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Is Santa Fe a better value?

5K views 21 replies 11 participants last post by  clay282 
#1 · (Edited)
Comes with
DRLs
HBA
DBC
Knee airbag
Larger Cargo
Captain's chair option
3rd row USB outlet
Dual integrated exhausts
Sunvisors with extensions
3rd row AC with Temp control
BlueLink (with remote start)
Integrated Hitch Receiver
Better brand name?

Doesn't come with
LED interior lights
Driver seat thigh extender
All auto windows
Power Folding mirrors with reverse tilt
Nappa Seats
More Soft Touch plastics
Not as luxurious interiror as Sorento

On top of that it is also around 3-4K cheaper.
 
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#2 ·
I think options are trim level specific and can vary. For me it was style and design. Not that I didn't like the Hyundai, it just wasn't me. I didn't price one out but I think there's just a price difference and will always be one. Silverado and Sierra are pretty much the same mechanically but the Sierra always sells higher for the small differences. Nissan has Infiniti, Toyota has Scion.... potato, pototo.
 
#3 ·
I'm guessing you are listing things the Santa Fe comes with that the Sorento doesn't? You listed "3rd row AC with Temp control". The Sorento has that as well.

I looked at the Santa Fe but ended up liking the Sorento better and the price difference wasn't enough to make me change my mind.
 
#4 ·
Same here but I was looking at the 2016 which was lacking in significant features. Sorento only has 3rd row fan control. I also still like the luxury better in sorento


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#7 ·
The Sorento is my preference for the very reason that it is a newer model with a much more updated interior. The interior in the santa fe is the same one from 2013 and is due for a major change by 2018. The sorento still looks fresh and the interior quality is WAY nicer in the Sorento vs the Santa fe. Also the Santa fe is too large IMHO.
 
#10 ·
Having just bought a Santa Fe Sport 2.4 AWD (2014, loaded w/features), I will say, this car doesn't get great MPG. I know your post was more about interior upgrades, but overall, the efficiency of the engine and money spent on gas plays a part in the "value."

I've read that the 2017 might be slightly better in terms of MPG. But because the 2.4 and 2.0 in the SFS are underpowered, they aren't as efficient as the V6.

They're very similar cars, but have a different look and feel. I still love my SFS, but I wish it did get slightly better MPG. Right now, the computer says I'm averaging about 17 MPG (90% city driving).
 
#11 · (Edited)
I drove a SF when a was hunting for a new SUV back in 2014. The AWD sport model I drove had similar power to the Sorento LX AWD I ended up buying but features-wise, was day and night, kia being by far superior. Sorento had better interior and quality. Price-wise, Sorento was 2k cheaper...even when dealer was throwing in the remote starter and the winter tires (mounted).

Got to say I've always liked the SF exterior but interior is cramped compared to Sorento. Recently drove a rental SF sport this time a 2017, my wife and I couldn't believe how noisy it was on the highway, or maybe we are too used to our Sorento.

IMHO, Sorento offers better value when compare at same trim level.
 
#12 ·
Not comparing to the Santa Fe sport as it is a 5 seater but I thought it would be similar to the 3 row version. How is it cramped? Dimensions are pretty much identical to the sorento.


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#13 · (Edited)
Not comparing to the Santa Fe sport as it is a 5 seater but I thought it would be similar to the 3 row version. How is it cramped? Dimensions are pretty much identical to the sorento.
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Sorento is more spacious. Front seats are roomier I think due to the dashboard sitting close to the engine compartment allowing mobility...Sorento feels also wider, I believe the SF center console takes more room than Sorento's.

Rear seat is undeniably roomier than SF's. This is a fact, leg room and head room. I switched my daughter's car seat to the SF and was shocked by how tight it fitted (leg room). While in the Sorento my daughter can barely touch the back of the front seat with her feet, in the SF she was so close that she could lay flat her feet against the back of the front seat.

When carrying the car seat, 2 people can seat decently comfortable along with it. In the SF, same couple could barely sit...she (my friend's wife) had to almost tilt her body sideways for both of them to fit.
 
#16 ·
Go with whatever meets your needs/wants/desires and budget. The Sorento isn't "bad" and neither is the Hyundai. I test drove both extensively (should clarify SFS, not the full-sized Santa Fe).

In the end I couldn't get over the immovable headrest (got a headache/neck ache within 5 minutes) on the 2017 Sorento SXL or whatever the top trim was called. I also, personally, did not like the interior styling of the infotainment section. Others like it very much compared to the SFS.

My soundmeter indicated that the SFS and Sorento SXL were almost identical (within 0.5db) of each other following the same route several times. My g-force indicator showed the SFS was about the same as the Sorento as well (love our potholes and frost heaves around here).

But these are personal preferences (I have a different set of things I demanded vs. what someone else's needs may be), and some things are highly subjective (exterior/interior styling, for example) and some things are objective (db sound meter readings, etc.)

I had no interest in the Full-sized Santa Fe because of the crappy gas mileage, to be honest. (That and I have zero need/desire for third row seating).

So figure out what your priorities are in terms of features/etc (most people probably also have to keep budget in mind). MSRP on the SFS fully equipped was 41,770 vs. 47,650 for the Sorento. At the time. In my area. Both Kia/Hyundai usually have aggressive discounts/rebates (as opposed to the Ford Edge Titanium in my area).

Go with what works best *for you*. If we all had the same tastes, we'd all be driving the same make/model/color and living in the same style/color of houses.

And enjoy whatever you decide!!!

:)
 
#18 ·
The front legroom is definitely more in the Sorento by 3in. All other dimensions are pretty much similar
2017 Kia Sorento vs 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe - The Car Connection


Third Head Room (in)
36.3 35.7
Passenger Capacity
7 7
Front Hip Room (in)
56.7 56.7
Third Shoulder Room (in)
52.8 53.9
Second Leg Room (in)
39.4 40.4
Front Head Room (in)
39.5 39.9
Second Hip Room (in)
56.4 55.4
Front Shoulder Room (in)
59.1 59.4
Third Leg Room (in)
31.7 30.9
Passenger Volume (ft³)
154.2 146.6
Second Head Room (in)
39.3 39.4
Third Hip Room (in)
41.4 44.1
Second Shoulder Room (in)
58 58.3
Front Leg Room (in)
44.1 41.3
 
#21 ·
Interesting, I would have expected the Santa Fe to have a bit more leg room and head room in the 3rd row but it turns out the Sorento has more... be it slight.

The Santa Fe doesn't have more hip room in the 3rd row.... not that it is at a premium.
 
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