Many automotive brands have one universal design language that they scale up and down, depending on the size of the application. However, that is certainly not the case with Hyundai, which has no qualms about making each of their vehicles look distinctly different, including two of their most popular SUV’s: the Tucson and Santa Fe. Even though they don’t look like they are from the same brand, there is a good deal of overlap between them, which had us and others wondering, who wins in a 2025 Hyundai Tucson vs. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe battle? Let’s get into this match up!

Pricing and Equipment

So, as always, let’s start off by establishing the pricing to see if the Santa Fe is worth the extra money.

Starting with the refreshed Tucson, we have the loaded trim, called Limited. It’s about $42,000 for 2025, after destination.

Tucson (Hybrid Limited AWD): $40,945 | Options: +$0 | Destination: $1,395 | Total: $42,340

Moving to the Santa Fe, when you pick its fully loaded trim called Calligraphy, it rings in at a total price tag of $50,465. 

Santa Fe (Hybrid Calligraphy AWD): $49,050 | Options: +$0 | Destination: $1,415 | Total: $50,465

By the way, if you want to get the best price from local dealerships and access to invoice pricing info for these two models or any vehicle, we have a tool on our website to do just that.

Exterior Design

Starting with the exteriors, as I already mentioned, most people wouldn’t even realize that these two are sibling vehicles from the same company. But both are very bold in their own unique ways, so we want to know which styling approach you all prefer in the comments below. 

Outside of the nearly bizarre shapes, both SUV’s have premium projector LED headlights, with LED turn signals, daytime running lights and no fog lamps.

Continuing to the sides, these new generations both grew a bunch over their previous generations and now have 8-inches of length separating them. We will see later if those extra 8-inches deliver a big advantage in cargo and passenger space, but until then, note that the Santa Fe has 1-inch larger alloy wheels, at 20-inches vs. 19-inches.

Length: 190.2-inches (Santa Fe) | 182.7-inches (Tucson)

Moving out back, they have very similar features, again with very dissimilar designs. Both have mostly LED taillight clusters (but incandescent reverse lights), exhaust outlets are hidden and so are the wipers for all-weather protection. Even the tow ratings are the same.

Towing: 2,000 lbs. (Santa Fe Hybrid) | 2,000 lbs. (Tucson Hybrid)

Additional Features

As far as the mirrors are concerned, they both have BSM, heating, and LED turn signals, plus the Santa Fe has power-folding.

And speaking of Blind Spot Monitoring, family SUVs need to be safe, and one of the really nice things about these two is that all four of your major active safety features are included as standard equipment. They also have highway drive assist, and the Smart Park system that can pull the vehicle into or out of tight parking spots unmanned.

The Santa Fe is all-new and the Tucson heavily-updated, so let’s see those important interiors next.

Tucson Interior
Santa Fe Interior

Interior Design

Approaching both SUVs, they have smart entry systems and remote start on Hyundai’s newest key fob. 

But after opening the doors, you’ll see that these two have some important things that are the same and are different. 

Before we dig into the features, let’s start with the seats. Both models are covered in real leather, but the Sante Fe has high-end Nappa leather. Additionally, as you can see, the Santa Fe has more ways of adjustments and even has a full relaxation mode for taking ultimate naps.

Regardless, both have heated and ventilated front seats. 

Now once inside the cabins, let’s check out the major point category of material quality. The Tucson has always had one of the best cabins in the segment and it continues to be made of premium materials like leatherette, soft-touch plastic, and piano black. However, the Santa Fe impresses even more with extra leatherette over most touch points, faux wood trim and a suede headliner.

After startup, you begin to see just how big of an interior refresh the Tucson got this year, since the screen tech is no longer integrated and is the same exact unit as the Santa Fe. It’s a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a few design choices and blind spot cameras built in. Tucson also introduces a head-up display for the first time, matching the Santa Fe.

Moving back, they both have heated, leather-wrapped steering wheels with the morse code logo, and even rain-sensing wipers. You may also notice the fingerprint readers to the left of the gauges, which are used to sync driver profiles and can allow the vehicle to start securely with the digital key system.

Storage and Technology

Now it’s time to evaluate another major interior section: storage. Hyundai revised this area on the Tucson to give it more space than ever and it is excellent for the compact class, however it’s the Santa Fe you’ll want if you have a lot of stuff to haul around in the front of the cabin. It has a massive center console that swallows 2 dozen donuts, center pass through storage, and two passenger storage shelves.

In addition to having more space, Santa Fe also has the feature advantage here as well. It has two wireless phone charging pads instead of one and a UV light treatment system for sanitizing your phone or keys.

Both models have the same electronic shifter and when in reverse, you’ll find an advanced 360-degree camera systems on both.

They also have the same climate controls with a combination of physical and digital buttons. 

