2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Comparison Overview
The primary divergence between the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is the $5,400 difference in starting MSRP, with the Santa Fe beginning at $34,800 compared to the Pilot's $40,200. Performance metrics show the Pilot generates higher output with 285 horsepower versus the Santa Fe's 277 hp, though the Santa Fe counters with superior torque, posting 311 lb-ft against the Pilot's 262 lb-ft. Fuel economy also favors the newer Santa Fe, achieving 24 combined MPG compared to the Pilot's 22 combined MPG, and offering better highway cruising at 29 MPG versus 27 MPG. Dimensionally, the Pilot is significantly larger, measuring 199.9 inches long and 71.0 inches high, while the Santa Fe offers slightly more usable storage with 14.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft in its smaller configuration. These measurable trade-offs define the purchase decision between these two crossovers.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is superior for commuters due to its superior 24 combined MPG rating and $5,400 lower entry price.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is the better choice for families due to its larger overall physical dimensions, including a greater height of 71.0 inches.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Enthusiasts will appreciate the Santa Fe's higher torque output of 311 lb-ft, despite having fewer horsepower than the Pilot.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe provides better initial monetary value with a significantly lower MSRP of $34,800 compared to the Pilot's $40,200.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You require maximum passenger volume or prefer the Pilot's 10-speed automatic transmission over the Santa Fe's 8-speed unit.
- You prioritize the Pilot's higher peak horsepower output of 285 hp for acceleration.
- Your driving scenario requires the Pilot's greater overall exterior dimensions (199.9 inches in length and 78.5 inches in width).
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- Maximizing fuel efficiency is critical, given the Santa Fe’s 29 MPG highway rating versus the Pilot's 27 MPG.
- You want the superior pulling power provided by the Santa Fe’s 311 lb-ft of torque.
- Your budget constraint favors the vehicle with the lower starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $34,800.
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 shiftable automatic |
| 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 | Underbody 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. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for regular driving?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe holds a distinct advantage in efficiency, achieving 24 combined MPG and 29 MPG on the highway, compared to the 2025 Honda Pilot's 22 combined MPG and 27 MPG highway.
Is the 2025 Honda Pilot significantly larger than the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes, the Pilot is substantially larger overall, measuring 199.9 inches in length compared to the Santa Fe’s 190.2 inches, and it is 3.3 inches taller at 71.0 inches.
Which crossover provides more power for towing or passing maneuvers?
While the Pilot produces 285 hp, the Santa Fe delivers more low-end grunt with 311 lb-ft of torque versus the Pilot's 262 lb-ft, potentially aiding acceleration from a stop or while merging.
How substantial is the cost difference between these two models?
The starting MSRP difference is $5,400; the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $34,800, while the 2025 Honda Pilot begins at $40,200.
Does the larger Pilot offer more practical storage space?
Despite being physically larger, the provided specification suggests the Pilot offers 18.6 cu ft of cargo capacity while the Santa Fe offers 14.6 cu ft; however, the Pilot's larger footprint typically suggests greater maximum potential capacity than listed.
Are there differences in the standard drivetrain components for these FWD models?
The Honda Pilot utilizes a 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission paired with its FWD setup, whereas the Hyundai Santa Fe uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
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