2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Toyota Highlander
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe (Car 1) and the 2025 Toyota Highlander (Car 2) often comes down to balancing initial outlay versus perceived long-term reputation. The Santa Fe grabs immediate attention with a significantly lower MSRP of $34,300 compared to the Highlander's $40,320—a $6,020 head start for Hyundai. Performance figures are remarkably close; the Santa Fe boasts slightly more muscle with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, edging out the Highlander's 265 hp and 310 lb-ft. Fuel economy is nearly identical, with the Highlander managing 25 combined MPG versus the Santa Fe’s 24 combined MPG. While the Highlander offers marginally better cargo space at 16 cu ft compared to 14.6 cu ft, the Santa Fe's smaller dimensions (190.2 inches long versus 194.9 inches for the Toyota) might appeal to city dwellers looking for easier parking.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander wins for commuters due to its slightly better combined fuel economy rating of 25 MPG.
2025 Toyota Highlander
Families will benefit from the Toyota Highlander’s marginally larger physical footprint and increased cargo capacity of 16 cu ft.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2025 Santa Fe appeals slightly more to enthusiasts because it produces a higher 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe offers superior value by coming in $6,020 cheaper than the base model Toyota Highlander.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- Your primary concern is minimizing the initial purchase price, saving $6,020 upfront.
- You prioritize slightly more raw power from the engine (277 hp vs 265 hp).
- You prefer a vehicle that is slightly easier to maneuver and park, being 4.7 inches shorter in length.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- You require the absolute maximum usable storage space, as it offers 16 cu ft versus 14.6 cu ft.
- You prioritize a marginally better combined fuel economy rating of 25 MPG.
- You prefer the traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over the Santa Fe's automated manual.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Fe | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 190.2" | 194.9" |
| Width | 74.8" | 76.0" |
| Height | 67.7" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 110.8" | 112.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 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 | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automated manual | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 22/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 354.0/513.3 mi. | 393.8/519.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.1 in. | 41.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.4 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.5 in. | 59.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 57.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.6 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.3 in. | 38.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 58.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.9 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | P235/65R V |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2025 Toyota Highlander.
How big is the difference in size between the 2025 Santa Fe and the 2025 Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander is physically larger in every dimension; it is 4.7 inches longer (194.9 in vs 190.2 in) and slightly taller and wider. This difference translates directly to its advantage in cargo room.
Is the performance gap between these two crossovers significant?
Not really; the Hyundai Santa Fe has a slight edge, putting out 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque compared to the Highlander's 265 hp and 310 lb-ft. For daily driving, these differences will likely feel negligible.
Which vehicle uses a more conventional transmission setup?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander utilizes a standard 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which many drivers find more familiar. The 2025 Santa Fe uses an 8-speed automated manual.
How much more expensive is the Toyota Highlander base model?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander commands a substantial premium over the Hyundai Santa Fe, starting at $40,320 compared to the Santa Fe's $34,300 MSRP, resulting in a $6,020 price difference.
Do these models require premium fuel?
No, both the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2025 Toyota Highlander are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, helping to keep long-term running costs down.
Which one is better for city driving based on these specifications?
While both are FWD crossovers, the Santa Fe might be marginally better for city dwellers as it is shorter overall and reports a slightly better 29 MPG highway rating than the Highlander's 29 MPG highway rating (though city MPG is lower at 20 MPG vs 22 MPG).
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