Model Year | 2012 | 2015 | |
Model | Hyundai Sonata | Kia Sorento | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 274 hp@6000 269 lb-ft@1750 |
3.3L V6 DOHC-4v 290 hp@6400 252 lb-ft@5200 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 110.0 in | 106.3 in | 3.7 in |
Length | 189.8 in | 184.4 in | 5.4 in |
Width | 72.2 in | 74.2 in | -2 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 66.9 in | -9 in |
Curb Weight | 3338 lb. | 3722 lb. | -384 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 17.4 gal. | 1.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.0 in | 39.2 in | 0.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.9 in | 59.3 in | -1.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.2 in | 56.3 in | -1.1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 45.5 in | 41.3 in | 4.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 39.2 in | -1.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 56.7 in | 58.7 in | -2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.9 in | 55.9 in | -1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 37.6 in | -3 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 36.7 in | -36.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 53.8 in | -53.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 44.4 in | -44.4 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 31.3 in | -31.3 in |
Total Legroom | 80.1 in (over 2 rows) | 110.2 in (over 3 rows) | -30.1 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.4 ft3 | 9.1 ft3 | 7.3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 16.4 | 36.9 ft3 | -20.5 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.4 ft3 | 72.5 ft3 | -56.1 ft3 |
2012 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | According to the EPA's classification system, the Hyundai Sonata is actually a large car. You wouldn't guess this while sitting in the front seat. A steeply raked windshield and cockpit-like instrument panel design cut into actual roominess, and perceived roominess even more. The Sonata's firm front buckets could use more form-fitting contouring. Though not uncomfortable, they are the least comfortable buckets in this threesome. In the back seat, six-foot passengers' scalps might graze the headliner, but knee room is generous. There's a bit more room and a more comfortably padded and positioned rear seat cushion inside the Altima. But the Mazda6's rear seat is at least as low to the floor as the Sonata's and includes a couple inches less knee room. So the Hyundai has a slight edge over the Mazda. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2012 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The front driver seat is supportive yet firm and the power adjustments guarantee you'll get the right driving position for you. The heated seat feature is great on a cold morning too. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Big enough for 6 feet 2 inch man. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2012 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Ride is comfortable but after about 2 or 3 hours, the leather seats get a bit hard on the butt. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Have the Limited with leather heated seats. They are not as comfortable as expected. The seat bolsters are a little tight for my back side. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2011 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Although adequate, long drives with more than two people in the car would be cramped. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
uncomfortable - back pain see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2015 Kia Sorento Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Hyundai offers the Santa Fe in two lengths, a two-row 184.6-inch "Sport" and a three-row 193.1-inch regular version. Though the 2011-2015 Sorento had an optional third-row seat, it was about the same length as the Santa Fe Sport. Perhaps to better fit that third-row seat and differentiate itself from the two Hyundai variants, the 2016 Sorento is three inches longer than the 2015, for a total of 187.4. Kia has done a good job packaging the new SUV. Though the Toyota Highlander and (2009-2015) Honda Pilot are considerably longer, their rear seats have no more rear legroom than the new Sorento's. At 5-9, I can just barely fit in any of them. Passengers will have more room to stretch their legs in the Santa Fe, though third-row headroom is similarly limited to people of at most my height. If you need an adult-friendly third-row, you really need a minivan. Kia offers an especially stylish one. Like the Santa Fe, the Sorento falls between others' compact and midsize SUVs in width. There might not be more rear legroom in a Highlander or Pilot, but there's enough additional shoulder room to include a third seating position in the third row. If you need an eight-passenger vehicle, both the Sorento and the Santa Fe are out of contention. At least all trim levels of the Sorento can seat seven people. The Santa Fe Limited can only fit six. In both the Kia and the Hyundai the second-row seat is mounted comfortably high off the floor, not a given among midsize crossovers. The third-row seat is mounted low to the floor, forcing a knees-high seating position, but this is pretty much a given in the class. see full Kia Sorento review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2015 Kia Sorento.