When it comes to 3-row midsize SUVs, there’s a little something for everyone. If you’re shopping on the more budget-conscious side of this class, two vehicles that should be at the top of your list are the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2025 Kia Sorento.
Still looking resplendent after its complete makeover last year, the Hyundai Santa Fe offers a more upscale look while retaining a reasonable price tag. Meanwhile, the even more affordable Sorento looks like an SUV should—simple, clean, and ready.
Let’s check out the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Last year, the newest generation of the Santa Fe rolled out with a boxy new design that made it longer, taller, and wider than its predecessor, which opened up the vehicle’s cabin.
On the inside, the Santa Fe offers 3-row of seats standard, allowing seating for seven. The exception is the Calligraphy trim, which features captain’s chairs in the second row, reducing seating to just six passengers. The cabin features its new Panoramic Curved Display, which integrates the digital gauge cluster and the infotainment screen into one cohesive display.
The Santa Fe is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 277 horsepower, which is sent to the front wheels or the optional all-wheel drive (AWD). A lesser-powered but much more efficient hybrid version is also available.
Hyundai Santa Fe Highlights
Semi-autonomous: Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist combines various technologies, including adaptive cruise control and lane centering, to make highway driving safer and easier. It’s available in two versions, including Highway Driving Assist 2 on the Calligraphy models, adding functionality like lane-change assist.
Extra room: These SUVs are similar in size, but as the specs table below highlights, the Santa Fe is the roomier of the two. The Hyundai has a little extra space in the third row and the cargo area compared to the Kia, adding to its comfort and versatility.
Easy access: The new Santa Fe has a built-in grab handle on the side, allowing users easier access to the SUV’s roof. The handle remains flush with the side of the vehicle until you push it in and use it. It’s also lockable to prevent others from using it.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Santa Fe models near you.
2025 Kia Sorento
Sitting somewhere between a compact and a midsize, the Sorento enjoys just enough space to include an optional third row. It’s nice to have when you need to haul smaller people around for short trips; however, you’re putting large adults back there for any length of time.
While the base model comes powered by a 191-hp 4-cylinder, you can get another 90 hp for a bit more money. Adding the turbocharger pushes the output to 281 hp, but the average combined fuel economy drops just one little mpg from 26 mpg to 25 mpg. It’s available with all-wheel drive as well.
For 2025, the X-Line and X-Pro trims are limited to just black badging. A hybrid and plug-in hybrid are on the roster but not part of this comparison.
Kia Sorento Highlights
Easy access: Sorento models with the EX trim and higher feature the Smart Power Tailgate, allowing hands-free opening and closing. This adds a lot of convenience to loading and unloading the cargo area.
X-Line: The X-Line models in the Sorento lineup add a rugged appearance package with an extra inch of ground clearance, high-utility roof rails, and unique wheels and bumpers. They all come standard with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive for added capability.
Drive Wise: Standard on every Sorento, it’s a suite of safety technology that includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention warning, and more.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sorento models near you.
Similarities
The Santa Fe and Sorento are attractive on the outside while providing plenty of room and convenience features on the inside. They both come standard with 3-row seating and essentially the same infotainment tech.
Pricing
New 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (43085)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$35,775 |
$33,982 |
|||
$38,275 |
$36,433 |
|||
$42,425 |
$40,562 |
|||
$45,175 |
$43,227 |
|||
$48,325 |
$46,184 |
New 2025 Kia Sorento Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (43085)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$33,405 |
$32,058 |
|||
$36,305 |
$34,867 |
|||
$39,505 |
$38,086 |
|||
$43,105 |
$41,359 |
|||
$43,205 |
$41,610 |
|||
$44,905 |
$42,996 |
|||
$47,805 |
$45,931 |
|||
$48,805 |
$46,486 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles and New 2025 Kia Sorento vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2025 Kia Sorento | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 191 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 195 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 20 city/29 highway/24 combined mpg | 23 city/31 highway/26 combined mpg |
| Also Available | AWD; 1.6-liter turbo hybrid | 2.5-liter turbo, plus Hybrid/PHEV/BEV |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 4-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 110.8 inches |
| Overall Length | 190.2 inches | 189.6 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 74.8 inches |
| Height | 67.7 inches | 66.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.9 feet | 38.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 40.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd row | 40.6 inches | 39.1 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd row | 37.7 inches | 36.8 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 44.4 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd row | 42.3 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd row | 30.0 inches | 29.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 59.5 inches | 59.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd row | 58.1 inches | 58.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd row | 53.5 inches | 53.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 14.6/40.5/79.6 cubic feet | 12.6/38.5/75.5 cubic feet |
Conclusion
It’s a tough comparison because the two are similar in so many ways, but the exterior styling is a big differentiator. Plus, the Santa Fe’s just a bit larger on the inside. These two vehicles were recently put through their paces by KBB editors, and the Santa Fe finished on top—barely.
