2025 Cadillac XT5 vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical difference between the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe (car2) and the 2025 Cadillac XT5 (car1) is the MSRP, with car2 being $9,495 less expensive at $34,800 compared to $44,295. Power figures also heavily favor car2, as it delivers 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, significantly outperforming car1's 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, despite both achieving a 24 MPG combined rating. The size discrepancy is minimal, though car2 is 0.6 inches longer and 1.6 inches taller. However, a major practical drawback for car2 is its substantially smaller Cargo Capacity of 14.6 cu ft compared to car1's 30 cu ft. Both vehicles utilize front-wheel drive, but the XT5 requires premium unleaded fuel while the Santa Fe accepts regular unleaded, influencing long-term running costs.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2026 Santa Fe offers superior power (277 hp vs 235 hp) at a substantially lower initial investment of $34,800.
2025 Cadillac XT5
The 2025 Cadillac XT5 offers nearly double the practical utility with 30 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe provides 42 more horsepower and 53 more lb-ft of torque, indicating better acceleration dynamics.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe wins on pure entry price and fuel type savings, costing $9,495 less and using regular unleaded fuel.
Choose the Cadillac XT5 if...
- Maximizing usable storage is critical, as the XT5 offers 30 cu ft of cargo capacity.
- A premium, slightly wider stance (74.9 inches) and a slightly shorter overall length (189.6 inches) is preferred.
- The slight advantage in City MPG (22 MPG) over the Santa Fe’s 20 MPG is prioritized for urban driving.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- Achieving the highest possible output from the base engine is desired, given its 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
- Minimizing initial purchase outlay is the primary concern, evidenced by the $34,800 MSRP.
- Avoiding premium fuel is a goal, as the Santa Fe runs on regular unleaded gasoline.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Cadillac XT5 | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 189.6" | 190.2" |
| Width | 74.9" | 74.8" |
| Height | 66.1" | 67.7" |
| Wheelbase | 112.0" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cornering Lights | ✓ | — |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 235 hp @ 5000 rpm | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | 311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 9-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/29 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 418.0/551.0 mi. | 354.0/513.3 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 19.0 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sun Sensor | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Premium Speaker Brand | Bose | — |
| Speaker System | 8 | — |
| 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 | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.7 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.2 in. | 44.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.3 in. | 59.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.1 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 2-way | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
Rearseats
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.4 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.0 in. | 42.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.3 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.8 in. | 54.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Cadillac | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Cadillac XT5 and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.
What is the total power output difference between the two crossovers?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe (car2) generates 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This is a notable increase over the 2025 Cadillac XT5 (car1), which is rated at 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, giving car2 a 42 hp advantage.
How do the MSRPs compare for these base models?
There is a significant $9,495 difference in the starting prices. The Cadillac XT5 begins at $44,295, whereas the Hyundai Santa Fe has a much lower entry point of $34,800.
Which vehicle provides better utility for cargo transport?
The Cadillac XT5 is substantially better equipped for cargo, offering 30 cubic feet of storage capacity. In contrast, the Santa Fe is limited to only 14.6 cubic feet, making the XT5 the superior choice for hauling gear.
Is there a major difference in fuel efficiency between the two?
Both vehicles share the same 24 MPG combined rating. However, the Cadillac XT5 requires premium fuel, while the Santa Fe utilizes regular unleaded, potentially lowering the total cost of ownership for car2.
How do the dimensions stack up for parking and maneuvering?
The vehicles are nearly identical in footprint, with the Santa Fe being slightly longer (190.2 inches vs 189.6 inches) and slightly taller (67.7 inches vs 66.1 inches); both utilize front-wheel drive and a shiftable automatic transmission.
Which car offers a better transmission specification?
While both use a shiftable automatic, the 2025 Cadillac XT5 is equipped with a 9-speed unit, giving it one extra gear ratio compared to the 8-speed automatic found in the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool