2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Lexus NX

$34,300 · Crossover

$40,965 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between practicality and premium feel is tough, especially when comparing the spacious 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe against the refined 2025 Lexus NX. The most immediate difference is the wallet hit: the Santa Fe starts at a much lower MSRP of $34,300 compared to the NX's $40,965, a $6,665 savings. Performance-wise, the Santa Fe packs a punch with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the NX's 203 hp. However, the Lexus pulls ahead in efficiency, achieving a combined 28 MPG versus the Hyundai's 24 MPG. Interestingly, despite being the smaller vehicle at 183.5 inches long, the Lexus surprisingly offers more utility, boasting 22.7 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft (based on provided data points, though this contradicts typical segment expectations). This comparison boils down to power and price versus efficiency and slightly better listed cargo volume.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Lexus NX

The 2025 Lexus NX wins for commuters due to its superior combined 28 MPG fuel economy over the Santa Fe's 24 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is better suited for families because its larger overall dimensions imply more comfortable passenger space, despite the listed cargo discrepancy.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

Enthusiasts will prefer the 2025 Santa Fe because it offers substantially more power with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2025 Santa Fe is the clear value winner, starting at an MSRP of $34,300, saving buyers $6,665 over the Lexus.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

You prioritize acceleration and raw power, benefiting from the Santa Fe's 277 hp engine.
Saving money upfront is crucial, as the Santa Fe has a significantly lower entry price of $34,300.
You prefer a vehicle that runs on regular unleaded fuel while delivering strong performance.

Choose the Lexus NX if...

You prioritize fuel savings, as the NX offers 28 combined MPG compared to the Santa Fe's 24.
You need maximum cargo accessibility in a slightly smaller footprint, leveraging the NX's 22.7 cu ft capacity.
You want a smoother driving experience utilizing the Lexus's 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Lexus NX
Length	190.2"	183.5"
Width	74.8"	73.4"
Height	67.7"	66.1"
Wheelbase	110.8"	105.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
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	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
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	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	203 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	184 lb-ft @ 5000 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	Lexus
Transmission Type	8-speed automated manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	377.0/478.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	14.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	9.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speaker System	—	10

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	38.3 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	41.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	56.3 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	56.3 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	36.1 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	54.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 in.	52.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	—
Tire Size	235/60R18	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Run Flat Tires	—	✓

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	1 yr./ 10000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2025 Lexus NX.

Which SUV is quicker off the line, the 2025 Santa Fe or the 2025 NX?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is definitely quicker, generating 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the 2025 Lexus NX produces only 203 horsepower, meaning the Santa Fe will feel much more responsive during acceleration.

Is the price difference worth the efficiency gain in the Lexus NX?

The Lexus NX costs $6,665 more, but it delivers better mileage at 28 combined MPG versus the Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG. Whether this is worth it depends entirely on your annual mileage and how long you plan to keep the vehicle.

Why does the larger Santa Fe list less cargo space than the smaller NX?

Based strictly on the provided numbers, the 2025 Lexus NX lists 22.7 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly more than the 2025 Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft. This may indicate different measurement standards or that the Santa Fe prioritizes second-row passenger volume.

Do these vehicles require premium gasoline?

Fortunately, neither vehicle demands higher-cost fuel; both the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2025 Lexus NX are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel.

What is the major difference in transmission type between these two models?

The Santa Fe uses an 8-speed automated manual transmission, which aims for efficiency but might feel different during shifts. The Lexus NX utilizes a more traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, often favored for smoother, predictable engagement.

How much bigger is the Santa Fe physically compared to the NX?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is notably longer, measuring 190.2 inches compared to the NX's 183.5 inches. The Santa Fe is also slightly wider and taller, contributing to its larger overall presence on the road.