2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Ford Bronco Sport
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe explodes onto the scene with 277 hp and a stout 311 lb-ft of torque, promising substantial on-road shove compared to the more rugged 2026 Ford Bronco Sport's 181 hp. While the Santa Fe boasts significantly more power, the Bronco Sport counters with superior utility, offering a massive 32.5 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Hyundai's 14.6 cu ft, despite being nearly 8 inches shorter in length at 172.7 inches. Fuel efficiency paints a slightly better picture for the Ford, achieving 27 combined MPG compared to the Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG. The Santa Fe carries a higher starting MSRP of $34,300 against the Bronco Sport's $31,845. This comparison pits substantial, refined power against compact, capable versatility, reflected in their distinct dimensions and drivetrain configurations.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 27 combined MPG versus the Santa Fe's 24.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport provides nearly double the practical utility with 32.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2025 Santa Fe offers significantly more spirited performance with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport undercuts the Santa Fe by $2,455 in starting MSRP while offering better MPG and cargo space.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- You prioritize maximum engine output, benefiting from the Santa Fe's 277 hp engine.
- You prefer the confident, highway-cruising stability suggested by the Santa Fe's larger dimensions (190.2 inches long).
- You want the strong pulling power delivered by 311 lb-ft of torque.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- Maximum utility is paramount, as the Bronco Sport offers 32.5 cu ft of storage capacity.
- You want slightly better running costs with 27 combined MPG.
- You prefer the inherent traction advantage provided by the standard All-Wheel Drive system.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Fe | Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 190.2" | 172.7" |
| Width | 74.8" | 74.3" |
| Height | 67.7" | 70.2" |
| Wheelbase | 110.8" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 3 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 12 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automated manual | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 25/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 354.0/513.3 mi. | 400.0/480.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 16.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.1 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.4 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.5 in. | 57.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.6 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.3 in. | 36.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.9 in. | 53.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 225/65R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2026 Ford Bronco Sport.
What is the practical difference in acceleration between these two crossovers?
The 2025 Santa Fe holds a significant advantage, boasting 277 hp compared to the Bronco Sport's 181 hp, translating to much quicker highway merging and passing power. This 96 horsepower difference is the most noticeable dynamic gap between the two vehicles.
Does the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport’s smaller size affect interior practicality?
Despite being notably shorter at 172.7 inches long compared to the Santa Fe's 190.2 inches, the Bronco Sport excels in hauling capability. It offers 32.5 cu ft of cargo space, which is more than double the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft minimum capacity.
How does the choice of drivetrain impact daily driving?
The standard All-Wheel Drive on the Bronco Sport should provide more consistent traction in slippery conditions, whereas the Santa Fe is presented with a Front Wheel Drive configuration paired with an 8-speed automated manual transmission.
Which vehicle is cheaper to fuel based on MPG ratings?
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport achieves 27 combined MPG, slightly edging out the 2025 Santa Fe, which is rated at 24 combined MPG, suggesting lower average fuel expenditures for the Ford.
Is the price gap worth the power difference between the two models?
The Santa Fe costs $2,455 more at the base MSRP ($34,300 vs $31,845), giving the buyer a substantial 96 horsepower upgrade for that premium. Your budget tolerance versus performance desire will dictate if this trade-off is favorable.
Are the transmissions fundamentally different in operation?
Yes, the Santa Fe uses an 8-speed automated manual, whereas the Bronco Sport utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This suggests the driving feel and shifting responsiveness might vary significantly between the two rivals.
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