2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Mazda CX-90

$34,300 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant initial divergence between the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Mazda CX-90 is the MSRP, with the Mazda commanding a $4,500 premium at $38,800 versus the Hyundai's $34,300. Despite the higher price, the CX-90 offers superior power metrics, generating 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Santa Fe's 277 hp and 311 lb-ft. Fuel economy slightly favors the Mazda, achieving 25 combined MPG versus the Hyundai's 24 combined MPG, though the Santa Fe excels slightly on the highway at 29 MPG (vs. 28 MPG for the CX-90). Dimensionally, the CX-90 is substantially larger, boasting a length of 200.8 inches and a width of 78.5 inches, while the Santa Fe is shorter at 190.2 inches. Cargo space is nearly identical, with the CX-90 holding a nominal lead at 14.9 cu ft compared to the Santa Fe’s 14.6 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is better suited for commuters due to its lower initial MSRP of $34,300 and slightly better highway efficiency at 29 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-90

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is the family choice given its larger physical footprint (200.8 inches long) and standard All-Wheel Drive system.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 offers higher output with 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, superior to the Santa Fe's 277 hp and 311 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe provides strong performance metrics for $4,500 less than the starting price of the Mazda CX-90.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

Your budget strictly caps expenditure near the $34,300 MSRP point.
Optimal highway fuel economy of 29 MPG is a priority for long-distance commuting.
A slightly smaller overall footprint (190.2 inches long) is preferred for urban parking scenarios.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Maximum torque output of 332 lb-ft is desired for towing or acceleration.
Standard All-Wheel Drive capability is required across all trim levels.
A significantly wider body (78.5 inches) offers better shoulder room for passengers.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Mazda CX-90
Length	190.2"	200.8"
Width	74.8"	78.5"
Height	67.7"	68.3"
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	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
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	23/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	425.5/518.0 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	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	10.3 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
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Memory Card Slot	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

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	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way

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	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	265/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
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-90.

What is the primary mechanical difference between the 2025 Santa Fe and the 2026 CX-90?

The fundamental mechanical divergence is the standard drivetrain; the Santa Fe comes with Front Wheel Drive, whereas the CX-90 includes All-Wheel Drive. Furthermore, the CX-90 produces slightly more power (280 hp vs. 277 hp).

How much more cargo room does the larger Mazda CX-90 offer?

The cargo capacity comparison is extremely close, with the Mazda offering 14.9 cu ft versus the Hyundai's 14.6 cu ft. This represents only a negligible 0.3 cu ft advantage for the larger vehicle.

Which vehicle presents a better financial proposition based on the provided MSRPs?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is the clear budget winner, starting at $34,300, which is $4,500 less than the 2026 Mazda CX-90's $38,800 starting price.

How do the fuel efficiency ratings compare for highway driving?

The Hyundai Santa Fe is marginally more efficient on the open road, achieving 29 MPG highway, whereas the Mazda CX-90 is rated for 28 MPG highway.

Is the larger physical size of the CX-90 reflected in its interior capacity?

While the CX-90 is significantly longer (200.8 inches vs. 190.2 inches) and wider (78.5 inches vs. 74.8 inches), this increased exterior dimension only translates to 0.3 cu ft more stated cargo capacity.