2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz explodes onto the scene blending the utility of a truck bed with the maneuverability of a crossover, delivering 191 hp and a solid 25 MPG combined economy from its base 2.5L engine. Conversely, the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander offers a more traditional SUV stance, distinguished by its robust 207 lb-ft of torque, even though its power output sits lower at 177 hp. The Santa Cruz boasts superior fuel efficiency, hitting 30 MPG highway compared to the Outlander's unknown highway rating, while the Santa Cruz is noticeably longer at 195.7 inches versus the Outlander's 185.8 inches. Priced slightly lower at an MSRP of $28,750, the Santa Cruz immediately appeals to value-conscious drivers who still demand a slightly peppier 181 lb-ft of torque baseline than the Outlander offers for $29,995, making this a fascinating duel between capability and efficiency.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz wins for commuters due to its better combined 25 MPG rating and standard 8-speed automatic transmission providing a more traditional driving feel.
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander
The Outlander is deemed better for families as its taller 68.7-inch height suggests easier ingress/egress and its defined cargo capacity is likely more practical than the Santa Cruz's open bed.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Enthusiasts will prefer the Santa Cruz's higher 191 hp rating and the responsive feel of its 8-speed shiftable automatic gearbox over the Outlander's CVT.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz starts $1,245 cheaper at an MSRP of $28,750 and offers slightly better fuel economy (25 MPG combined).
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- You prioritize fuel economy and expect an estimated 25 MPG combined, leveraging its 30 MPG highway rating.
- You desire a more powerful engine delivering 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer the driving dynamics and shifting feel of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander if...
- You need the higher low-end pulling power delivered by the Outlander's 207 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer a slightly taller vehicle stature, as the Outlander stands 68.7 inches high compared to the Santa Cruz’s 66.7 inches.
- You need the security of a defined cargo hold, specified at 10.9 cu ft, over an open truck bed.
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 | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm | 177 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 207 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 | — |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | — |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 389.4/531.0 mi. | 0/0 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 | — | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | With Real Time Traffic |
| 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. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander.
How significant is the difference in fuel economy between the two models?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a clear advantage here, boasting a combined 25 MPG, while the Mitsubishi Outlander’s MPG figures are not explicitly provided, suggesting the Santa Cruz is likely the more economical choice for daily driving.
Which crossover is physically larger based on the provided dimensions?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the physically larger vehicle overall, measuring 195.7 inches in length compared to the Outlander's 185.8 inches. However, the Outlander is slightly taller at 68.7 inches.
Does the base model Outlander offer more torque than the base Santa Cruz?
Yes, the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander pulls ahead in torque specifications, delivering 207 lb-ft, significantly more than the Santa Cruz's 181 lb-ft.
How does the MSRP and horsepower stack up for budget-conscious buyers?
The Santa Cruz holds a slight MSRP edge starting at $28,750, and it also delivers more horsepower with 191 hp compared to the Outlander's 177 hp.
What is the difference in their basic drivetrain and transmission technology?
The base Santa Cruz utilizes a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic and comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD). The Outlander also uses FWD but employs a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) transmission.
Is the Outlander's smaller size a benefit for urban maneuvering?
Potentially, as the Outlander is shorter by nearly 10 inches (185.8 vs 195.7 inches) and slightly narrower (74.7 vs 75.0 inches), which can translate to easier parking in tight city spots.
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