2025 Buick Envista vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Buick Envista captivates with its stunning, coupe-like silhouette and exceptional efficiency, making a statement at just $23,800. It boasts a respectable 30 MPG combined rating, ideal for budget-conscious urban driving. Conversely, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz flexes genuine muscle, delivering 191 horsepower—a significant 54 hp advantage over the Buick's 137 hp. While the Santa Cruz demands a $5,700 premium ($29,500 MSRP) and returns 25 MPG combined, it offers superior grunt and a more substantial presence, being 13.1 inches longer and 3.8 inches wider. This comparison pits Buick’s stylish value play against Hyundai’s sporty utility, forcing buyers to weigh 5 MPG against 54 horsepower in their decision-making process.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Buick Envista
The 2025 Buick Envista wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 30 MPG.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is better equipped for families, offering a larger overall footprint and superior power output for hauling needs.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Enthusiasts will gravitate toward the Santa Cruz for its spirited 191 horsepower output compared to the Envista's 137 hp.
2025 Buick Envista
The Buick Envista provides significant appeal at a starting MSRP that is $5,700 lower than the Santa Cruz.
Choose the Buick Envista if...
- Your primary concern is minimizing fuel stops, thanks to its 32 MPG highway rating.
- You desire the lowest initial purchase price at an MSRP of $23,800.
- You prefer a more compact and maneuverable vehicle, measuring 182.6 inches in length.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- You prioritize dynamic driving performance, benefiting from 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque.
- You need greater passenger and cargo capacity offered by the larger 195.7-inch long frame.
- You prefer the refinement of an 8-speed automatic transmission paired with slightly stronger acceleration.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Buick Envista | Hyundai Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.6" | 195.7" |
| Width | 71.5" | 75.0" |
| Height | 61.2" | 66.7" |
| Wheelbase | 106.0" | 118.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.2 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 137 hp @ 5000 rpm | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 12 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | flex-fuel (unleaded/E85) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 28/32 MPG | 22/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 369.6/422.4 mi. | 389.4/531.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Sun Sensor | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 11.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.4 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.9 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 52.3 in. | 54.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette/Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 37.3 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 36.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.5 in. | 56.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 45.8 in. | 53.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.5 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/60R17 | 245/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Buick Envista and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
What is the real-world impact of the difference in horsepower between these two crossovers?
The 2026 Santa Cruz offers 191 hp versus the Envista's 137 hp, creating a 54 hp deficit for the Buick. This power gap means the Santa Cruz will feel noticeably quicker during highway merging and passing maneuvers.
How significant is the $5,700 price difference in terms of features?
The $5,700 MSRP gap separates Buick's entry-level efficiency focus from the Hyundai's more powerful drivetrain and larger dimensions. While both are FWD, the Santa Cruz immediately enters a higher performance tier for that premium.
Is the Buick Envista's fuel economy advantage worth the trade-off in power?
The Envista achieves 30 MPG combined versus the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG combined, saving roughly 5 MPG. For high-mileage drivers, this difference in fuel efficiency could offset the higher initial cost over several years.
Does the larger size of the Santa Cruz translate to more usable cargo space?
Yes, the 2026 Santa Cruz is physically larger in all dimensions, making its cabin and presumed cargo area more accommodating than the Envista's 20.7 cubic feet.
Can the Buick Envista use E85 fuel?
Yes, the 2025 Buick Envista is designated as a flex-fuel vehicle, meaning it can run on either regular unleaded gasoline or E85, offering fuel flexibility the Santa Cruz does not.
Which vehicle offers a smoother driving experience based on transmission?
The Santa Cruz utilizes an 8-speed automatic transmission, generally providing smoother gear transitions than the Envista's 6-speed unit, especially under harder acceleration.
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