2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Comparison Overview
The most significant initial divergence between the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is the MSRP, with the Pilot starting at $40,200 compared to the Santa Fe's $34,300, reflecting a substantial $5,900 difference. Despite the higher cost, the Pilot offers superior power, generating 285 hp versus the Santa Fe's 277 hp, although the Santa Fe compensates with a significantly higher torque figure of 311 lb-ft compared to the Pilot's 262 lb-ft. Fuel efficiency favors the Santa Fe, achieving 24 combined MPG against the Pilot's 22 combined MPG, supported by better highway ratings (29 MPG vs. 27 MPG). Dimensionally, the Pilot is larger, measuring 199.9 inches in length versus 190.2 inches for the Santa Fe, translating to a greater overall cargo capacity of 18.6 cu ft compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft. The Pilot utilizes a 10-speed automatic transmission, whereas the Santa Fe employs an 8-speed automated manual.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe offers better efficiency with 24 combined MPG, which is crucial for daily commuting costs compared to the Pilot's 22 combined MPG.
2025 Honda Pilot
The Pilot provides substantially more utility with 18.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft, accommodating more gear.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe's higher torque output of 311 lb-ft, despite having less horsepower, generally translates to better acceleration feel than the Pilot's 262 lb-ft.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe undercuts the Pilot's base price by $5,900 while still providing competitive performance and better MPG metrics.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You require the maximum possible utility, indicated by the Pilot's segment-leading 18.6 cu ft of cargo volume.
- You prefer the inherent smoothness and ratio spread of a traditional 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
- Maximum interior space is necessary, evidenced by its 199.9-inch length and 71.0-inch height.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- Controlling acquisition costs is a priority, as the Santa Fe has an MSRP that is $5,900 lower.
- Optimizing fuel consumption is key, given its superior 24 combined MPG rating.
- You prioritize pulling power in the lower end of the performance spectrum due to its 311 lb-ft torque output.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Pilot | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.9" | 190.2" |
| Width | 78.5" | 74.8" |
| Height | 71.0" | 67.7" |
| Wheelbase | 113.8" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
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 | 285 hp @ 6100 rpm | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed automated manual |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/27 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 354.0/513.3 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 240W | — |
| Speaker System | 7 | — |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.5 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 44.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 59.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.4 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.8 in. | 42.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.7 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.4 in. | 54.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 20 x 8.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/50R | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
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 | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Which vehicle is physically larger, and how does this affect interior space?
The 2025 Honda Pilot (car1) is significantly larger, measuring 199.9 inches long versus the Santa Fe's 190.2 inches. This greater exterior footprint results in the Pilot offering 18.6 cu ft of cargo space, substantially more than the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.
How does the performance difference between the 285 hp Pilot and the 277 hp Santa Fe manifest?
While the Pilot has 8 more horsepower, the Santa Fe (car2) holds a distinct advantage in torque delivery, producing 311 lb-ft compared to the Pilot's 262 lb-ft. This higher torque figure often results in stronger initial acceleration responsiveness.
What is the price gap between the base models of these crossovers?
There is a measurable $5,900 disparity in the starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). The Honda Pilot begins at $40,200, whereas the Hyundai Santa Fe starts at a more accessible $34,300.
Which crossover provides better long-term running economy based on MPG figures?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe (car2) holds the efficiency edge, rated at 24 combined MPG (20 city/29 highway). The Honda Pilot (car1) lags slightly behind with a 22 combined MPG rating (19 city/27 highway).
What are the differences in transmission technology used in these two models?
The Pilot employs a conventional 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission, designed for consistent shifting feel. Conversely, the Santa Fe utilizes an 8-speed automated manual, which is often engineered for efficiency gains.
Do both vehicles require premium fuel?
No, based on the provided specifications, both the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe are listed as requiring regular unleaded fuel, minimizing operational cost differences in terms of fuel grade.
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