality, adding some great new technology, and improving suspension and other mechanical details.

Performance

With regard to performance, the Santa Fe’s base engine is more powerful than the Sorento’s, but the Sorento provides a better ride. The new Sorento’s base engine is a 2.4 liter four cylinder that turns out 185 horsepower and 178 lb. ft. of torque. The Santa Fe’s base engine is a 3.3 liter V6 that cranks out 290 horsepower and 252 lb. ft. of torque. The Sorento does offer a beefier V6 engine as well as a turbocharged four cylinder.

The Sorento provides a very comfortable ride, making it great for family vacations. The vehicle soaks up bumps on the road with little trouble. By comparison, the Santa Fe has long been known for spotty ride quality, with frequent bumps and jolts.

Interior

Kia greatly stepped up its game with improved interiors for the 2016 Sorento. The vehicle’s interior surfaces have a refined, premium look on par with many luxury vehicles. Seats are comfortable, and most surfaces are soft to the touch. The new Sorento offers plenty of legroom on the second row, and cargo room is ample. The Santa Fe also has great cargo room, but its interiors are nowhere near as nice as the Sorento’s.

The Sorento has an unparalleled tech game, offering a fun and easy infotainment system and all of the latest gadgets. The Santa Fe’s technological options are less generous than the Sorento’s.

Value

The Kia Sorento doesn’t just have better interior features and a superior interior when compared to the Hyundai Santa Fe, it’s also significantly less expensive. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the new Sorento is $27,780. The MSRP for the Santa Fe is $33,068. Warranties for both vehicles are comparable. In terms of value, the lower price and better quality of the Sorento makes this decision a no-brainer – the Sorento is clearly the better choice.

Bill Barth Kia, in Mandan, N.D. strives to provide a comfortable and fun car-buying experience for consumers. With a huge selection of Kia cars, trucks, and SUVs, the Bill Barth Kia dealership is the place to go to find the best value for your dollar. To schedule a test drive, call 701-667-9999 or just visit Mandan auto dealers at Bill Barth Kia.