Comments by "Stephen Hendricks" (@stephenhendricks103) on "" video.

Good review and an excellent entry in the "Goldilocks" (i.e. tweener) sized crossover category. However, along with every other review I've seen there's no mention that the Santa Fe is a two row, four cylinder turbo version of a Kia Sorento. Same size. (The Santa Fe is one inch shorter.) Same weight. (Oddly, the Santa Fe is a few pounds heavier.) Same passenger space in the first and second rows. Almost identical overall cargo space. Same transmission. Same suspension. Same AWD systems with the same center locking differential. Same ground clearance. Kia dropped the turbo4 from the Sorento lineup in 2018. Hyudai picked it up for the Santa Fe. Likewise, Kia dropped the two row option in 2018. The Santa Fe picks up exactly the same configuration with identical under-floor storage in the space the Kia devotes to storing the third seat row. Worth noting that the under floor storage in the Santa Fe is a nice feature but access depends on the cargo floor being empty. So it's a good place to store smaller items you don't need often but not for large items or stuff you need to access when the regular cargo space is being used. Slightly different interior materials in the Ultimate Santa Fe trim versus the KIA SX-L (The SX-L has somewhat more upscale interior materials) but the overall look and feel are nearly identical with the same infotainment screens, (though the Sorento has its screen integrated into the center stack). Same switch gear in the same places. Identical safety and driver convenience systems. (e.g. BLIS, ACC, Lane keeping, etc.) Don't need or want third row seating? Want a turbo4 engine? Take the Santa Fe. Want the same vehicle with a reasonably sized third row of seats for occasional use and think a V6 is better suited to this class of vehicle? That's the KIA Sorento. There is a price difference at the top trim levels. Not surprising since the Santa Fe is being pitched as a competitor to the CR-V and Rav4 (though it's somewhat larger than either one) while the Sorento competes against three row midsize crossovers like the CX-9, Highlander, etc. But given the typical discounts from MSRP for Kia's and Hyundai's it's unclear just how much the difference actually amounts to. All in all, each vehicle is a strong contender in the growing category of "tweener" crossovers positioned between "compact SUV's" and much larger "midsize" vehicles. Depending on one's priorities each deserves a serious look.
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The CX-5 is good looking and has the signature Mazda handling. But each of the Mazda crossovers sacrifices passenger and cargo space compared to their competitors. (The CX-9 is the worst.) The exterior design with an extended hood looks good but forces significant compromises in terms of utility.
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@GraysonCarr That's an understandable choice for you, Grayson. Though the new Santa Fe wasn't yet available when I purchased an SX-L version of the Sorento earlier in 2018, I think I would still make the same choice today. Here's why. We're a family of three and a half (My wife, myself, our teenage daughter, and a big dog) so we could have gotten along most of the time with a two row crossover. But while we use the third row only occasionally, it's very convenient when we chauffeur our daughter and several of her friends, especially when putting them as far as possible away from the driver is a plus both for the adults and the teenagers. :) It's also a big advantage when the third row means the difference between taking a single versus two vehicles on a local outing. Of course, many folks don't face those challenges but for us the third row of the Sorento was a major advantage, especially since it is actually usable and wrapped in a package that's more compact than its competition. Second, the Sorento is my wife's daily driver and our family truckster for long slogs on the freeway. For those duties the V6 is smoother and quieter with more linear performance. I like turbo 4 engines. I have a VW GTI. But for the size and weight of this class of vehicles I think a naturally aspirated V6 is more appropriate for us. Again YMMV. Finally, you're certainly correct that comparing MSRP's makes the Santa Fe more affordable. But real world negotiations can paint a different picture. The MSRP for our Sorento was a bit over $48K. I purchased it for $40K. I don't know, of course, what deal I could make for the Santa Fe but I suspect that the discount on the SX-L KIA is significantly more than the Ultimate trim of the Santa Fe. MSRP comparisons are useful as a starting point when assessing the cost of a vehicle but if one is serious about a particular vehicle, it's important to determine what a particular dealer is willing to offer. Bottom line is that you and I purchased different vehicles because we have different priorities. That's why I take reviewers' list of the "best" vehicles with a very large grain of salt. I think you purchased an excellent vehicle given your priorities. I'd say the same about our choice.
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@danitimnev2102 Let's try this in terms metric challenged Americans can understand. :) The Tucson is 176 inches in length. The CRV and Rav4 are each about 181 inches in length. Interestingly, the Mazda CX-5 is only 179 inches long. The Santa Fe is about 188 inches in length. The Ford Edge is the same - 188 inches. The Honda Passport is about 190 inches long. And the Kia Sorento (with three row seating) is 189 inches in length. And just to make things even more confusing, the VW Tiguan is 185 inches long. Is it in the "tweener-tweener" category? There are no hard and fast rules about these categories but at least in terms of overall size (though not interior space) the Santa Fe is most comparable to other "tweener" size (and usually two row) crossovers. However, quantitative specs don't tell the whole story. Hyundai thinks consumers are likely to cross-shop the Santa Fe with the CR-V and RAV4 and I suspect they're right.
