Hyundai Palisade vs Kia Sorento
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Hyundai Palisade: we're still completing kerb weight, CO2 emissions and fuel tank.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Palisade starts from $75,900 before on-road costs, while the Kia Sorento opens at $51,380. That makes the Kia Sorento the more affordable entry point by $24,520.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $83,490 and $56,518 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Kia Sorento by roughly $1,000 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Sorento hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the Hyundai Palisade and 82% for the Kia Sorento.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Kia Sorento, against 5 on the Hyundai Palisade.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Palisade features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia Sorento gets a 8-inch display and 4-inch instruments.
The Hyundai Palisade stands out with Infinity audio that you will not find on the Kia Sorento. The Kia Sorento counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Palisade gets leather upholstery while the Kia Sorento offers cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the Hyundai Palisade and 1-zone in the Kia Sorento.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Palisade uses a Petrol producing 217kW and 355Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.9 seconds.
The Kia Sorento responds with a Petrol making 200kW and 332Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The Hyundai Palisade has the clear power advantage at 217kW vs 200kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia Sorento is 0.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Palisade measures 4,995mm long on a 2,900mm wheelbase, 180mm longer than the Kia Sorento at 4,815mm (2,815mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Palisade generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 311L in the Hyundai Palisade and 179L in the Kia Sorento, giving the Hyundai Palisade a 132L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1297L vs 1996L. The Hyundai Palisade seats 8 vs 7.
For towing, the Hyundai Palisade leads with a 2,200kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m to 11.8m
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,993/year for the Hyundai Palisade and $2,793/year for the Kia Sorento. That is a $200 annual difference in favour of the Kia Sorento.
Estimated annual total: $2,993 (Hyundai Palisade) vs $2,793 (Kia Sorento). The Kia Sorento saves you roughly $200 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Palisade) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sorento). The Kia Sorento has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Palisade if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Sorento if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Sorento takes 4 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Kia Sorento will save you roughly $200 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Palisade has a clear edge. The Kia Sorento adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Palisade and Kia Sorento?
The Kia Sorento is the cheapest at $51,380 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Palisade by $24,520.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Sorento uses the least fuel at 9.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Hyundai Palisade and Kia Sorento all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Palisade has the largest boot at 311L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Palisade has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Sorento has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Palisade makes the most power at 217kW. The Kia Sorento is quickest to 100km/h in 8s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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