The Kia Sorento returns for the 2013 model year with few changes. It remains a premium vehicle with different configurations and options that will appeal to most wagon buyers. The 2013 Sorento crossover SUV fits in between the compact and midsize segments. Three trim levels are offered: LX, EX and SX.Hyundai has also introduced a new 2013 Santa Fe that shares its underpinnings with the Sorento. It is sharply and appealingly styled with a classy edge. The 2013 Santa Fe is offered in GLS and Limited trim levels.
If I were to compare 2013 Kia sorento with 2013 Hyundai santa Fe, I would say Hyundai is the better car. I could be wrong, but from what I have seen and what I have heard from their manufacturers, the Hyundai wins my vote in a 2013 Kia sorento vs 2013 Hyundai santa Fe contest.
Interior
Although the Sorento’s cabin cannot boast of the visual flair of its more recently redesigned siblings, it is still attractive enough; power features, air conditioning, Bluetooth, satellite radio and a USB port are standard on every trim. The SX trim adds a panoramic roof, standard navigation and leather interior.
It is almost impossible to fault the Hyundai Santa Fe’s interior. It is one of the most stylish in its segment. Standard equipment on the GLS trim includes stain-resistant cloth upholstery, Blue Link telematics system, Bluetooth connectivity, Driver Selectable Steering Mode system, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. According to Hyundai, the car has large rear-seat legroom, and 35 cubic feet of cargo space.
Safety features comparison- 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2013 Kia Sorento
The Hyundia Santa Fe 2013 model comes with an extensive safety feature list. Seven airbags (which include side curtain-airbags and driver’s knee airbag), ABS, Stability control, Rear view camera, rear park assist are standard on all trims. The Kia Sorento 2013 also comes with a rich list of safety feature. This include Antilock disc brakes, stability control, front active head restraints, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard across the trim levels.
Powertrain comparison
Every Sorento trim comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is optional. The 2013 Kia Sorento LX trim comes standard with a 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21/29/24 mpg with front-wheel drive and 20/26/22 with all-wheel drive. A direct-injected version of the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque is standard on the EX trim and optional on the LX trim. Its fuel economy rates are 21/30/24 and 21/27/23 for the front- and all-wheel-drives respectively. A 276 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque 3.5-liter V6 is standard on the SX and optional on the others, its estimated fuel economy stands at 20/26/22 and 18/24/20 for the front- and all-wheel-drives respectively.
The Hyundai’s 190-hp, 2.4-litre direct-injection four-cylinder is the standard base engine used by 2013 Hyundai santa Fe, and a 264-hp, 2.0-litre turbo four is available as an option. Both engines are paired with six-speed automatic transmissions and they are expected to generate 33 and 31 highway mpg numbers respectively. As before, front-wheel is standard and an all-wheel drive is an option.
Final Verdict
Apart from some little design details, there is not a tad of difference between the two vehicles. But the Hyundai’s cabin is more up-market and it is also a tad cheaper than the 2013 Sorento. The 2013 Santa Fe is a total package; it is priced good, it drives good and looks good.
Recent Comments