Hyundai Tucson vs Kia Sorento vs Tata Safari (2026)
The classic full size suv shortlist, settled with numbers (September 2026):
- Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you want the biggest boot (540 L).
- Pick the Kia Sorento if you want the most power (235 bhp), the most seats (7).
- Pick the Tata Safari if you want the lowest starting price (₹13.40 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 16.3 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
Hyundai Tucson in short
The Tucson was Hyundai India's flagship SUV until it was quietly discontinued in November 2025, a little over three years after its 2022 launch. Final ex-showroom prices ran Rs 27.32-33.64 lakh after the September 2025 GST reduction. It offered petrol and diesel engines with a plush, feature-rich cabin and Level 2 ADAS, but never found volume against the Toyota Fortuner below it and German rivals above. These figures are retained for reference and used-market research.
Full Tucson prices & variants →Kia Sorento in short
The Sorento is Kia India's flagship three-row SUV, launched on 4 September 2026 at ₹27.99–40.39 lakh (introductory) across 32 variants. Built at Anantapur, it offers a 193 PS 2.2L diesel with an 8-speed DCT or a ~235 PS 1.6T strong hybrid with a 6-speed automatic — the hybrid available with AWD, unique in the segment — in 7-seat and 6-seat captain-chair layouts (6-seat adds ₹20,000, Black Line trim adds ₹20,000). It squares up to the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq and Jeep Meridian.
Full Sorento prices & variants →Tata Safari in short
The Safari revives Tata's most iconic nameplate as a three-row flagship built on the Harrier's OMEGA platform, offered in 6- and 7-seat layouts. Since 2026 the 170 PS Kryotec diesel is joined by a 168 bhp 1.5L Hyperion turbo-petrol from ₹13.40 lakh, and the trims are renamed (Smart/Pure X/Adventure X+/Accomplished X/X+/UL). It battles the Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector Plus and Hyundai Alcazar.
Full Safari prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Tucson vs Sorento vs Safari — which should I buy?
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you want the biggest boot (540 L). Pick the Kia Sorento if you want the most power (235 bhp), the most seats (7). Pick the Tata Safari if you want the lowest starting price (₹13.40 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 16.3 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Tucson, Sorento, Safari?
The Tata Safari starts lowest at ₹13.40 Lakh, against ₹27.32 Lakh for the Tucson and ₹27.99 Lakh for the Sorento (ex-showroom, September 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Hyundai Tucson: not yet NCAP-tested; Kia Sorento: not yet NCAP-tested; Tata Safari: 5 stars.