2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Ford Explorer roars into the arena, flexing its robust 300 horsepower and desirable rear-wheel-drive architecture, promising a more dynamic connection to the road right out of the gate. Conversely, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe counters with striking, boxier styling and a compelling price advantage, starting at just $34,300 against the Explorer’s $40,050 sticker price. While both crossovers claim an identical 24 MPG combined efficiency rating, the Explorer brings 23 more horsepower to the table, boasting 310 lb-ft of torque compared to the Santa Fe's 311 lb-ft, showing them neck-and-neck in pulling power despite the Ford's larger 198.8-inch frame. The Santa Fe’s smaller footprint (190.2 inches long) makes it potentially nimbler, but the Explorer offers slightly more utility with 18.2 cu ft versus 14.6 cu ft of cargo space. This comparison pits raw power and RWD dynamics against sharp value and modern design.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe wins for daily commuting due to its significantly lower starting MSRP of $34,300, offering better upfront value.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is better suited for families due to its larger exterior dimensions and slightly superior cargo capacity of 18.2 cu ft.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Explorer appeals more to driving enthusiasts because of its 300 horsepower rating and standard rear-wheel-drive configuration.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe provides superior financial value by saving buyers $5,750 upfront while achieving the same 24 MPG combined rating.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- You prioritize a potent output, leveraging the 300 horsepower engine for spirited driving.
- You prefer the handling dynamics and traction characteristics associated with a rear-wheel-drive platform.
- You need the maximum available utility, utilizing the Explorer’s 18.2 cu ft of cargo space.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- Maximizing your budget is key, given the substantial $5,750 price difference from the base MSRP.
- You value modern, distinctive exterior styling over traditional crossover aesthetics.
- You are comfortable with a front-wheel-drive setup and the efficiency of an 8-speed automated manual transmission.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Explorer | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8" | 190.2" |
| Width | 78.9" | 74.8" |
| Height | 69.9" | 67.7" |
| Wheelbase | 119.1" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
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 @ 5500 rpm | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 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 | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automated manual |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 358.0/519.1 mi. | 354.0/513.3 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Infotainment Display | — | 12.3 in |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.0 in. | 44.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.8 in. | 59.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 59.2 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 6-way |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.5 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.0 in. | 42.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 59.1 in. | 54.9 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/65R18 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe.
How much more powerful is the 2025 Ford Explorer than the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2025 Ford Explorer boasts 300 horsepower, making it exactly 23 horsepower stronger than the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, which produces 277 horsepower.
Do these two crossovers offer the same fuel economy?
Yes, both vehicles achieve an identical rating of 24 MPG combined, delivering 20 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway, both running on regular unleaded fuel.
What is the major drivetrain difference between the two competitors?
The Explorer utilizes a rear-wheel-drive architecture mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the Santa Fe is front-wheel-drive paired with an 8-speed automated manual.
Which vehicle is physically larger and offers more storage?
The Ford Explorer is larger, measuring 198.8 inches long compared to the Santa Fe’s 190.2 inches, and consequently offers more dedicated space with 18.2 cu ft of cargo capacity versus 14.6 cu ft.
Is the torque output similar between the two options?
Remarkably, yes; the Hyundai Santa Fe delivers slightly more twisting force at 311 lb-ft, just edging out the Ford Explorer’s 310 lb-ft rating.
What is the starting price difference when comparing the base models?
There is a notable $5,750 price disparity, with the Hyundai Santa Fe starting at $34,300 and the Ford Explorer beginning at $40,050.
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