2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Honda Ridgeline

$34,300 · Crossover

$40,595 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe bursts onto the scene with a focus on versatile passenger space and efficiency, featuring 277 horsepower and an appealing $34,300 MSRP. Conversely, the 2026 Honda Ridgeline leans into rugged capability, boasting 280 horsepower and standard All-Wheel Drive, albeit at a higher starting price of $40,595. While the Santa Fe offers significantly better fuel economy at 24 MPG combined compared to the Ridgeline's 21 MPG combined, the larger Ridgeline excels in exterior utility, though its listed cargo capacity is smaller at 7.3 cu ft versus the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft for interior storage (note: this comparison reflects stated figures, but Ridgeline is traditionally known for bed utility). The Ridgeline's extra 20 inches in length (210.2 inches vs. 190.2 inches) suggests a more commanding road presence, contrasting with the Santa Fe's tighter, more city-friendly dimensions and superior standard FWD setup.

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 superior combined fuel economy of 24 MPG and a significantly lower entry price of $34,300.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe offers greater interior capacity and efficiency for hauling passengers and gear comfortably, backed by a 20 MPG city rating.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Honda Ridgeline

The Ridgeline appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its standard AWD system and a slightly higher 280 horsepower output compared to the Santa Fe's 277 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe delivers excellent power and efficiency for $6,295 less than the Ridgeline, presenting a much stronger upfront value proposition.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

You prioritize lower running costs, leveraging the 24 MPG combined fuel economy.
Your budget is firm, as the Santa Fe starts $6,295 cheaper at $34,300 MSRP.
You prefer maneuvering a slightly smaller vehicle, with the Santa Fe measuring 190.2 inches in length.

Choose the Honda Ridgeline if...

You require the assurance of standard All-Wheel Drive capability for adverse conditions.
You demand the highest available power output, tapping into the Ridgeline's 280 horsepower.
You need the rugged utility implied by the truck body style, despite the listed 7.3 cu ft cargo figure.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Honda Ridgeline
Length	190.2"	210.2"
Width	74.8"	78.6"
Height	67.7"	70.8"
Wheelbase	110.8"	125.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Honda
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	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Honda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	280 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Single overhead cam (SOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Honda
Transmission Type	8-speed automated manual	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—
[object Object]	—	✓
[object Object]	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Honda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	18/24 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	351.0/468.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	19.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Honda
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	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Honda
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	9.0 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	—
Stereo Power	—	215W
Speaker System	—	7
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Honda
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	40.1 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	40.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	62.0 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	59.1 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Honda
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	38.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	36.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	61.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 in.	56.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Honda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	245/60R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Honda
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.	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2026 Honda Ridgeline.

How significant is the performance gap between the two models?

The difference in raw power is minimal, with the 2026 Ridgeline offering 280 horsepower compared to the 2025 Santa Fe's 277 horsepower. However, the Ridgeline's standard AWD system will likely provide superior traction in low-grip situations compared to the Santa Fe's FWD base setup.

Which vehicle saves more money on fuel over time?

The 2025 Santa Fe is the clear winner for fuel savings, achieving 24 MPG combined, which is noticeably better than the Ridgeline's 21 MPG combined. This difference becomes substantial over tens of thousands of miles.

Why does the Ridgeline cost $6,295 more than the Santa Fe?

The higher MSRP for the 2026 Ridgeline, starting at $40,595, is likely due to its truck architecture, standard AWD system, and the inclusion of the 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, differentiating it from the lower-priced crossover base of the Santa Fe.

How do their sizes compare for parking and maneuvering?

The Santa Fe is the more compact option, measuring 190.2 inches long and 74.8 inches wide. The Ridgeline is significantly larger overall, extending to 210.2 inches in length and 78.6 inches in width, demanding more space in tight urban environments.

Do both vehicles use the same type of fuel?

Yes, both the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Honda Ridgeline are designed to operate efficiently on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying refueling for owners of either model.

Is the listed cargo capacity an accurate representation of utility?

The Santa Fe lists 14.6 cu ft of internal cargo capacity, suggesting superior enclosed storage for groceries or luggage. However, the Ridgeline, being a truck, offers utility that isn't fully captured by that 7.3 cu ft figure, which likely refers only to the covered in-bed trunk area.