Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.One SUV has a sales lead of nearly 20,000 unitsHyundai and Kia posted record U.S. sales last month. These Korean automakers continue outperforming most rivals in terms of growth, thanks to comprehensive lineups, competitive pricing, and the availability of multiple hybrids. The 2026 sales race between the two brands is close, with Hyundai on 533,048 units for the year so far and Kia on 506,584. No single brand dominates the other across every segment, but one of the bigger gulfs between the two exists in the affordable three-row crossover space. The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento compete in this segment, but one is proving to be more popular with U.S. buyers right now.Quirky Sante Fe Leads Sorento2026 Hyundai Santa Fe HEV CalligraphyCole AttishaView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementBuyers and the world's motoring media reacted strongly to the latest Hyundai Santa Fe, which was unveiled around three years ago. Its boxy body was a complete stylistic departure from the old one, but it's not only designed that way to stand out: It's genuinely practical, too. The current Kia Sorento is older, having first been introduced early in 2020 before undergoing a heavy facelift in 2023. Perhaps partly because of the age discrepancy between the two, the Santa Fe has been comfortably outselling its cousin so far in 2026.The Sante Fe's year-to-date advantage of 18,990 units is one of the larger sales gaps between two equivalent Hyundai and Kia models. Both vehicles are based on the same N3/N4 platform, have similar dimensions, and seat up to seven people. The Sorento is actually cheaper, yet buyers are still choosing the Sante Fe more often. In analyzing the differences between the two, one major advantage sticks out for the Hyundai.Related: Hyundai Ioniq 5 Vs. Kia EV6 Sales: It's Not Even CloseHyundai Santa Fe Vs. Kia Sorento DifferencesPowertrains2026 Kia SorentoKiaBoth models come standard with gas-powered four-cylinder engines and are available with optional hybrids. However, only the Hyundai has a standard turbocharged engine, which makes it far punchier than the base-model Kia. The Sorento fights back with a plug-in hybrid option, which the Santa Fe doesn't offer. However, PHEVs are traditionally not the biggest sellers in the range. Here's how the two vehicles' powertrains match up.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn their cheapest form, the Santa Fe leaves the Sorento eating its dust. The base Sorento's naturally-aspirated engine feels gutless, particularly when the vehicle is loaded up with passengers and cargo. All the hybrids are fairly evenly matched in terms of performance and efficiency.Related: I Drove the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy: Here's My Honest ReviewInterior and Practicality2026 Hyundai Santa Fe HEV CalligraphyHyundaiView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleIf you want true adult-friendly third-row space, you'll need a Palisade or Telluride. But these two still provide the option of transporting seven people when needed. Both are spacious in the first two rows, but the newer Santa Fe has slightly more headroom and legroom in the third row. Cargo space with all seven seats up is also better in the Hyundai, with 14.6 cubic feet available compared to the Kia's 12.6. Folding down the rear seating rows opens up a larger overall area in the Hyundai.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn terms of interior design, both models have crisp displays and surprisingly premium-feeling materials on upper trims. But the Santa Fe's cabin design is more modern.Pricing2026 Kia SorentoKiaThe 2026 Kia Sorento starts at $32,390, increasing to $38,490 if you want a model with the turbocharged engine. The standard hybrid begins at $38,890 and the PHEV starts at $48,290.For the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, the base trim starts at $35,050. That's actually cheaper than the turbocharged Sorento with comparable performance. The hybrid costs $36,400, also cheaper than the equivalent Sorento.Related: Kia Sportage Vs. Sorento Reliability: It's Not Even CloseFinal Verdict: Hyundai Justifies Popularity2026 Hyundai Santa FeHyundaiBased on the evidence, it's easy to see why the Hyundai Santa Fe is outselling its Kia rival. The Hyundai has more standard power, a fresher design, and greater interior space. If you want to spend as little as possible on a three-row crossover, the Sorento will be the smarter choice. It's also uniquely available in PHEV form. But for our money, the Hyundai Santa Fe is the better overall purchase.AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: 2026 Kia Sorento vs Sportage: The Smaller SUV Has A Big AdvantageThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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