2025 Honda Passport vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Comparison Overview
Choosing between rugged capability and sheer value often boils down to balancing upfront cost against expected running expenses. The 2025 Honda Passport starts at a notable MSRP of $42,400, positioning it as the premium option, while the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe undercuts it significantly at $34,800—a $7,600 difference. Although both are competent crossovers, the Passport offers slightly more power with 280 hp versus the Santa Fe's 277 hp. However, the Santa Fe pulls ahead in efficiency, achieving a combined 24 MPG compared to the Passport's 21 MPG. Interestingly, despite being slightly shorter in length (189.1 inches vs. 190.2 inches for the Santa Fe), the Passport boasts a massive advantage in utility, offering 50.5 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft, which is a crucial deciding factor for many buyers.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 24 MPG compared to the Passport's 21 MPG.
2025 Honda Passport
The Passport is the family favorite, offering substantially more utility with 50.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe appeals more to performance-minded drivers with its higher torque output of 311 lb-ft compared to the Passport's 262 lb-ft.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe is the clear value champion, saving buyers $7,600 in upfront MSRP while offering better gas mileage.
Choose the Honda Passport if...
- You need serious hauling capability, as the Passport offers 50.5 cu ft of cargo capacity.
- You prefer the stability and traction provided by standard All-Wheel Drive.
- You want the slightly higher horsepower rating of 280 hp.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- Saving $7,600 on the initial purchase price is your top priority, with an MSRP of $34,800.
- You prioritize fuel efficiency, achieving 24 MPG combined versus 21 MPG.
- You prefer higher low-end pulling power, thanks to 311 lb-ft of torque.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Passport | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 189.1" | 190.2" |
| Width | 78.6" | 74.8" |
| Height | 72.2" | 67.7" |
| Wheelbase | 110.9" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | 311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Single overhead cam (SOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 9-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/24 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 21 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 370.5/468.0 mi. | 354.0/513.3 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 19.5 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 215W | — |
| Speaker System | 7 | — |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 1 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.5 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.9 in. | 44.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 62.0 in. | 59.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 59.1 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Leather | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | 2 | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.0 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.6 in. | 42.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.3 in. | 54.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 20 in. | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 265/45R | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | 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 | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ 12000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Passport and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.
How much bigger is the Passport’s cargo area than the Santa Fe’s?
The difference in storage is substantial; the 2025 Honda Passport offers 50.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is more than three times the 14.6 cu ft offered by the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Is the Passport’s AWD system worth the extra cost over the Santa Fe’s FWD?
The Passport comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, offering better traction in slippery conditions, whereas the Santa Fe lists Front Wheel Drive as standard. If you frequently face snow or rough terrain, the Passport's AWD might justify its higher $42,400 MSRP.
Which vehicle has better fuel economy for my daily commute?
The 2026 Santa Fe is the clear efficiency leader here, providing 24 MPG combined versus the Passport’s 21 MPG combined. Over a year, this difference, combined with the lower initial cost, can lead to significant savings.
Does the Santa Fe’s lower horsepower mean it feels sluggish compared to the Passport?
While the Passport has more horsepower (280 hp vs. 277 hp), the Santa Fe compensates with significantly higher torque (311 lb-ft vs. 262 lb-ft). This means the Santa Fe might feel punchier when accelerating from a stop, despite the slight HP deficit.
If I am considering overall size, which vehicle is physically larger?
Although the Santa Fe is longer by 1.1 inches (190.2 inches), the Passport is notably taller at 72.2 inches versus the Santa Fe’s 67.7 inches, giving the Passport a more commanding, upright stance.
How do the transmissions compare between the two crossovers?
The Honda Passport utilizes a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, whereas the Hyundai Santa Fe uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic. While both offer manual control, the Passport has an extra gear ratio to potentially maximize efficiency or performance.
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