One of the most hotly contested sectors of the US new vehicle market is that of crossovers, and within it mid-size vehicles are some of the most popular. They still offer seven seats, but may not provide as much room or luxury as some of their full-sized counterparts.
These mid-size SUVs and crossovers have become hugely talented as of late, with strong emphasis on the two Korean players, Hyundai and Kia. They now offer all-new versions of the Santa Fe and Sorento, but even if they are part of the same larger company, their offerings are quite different.
KBB tried them out alongside a Nissan Pathfinder and the very talented Honda Pilot.
The comparo was a closely run thing, with a surprising winner, but what it really shows is that whichever one you go for there are plenty of upsides and only a handful of negatives – the most criticized of the lot was the Hyundai, for its lackluster steering, indecisive gearbox and cramped third row.