2025 Ford Bronco vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Ford Bronco screams raw, old-school capability with its standard 300 hp and robust 7-speed manual transmission, designed for tackling the toughest terrain with a high stance of 71.9 inches. Conversely, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe offers sophisticated efficiency and practicality, boasting a superior 24 combined MPG compared to the Bronco's 19 combined MPG, even while generating a respectable 277 hp. The Santa Fe, stretching 190.2 inches long, prioritizes passenger space over the Bronco’s shorter 173.7-inch footprint. While the Bronco starts at $38,995, the Santa Fe undercuts it significantly at $34,800, representing a $4,195 cost difference. Enthusiasts will gravitate towards the 325 lb-ft of torque delivered through the 4WD Bronco, whereas daily drivers will appreciate the Santa Fe’s automatic transmission and its 5 MPG efficiency advantage, making it the clear choice for frugal travel.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is the superior commuter due to its significantly better fuel economy, achieving 24 combined MPG versus the Bronco's 19 MPG.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe's longer 190.2-inch body and more traditional crossover design likely offer more comfortable passenger arrangements than the rugged Bronco SUV.
2025 Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco wins for enthusiasts with its higher power output of 300 hp and the engaging driving experience offered by its 7-speed manual transmission.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe provides better overall utility and efficiency while costing $4,195 less than the starting MSRP of the Ford Bronco.
Choose the Ford Bronco if...
- You prioritize maximum capability and adventure, supported by standard four-wheel drive and 300 hp.
- You prefer an engaging mechanical connection to your vehicle, featuring a desirable 7-speed manual transmission.
- You need the torque advantage of 325 lb-ft delivered through a dedicated 4WD system.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- Fuel economy is a top priority, as the Santa Fe delivers 24 combined MPG versus the Bronco's 19 MPG.
- You want to save money upfront, with the Santa Fe starting $4,195 cheaper at $34,800.
- You prefer the convenience of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission for city driving.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Bronco | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 173.7" | 190.2" |
| Width | 75.9" | 74.8" |
| Height | 71.9" | 67.7" |
| Wheelbase | 100.4" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | — | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.3 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5700 rpm | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 325 lb-ft @ 3400 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 7-speed manual | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | four wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| 4WD System Type | Part Time | — |
| Transfer Case Gearing | Electronic Hi-Lo | — |
| Locking Hubs | Automatic | — |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 18/21 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 19 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 304.2/354.9 mi. | 354.0/513.3 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.9 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 7 | — |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.0 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.1 in. | 44.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.1 in. | 59.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.3 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.8 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 35.7 in. | 42.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 51.8 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 43.3 in. | 54.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Steel | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 16 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/70R16 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Full Size Matching | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Outside Rear Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | — | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Bronco and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Is the 2025 Ford Bronco or 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe more powerful?
The Ford Bronco is slightly more powerful, boasting 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque compared to the Santa Fe's 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. However, the Bronco recommends premium unleaded fuel for best performance.
How significant is the fuel economy difference between these two vehicles?
The difference is substantial for long-term driving; the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe achieves 24 combined MPG, while the 2025 Ford Bronco manages only 19 combined MPG. This translates to significantly lower running costs for the Santa Fe.
Which vehicle offers a more traditional driving experience?
The 2025 Ford Bronco offers the more traditional, rugged experience with its standard four-wheel drive and the highly engaging 7-speed manual transmission. The Santa Fe uses an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive.
How do the physical sizes of the Bronco and Santa Fe compare?
The Santa Fe is the larger vehicle overall, measuring 190.2 inches long compared to the Bronco's 173.7 inches in length. Despite its smaller exterior dimensions, the Bronco offers slightly more measurable cargo capacity at 20.6 cu ft versus the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.
Which vehicle offers better baseline value for the money?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe presents better baseline value with an MSRP of $34,800, making it $4,195 less expensive than the Ford Bronco's starting price of $38,995. This lower price point combined with better efficiency points toward better value.
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