In the three-row SUV class, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is a surefire winner. That holds especially true for families, who enjoy its comfortable and well-equipped cabin, numerous advanced safety features, and energetic performance. Huntington Beach Hyundai explores how this vehicle outdoes one of its top competitors, the Kia Sorento.
Performance
The standard engine in the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder capable of 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That handily outpaces the standard engine for the Kia Sorento, which is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder rated at 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. You'll love the smooth, confident shifts delivered by the eight-speed automatic transmission in the new Hyundai SUV. The dual-clutch transmission in the Kia Sorento can be a bit slower to respond and thus not as fluid.
Interior
Another area of excellence for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is its interior. Its cargo area measures a maximum of 79.6 cubic feet, compared to the 75.5 cubic feet in the Kia Sorento. Moreover, the Hyundai SUV offers 30.0 inches of third-row legroom, versus the 29.6 inches of the Kia Sorento, so larger passengers will be more comfortable. Also notable is the fact that a power liftgate comes standard on every 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe trim, which is not the case for the Kia Sorento.
Safety Features
Not only is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, but it also integrates several safety features that are standard for its entire lineup, but not standard in the Kia Sorento lineup. Examples include Hands-On Lane-Following Assist, Parking Distance Warning - Forward/Reverse Front and Rear, and Curtain Airbags in all three rows, giving the Hyundai SUV a much stronger suite of safety for families.
Explore the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe in Huntington Beach, CA
With the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe at our Huntington Beach, CA, Hyundai dealership, you'll get strong performance, an upscale interior, and cutting-edge safety features that can't be matched by rivals such as the Kia Sorento. Get preapproved online for Hyundai finance, then stop in for a test drive to experience the difference firsthand.
