The midsize SUV segment is booming, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sportage. With their captivating blend of style, comfort, and performance, choosing between them can be a tough decision. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the key aspects of these popular SUVs to help you find the one that suits your needs and lifestyle.
Exterior Design
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a bold and aggressive design. Its distinctive front grille and T-shaped LED daytime running lights command attention. Muscular lines and a sculpted body give it a commanding presence on the road, complemented by sleek LED taillights and a dual exhaust system.
In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage exhibits a more futuristic design. Sharp lines, a tiger-nose grille, and boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights create a visually striking appearance. Its dynamic silhouette, coupled with a coupe-like roofline and unique C-pillar design, exude a sense of motion. Modern LED taillights and a bold spoiler enhance its sporty appeal.
Interior Design
Step inside the Santa Fe, and you’ll find a comfortable and sophisticated environment. High-quality materials and a driver-focused layout make for an inviting space. The clean and minimalist dashboard features a large 10.25-inch infotainment display and a digital instrument cluster. Ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof add to the inviting atmosphere.
Similarly impressive, the Sportage cabin showcases a modern and stylish design. Soft-touch surfaces, premium materials, and customizable ambient lighting contribute to its upscale ambiance. The dashboard features a dual-display setup, consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, creating a more modern and high-tech feel.
Seating
Both the Santa Fe and Sportage can comfortably accommodate up to five passengers. Ample headroom and legroom ensure a pleasant ride for all occupants. The seats are well-cushioned and supportive, with available options for leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats.
Storage
When it comes to storage space, the Santa Fe takes the lead. It offers a practical cargo area of 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row, which expands to an impressive 72.1 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. The hands-free smart liftgate adds convenience to your loading and unloading experience.
The Sportage also provides a decent amount of cargo space, with 31.0 cubic feet behind the second row. Folding down the rear seats increases the capacity to 62.7 cubic feet. The power tailgate further enhances the convenience of loading and unloading.
Performance
Under the hood, the Santa Fe offers a choice of two engines. The base model features a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine generates a robust 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and offer available all-wheel drive.
On the other hand, the Sportage comes equipped with a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. For an extra boost, an optional 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivers 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The base engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine features a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. All-wheel drive is available on both engines.
Fuel Efficiency
In terms of fuel efficiency, the base engine of the Santa Fe achieves an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. The more powerful turbocharged engine delivers slightly lower ratings at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.
Meanwhile, the Sportage’s base engine offers an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. The optional turbocharged engine provides 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined.
Safety
Both the Santa Fe and Sportage prioritize safety. The Santa Fe comes standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety options include blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and a surround-view monitor.
The Sportage also boasts an impressive array of standard safety features, such as forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features include blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, a 360-degree camera system, and rear occupant alert.
Trim Levels and Pricing
Both vehicles offer various trim levels to cater to different budgets and preferences. The Santa Fe is available in four trims: SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. Each trim level offers a range of standard features and options, allowing buyers to customize their vehicle.
Similarly, the Sportage is offered in four trims: LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. Each trim level offers a range of standard and optional features to suit different needs and budgets.
In terms of pricing, the base trim of the Sportage starts at approximately $25,000, while the Santa Fe SE starts at around $27,000. However, the fully-loaded top trims of both vehicles are similarly priced, with the Santa Fe Calligraphy reaching up to $42,000 and the Sportage SX Prestige costing up to $40,000, depending on options and packages.
Key Differences
As we dissect the details, certain key differences emerge.
Interior Design
The Santa Fe’s interior offers a clean, minimalist dashboard with a large 10.25-inch infotainment display and digital instrument cluster. In contrast, the Sportage features a more modern and high-tech feel, with a dual-display setup consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Storage
When it comes to cargo space, the Santa Fe has the advantage. It offers 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Sportage provides slightly less cargo room, with 31.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 62.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.
Performance
In terms of power, the Santa Fe’s more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged engine generates 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the Sportage’s optional 1.6-liter turbocharged engine produces 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This indicates that the Santa Fe has the advantage in terms of performance.
Pricing
The base trim of the Sportage has a slightly lower starting price than the Santa Fe, with the Sportage LX starting at around $25,000 and the Santa Fe SE starting at approximately $27,000. However, the fully-loaded top trims of both vehicles are similarly priced, with the Santa Fe Calligraphy reaching up to $42,000 and the Sportage SX Prestige costing up to $40,000.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, both the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sportage are impressive midsize SUVs that cater to different preferences and budgets. Although they share several similarities, there are distinct differences in areas such as exterior design, interior design, storage, performance, fuel efficiency, and pricing.
By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about which vehicle is the perfect match for your unique requirements. We recommend scheduling test drives for both models to experience them firsthand and solidify your choice. Happy car hunting!
Features Breakdown
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Features:
- Exterior Design
- Bold, aggressive design
- Distinctive front grille
- T-shaped LED daytime running lights
- Sculpted body and muscular lines
- Sleek LED taillights and dual exhaust system
- Interior Design
- Comfortable and sophisticated cabin
- High-quality materials
- Minimalist dashboard with 10.25-inch infotainment display and digital instrument cluster
- Ambient lighting and panoramic sunroof
- Seating and Storage
- Seating for up to five passengers
- Ample headroom and legroom
- 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row (expands to 72.1 cubic feet with rear seats folded down)
- Hands-free smart liftgate
- Performance
- 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque)
- 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque)
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- Available all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency
- Base engine: 25 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined
- Turbocharged engine: 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined
- Safety
- Standard forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, and adaptive cruise control
- Optional blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and surround-view monitor
- Trim Levels
- SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy
- Pricing
- Starting price of $27,000 for SE trim
- Up to $42,000 for fully-loaded Calligraphy trim
2023 Kia Sportage Features:
- Exterior Design
- Futuristic, dynamic design
- Tiger-nose grille
- Boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights
- Coupe-like roofline and unique C-pillar design
- Modern LED taillights and bold spoiler
- Interior Design
- Modern and stylish cabin
- Premium materials and soft-touch surfaces
- Dual-display setup with 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Customizable ambient lighting
- Seating and Storage
- Seating for up to five passengers
- Generous headroom and legroom
- 31.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row (expands to 62.7 cubic feet with rear seats folded down)
- Power tailgate
- Performance
- 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque)
- 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque)
- 8-speed automatic transmission for base engine and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for turbocharged engine
- Available all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency
- Base engine: 26 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined
- Turbocharged engine: 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined
- Safety
- Standard forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, and adaptive cruise control
- Optional blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, 360-degree camera system, and rear occupant alert
- Trim Levels
- LX, EX, SX, and SX Prestige
- Pricing
- Starting price of $25,000 for LX trim
- Up to $40,000 for fully-loaded SX Prestige trim
