2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

$34,300 · Crossover

$38,045 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe bursts onto the scene with its radical, boxy design and an attractive starting MSRP of $34,300, making bold functionality accessible. It offers a healthy 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, prioritizing space and efficiency with 24 combined MPG, though it sticks to Front Wheel Drive. Contrast this with the 2025 Mazda CX-90, which exudes premium elegance and driver engagement right out of the gate; it boasts superior performance figures with 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, backed by standard All-Wheel Drive. While the CX-90 has a slightly higher MSRP at $38,045 and a marginally better 25 combined MPG, it also offers a larger footprint at 200.8 inches long. The Santa Fe is inherently the practical choice, but the CX-90 immediately feels more premium and capable in adverse conditions.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The lower MSRP of $34,300 and superior city MPG potential (20 MPG vs 24 MPG, though CX-90 is better highway) make the Santa Fe a gentler choice on daily transit costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 offers standard All-Wheel Drive and a slightly larger exterior presence (200.8 inches long) contributing to a more secure family hauler feel.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 delivers significantly more pulling power with 332 lb-ft of torque and comes standard with AWD for better dynamics.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe saves the buyer $3,745 upfront while still delivering 277 horsepower, offering exceptional capability for the price.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

Your budget is strictly controlled, as the $34,300 MSRP undercuts the competition significantly.
You prefer maximizing everyday fuel stops with a decent 29 MPG highway rating.
You appreciate the utility of the new, distinctly boxy design maximizing interior volume.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You demand superior acceleration, evidenced by its 332 lb-ft of torque.
Standard All-Wheel Drive is a non-negotiable feature for your driving conditions.
You desire a more premium aesthetic and better highway fuel economy (28 MPG vs 29 MPG for Car 1, but the AWD benefits outweigh the slight difference).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Mazda CX-90
Length	190.2"	200.8"
Width	74.8"	78.5"
Height	67.7"	68.2"
Wheelbase	110.8"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
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	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Transmission Type	8-speed automated manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	444.0/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
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	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	10.3 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	—
Speaker System	—	8
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Memory Card Slot	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	56.2 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	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	265/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2025 Mazda CX-90.

How much more expensive is the Mazda CX-90 compared to the Hyundai Santa Fe?

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 has an MSRP of $38,045, which is $3,745 more than the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe starting price of $34,300. This price gap reflects the CX-90's standard AWD and higher torque output.

Which crossover provides better power figures for enthusiastic driving?

The Mazda CX-90 is the clear winner in output, producing 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe is close behind with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft, but the Mazda pulls ahead in raw numbers.

Are the driving dynamics significantly different due to the drivetrain?

Yes, the CX-90 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, lending it better grip and stability, particularly in poor weather. The Santa Fe is solely Front Wheel Drive with this specific configuration.

How do their cargo capacities compare?

The cargo capacities are extremely close, with the Mazda CX-90 offering 14.9 cubic feet, slightly edging out the Hyundai Santa Fe's 14.6 cubic feet. This difference is negligible in practical terms.

Which vehicle is physically larger on the road?

The Mazda CX-90 is substantially larger, measuring 200.8 inches in length and 78.5 inches in width. The Hyundai Santa Fe is notably more compact at 190.2 inches long and 74.8 inches wide.