2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Lexus UX
Comparison Overview
The primary performance divergence between the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe (Car 1) and the 2025 Lexus UX (Car 2) is fuel economy, featuring a substantial 19 MPG combined difference in favor of the UX's 43 MPG versus the Santa Fe's 24 MPG. Conversely, the Santa Fe boasts significantly greater power, delivering 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque compared to the UX's 196 hp. Priced lower at an MSRP of $34,300, the Santa Fe offers greater power, while the UX's higher $36,740 price tag is offset by superior efficiency. Dimensional differences are also notable: the Santa Fe is longer at 190.2 inches, but the UX offers slightly more usable space with 17.1 cu ft of cargo capacity against the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft. Enthusiasts will favor the Santa Fe's substantial 81 hp advantage.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Lexus UX
The 2025 Lexus UX wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 43 MPG compared to the Santa Fe's 24 MPG.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is better suited for families based on its larger exterior dimensions, specifically its 190.2-inch length.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Enthusiasts will prefer the Santa Fe as it delivers 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, substantially more than the UX's 196 hp.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe provides a lower entry price point at $34,300 while offering significantly higher output metrics across power and size.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- You require greater raw performance, benefiting from 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
- Your budget necessitates a lower initial outlay, with an MSRP of $34,300.
- You need a physically larger vehicle structure, measuring 190.2 inches in length.
Choose the Lexus UX if...
- Maximizing fuel economy is paramount, yielding a combined 43 MPG.
- You prioritize city driving efficiency, where the UX achieves 45 MPG.
- You desire a slightly larger maximum cargo volume of 17.1 cu ft.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Fe | Lexus UX |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 190.2" | 177.0" |
| Width | 74.8" | 72.4" |
| Height | 67.7" | 60.6" |
| Wheelbase | 110.8" | 103.9" |
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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | hybrid |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm | 196 hp |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4000 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 | continuously variable-speed 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 | 45/41 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 43 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 354.0/513.3 mi. | 477.0/434.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 10.6 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 8.0 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 | — | 6 |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.1 in. | 37.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.4 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.5 in. | 55.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 53.8 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 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Lexus |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.6 in. | 36.3 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.3 in. | 33.1 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 52.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.9 in. | 52.3 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 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | — |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 225/50R18 |
| 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. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2025 Lexus UX.
What is the primary operational trade-off between these two crossovers?
The primary trade-off centers on efficiency versus power. Car 2 (Lexus UX) excels at efficiency, delivering 43 combined MPG, while Car 1 (Hyundai Santa Fe) provides a significant power advantage with 277 hp.
How do the base prices and horsepower figures compare?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe has a lower starting MSRP of $34,300 compared to the Lexus UX's $36,740. This lower cost nets the Santa Fe 81 more horsepower.
Is the Lexus UX significantly smaller than the Santa Fe?
Yes, the UX is physically smaller, measuring 177.0 inches long compared to the Santa Fe's 190.2 inches. However, the UX ekes out a slight advantage in usable rear space, offering 17.1 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.
Which vehicle is better for long highway drives based on MPG data?
Based purely on highway MPG figures, the Lexus UX is superior, achieving 41 MPG on the highway compared to the Santa Fe's 29 MPG highway rating.
Do both vehicles use premium gasoline?
No, both the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2025 Lexus UX are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel.
What are the major differences in transmission technology?
Car 1 utilizes an 8-speed automated manual transmission, whereas Car 2 features a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) transmission, impacting driving feel and power delivery.
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