Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe in Albuquerque, NM a Better Choice Than the Kia Sorento?

On the subject of mid-sized SUVs, the Kia Sorento and the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe in Albuquerque, NM are two of the best. Both are affordable options with innovative technologies, bringing new and convenient features never seen before. They share many of the same characteristics, are “corporate cousins,” and there’s much to love about both. But which will be on top when comparing design, style, comfort, and more?

Exterior and Design

Thanks to a complete redesign for 2024, the Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a retro-futuristic, boxy body style. The front end is squared off, with new H-patterned headlights, calling to mind its Hyundai heritage. The rear end highlights an unconventional “terrace-style” tailgate that provides more space, allowing for more cargo. 

Sporting a more modern look, the Kia Sorento was refreshed for the 2024 model year. A boxier, upright hood achieves a bolder appearance, and the redesigned grille is more pronounced, exuding a more aggressive flair. At the same time, the front-fascia “Star Map'' lighting design adds to its progressive aesthetic. The headlights have been altered from horizontal to vertical, and the front skid plate is now wider for extra ruggedness. At the back, the taillights were revamped to form a sleek light bar. New exterior paint options include Midnight Lake Blue and Dawning Red. 

Although both models are very similar, the Hyundai Santa Fe is only offered in four trims, while the Kia Sorento has eight exciting trims from which to choose, including the all-new X-Pro trim.

Interior Comfort

The upcoming Santa Fe’s minimalist approach interior brings forth visions of cyberpunk décor, while dual-pane front windows provide a quiet ride. A panoramic curved display serves as the infotainment screen and a digital instrumentation cluster. The big news is the addition of a third row bench seat in the Santa Fe, and an innovative UV-C sterilization tray to keep devices germ-free. Unfortunately, captain’s chairs aren’t available on any trims. 

Inside the Kia Sorento, you’ll find a plush cabin with a massive panoramic curved touchscreen angled toward the driver, integrating Kia’s next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit system. The Sorento has always accommodated up to seven passengers, but optional second-row captain’s chairs reduce seating capacity to six. 

Both of these SUVs offer a multitude of features to satisfy nearly any buyer, 

Performance

The Kia Sorento’s LX and S trims are equipped with the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, which delivers 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. All other trim levels have the exhilarating, turbocharged inline-four under the hood, providing an impressive 281 hp with 311 lb-ft of twist.  The Kia Sorento also offers both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants as well. 

All Santa Fe trims are powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, producing up to 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft. The model also has a gas-hybrid version, and although a PHEV was previously offered, it no longer is. 

Both vehicles can be equipped with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and have drive-select modes for confidence in any weather conditions. 

Concluding Thoughts

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe in Albuquerque, NM and the 2024 Kia Sorento are both highly anticipated and capable vehicles with plenty of hype to drive their popularity. However, if you prefer a less spartan interior and more trim selections, the obvious choice is the Kia Sorento. Ready to get into a great new SUV right now? Then visit the dealership of Fiesta Kia at 7400 Lomas Blvd NE, right here in Albuquerque, NM 87110 and take a test drive!