2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

$34,300 · Crossover

$46,820 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe bursts onto the scene with fresh, boxy styling and an energetic 277 hp powertrain, immediately asserting itself as the performance bargain starting at $34,300. Contrast this with the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, an efficiency powerhouse that promises a stellar 35 combined MPG, maximizing every drop of fuel. While the Highlander Hybrid offers superior mileage and standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), it carries a significant premium, priced $12,520 higher than the Santa Fe. Furthermore, the Santa Fe delivers 34 more horsepower (277 hp vs 243 hp) for those who crave quicker acceleration off the line. The Highlander Hybrid leads slightly in sheer volume, boasting 16 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Santa Fe’s 14.6 cu ft, alongside slightly larger overall dimensions.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Highlander Hybrid’s exceptional 35 MPG combined efficiency offers substantial long-term savings for daily driving over the Santa Fe’s 24 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard AWD and marginally larger 16 cu ft cargo capacity provide better utility and security for family hauling.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe offers superior straight-line grunt with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque compared to the Hybrid's 243 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe undercuts the Highlander Hybrid’s price by a significant margin of $12,520, offering strong power for its $34,300 base MSRP.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

You prioritize immediate driving excitement, benefiting from the 277 hp engine.
Budget is a major factor, as the Santa Fe starts $12,520 cheaper than the hybrid competitor.
You are comfortable with FWD and primarily use regular unleaded fuel in an efficient 8-speed automatic setup.

Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...

Achieving 35 combined MPG is non-negotiable for your driving routine.
You require the stability of standard All-Wheel Drive for variable weather conditions.
You need the absolute maximum utility, evidenced by its slightly larger 16 cu ft cargo area.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota Highlander Hybrid
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	2
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	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	hybrid
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	243 hp @ 6000 rpm
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	Toyota
Transmission Type	8-speed automated manual	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	35/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	598.5/598.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	17.1 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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
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	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	39.6 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	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	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.	58.4 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	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	P235/65R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
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.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

How significant is the fuel economy difference between the 2025 Santa Fe and the Highlander Hybrid?

The difference is substantial, with the Highlander Hybrid achieving 35 combined MPG while the Santa Fe is rated at 24 combined MPG. This 11 MPG gap means the Toyota will cost considerably less to run over an annual driving cycle.

Which vehicle provides better outright power for acceleration?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is the clear power winner, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This significantly exceeds the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's 243 horsepower output.

Is the $12,520 price difference between these crossovers justified by the Highlander Hybrid's features?

The price difference reflects the Highlander Hybrid's standard AWD and superior fuel economy system. However, the Santa Fe offers better horsepower for a much lower initial investment of $34,300.

What are the main drivetrain differences?

The Santa Fe uses a front-wheel-drive platform paired with an 8-speed automated manual transmission. Conversely, the Highlander Hybrid features standard All-Wheel Drive paired with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.

If cargo space is critical, which crossover holds more?

The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers slightly more room with 16 cu ft of cargo capacity. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe provides 14.6 cu ft, making the difference minor but noticeable for large hauls.