Kia Sorento vs. the Competition: Which SUV Is Right for You?
Kia Sorento
Subaru Outback
Hyundai Santa Fe
How Does the Kia Sorento Compare to the Competition? Find the Right SUV for You in Bryan, TX
The Kia Sorento is one of the most beloved SUVS in the College Station and Brenham areas. With its comfortable interior, rock-solid performance, modern style, and rich feature suite, its new models are built to offer more.
The thing is? The Kia Sorento isn't the only worthwhile SUV around. With new models like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru Outback on the market, Huntsville-area drivers have a range of choices when shopping for a capable and reliable SUV. Let's take a look at all three and why the Kia Sorento ultimately comes out on top.
| Feature | Kia Sorento | Subaru Outback | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | Up to 7 | Up to 5 | Up to 7 |
| Body Style | 3-Row SUV | SUV / Wagon | 3-Row SUV |
| Drivetrain | FWD / AWD Available | Standard AWD | FWD / AWD Available |
| Hybrid Available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| All-Wheel Drive | Available | Standard | Available |
| Cargo Space | Flexible 3-row cargo area | Large cargo area | Flexible 3-row cargo area |
| Safety Features | Advanced driver assistance | EyeSight Driver Assist | Advanced driver assistance |
| Best For | Families & versatility | Adventure & all-weather driving | Families & modern technology |
Performance
The Kia Sorento hits the road with two available engine options. Lower-trim-level models use a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder powertrain. An additional 281-horsepower turbocharged powertrain is also available, as is optional all-wheel drive.
The Hyundai Santa Fe, to its credit, comes with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 that's been rated for up to 277 horsepower. There's no higher power option beyond that. All-wheel drive is also optional on the Santa Fe. The Subaru Outback comes with standard all-wheel drive, but its engine options reach lower performance peaks than those of both the Sorento and Santa Fe. Its base four-cylinder engine is only capable of 180 horsepower, while its upgraded powertrain is rated for up to 260 horsepower.
Interior Space & Seating
The Kia Sorento offers three-row seating for up to seven passengers. That comes on top of a spacious interior, with a maximum cargo capacity of 75.5 cubic feet when the seating's folded down.
The Hyundai Santa Fe can also seat up to seven and offers up to 79.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The Subaru Outback only seats five. To its credit, however, the Outback offers an impressive total cargo space of more than 80 cubic feet, with the seats folded down.
Media Features & Technology
Both the Kia Sorento offers standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreens. It also offers standard access to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the option to upgrade to a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
The Subaru Outback is decently equipped, but falls short of the Sorento with a 12.1-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Hyundai Santa Fe is largely comparable to the Kia Sorento in the media and technology department.
Pricing
A great SUV feels even better when it costs less. The Kia Sorento enjoys a base-level starting price of $33,885. The Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $36,650. The Subaru Outback starts at $36,445.
While it's true that the Santa Fe and Outback both have some standard features that the Kia Sorento doesn't, you'll have to pay significantly more to get them. The Kia Sorento, in turn, only gets better the higher you climb its trim model tree. If you're going to pay for a more expensive model, you might as well just pay more for a better Kia Sorento and truly enjoy the road.
Schedule Your new Kia Sorento Test Drive at Sterling Kia Today
Are you a Huntsville-area driver ready to learn more about everything the Kia Sorento has to offer? Contact the sales team at Sterling Kia and let us know. We would be delighted to answer your questions and share more about our new Kia inventory, our finance center options, and more.
We take pride in our status as a Kia dealership resource for drivers like you. Don't hesitate to give us a call and get the ball rolling on a visit and a test drive. We would be happy to help with all your Kia needs.
How Can We Help?
* Indicates a required field
-
Sterling Kia
197 North Earl Rudder Frwy
Bryan, TX 77802
- Sales: (979) 846-0607
Loading Map...