Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Kia Sorento is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,770 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Sorento Hybrid, 37 MPG combined), against $1,790 for the Hyundai Santa Fe (Santa Fe Hybrid, 36 MPG combined). That is $20 a year, or $100 over five years.
Both come from the same maker or parent group. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Hyundai Santa Fe
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Santa Fe Hybrid
$11.93 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
5 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Kia Sorento
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Sorento Hybrid
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$11.80 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
7 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Hyundai Santa Fe$1,790 a year · $11.93 per 100 mi
- Kia Sorento$1,770 a year · $11.80 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$20
Kia Sorento costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$100
$20 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Santa Fe Hybrid | Sorento Hybrid |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 36 MPG | 37 MPG (better) |
| City rating | 37 MPG | 37 MPG |
| Highway rating | 36 MPG | 36 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,790/yr | $1,770/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $11.93 | $11.80 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,790–$3,100 | $1,530–$2,850 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 5 | 7 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 24 MPG · $2,760/yr Santa Fe | 26 MPG · $2,480/yr Sorento |
| Hybrid | 36 MPG · $1,790/yr Santa Fe Hybrid | 37 MPG · $1,770/yr Sorento Hybrid |
| Plug-in hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 | 33 MPG gas-only · $1,530/yr Sorento Plug-in Hybrid |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Kia Sorento
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,770 vs $1,790
- Higher combined rating: 37 MPG vs 36 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,480 vs $2,760
- Offers plug-in hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Hyundai Santa Fe does not
Level on: city rating (37 MPG), highway rating (36 MPG)
Year by year
| Model year | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 21–36 MPG | $1,790–$3,100 | 23–37 MPG | $1,530–$2,850 |
| 2025 | 22–36 MPG | $1,830–$3,000 | 23–36 MPG | $1,530–$2,850 |
| 2024 | 22–36 MPG | $1,830–$3,000 | 23–37 MPG | $1,470–$2,850 |
| 2023 | 24–34 MPG | $1,530–$2,780 | 24–37 MPG | $1,470–$2,750 |
| 2022 | 24–34 MPG | $1,530–$2,780 | 24–37 MPG | $1,470–$2,750 |
| 2021 | 24–34 MPG | $1,920–$2,780 | 24–37 MPG | $1,760–$2,740 |
| 2020 | 22–25 MPG | $2,660–$2,980 | 20–25 MPG | $2,660–$3,200 |
| 2019 | 19–25 MPG | $2,660–$3,500 | 21–25 MPG | $2,660–$3,130 |
| 2018 | 19–24 MPG | $2,770–$3,480 | 19–24 MPG | $2,750–$3,400 |
| 2017 | 19–24 MPG | $2,770–$3,480 | 19–24 MPG | $2,750–$3,400 |
| 2016 | 19–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,480 | 19–24 MPG | $2,740–$3,400 |
| 2015 | 19–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,480 | 20–23 MPG | $2,900–$3,300 |
| 2014 | 19–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,520 | 20–22 MPG | $2,940–$3,300 |
| 2013 | 20–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,260 | 20–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,190 |
| 2012 | 21–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,060 | 20–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,190 |
| 2011 | 21–23 MPG | $2,880–$3,060 | 20–24 MPG | $2,730–$3,190 |
| 2009 | 19–20 MPG | $3,270–$3,440 | 17–18 MPG | $3,630–$3,840 |
| 2008 | 19–20 MPG | $3,270–$3,440 | 17–18 MPG | $3,630–$3,840 |
| 2007 | 19–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,440 | 17–18 MPG | $3,630–$3,840 |
| 2006 | 17–20 MPG | $3,270–$3,840 | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 |
| 2005 | 17–20 MPG | $3,270–$3,840 | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 |
| 2004 | 17–20 MPG | $3,270–$3,840 | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,360 |
| 2003 | 17–20 MPG | $3,270–$3,840 | 15 MPG | $4,360 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Kia Sorento?
The Kia Sorento is cheaper: about $1,770 a year against $1,790 for the Hyundai Santa Fe, a difference of $20 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Kia Sorento save over five years?
About $100 ($20 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Kia Sorento?
The Kia Sorento is rated 37 MPG combined against 36 MPG for the Hyundai Santa Fe. City: 37 MPG vs 37 MPG. Highway: 36 MPG vs 36 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Hyundai Santa Fe: ratings, trims and every model year
- Kia Sorento: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe: all configurations
- 2026 Kia Sorento: all configurations
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