2026 Kia Sorento vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
When families and adventurers compare the 2026 Kia Sorento vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, both three-row SUVs deliver strong capability and modern tech. The Sorento leans into confident performance, upscale features, and thoughtful everyday usability, while the Santa Fe emphasizes bold styling and family-friendly versatility. Our team at Prestige Kia is committed to helping you find the right fit in Eau Claire, WI, and we see many shoppers from Chippewa Falls and Menomonie weighing these two nameplates. The Sorento stands out with an available 281 hp turbocharged engine, available AWD w/ Terrain Mode, and the X-Pro’s factory all-terrain tires and 8.2 in. of ground clearance. Inside, an available 24-in. total combined Dual Panoramic Display with standard Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Wireless Android Auto™, available Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror, and available Smart Power Liftgate w/ Auto Close create a seamless daily routine. The Santa Fe counters with a spacious cabin, available dual 12.3-inch displays, HTRAC AWD, and useful convenience touches. For shoppers who value confidence on icy backroads, intuitive tech, and accessories-ready utility, we believe the Sorento’s balance of rugged capability and premium appointments offers a compelling edge in Eau Claire, WI.
| Feature | 2026 Kia Sorento | 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd-row seating | Yes | Yes |
| Available 2nd-row captain’s chairs | Yes | Yes |
| Available AWD w/ Terrain Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Factory all-terrain tires on adventure trim | Yes | Yes |
| Approx. 24-in. total combined panoramic display area | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Wireless Android Auto™ | Yes | Yes |
| 360° Surround View Monitor | Yes | Yes |
| Blind-Spot View Monitor camera feed | Yes | Yes |
| Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror | Yes | Yes |
| Hands-free Smart Power Liftgate w/ Auto Close | Yes | No |
Exterior - Kia Dealer serving Eau Claire, WI
Rugged good looks meet practical utility in the Sorento lineup, and the X-Pro takes that ethos further with a blackout exterior, all-terrain tires, unique X-Pro front and rear fascia, high-utility roof rails, matte black finish wheels, embossed front seats, and black badges. The stance and proportions are athletic yet approachable, and the available panoramic sunroof pulls in sunlight and starlight to brighten the cabin. Color choices such as Wolf Gray underline its modern, outdoors-ready attitude. Utility is built in, from integrated roof rails that support excursion accessories like a bike rack or rooftop cargo box, to the available hands-free Smart Power Liftgate w/ Auto Close that simplifies loading when your arms are full. Design is not just about style; it is about function, visibility, and confidence. Signature lighting provides a crisp, modern look after dark, while the body detailing balances aerodynamics with durability. Compared with the squared, bold profile of Santa Fe and its dramatic lighting elements, Sorento prioritizes a balanced blend of everyday fit-in parking ease and trail-friendly utility. You will notice the difference in how naturally it transitions from a morning commute to a weekend detour on gravel.
Interior - 2026 Kia Sorento in Eau Claire, WI
The 2026 Kia Sorento welcomes you with an interior that blends flexible space and premium touches designed to simplify busy days. Standard 3rd-row seating with a 2nd-row bench that slides forward at the touch of a button makes access easy, and available 2nd-row captain’s chairs add lounge-like comfort on longer trips. Available premium suede headliner and genuine leather seat trim bring an upscale ambiance, while available heated and ventilated front seats, heated 2nd-row seats, and a heated steering wheel help keep everyone comfortable when the mercury drops. Tech is a strength, with an available Dual Panoramic Display offering approximately 24 in. of total combined screen area and standard Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Wireless Android Auto™ across the lineup. You can further elevate your commute with the available 12-speaker Bose® premium audio system, the available Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror, and available acoustic laminated glass for the 1st row to help keep the cabin quiet. Cargo loading is simplified with up to 75.5 cu. ft. of space with the 2nd and 3rd rows folded and the available Smart Power Liftgate w/ Auto Close that can automatically open and close when it senses your key fob nearby. The 2026 Kia Sorento delivers a refined, family-smart environment that feels tailored to daily life.
Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa Fe Mechanical Specs
The Sorento is engineered to inspire confidence across seasons. Available all-wheel drive w/ Terrain Mode helps optimize traction when the pavement ends or when snow piles up, and the X-Pro’s 8.2 in. of ground clearance and factory all-terrain tires underscore its readiness for the unexpected. Standard front and rear parking sensors and available side sensors support low-speed maneuvering in tight spaces, and the Sorento’s chassis tuning balances composure with comfort over broken pavement. Available acoustic laminated glass for the 1st row helps calm the cabin during highway runs, and the vehicle’s suspension and steering response deliver a sense of control that’s reassuring in winter. The Santa Fe offers available HTRAC AWD and, on the XRT, all-terrain tires with additional ground clearance, but Sorento’s integration of Terrain Mode, traction technologies, and adventure-focused X-Pro hardware makes it especially suited to unpredictable Midwest weather. For shoppers who want a do-it-all SUV in Eau Claire, WI, our team has seen the Sorento consistently prove itself on test drives over slush, gravel, and steep driveway aprons where traction and ground clearance quickly separate contenders.
Powertrain - Kia Dealership in Eau Claire, WI
The heart of the Sorento’s capability is its available 281 hp turbocharged engine that pulls strongly onto highways and confidently climbs hills when loaded with passengers and gear. The Sorento X-Pro is rated to tow up to 4,500 lb, making it a practical partner for small boats, pop-up campers, or a pair of snowmobiles. The throttle calibration feels responsive yet composed, and with available AWD w/ Terrain Mode, power is put down where it matters. By comparison, Santa Fe lists a 277 hp 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder and available HTRAC AWD, with towing up to 4,500 lb on select trims. Both SUVs deliver meaningful everyday performance, but the Sorento’s powertrain complements its trail-leaning equipment and four-season tuning to make its performance feel more cohesive and confident when conditions deteriorate. If you want a powertrain that pairs with accessories for weekend escapes and still makes quick work of errands in town, the 2026 Kia Sorento offers that enviable dual personality. For many customers who test one after the other, the 2026 Kia Sorento simply feels more eager and buttoned down at the same time—an uncommon and welcome combination.
Safety - Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa Fe
Confidence is amplified by Sorento’s robust suite of driver assistance and active safety features. Standard Auto Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian, Cyclist, Car, and Junction Turning Detection can apply the brakes in certain circumstances and is complemented by Evasive Steering Assist. Available Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist can help maintain your course when a vehicle is detected in your blind spot, while standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist can warn and, if needed, brake when obstacles are detected while reversing. The available 360° Surround View Monitor and available Blind-Spot View Monitor provide extra visibility around the vehicle, and the available Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror helps you see behind even when cargo or passengers block the back window. Available Highway Driving Assist 2 can assist with steering and help manage distance on the highway, including lane-change assistance when activated. Hyundai Santa Fe offers a comparable roster, including HDA and HDA 2 on higher trims, plus features like Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and an available digital rearview mirror. Where Sorento sets itself apart is in the way these systems are integrated with its adventure-forward packaging, offering drivers in Eau Claire, WI a technology safety net that supports both daily commuting and weekend exploring with equal assurance. At Prestige Kia, we prioritize showing how these features work on real roads so shoppers understand their benefits beyond the spec sheet.
Request more 2026 Kia Sorento vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe in Eau Claire, WI information
Choosing between the 2026 Kia Sorento vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe comes down to how you live, where you drive, and which details matter most day to day. Both SUVs are capable and well-equipped, but the Sorento’s available 281 hp turbocharged engine, available AWD w/ Terrain Mode, X-Pro hardware with factory all-terrain tires, available 24-in. total combined Dual Panoramic Display, available Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror, and available Smart Power Liftgate w/ Auto Close create a package that feels purpose-built for Midwest seasons. Add flexible 3rd-row seating, available premium comfort features, and accessories that expand utility, and the Sorento’s appeal only grows. We invite you to visit us in Eau Claire, WI and test these strengths for yourself—our team at Prestige Kia will walk you through the technology, demonstrate driver-assistance features, and help tailor a configuration to your needs. For families and adventurers alike in Eau Claire, WI, the Sorento continues to be a confident, refined, and adventure-ready choice that is easy to recommend.
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