Those in the market for an affordable midsize SUV may be considering the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2022 Kia Sorento. The two vehicles have many similarities, including 191 hp, 2.5 L engines, a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs, and an above-average fuel economy for SUVs. Both cars are great offerings for different reasons. Here are some advantages the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe has over the Kia Sorento. 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe costs less

In comparing these two midsize SUVs, we’re looking specifically at the base models of each vehicle: the Santa Fe SE FWD and Sorento LX FWD. As US News makes clear in comparing the two, the Santa Fe has a significant advantage: cost. 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $27,700, which is less than the MSRP for the Sorento at $29,590, by nearly $2,000. Given the generally high prices of new vehicles today, that $2,000 can make a difference for car buyers trying to budget for daily life. 

The 2022 Kia Sorento lacks these standard features

The Santa Fe comes with another advantage over the Sorento. That includes adaptive cruise control and an anti-theft system at every trim level. 

Adaptive cruise control is a feature that allows you to set a cruising speed for your vehicle, similar to standard cruise control. However, unlike standard cruise control, the adaptive version of the feature will use radar to see the car in front of you and make adjustments to speed as necessary, up to and including the maximum speed you have set. This frees you from constantly having to set and reset your cruise control after slowdowns. 

The Hyundai Santa Fe offers more passenger space

Anyone wanting a comfortable ride will likely consider how much passenger space a vehicle offers. For those that really want that extra space, the Hyundai Santa Fe delivers. In the front, it provides 44.1 inches of leg room, 41.2 inches of headroom, and 57.5 inches of hip room. You can expect just slightly less in the rear: 39 inches of headroom, 41.7 inches of leg room, and 56.3 inches of hip room. 

How does the Kia Sorento stack up against these numbers? While it offers similar space in the back and front, you may feel more cramped than in the Santa Fe. That’s because the front Sorento seats have 40.3 inches of headroom, 41.4 inches of leg room, and 55.6 inches of hip room. If you’re looking for that extra room, you will likely appreciate the greater roominess of the Santa Fe. 

The Kia Sorento doesn’t make the grade when it comes to reliability

Finally, we come to another important consideration: reliability. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports rates the Kia Sorento quite negatively in this category, saying, “We expect the 2022 Sorento will be much less reliable than the average new car.” This prediction is based on data from the 2021 model year Sorento. Consumer Reports also note that there are currently three recalls on the vehicle: two related to seat belts and one pertaining to engine cooling. 

For comparison, the Hyundai Santa Fe does slightly better, although it still comes in below average in the category of reliability. There are three recalls on that SUV as well. These are for issues related to engine cooling, the electrical system, and the fuel system. 

In sum, the Hyundai Santa Fe presents several advantages over the Kia Sorento. While both are excellent choices depending on what you’re looking for, these advantages will be important to keep in mind if you find yourself in the market for a relatively affordable midsize SUV.