2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Kia Sorento near Wausau, WI
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Kia Sorento
When families compare the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Kia Sorento, the conversation quickly turns to space, everyday versatility, and driver-assistance confidence. Both SUVs seat seven and offer available All Wheel Drive, but the SANTA FE leans into thoughtful innovations that make daily life smoother—like an available full-display digital rearview mirror, available Remote Smart Parking Assist, and an easy-to-grab C-pillar assist handle that helps you reach roof cargo. Its bold, upright silhouette creates a roomier feel and pairs with the signature H-motif LED lighting for unmistakable presence day or night. For shoppers near Wausau, WI who juggle school runs, weekend gear, and winter commutes, the SANTA FE’s cabin usability and advanced safety suite stand out. At Stevens Point Auto Center, we’ve seen how families respond to its modern tech touches—Bluelink+ convenience, available Dual 12.3-inch displays, and helpful details such as dual wireless device charging. If you’re deciding between these two three-row crossovers, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe builds a clear advantage where it matters most: confidence, comfort, and daily convenience.
| Feature | 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2026 Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| Three-row seating with available 2nd-row captain’s chairs | Yes | Yes |
| Available All Wheel Drive | Yes | Yes |
| 4,500-lb. towing rating on adventure-focused trim | Yes | Yes |
| Surround View Monitor (360-degree) | Yes | Yes |
| Blind-Spot View Monitor | Yes | Yes |
| Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) | Yes | No |
| Dual wireless device charging | Yes | No |
| H-motif signature LED lighting front and rear | Yes | No |
| C-pillar assist handle for easier roof access | Yes | No |
Exterior - Hyundai Dealer serving Wausau, WI
Bold and functional is the SANTA FE’s calling card. The H-motif signature LED lighting front and rear forms a distinctive light signature, while the long, upright stance projects capability. Available 21-inch alloy wheels on upper trims add presence, and the hands-free smart liftgate with auto open proves its worth in grocery-lane reality. Families who roof-mount carriers will love the available C-pillar assist handle for safe, stable access to tie-downs—a unique touch you won’t find on the Sorento. Outdoorsy drivers gravitate to the XRT trim, which pairs HTRAC All Wheel Drive with all-terrain tires, additional ground clearance, rugged accents, and an AC power outlet for campsite convenience. Color choices, from Ecotronic Gray Matte and Earthy Brass Matte to Ultimate Red and Rockwood Green, let you dial in a look that fits your lifestyle. The Sorento’s freshened styling and available blackout cues look crisp, but the SANTA FE’s upright profile translates into practical gains—wider cargo aperture, easier loading, and confident visibility. For customers traveling between Plover and Wisconsin Rapids with gear in tow, that functional edge is more than design—it’s everyday ease.
Interior - 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe near Wausau, WI
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe optimizes every inch for real-world flexibility. Three rows are standard, and the available second-row captain’s chairs create easy walk-through access to the third row, while the long, tall profile enhances headroom and cargo loading. Materials feel a class above on upper trims, where available Nappa leather and a driver seat with relaxation function elevate long trips. Smart storage abounds—from the front-and-back-opening center console to broad door pockets—and families appreciate the available dual wireless device charging that keeps phones powered without a cable scramble. For winter warmth near Wausau, WI, available heated seating in both rows takes the chill out of the morning. The digital environment is equally polished: an available 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster sits alongside a hi-res 12.3-inch touchscreen with available navigation, making maps and menus simple to see and use. Advanced Rear Occupant Alert on most trims uses overhead sensors and can push a Bluelink® alert, a sophisticated safety touch parents recognize instantly. In a head-to-head with the Sorento, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a more spacious feel, more clever storage, and more family-first conveniences ready for every errand.
Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento Mechanical Specs
Under the surface, the SANTA FE focuses on ride composure and control. HTRAC All Wheel Drive is available across the lineup and integrates seamlessly with advanced driver-assistance systems. On XRT, you’ll find extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires, which help when winter roads get messy near Wausau, WI. Hyundai’s chassis tuning leans toward calm, settled responses over broken pavement, and available systems such as Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control enhance long-haul comfort by proactively managing speed in changing conditions. Standard and available driver support layers in smoothly: Lane Following Assist helps center the vehicle, while Smart Cruise Control 2 can maintain distance and lane position even as traffic ebbs and flows. At Stevens Point Auto Center, we often highlight the way Remote Smart Parking Assist adds confidence in tight garages or busy lots, moving the vehicle into or out of a space with a press-and-hold on the Smart Key. Sorento counters with available torque-vectoring AWD with Terrain Mode and a robust mechanical package, but the SANTA FE’s blend of refinement and smart assistance delivers a more relaxed, polished drive every day.
Powertrain - Hyundai Dealership near Wausau, WI
The SANTA FE’s 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder is a confident match for family hauling, rated at 277 hp, and pairs with a smooth-shifting automatic for effortless acceleration when merging or passing. The lineup is straightforward—every gas trim benefits from the same potent engine—so it’s easy to pick your features without sacrificing power. Need to tow? Properly equipped SANTA FE models can pull up to 4,500 pounds, a match for adventure gear and small campers. The Sorento offers a similar 281-hp turbo engine and the X-Pro trim also targets a 4,500-lb rating, but Hyundai’s power delivery and calibration feel especially composed, making the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe the more relaxed partner in daily traffic. Tech that supports the powertrain is equally compelling: available Highway Driving Assist 2 can help during extended highway stretches, while Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control can ease speed transitions on winding routes. Our team at Stevens Point Auto Center routinely fields questions about winter traction, and HTRAC All Wheel Drive provides confident response when conditions deteriorate—one reason so many families choose the SANTA FE for life in Central Wisconsin.
Safety - Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento
Hyundai SmartSense provides a robust safety foundation throughout the SANTA FE lineup. Standard features include Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, High Beam Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection. Move up the trims and capability grows: Limited and Calligraphy add Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor, while Calligraphy expands preventive coverage with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist enhancements and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist. Families value the progression from Rear Occupant Alert on SE to Advanced Rear Occupant Alert on SEL and above, which can trigger a Bluelink® notification if movement is detected after lockup. The available full-display digital rearview mirror gives a clear view even with cargo stacked to the ceiling. While the Sorento brings strong driver-assistance tech, including available Highway Driving Assist 2 and Surround View Monitor, the SANTA FE’s feature breadth—especially Remote Smart Parking Assist and the expanded collision-avoidance suite—adds meaningful confidence for commutes near Wausau, WI. For winter nights, busy school lines, and tight parking, Hyundai’s thoughtful tuning shows up where it counts.
Request more 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Kia Sorento near Wausau, WI information
Choosing between the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Kia Sorento comes down to how you live. Both deliver three rows and available AWD strength, but the SANTA FE stacks more everyday wins: an airy, upright cabin; unique touches like the C-pillar assist handle; available dual wireless device charging to reduce cable clutter; and available Remote Smart Parking Assist that makes tight-spot maneuvers simple. Add the H-motif lighting, versatile XRT capability with all-terrain tires, and an easy-to-understand trim walk powered by a refined 277-hp turbo engine, and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe feels purpose-built for families who do a little of everything. If you’re near Wausau, WI and weighing your options, our team can walk you through features, seat configurations, and safety tech to match your routines. At Stevens Point Auto Center, we see the SANTA FE as the more complete family solution—roomy, reassuring, and ready for road trips, school carpools, and snowy mornings alike. Visit us to compare them side by side and see why the SANTA FE’s design and technology make it the smart choice for your next SUV.
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*Any MPG listed is based on model year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid only) and other factors.