Two of the most cross-shopped three-row SUVs in Southwest Florida, compared trim for trim on the facts that matter most: price, powertrain, fuel economy, space, safety, and warranty coverage. Hyundai of Fort Myers put this gasoline-model comparison together to help you decide faster.
View the Comparison ↓The gasoline-only 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2026 Kia Sorento compete directly as three-row family SUVs. The closest equipment-and-price matchup is the Santa Fe SEL and Sorento EX: both use turbocharged 2.5-liter engines and seat seven, but the Santa Fe offers more cargo room, a conventional 8-speed automatic, stronger published reliability scores, and longer corrosion and roadside-assistance coverage. The Sorento counters with slightly more horsepower in EX trim and a lower entry price at the base-model level.
Default matchup shown: 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL and 2026 Kia Sorento EX, gasoline models only. Use the trim selector further down the page to compare other gasoline trims. Figures reflect manufacturer-published U.S. specifications as of July 2026 and exclude destination charge, tax, title, and dealer fees.
| Feature | 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL | 2026 Kia Sorento EX |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $37,590 | $38,490 |
| Engine | 2.5L turbo inline-4 (GDI/MPI) | 2.5L turbo inline-4 (GDI) |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 281 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Drivetrain | FWD standard, HTRAC AWD optional | FWD standard, AWD optional |
| Combined MPG (FWD) | 24 MPG (20 city / 29 hwy) | 23 MPG (20 city / 29 hwy) |
| Seating Capacity | 7 | 7 |
| Passenger Volume | 152.0 cu ft | Not published by Kia for 2026 |
| Maximum Cargo Volume | 79.6 cu ft (behind first row) | 75.5 cu ft (behind first row) |
| Infotainment Screen | 12.3-inch touchscreen | 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation |
| Wireless Smartphone Integration | Standard | Standard |
| Basic Warranty | 5-yr / 60,000 mi | 5-yr / 60,000 mi |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10-yr / 100,000 mi | 10-yr / 100,000 mi |
| Complimentary Maintenance | Not offered for MY 2026 | Not offered nationally |
Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance applies to eligible model-year 2020–2025 vehicles and does not extend to the 2026 Santa Fe. Kia does not advertise a uniform national complimentary-maintenance program for the 2026 Sorento; individual dealer offers may differ. Warranty terms are subject to eligibility, exclusions, and original-owner provisions.
Ratings and cost estimates are published on different schedules by different organizations. Figures below reflect the most recent published data available as of July 2026.
| Category | 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2026 Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| IIHS Safety Rating | Top Safety Pick+ (2026) | Top Safety Pick+ (2026, vehicles built after September 2025) |
| J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score | 81 / 100 | 74 / 100 |
| RepairPal Brand Reliability Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 (Hyundai brand, ranked 4th of 32) | 4.0 / 5.0 (Kia brand, ranked 3rd of 32) |
| Estimated 5-Year Maintenance & Repair Cost | ~$2,340 (est., based on $468/yr brand average) | ~$2,370 (est., based on $474/yr brand average) |
Sources: Hyundai and Kia U.S. specifications and warranty materials; IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings; J.D. Power vehicle ratings; and RepairPal brand reliability data. Five-year cost estimates are simple calculations from RepairPal's published brandwide average annual repair cost, are not 2026 model-specific forecasts, and are not manufacturer figures.
Both SUVs carry matching 5-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties for eligible original owners. Hyundai adds a 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty and 5-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance, compared with Kia's 5-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation and 5-year/60,000-mile roadside terms.
7-year, unlimited-mile anti-perforation warrantyFor 2026, every gasoline Santa Fe uses a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission. In the closest turbo-to-turbo matchup, the Sorento EX uses an 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. Drivers who prefer the familiar low-speed behavior of a torque-converter automatic may favor the Santa Fe.
8-speed automatic on every gasoline trimThe Santa Fe provides 79.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume, compared with 75.5 cubic feet in the Sorento. With all three rows in use, it also offers 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row versus 12.6 cubic feet, leaving more room for groceries, beach gear, or hurricane-season supplies.
79.6 cu ft maximum cargo volumeA closer look at the Santa Fe's exterior styling, three-row cabin, cargo area, and technology. Replace the placeholders below with approved dealer-use photography.
Select a gasoline Santa Fe trim and a gasoline Sorento trim to compare.
Closest comparable Sorento for the selected Santa Fe, 2026 Sorento EX. Pairings are matched primarily by starting MSRP and equipment level.
Both the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2026 Kia Sorento are strong gasoline-powered three-row SUV choices for Southwest Florida drivers. The Santa Fe SEL is the stronger all-around value in the default matchup: it costs $900 less than the Sorento EX, returns one more combined MPG in FWD form, provides more cargo room, and uses a conventional 8-speed automatic. The Sorento remains appealing for shoppers who want the lowest possible entry price or the slight horsepower advantage of its turbocharged trims.
The Kia Sorento may appeal to shoppers who prioritize a lower base MSRP ($32,390 vs. $35,050), better fuel economy from its naturally aspirated base FWD powertrain (26 MPG combined vs. 24 MPG), or the turbo EX model's four-horsepower advantage.
Value Your Trade →Salt air and humidity near the Gulf make corrosion coverage worth reviewing. The Santa Fe is backed by a 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty, compared with the Sorento's 5-year/100,000-mile coverage, giving Hyundai two additional years with no mileage cap.
Both offer all-wheel drive, and each can tow up to 3,500 pounds in the default SEL-versus-EX matchup. The Santa Fe holds more emergency supplies or luggage, with 79.6 cubic feet behind the first row and 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row, compared with 75.5 and 12.6 cubic feet in the Sorento.
Both provide a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for eligible original owners. The Santa Fe adds longer anti-perforation coverage at 7 years/unlimited miles and longer-mileage roadside assistance at 5 years/unlimited miles, versus 5 years/100,000 miles and 5 years/60,000 miles for the Sorento.
It depends on trim. The naturally aspirated Sorento LX and S achieve 26 MPG combined with FWD, beating the gasoline Santa Fe's 24 MPG. In the closest turbocharged matchup, however, the Santa Fe SEL is rated at 24 MPG combined while the Sorento EX is rated at 23 MPG combined.
Yes. Schedule a Santa Fe test drive with Hyundai of Fort Myers using the button above, and we'll help you choose the trim that fits your budget and seating needs. A local Kia dealer can arrange a Sorento test drive for your own back-to-back comparison.
