2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Nissan Murano

$34,300 · Crossover

$40,470 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The all-new 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe leaps onto the scene with an aggressive 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, making it the powerhouse in this matchup. Conversely, the established 2025 Nissan Murano offers a sleek, established presence, prioritizing interior refinement, although its 241 hp output feels distinctly less potent. The Santa Fe boasts an appealing entry price of $34,300 compared to the Murano's higher $40,470 MSRP, a significant $6,170 saving right out of the gate. While both are FWD with comparable fuel economy (Santa Fe achieves 24 MPG combined vs. Murano's 23 MPG combined), the difference in utility is staggering: the Santa Fe offers a surprisingly meager 14.6 cu ft of cargo space, dwarfed by the Murano’s massive 32.9 cu ft capacity. The contest pits raw, accessible power against superior, practical hauling ability.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe wins for commuters due to its significantly lower starting MSRP of $34,300 and slightly better combined fuel economy at 24 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Murano

The Murano is the clear choice for families due to its vastly superior cargo capacity of 32.9 cu ft, more than double the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2025 Santa Fe delivers a much more spirited drive with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, comfortably outmuscling the Murano's 241 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe provides 36 more horsepower for $6,170 less than the Murano, representing superior performance value.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

You crave the best accessible acceleration, thanks to its segment-leading 277 horsepower.
Budget is a primary concern, as the Santa Fe undercuts the Murano by $6,170.
You prefer a vehicle with a shorter overall footprint (190.2 inches long) for easier urban maneuvering.

Choose the Nissan Murano if...

Maximum hauling capability is essential, given the Murano's enormous 32.9 cu ft cargo volume.
You prefer the traditional feel of a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission over the Santa Fe's automated manual.
A slightly wider stance (78.0 inches) for perceived stability is desirable over the Santa Fe's 74.8 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Nissan Murano
Length	190.2"	192.9"
Width	74.8"	78.0"
Height	67.7"	67.9"
Wheelbase	110.8"	111.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
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	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	241 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 4400 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	Nissan
Transmission Type	8-speed automated manual	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	21/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	392.7/504.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 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	3 months
Speaker System	—	6
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	1	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	60.8 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	56.9 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	—	6-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	36.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 in.	56.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	P255/55R20
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full
Wheel Diameter	—	20 in.

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
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.	2 yr./ 24000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2025 Nissan Murano.

How does the performance difference between the Santa Fe and the Murano translate to real-world driving?

The Santa Fe boasts 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, offering noticeably quicker acceleration than the Murano's 241 hp and 260 lb-ft. This 36 hp advantage means the Santa Fe will feel punchier when merging or passing.

Which crossover is better equipped for large families based on size specifications?

The 2025 Nissan Murano is far superior for cargo, offering 32.9 cubic feet of space compared to the 2025 Santa Fe's 14.6 cubic feet. This nearly doubles the available storage for luggage or gear.

Is the higher price of the Murano justified by better fuel economy or fuel type?

No, the Murano is more expensive ($40,470 vs $34,300) and offers slightly worse efficiency (23 combined MPG vs. Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG). Both use regular unleaded fuel.

What is the key drivetrain difference between these two FWD crossovers?

The Santa Fe utilizes an 8-speed automated manual transmission, while the Murano features a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This suggests potentially different shifting characteristics during dynamic driving.

If I prioritize saving money, which car offers better value upfront?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offers significantly better value with its $34,300 starting MSRP, making it $6,170 cheaper than the Murano.

Are the dimensions very similar, or is one significantly larger than the other?

They are similar in height (67.7 in vs 67.9 in), but the Murano is longer (192.9 inches vs 190.2 inches) and substantially wider (78.0 inches vs 74.8 inches).