Is AWD with Terrain Mode on the 2026 Kia Sorento a better pick than HTRAC AWD on the Hyundai Santa Fe for Chippewa Falls, WI?
Prestige Kia - Is AWD with Terrain Mode on the 2026 Kia Sorento a better pick than HTRAC AWD on the Hyundai Santa Fe for Chippewa Falls, WI?
When winter weather rolls across the Chippewa Valley, shoppers often ask a simple question with big implications: which three-row SUV offers the more confident winter setup, the Kia Sorento with available AWD w/ Terrain Mode or the Hyundai Santa Fe with available HTRAC AWD? This guide compares winter-relevant hardware and everyday features to help you feel assured on slush-covered boulevards, icy rural routes, and steep neighborhood driveways around Chippewa Falls, WI.
Both SUVs are impressively capable, but their winter philosophies differ. Sorento leans into adventure with an available 281 hp turbocharged engine and, on X-Pro, factory all-terrain tires and 8.2 in. of ground clearance. Its available AWD w/ Terrain Mode gives you selectable settings geared for loose or slippery surfaces, helping the system send power where traction exists. The Santa Fe counters with HTRAC AWD and, on XRT, all-terrain tires plus additional ground clearance. Either choice can handle the commute after a snowstorm, yet drivers who want a bit more trail readiness and snow-traction customization often prefer Sorento’s Terrain Mode logic paired with adventure-focused hardware.
Winter driving confidence is about more than axles and tires. Visibility and control matter just as much. Sorento’s available 360° Surround View Monitor and available Blind-Spot View Monitor help with unplowed parking lots and lane changes on salted highways. The available Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror keeps sightlines clear even when your cargo area is stacked with gear or winter sports equipment. Both SUVs offer robust active safety, including automatic emergency braking technologies and available highway assistants to reduce fatigue on longer drives. If you regularly leave before dawn or get home after dark, the Sorento’s available premium lighting and camera-based visibility tools can reduce guesswork in swirling snow.
Cabin comfort is also a winter feature. Sorento’s available heated 1st- and 2nd-row seats and available heated steering wheel can take the chill out of subzero mornings. Load-in and load-out are simplified by the available Smart Power Liftgate w/ Auto Close, which is especially useful when gloved hands are juggling groceries or skate bags. Both vehicles can be equipped with large digital displays—Sorento’s available Dual Panoramic Display offers approximately 24 in. of total combined screen area—and smartphone integration, including Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Wireless Android Auto™. Staying connected while keeping gloves on is part of staying focused in poor weather.
If you’re cross-shopping solely for winter capability, here are focused considerations:
- Traction logic: Sorento’s available AWD w/ Terrain Mode lets you tailor response for snow and loose surfaces.
- Tires and clearance: Sorento X-Pro includes factory all-terrain tires and 8.2 in. of ground clearance; Santa Fe XRT adds all-terrain tires with added clearance.
- Low-speed maneuvering: Available 360° Surround View Monitor and available parking sensors ease tight, snow-narrowed spaces.
- Rear visibility: Available Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror maintains a clear view even with cargo or passengers.
- Cold-weather comfort: Available heated 2nd row and heated steering wheel help on frigid mornings.
- Load-in ease: Available Smart Power Liftgate w/ Auto Close helps when your hands are full and snow is falling.
With both SUVs, a careful tire choice matters as much as the drivetrain. If most of your winter is packed snow and ice, dedicated winter tires can transform how either model feels. For drivers who want a system they can “set and forget” on variable roads—plowed in town, drifted near the river, messy on rural shortcuts—the Sorento’s Terrain Mode pairing with its adventure-ready trim hardware is a standout combination.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the Sorento’s Terrain Mode make a noticeable difference in real snow?
Yes, when paired with quality winter or all-terrain tires, Terrain Mode can help optimize throttle, torque distribution, and system responsiveness to maintain traction and momentum on snow-packed or rutted surfaces.
Are camera-based visibility features worth it for winter?
For many drivers, yes. Features like a 360° Surround View Monitor and a Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror reduce uncertainty when snowbanks crowd curbs or when cargo blocks your back window.
Will either SUV work for weekly ski trips with kids and gear?
Absolutely. Both offer three rows and flexible cargo areas, with Sorento adding an available Smart Power Liftgate w/ Auto Close to simplify loading, plus available heated 2nd-row seats to keep passengers comfortable after the slopes.
For personalized guidance and a side-by-side winter feature walk-through, visit our team, serving Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and La Crosse. We will help you evaluate tire choices, demonstrate camera and safety systems, and configure accessories for skis, boards, and cold-weather cargo. Prestige Kia is ready to help you dial in an SUV that handles winter with calm confidence.