2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid often comes down to prioritizing utility versus sheer economy. If your daily drive involves a lot of stop-and-go traffic, that significant 18 MPG combined fuel efficiency gap matters: the Sportage Hybrid achieves a stellar 43 MPG combined, crushing the Santa Cruz’s 25 MPG rating. While the Santa Cruz offers truck-like utility in its compact 195.7-inch length, the Sportage Hybrid compensates with a solid 39.5 cu ft of cargo capacity and more pep from its 227 horsepower versus the Santa Cruz's 191 hp. Despite the Sportage being $40 more expensive at an MSRP of $28,790 versus $28,750, the long-term fuel savings suggest the Hybrid is the smarter financial play for most drivers looking for crossover practicality.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid
The 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid wins for commuters due to its vastly superior 43 MPG combined fuel economy.
2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid
The Sportage Hybrid offers slightly more defined cargo space at 39.5 cu ft, making it slightly more practical than the Santa Cruz's open bed for family hauling.
2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid
The Sportage Hybrid packs substantially more power with 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque compared to the Santa Cruz's 191 hp and 181 lb-ft.
2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Despite costing only $40 more, the Sportage Hybrid’s massive difference in fuel economy outweighs the initial price difference immediately.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- You actively need a small, open bed for hauling dirty items or recreational gear on a daily basis.
- You prefer a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over the Sportage's 6-speed unit.
- You prioritize the slightly larger overall footprint with a length of 195.7 inches for road presence.
Choose the Kia Sportage Hybrid if...
- Maximizing fuel stops is critical, given the 43 MPG combined efficiency versus the Santa Cruz’s 25 MPG.
- You need the extra performance boost from 227 horsepower for easier merging and passing.
- You prefer the dedicated, enclosed storage of a traditional crossover, offering 39.5 cu ft of cargo volume.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Kia Sportage Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 195.7" | 183.5" |
| Width | 75.0" | 73.4" |
| Height | 66.7" | 65.4" |
| Wheelbase | 118.3" | 108.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.6 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | hybrid |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm | 227 hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 258 lb-ft |
| 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 | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/30 MPG | 42/44 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 43 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 389.4/531.0 mi. | 575.4/602.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 13.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | — |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 57.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.5 in. | 54.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 39.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.5 in. | 41.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.1 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.5 in. | 53.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 245/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | — |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | — |
| EV Battery Warranty | — | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid.
Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz or the Kia Sportage Hybrid more powerful?
The 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid is significantly more powerful, generating 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the base 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque.
How much better is the fuel economy on the Sportage Hybrid?
The difference is substantial; the Sportage Hybrid achieves an excellent 43 MPG combined, whereas the standard Santa Cruz manages only 25 MPG combined, translating to a 18 MPG advantage for the Kia.
Which vehicle is physically larger, the Santa Cruz or the Sportage Hybrid?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the larger vehicle overall, measuring 195.7 inches long and 75.0 inches wide. The Sportage Hybrid is slightly smaller and more compact at 183.5 inches long and 73.4 inches wide.
Do these vehicles require premium fuel?
Fortunately, both the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid are designed to run efficiently on regular unleaded fuel, which helps keep running costs low for both models.
What is the main functional difference in terms of rear storage?
The Santa Cruz is essentially a truck with an open bed, while the Sportage Hybrid has a traditional enclosed crossover utility space rated at 39.5 cu ft. This makes the Sportage better for securing sensitive cargo.
How close are the starting prices for these two vehicles?
Their starting prices are nearly identical, with the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz listed at $28,750 MSRP and the 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid starting at $28,790 MSRP.
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