Above them you will find volume knobs for the audio systems. Let’s hear a sample. While both models have Bose systems, the Santa Fe has more speakers and little bit more premium listening experience.

Tucson: 8-speaker Bose Premium Audio

Santa Fe: 12-speaker Bose Premium Audio

People want a high level of technology in cars nowadays, so let’s move to the key element of displays. After the Tucson’s refresh this year, as you can see, they are the same. These are 12.3-inch screens running Hyundai’s newest ccNC infotainment software. That includes key features such as navigation and wireless AA and ACP.

As we wrap up the front of the cabins, both have auto-dimming mirrors with HomeLink remotes, and the Santa Fe has rear camera functionality if you flip the switch.

Up top, they have panoramic moonroofs that open, although the Santa Fe’s is configured in a dual-panel arrangement.

Tucson Rear
Santa Fe Rear

Rear Seats and Cargo

Now moving to the back areas, this is where you see a lot more differences crop up in space and features. For the second row, Tucson leg and headroom figures are very large for its class and under a 5% difference from the Santa Fe.

Tucson: Legroom: 41.3 inches | Headroom: 39.0 inches

Santa Fe: Legroom: 42.3 inches | Headroom: 40.6-inches

However, it must be mentioned that the Santa Fe has a third row of seats as standard equipment with this new generation. This is obviously something that the Tucson cannot match, so if there is any chance you will be hauling around extra people, then this is a big benefit in favor of the Santa Fe.

Note: all trims of the Santa Fe besides for this Calligraphy have bench seating (7-passenger).

But returning to the second rows, let’s talk about the features. Both models have heated seats, USB ports and climate vents, however only the Santa Fe has sunshades and power-adjusting seats with relaxation mode.

Next let’s see how much stuff you can bring along with you for the journey. Both have power tailgates with hands-free ability, and once they open, you might be surprised to learn that space is relatively close. Now, yes, the Santa Fe does have more space, but the maximum cargo capacity difference is just 6.6% and behind the second row, just 4.5%.

A bigger thing to consider is that the tailgate opening is 8-inches wider in the Santa Fe for those extra-large objects.

Tucson Hybrid: Behind 2nd row: 38.7 cu. ft | Maximum: 74.5 cu. ft (w/ pano)

Santa Fe Hybrid: Behind 2nd row: 40.5 cubic feet | Max: 79.6 cu.ft

Neither model has spare tires in the hybrid variants. 

And speaking of hybrid, let’s take these two family options out on the road and see who does it best!

Tucson Front
Santa Fe Front

Powertrains

Besides for a few areas of the interiors, these two are mostly different in all the ways you can see, but the things you cannot see are quite similar. We have the hybrid versions today, which have the same 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engines paired with electric componentry. Accelerating feels largely the same and both hit 60 MPH in the mid-7 second range.

Tucson Hybrid: 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec: 231 hp

Santa Fe Hybrid: 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec: 232 hp

When it comes to transmissions, they also both have 6-speed automatics and AWD. Besides for some occasional slower shifts many people will prefer this configuration to the rivals which largely use CVT’s.

Test Drive and Fuel Economy

You’re probably wondering how quiet the cabins are when cruising. Well, that’s why here at Car Confections, we take a sound-level reading of every vehicle we test on our channel. I do want to point out that the Tucson’s reading was taken in California on a press drive, so it is unofficial until we get it home to Kentucky on our local roads. But even with the rougher roads, the Tucson preliminarily tested quieter.

Santa Fe Hybrid: 57.5 dB @ 55 MPH

Tucson Hybrid: 55.4 dB @ 55 MPH

Now let’s talk about an important part for any family SUV, the ride quality. In this area, both are good, but the Santa Fe really impresses. Its suspension is tuned softly which makes it absorb all but the largest imperfections with ease. Conversely, the Tucson feels sportier and more agile with its firmer suspension tuning.

Lastly, both achieve great fuel economy, as expected. The Tucson gets 1 MPG better overall according to the EPA but that’s not enough of a difference to score a point.

Tucson (Hybrid AWD): 35/35/35 MPG

Santa Fe (Hybrid AWD): 35/34/34 MPG

Value Assessment

Now, we must circle back to that price difference for a value assessment. The Santa Fe costs a substantial $8,125 more than the Tucson in today’s test, which will give the Tucson 4 points according to our scale. Keep in mind that many of the lower trims have less of a price difference.

I want to emphasize that if money matters less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points.

I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.

2025 Hyundai Tucson vs. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Winner!

So, there you have it; another hot compact crossover comparison is in the books. But let’s recap a little bit and discuss who should be your personal winner. 

Tucson: 

  • Less expensive
  • Most of the same features and technology
  • Similar rear space and cargo capacity

Santa Fe: 

  • Most luxurious interior
  • Boxy exterior design
  • Exclusive features

Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!

Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!