2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Subaru Outback

$34,300 · Crossover

$34,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe bursts onto the scene with a potent 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, promising spirited acceleration that the new 2026 Subaru Outback, making do with 180 hp, simply cannot match. The Santa Fe captivates with brute force, appealing to those who prioritize power delivery. Conversely, the Outback leans into its famed capability, offering standard All-Wheel Drive and significantly better fuel economy at 27 combined MPG versus the Hyundai's 24 combined MPG. While the Santa Fe boasts a higher output, the Outback offers a massive advantage in utility, boasting 34.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Santa Fe’s smaller 14.6 cu ft. Priced closely—the Santa Fe starting at $34,300 and the Outback at $34,995—this comparison pits muscular performance against inherent, all-weather practicality and superior hauling capacity.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Subaru Outback

The 2026 Subaru Outback is better for commuting due to its superior 27 combined MPG rating compared to the Santa Fe's 24 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Outback

The Outback is the definitive family hauler, offering nearly double the cargo capacity at 34.6 cu ft versus the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

Enthusiasts will favor the 2025 Santa Fe for its dominant power output, delivering 277 horsepower compared to the Outback's 180 horsepower.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe provides significantly more horsepower (277 hp vs. 180 hp) for a slightly lower MSRP of $34,300.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

You require effortless passing power, as the Santa Fe boasts 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer the direct feel of an 8-speed automated manual transmission over a CVT.
You want the lowest starting price in this pairing at $34,300.

Choose the Subaru Outback if...

Maximum cargo hauling is essential, given the Outback's massive 34.6 cu ft capacity.
You prioritize fuel efficiency, with the Outback achieving 31 highway MPG versus the Santa Fe's 29 MPG highway rating.
Standard All-Wheel Drive security is non-negotiable for your driving conditions.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Subaru Outback
Length	190.2"	191.7"
Width	74.8"	74.0"
Height	67.7"	67.5"
Wheelbase	110.8"	108.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
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	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed automated manual	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	25/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	450.0/558.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
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	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.1 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	—	6
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	43.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	57.9 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	55.5 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	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	40.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	57.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
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 Subaru Outback.

How much faster is the 2025 Santa Fe than the 2026 Outback?

The Hyundai Santa Fe holds a significant advantage, producing 277 horsepower to the Subaru Outback's 180 horsepower, resulting in a 97-horsepower difference. This power disparity should make the Santa Fe noticeably quicker in acceleration tests.

Which crossover has more room for gear?

The 2026 Subaru Outback is the clear winner for cargo volume, offering an expansive 34.6 cu ft. This nearly triples the 14.6 cu ft available in the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Is the added power of the Santa Fe worth the lower fuel economy?

That depends on your driving style; the Santa Fe gets 24 combined MPG, while the Outback achieves 27 combined MPG. If your commute is long, saving 3 MPG might outweigh the horsepower gap.

Do both vehicles come standard with AWD?

No, the 2026 Subaru Outback comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, suggesting better traction in poor conditions. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is listed with Front Wheel Drive for this comparison.

What are the transmission differences between the two models?

The Hyundai Santa Fe utilizes an 8-speed automated manual transmission, providing distinct gear changes. In contrast, the Subaru Outback features a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) transmission for smoother power delivery.

How do their overall exterior footprints compare?

The Outback is slightly longer at 191.7 inches compared to the Santa Fe's 190.2 inches, but the Santa Fe is wider at 74.8 inches versus the Outback's 74.0 inches.