2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Mazda CX-70

$34,300 · Crossover

$42,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe bursts onto the scene with a bold, angular design and an accessible starting MSRP of $34,300, delivering a respectable 277 hp from its FWD platform. It emphasizes practicality, though its 24 MPG combined rating is slightly below its rival. Conversely, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 counters with a premium edge, boasting 280 hp and superior torque at 332 lb-ft, even with its AWD system. While the CX-70 demands a $7,950 premium over the Santa Fe, it rewards buyers with a cavernous 39.6 cu ft of cargo space, dwarfing the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft figure in this specific measurement. The Santa Fe sticks to a more compact 190.2-inch length, prioritizing maneuverability, while the CX-70 stretches to 200.8 inches, offering more presence and passenger volume.

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 lower MSRP of $34,300 and better base fuel economy at 24 MPG combined.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-70

The CX-70 is the definitive family choice, offering nearly triple the specific cargo capacity at 39.6 cu ft compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-70

Enthusiasts will favor the CX-70 for its higher output of 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, paired with standard All-Wheel Drive.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe offers compelling standard power (277 hp) for nearly $8,000 less than the CX-70.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

Your budget is firm, as the Santa Fe starts at a significantly lower MSRP of $34,300.
You prioritize slightly higher fuel efficiency in city driving (20 MPG City vs. CX-70's 24 MPG highway).
You prefer a slightly more agile footprint, as the Santa Fe is 10.6 inches shorter in length than the CX-70.

Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...

Maximum cargo utility is essential, given the CX-70's impressive 39.6 cu ft capacity.
You demand superior driving engagement thanks to the CX-70's standard All-Wheel Drive and higher torque (332 lb-ft).
You are willing to pay the $7,950 premium for higher standard horsepower (280 hp) and premium feel.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Mazda CX-70
Length	190.2"	200.8"
Width	74.8"	-
Height	67.7"	68.2"
Wheelbase	110.8"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
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	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 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	Mazda
Transmission Type	8-speed automated manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	444.0/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
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	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
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	—
Speaker System	—	8
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	56.2 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: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	21 x 9.5 in.
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	275/45R21
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
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.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2026 Mazda CX-70.

How does the powertrain performance truly separate these two crossovers?

The CX-70 holds a slight performance edge with 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, combined with the superior traction of its All-Wheel Drive system. The Santa Fe counters closely at 277 hp and 311 lb-ft, but it is limited to Front Wheel Drive in this comparison configuration.

Is the difference in price justified by the CX-70's specifications?

The CX-70 costs $7,950 more, which translates to significantly higher standard AWD, better torque, and drastically superior listed cargo capacity (39.6 cu ft vs. 14.6 cu ft). Whether this justifies the price depends on the need for that extra utility and AWD confidence.

Which vehicle offers better running costs based on MPG figures?

The Santa Fe achieves a 24 MPG combined rating with a better city rating of 20 MPG, while the CX-70 hits 25 MPG combined but slightly lags on city fuel economy at 24 MPG highway (implied city use might favor the Santa Fe's 20 MPG City rating).

Are the dimensions vastly different for parking and garaging?

Yes, the CX-70 is significantly larger, measuring 200.8 inches long compared to the Santa Fe's 190.2 inches, making the Hyundai easier to maneuver and fit into tighter garage spaces.

Do the transmissions offer similar driving feedback?

While both use 8-speed automatics, the Santa Fe uses an 'automated manual,' whereas the CX-70 uses a 'shiftable automatic,' suggesting the Mazda offers a more conventional and potentially direct shift feel for driving enthusiasts.

What engine fuel type do both crossovers require?

Both the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Mazda CX-70 are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping basic refueling costs similar between the two models.