Hyundai Tucson vs Hyundai Santa: Which SUV is The Best? Find Out


Choosing between the Hyundai Tucson and the Hyundai Santa Fe can be a tough decision, given the immense popularity of SUVs. As noted in Hyundai's 2024 Annual Report, the company sold an impressive 206,126 Tucson SUVs and 199,010 Santa Fe SUVs. When deciding which SUV suits you best, opinions often vary. 

On the one hand, the Hyundai Tucson cost less than the Hyundai Santa Fe. On the other hand, the Hyundai Santa is bigger than the Hyundai Tucson. To be specific, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a three-row SUV and the Hyundai Tucson is a two-row SUV. 

Looking at both vehicles from another perspective, some would argue that the Hyundai Tucson has a slight edge on the Hyundai Santa, when it comes down to fuel-efficiency. With this in mind we believe that the new Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Santa Fe are both fantastic vehicles. 

Therefore it all comes down to your preference and priorities. To continue to research the Hyundai Tucson vs Hyundai Santa Fe  in-depth, take a glance below.

Specs: Hyundai Tucson vs Hyundai Santa Fe

Here's a quick breakdown on the specs and features available in the new Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Santa Fe
  Hyundai Santa Fe  Hyundai Tucson 
 Engine  2.5 Inline 4-cylinder turbo 2.5-liter Inline 4-cylinder 
 Horsepower  277 @ 5800 RPM 187 @ 6100
 Torque  311 @ 4000 RPM 178 @ 4000
 Fuel Economy City/HWY/Combined 20 / 29 / 24 25 / 33 / 28
 8-speed Wet Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with SHIFTRONIC® Standard  Standard 
 Towing  3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs.
 Wheelbase  110.8-inches  108.5 -inches 
 Length  190.2 -inches  182.7 -inches 
 Width 74.8 -inches  73.4 -inches 
 Minimum Ground Clearance 7.0-inches 7.1 -inches / 8.1-inches 
 Wheels  18-inch  17-inch 
 Passenger Volume  152 cu.-ft.  108.2 cu.-ft. 
 Cargo Volume Behind 1st Row  79.6 cu.-ft.  80.3 cu.-ft. 
 Cargo Volume Behind 2nd Row  40.5 cu.-ft. 41.2 cu.-ft. 
 Cargo Volume Behind 3rd Row  14.6 cu.-ft.  Not Available 
 Legroom 1st/2nd/3rd row  44.4 / 42.3 / 30.0 41.4 / 41.3
 Touchscreen  12.3-inch  12.3 -inch
 Rear Seat Quiet Mode  Standard  Not Available 
 Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel  Standard  Available 
 Wireless Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay® Standard  Standard 
 
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Is the Hyundai Santa Fe Bigger Than the Hyundai Tucson?

Yes. The Hyundai Tucson is  a two-row SUV and the Hyundai Santa Fe is a three-row SUV. To continue, the Hyundai Santa Fe is designed to accommodate 5-passengers and the Hyundai Santa Fe can hold up to 7-passengers. 

The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV and the Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize SUV. With this in mind, the Hyundai Tucson is designed to accommodate 5-passengers and the Hyundai Santa Fe can hold up to 7-psssengers.

As far a passenger volume, the Hyundai Tucson provides 152 cu.-ft. of passenger volume and the Hyundai Tucson offers 108.2 cu.-ft. of passenger volume. 

When it comes down to cargo volume, the Hyundai Santa Fe boasts 79.6 ft³  of cargo volume behind the first row, 40 ft³  behind the second row, and 14.6 ft³  behind the third row. The Hyundai Tucson on the other hand is designed with 80.3 ft³  with the second row seats down and 41.2 ft³  with rear seats up. 

In terms of legroom, the Hyundai Santa Fe comes standard with 44.4-inches of legroom in the first row, 42.3-inches in the second row, and 30-inche in the third row. The Hyundai Tucson on the other hand comes standard with 41.4-inches of legroom in the first row, and 41.3-inches of legroom in the second row. 
When it comes down to the exterior dimensions, the Hyundai Santa Fe sits nicely with a 110.8-inch wheelbase and the Hyundai Tucson follows up with a 108.5-inch wheelbase. To continue, the Hyundai Santa Fe's overall length is 190.2-inches and the max width is 74.8-inches. The Hyundai Tucson, on the other hand, delivers an overall length of 182.7-inches and a max width of 73.4-inches.

