2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's more adventurous models. While it maintained an attractive appearance, it lacked the standout features seen in other Hyundai vehicles. The SUV continued with the same look and feel as the 2022 model, available in four trim levels in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive. The U.S.-spec Ultimate Calligraphy trim, with its Stormy Sea paint, offered a distinctive look with wide grilles and thin LED headlights. Inside, the Santa Fe's cabin was high-quality but dark, with black leather seats. The Nappa leather seats were particularly comfortable, and the vehicle came equipped with heated and cooled front seats, as well as heated second-row seats.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual update, aligning more closely with its Kia siblings like the Telluride. The new front end, with a buff grille and vertically stacked LED headlights, gave the Sorento a more imposing presence. The rear received subtle updates, including new bumpers and LED taillights on higher trims. Inside, the Sorento featured a redesigned dashboard with a clean, modern look. The gauge cluster and infotainment displays were combined under a single pane of glass, with higher trims offering twin 12.3-inch displays. The cabin materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching adding a touch of luxury. The Sorento's interior felt solidly assembled and more upscale than some competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and no discernible turbo lag. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with four customizable modes and push-button gears. The turbocharged version could tow up to 1,587 kg, while the non-turbo variant had a towing capacity of 907 kg.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, which felt underpowered for the vehicle's size. However, the turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, available in EX and higher trims, offered a more robust 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The Sorento's turbocharged models provided lively performance, with confident cornering and well-weighted steering. The X-Pro trim, with its all-terrain tires, excelled in off-road conditions, offering a smoother ride and improved grip. The Sorento's towing capacity varied, with the X-Pro capable of towing up to 2,040 kg.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized spaciousness by forgoing a third row, resulting in ample rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and a competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding down the second row expanded the cargo capacity to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured comfortable seating, with standard heated front seats and dual-zone climate control. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered additional features like a hands-free smart liftgate, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display. However, the wide centre console limited driver leg and hip space.

The 2024 Kia Sorento, with its three-row configuration, offered 1,052 millimetres of front legroom and 1,060 mm in the second row. The third row, with 752 mm of legroom, was suitable for occasional use by children. The Sorento's interior was comfortable, with higher trims featuring noise-insulating acoustic glass and ventilated front seats. The cargo space was limited to 357 litres with the third row in use but expanded to 1,090 to 1,274 litres with it folded down. The Sorento's new dash was ergonomic, with ample small-item storage.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the top trim. The infotainment system was customizable, though voice recognition had mixed results. The Santa Fe's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) included features like forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist.

The 2024 Kia Sorento adopted a single-pane, twin-screen setup with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a redesigned infotainment system called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC). The system prioritized popular features and offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sorento's top trims featured a Bose 12-speaker audio system and Digital Key 2.0, allowing smartphone access. The voice command system had room for improvement, but the infotainment system was user-friendly and future-proof.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured Highway Driving Assist, enhancing adaptive cruise control. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered an extensive array of standard and optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The top trims featured Highway Driving Assist 2 with automated lane changes. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems learned from driver behaviour, though sensors could be obstructed in adverse weather. The IIHS rated the Sorento "Good" in several tests, while the NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.