2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Kia Sorento, particularly in the X-Line trim, presented a stylish and rugged appearance. This midsize SUV was enhanced with rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, and robust roof rails, giving it a distinctive presence. In Canada, the X-Line was a standalone mid-grade package, and all Sorento models came with standard all-wheel drive, including the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. The interior of the Sorento exuded quality, with leather upholstery and simulated wood trim, reflecting rock-solid construction. Even the most affordable Sorento LX+ model showcased impressive attention to design detail, ensuring a sense of luxury and practicality.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a more conservative exterior styling compared to some of Hyundai's recent designs. Despite this, it remained an attractive SUV, with its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights providing a distinctive look. The Santa Fe was available in four trim levels in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive. The interior of the Santa Fe, particularly in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, offered a high-quality look and feel, with Nappa leather seats and a range of comfort features. The cabin was spacious, with ample rear-seat legroom and cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a range of engine options, starting with a standard 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. However, the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque, was the more recommended choice. This engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, provided a more energetic driving experience, with a 0 to 60 mph time of about 7.5 seconds. The Sorento's suspension was tuned for a blend of compliance and composure, offering excellent body motion control and communication. However, fuel consumption was higher than expected, averaging 11.5 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe also featured a 2.5-litre engine, with the option of a naturally aspirated or turbocharged version. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, delivered 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Santa Fe's drive-mode selector offered four customizable modes, enhancing its performance. The turbocharged version provided brisk acceleration and smooth handling, with no discernible turbo lag. The Santa Fe's towing capacity was impressive, with the turbo version capable of towing up to 1,587 kg.

Inside the 2022 Kia Sorento, the cabin felt luxurious, with features like heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs were designed for comfort, with various storage solutions and a panoramic sunroof. However, the third-row seat was cramped, making it less suitable for adults. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, but folding it down expanded the capacity significantly. The Sorento also featured a "smart" power tailgate for added convenience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered more rear-seat legroom and cargo space. The rear-seat legroom was among the best in its class, and the cargo space was competitive, with an underfloor storage compartment for added convenience. The Santa Fe's interior comfort was enhanced by features like an eight-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included additional features like a head-up display and ambient lighting, although some minor ergonomic issues were noted.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's infotainment system varied by trim, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The system included navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone integration, although the larger display required a wired connection for app connectivity. The Sorento's infotainment system shared technology with Hyundai models, but voice recognition was less effective. A 12-speaker Bose premium audio system was exclusive to the SX trim, and a wireless phone charger was standard from the LX Premium trim.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen standard across all trims. The system included navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims. The Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable settings and a logical layout. Voice recognition capabilities were mixed, with some tasks requiring specific terminology. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured advanced technology like a head-up display and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Kia Sorento was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system and Junction Assist. The Blind View Monitor system was exclusive to the SX trim, enhancing blind-spot monitoring. Highway Driving Assist provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with some concerns about the LED headlights.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a wide range of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Highway Driving Assist was standard on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, providing adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high marks for crashworthiness and headlight performance.