The Santa Fe is the winner. 
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Does The Hyundai Santa Fe Pack More Power Than The Hyundai Tucson

Yes. The Hyundai Santa Fe comes standard with a 2.5-liter Inline 4-cylinder Turbo engine that can get up to 277 hp @ 5,800 rpm and 311 lb.-ft. of torque  @ 4,000 rpm. The Hyundai Tucson on the other hand comes standard with a 2.5 Inline 4-cylinder engine with  187 hp @ 6,100 rpm and 178 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm. Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson come standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

Which SUV Offers The Best Fuel Economy: Hyundai Santa Fe or Hyundai Tucson? 

Side by side, the Hyundai Tucson has a slight advantage over the Hyundai Santa Fe whenever it comes down to fuel-economy. To demonstrate, the Hyundai Tucson's EPA estimated fuel economy is 25 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined.  In comparison, the Hyundai Santa Fe's EPA estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. 

Which SUV Offers The Best Max Towing Capacity: Hyundai Santa Fe or Hyundai Tucson

 If you're looking for the best way to haul all of your extra cargo, the new Hyundai Santa is our first choice. The Hyundai Santa Fe's max towing capacity is 3,000 lbs. and the Hyundai Tucson's max towing capacity is 2,000 lbs. 
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Hyundai Santa Fe vs Hyundai Tucson Interior Features: What's the Difference

The Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson both offer semi-similar features. The differences become more significant in the higher trim levels. To demonstrate, take a glance below:
  Hyundai Santa Fe  Hyundai Tucson 
 Rear Seat Quiet Mode  Standard  Not Available 
 Driver seat 2-way power lumbar Standard  Not Available 
 Driver seat 4-way power lumbar Available Not Available 
 Driver seat leg cushion extension Available Not Available 
 Relaxation Seat Driver w/ 1 touch setting Available Not Available 
 Heated front seats Standard  Available 
 Ventilated front seats Available Available 
 2nd-row captain's chairs (including power fold & dive, power reclining & tilting) Available Not Available 
 Heated rear seats Available Not Available 
 Touchscreen 12.3-inches 12.3-inches 
 Bose® premium audio with 12 speakers Available Not Available 
 12-inch Head-up Display (HUD) (windshield type) Available Available 
 Wireless device charging (for supported devices) Available Available 
 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster Available Available 
 Power door and liftgate locks Available Not Available 
 Dual Pane Sunroof  Available Not Available 
   
 

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Hyundai Tucson Safety Features

For those seeking a dependable SUV, both the Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Santa Fe stand out with impressive safety accolades. They've earned the prestigious Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These distinctions are particularly important, given that SUVs face a 14% to 23% higher likelihood of rollover incidents compared to other vehicles.


When it comes down to safety, the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson are both fantastic vehicles. They both come standard with Hyundai SmartSense which include: 
  • Lane Following Assist 
  • Lane Keeping assist 
  • Highway Driving Assist
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
  • Smart Cruise Control 
  • Blind Spot View 
  • Driver Attention Warning 
  • Safe Exit Warning 
  • Rear Occupant Alert

Hyundai Tucson vs Hyundai Santa Fe Price

As far as price goes, the Hyundai Santa Fe cost more than the Hyundai Tucson. To shop and compare prices browse our new Hyundai SUV inventory online.

Hyundai Santa Fe or Hyundai Tucson: Which SUV Should You Buy?

All in all, the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson are both stand-out vehicles. Therefore, it all comes down to your preferences and priorities. If you're looking for a new SUV with more room and comfort, the new Hyundai Santa Fe is the perfect Hyundai SUV for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for an affordable crossover SUV with more features, and a better fuel-economy, the new Hyundai Tucson is the best SUV for you. To learn more about the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson call or visit us today and let us help you with find your next Hyundai SUV today. 

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