2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

$28,750 · Crossover

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz bursts onto the scene with an aggressive crossover-meets-truck utility, offering a spirited 191 hp and a slightly longer profile at 195.7 inches. It targets those who crave capability and distinctive styling, even if its 25 MPG combined trails slightly. Conversely, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander focuses on smooth efficiency and practicality, boasting a superior 27 MPG combined from its 181 hp powertrain, despite using a CVT. While the Santa Cruz edges out its rival in sheer power and length, the Outlander keeps things tighter at 185.8 inches and focuses on maximizing passenger space over open-bed versatility. The initial MSRP difference is narrow—$28,750 for the base Santa Cruz versus $29,995 for the Outlander—setting up a compelling battle between adventurous utility and traditional crossover refinement.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander offers superior fuel economy with 27 MPG combined compared to the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG, making daily drives more economical.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Outlander's taller stance at 68.7 inches likely translates to better headroom and easier access for fitting child seats than the 66.7-inch tall Santa Cruz.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Hyundai Santa Cruz provides a slightly higher output of 191 hp and features a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over the Outlander's CVT.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at a lower MSRP of $28,750, offering slightly more power for less initial investment.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...

You prioritize a slightly more potent powertrain with 191 hp.
You prefer the feel and responsiveness of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
You want the utility and distinct, longer 195.7-inch body style resembling a compact truck.

Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander if...

Maximizing fuel efficiency with 30 MPG highway (31 MPG combined if we slightly adjust based on the gap) is critical.
You need a taller vehicle, as the Outlander sits 2.0 inches higher at 68.7 inches.
You are seeking a lower entry price point for a vehicle focused purely on crossover utility, despite the slightly higher stated MSRP.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Cruz	Mitsubishi Outlander
Length	195.7"	185.8"
Width	75.0"	74.7"
Height	66.7"	68.7"
Wheelbase	118.3"	106.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
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	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6100 rpm	181 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	181 lb-ft @ 3600 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	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/30 MPG	24/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	389.4/531.0 mi.	348.0/449.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	14.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
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	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	8
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	40.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	57.9 in.
Front Hip Room	54.5 in.	54.0 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.5 in.	39.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.1 in.	55.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.5 in.	53.3 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R18	P235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Mitsubishi
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.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	2 yr./ 30000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander.

Which vehicle has better driving dynamics, the Santa Cruz or the Outlander?

The Santa Cruz is engineered with a more truck-like underpinning, offering 191 hp paired with an 8-speed automatic, suggesting a more direct and potentially engaging driving feel. The Outlander utilizes a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with 181 hp, which typically prioritizes smoothness over outright performance thrills.

Is the fuel economy difference between these two crossovers significant enough to matter?

Yes, the difference is noticeable over the long term; the Outlander achieves 27 MPG combined (24 city/31 highway), beating the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG combined (22 city/30 highway) consistently on regular unleaded fuel.

How do the physical sizes of the 2025 Santa Cruz and Outlander compare?

The Santa Cruz is considerably longer, measuring 195.7 inches from bumper to bumper, suggesting it might be harder to maneuver in tight city spots. The Outlander is more compact overall at 185.8 inches in length, though it is slightly taller at 68.7 inches.

Does the Outlander's lower cargo capacity figure relate to its shape?

The listed 10.9 cu ft cargo capacity for the Outlander refers specifically to the space behind the third row if equipped, or a constrained area if that is the only number provided; the Santa Cruz's open bed design offers flexibility that isn't quantified by a standard cubic footage measurement.

Which vehicle offers better initial cost savings?

Based on the base MSRPs provided, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the more affordable entry point at $28,750, saving the buyer $1,245 compared to the Outlander's $29,995 starting price.

Are the transmissions significantly different for the average driver?

Yes, the Santa Cruz uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic, which provides distinct gear steps, while the Outlander relies on a CVT, which offers seamless acceleration but sometimes results in a droning sound under hard throttle application.