2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Jeep Wrangler
Comparison Overview
The most significant measurable difference between the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe ($34,300 MSRP) and the 2026 Jeep Wrangler ($33,785 MSRP) is fuel economy, with the Santa Fe achieving 5 MPG better combined efficiency (24 MPG vs. 19 MPG). Performance specs show the Santa Fe producing 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, slightly lower in power than the Wrangler's 285 hp but boasting superior torque. Dimensionally, the Santa Fe is significantly longer at 190.2 inches compared to the Wrangler's 166.8 inches, contributing to its greater 14.6 cu ft cargo capacity versus the Wrangler's 12.9 cu ft. The Santa Fe utilizes an 8-speed automated manual transmission with FWD, whereas the Wrangler features a 6-speed manual paired with standard 4WD, influencing their intended use cases. Overall, the Santa Fe prioritizes efficiency and passenger space, while the Wrangler offers greater height (73.6 inches) and specialized drivetrain hardware.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2025 Santa Fe wins due to its superior combined fuel economy of 24 MPG, which minimizes running costs for daily travel.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe offers more usable space with 14.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Wrangler's 12.9 cu ft.
2026 Jeep Wrangler
The 2026 Wrangler is the choice for driving engagement, featuring a standard 4WD system and a 6-speed manual transmission.
2026 Jeep Wrangler
Despite having higher horsepower, the Wrangler undercuts the Santa Fe on MSRP by $515, providing a lower entry cost.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- You prioritize fuel savings, evidenced by the Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG.
- Your primary concern is interior capacity, benefiting from 14.6 cu ft of cargo volume.
- You prefer a smoother driving experience with an 8-speed automated manual transmission.
Choose the Jeep Wrangler if...
- You require the assured traction of a standard four-wheel drive system.
- You prefer the direct control offered by the 6-speed manual transmission.
- A higher stance is necessary, as the Wrangler stands 73.6 inches tall, exceeding the Santa Fe's 67.7 inches.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Fe | Jeep Wrangler |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 190.2" | 166.8" |
| Width | 74.8" | 73.9" |
| Height | 67.7" | 73.6" |
| Wheelbase | 110.8" | 96.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 3.6 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm | 285 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automated manual | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | four wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
| 4WD System Type | — | Part Time |
| Transfer Case Gearing | — | Manual Hi-Lo |
| Locking Hubs | — | Automatic |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 17/23 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 19 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 354.0/513.3 mi. | 297.5/402.5 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 17.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Steering | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Power Driver Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Cargo Floor Mats | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | 8 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.1 in. | 42.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.4 in. | 41.2 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.5 in. | 55.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 53.9 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 | Manual |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.6 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.3 in. | 35.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.9 in. | 45.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Steel |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 17 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 245/75R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Full Size Matching |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Outside Rear Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Jeep |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Jeep Wrangler.
Which vehicle is more fuel-efficient for highway driving?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offers better highway efficiency at 29 MPG compared to the 2026 Jeep Wrangler's 23 MPG. This 6 MPG difference in highway cruising will lead to fewer refueling stops.
How does the powertrain torque and horsepower compare between the two?
The 2026 Wrangler has a slight horsepower advantage with 285 hp versus the Santa Fe's 277 hp. However, the Santa Fe generates significantly more torque at 311 lb-ft compared to the Wrangler's 260 lb-ft.
Is the manual transmission available in the 2025 Santa Fe?
No, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe comes exclusively with an 8-speed automated manual transmission. The 6-speed manual transmission is exclusive to the 2026 Jeep Wrangler in this configuration.
Which car offers a larger overall footprint?
The 2025 Santa Fe is notably longer, measuring 190.2 inches in length, whereas the 2026 Wrangler is shorter at 166.8 inches. Despite being shorter, the Wrangler is significantly taller at 73.6 inches.
How do the base prices align?
The 2026 Jeep Wrangler has a slightly lower starting MSRP at $33,785 compared to the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's $34,300. This results in a $515 initial cost advantage for the Wrangler.
What are the cargo capacity differences for utility?
The Santa Fe provides 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is marginally larger than the Wrangler's 12.9 cubic feet. Both vehicles use regular unleaded fuel.
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