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As noted in another post the Sorento and Santa Fe are (fraternal) twins. Likewise the Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. As far as warranties are concerned, Hyundai and Kia offer the same coverage and mileage/years. Price comparisons, though, are trickier. Comparing MSRP's at the top trim levels, the Santa Fe (Ultimate) is less expensive than the Sorento (SX-L). Not necessarily the case with lower trim levels and option packages.
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@dalex7777 Thanks for the kind words, my friend. I hadn't seen the TFL comparison of the 2016 Sorento and the Santa Fe, so thanks for citing that, as well. A couple of points. First, I said in my original comment that the 2019 Santa Fe was slightly heavier than the comparable Sorento. That was wrong. It came from a quick google search and I should have checked the sources further. In fact, the Sorento is about 200 lbs heavier than the Santa Fe according to the manufacturers' specs. That makes sense since the Sorento has a third row of seats while the Santa Fe does not. Second, the TFL video you cited presents a real puzzle. Despite a weight advantage and better HP and torque numbers in the 2016 Santa Fe vs the 2016 Sorento 4 cylinder turbo motors, the Sorento blew the doors off the Santa Fe in their "mashup" drag race. The TFL guys couldn't explain it and neither can I. I would say, though, that TFL's performance tests are typically Unique (e.g. conducted a mile above sea level) and not necessarily carefully controlled. Their videos are informative and fun but I wouldn't bet the farm on their results. In this particular case, the Santa Fe and Sorento were comparable in terms of engine displacement and AWD. The result may well have been the case of differences in the individual vehicles involved. My first guess would be that the Sorento had better tires for the wet conditions in the "drag race" or other deficiencies in the particular Santa Fe being tested. Since the video is four years old and each model has since been updated, I suspect we'll never know. In any case, it's an interesting video. Like you, I replaced an earlier generation of the Sorento with an example of the current version. In my case it was a 2012 V6 AWD SX-L and a comparable 2018 model. I didn't have the option of the turbo 4 when I purchased the 2018 model since it had been discontinued after 2017 due to the low "take rate" for the turbo motor. It's interesting to hear from someone who has one.
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Despite the legion of internet fan boys who see performance off the line as the only important priority in any vehicle, crossover buyers don't generally share that attitude.
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@nkflimz Depends on what you're expecting. Keep in mind that the Santa Fe is not a true "compact" SUV. It's a Goldilocks size "tweener" at 188" long and over two tons in weight. But Hyundai is marketing it as an SUV for those who think a CRV/Rav4/Forester/CX-5 (or Hyundai's Tucson) is just a bit too small for their needs. Buyers in this category aren't after the "kick" of a turbocharged engine; they just want an engine with sufficient power to move the vehicle in traffic and merge on the freeway. For those priorities the turbocharged Santa Fe is more than adequate. I happen to think a vehicle this size is better off with a naturally aspirated V6 but that's why Hyundai/KIA offers the Sorento closely related alternative.
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@danitimnev2102 Yes, you're right. I think the US version of the Tiguan is known as the Tiguan "Allspace" in other markets. The "normal" Tiguan was never a success in the US despite its superior handling. It's still for sale here as the Tiguan "Sport" but I suspect it will disappear altogether from the US in the near future if it hasn't already.
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@canadabear72 One of the most important design decisions a manufacturer makes is what consumers are likely to "cross shop" with a particular model. Obviously there are no "official" SUV categories but Hyundai has apparently decided that it's to their advantage to appeal to consumers considering a CR-V or a Rav4 but who want more passenger and cargo space. The Tucson doesn't meet that challenge. By setting the MSRP for the Santa Fe just a bit above the so-called "compact" category largely defined by the CR-V and Rav4, Hyundai hopes they can lure those buyers.
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Or 3 Santa Fe's.
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@irandoosty Automotive designers have known for about a hundred years that a long hood and short rear deck suggest a vehicle with potency and performance, factors that are especially appealing to many males (for obvious reasons). If you doubt that, take a look at virtually any sports car introduced since 1920. In the case of the Mazda SUV's and the Mazda6 there's another factor, as well. The 2.5L four banger in both its naturally aspirated and turbo applications requires a massive exhaust manifold located behind the engine. That forces either significant reduction of interior space, a much longer vehicle than would otherwise be needed, or in the case of CX-9, both.
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It's probably the best application of the Mazda turbo 4 engine but the CX-5 sacrifices utility in the form of passenger and cargo space in favor of its exterior design with an extended distance in front of the driver/front passenger door.
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The most appropriate comparison is with the Kia Sorento. Other than the KIA's V6 and three row seating, the vehicles are virtually identical.
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Spend some time in (beautiful) Santa Fe and you'll understand the reference. Or just look at the New Mexico state flag.
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Take a look at the KIA Sorento. It's nearly identical to the Santa Fe but has a V6 option. And surprisingly, it's a few pounds lighter.
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