2025 INFINITI QX50 vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

$43,000 · Crossover

$34,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 INFINITI QX50 and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, with the Santa Fe starting $8,200 lower at $34,800 compared to the QX50's $43,000. Despite the cost savings, the Santa Fe offers slightly superior power metrics, boasting 311 lb-ft of torque versus the QX50's 280 lb-ft, although the QX50 achieves a marginally better combined fuel economy rating of 25 MPG compared to the Santa Fe's 24 MPG. The QX50 utilizes premium unleaded fuel, while the Santa Fe accepts regular unleaded. Exterior dimensions show the Santa Fe is 5.5 inches longer (190.2 vs 184.7 inches) and slightly taller at 67.7 inches. Conversely, the QX50 provides significantly more utility with 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, dwarfing the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft capacity.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 INFINITI QX50

The QX50 achieves 1 MPG better in highway driving (28 MPG vs 29 MPG for the Santa Fe, but the QX50's 22 City MPG is better than the Santa Fe's 20 City MPG, leading to a better overall commuting experience factored by required premium fuel vs regular fuel in the Santa Fe, resulting in a minor overall commuter edge for the QX50 despite the price difference.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 INFINITI QX50

The INFINITI QX50 offers substantially more practical storage with 31.4 cubic feet of cargo volume compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe delivers greater peak engine output with 311 lb-ft of torque and employs a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission, which enthusiasts often prefer over a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe presents a superior value proposition by starting $8,200 lower while providing 9 more horsepower and higher torque figures.

Choose the INFINITI QX50 if...

You prioritize maximum cargo capacity, as the QX50 offers 31.4 cu ft versus 14.6 cu ft.
You prefer the refinement associated with the QX50's 25 MPG combined fuel economy rating.
You seek the standard All-Wheel Drive system provided by the QX50, compared to the Santa Fe's standard Front Wheel Drive.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

Budget is the primary concern, evidenced by the $8,200 lower starting MSRP of $34,800.
You prioritize peak output, as the Santa Fe generates 311 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the QX50's 280 lb-ft.
You prefer the mechanical engagement of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	INFINITI QX50	Hyundai Santa Fe
Length	184.7"	190.2"
Width	74.9"	74.8"
Height	66.0"	67.7"
Wheelbase	110.2"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	INFINITI	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓

Engine

Feature	INFINITI	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	268 hp @ 5600 rpm	277 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	280 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm	311 lb-ft @ 4000 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	INFINITI	Hyundai
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	INFINITI	Hyundai
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/28 MPG	20/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	352.0/448.0 mi.	354.0/513.3 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.0 gal.	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	INFINITI	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	INFINITI	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	INFINITI	Hyundai
Front Head Room	41.0 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	39.6 in.	44.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.9 in.	59.5 in.
Front Hip Room	55.6 in.	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way

Rearseats

Feature	INFINITI	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	40.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.7 in.	42.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.1 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.8 in.	54.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	INFINITI	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Size	235/55R19	235/60R18
Run Flat Tires	✓	—
Tire Type	—	All Season
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	INFINITI	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ unlimited mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 INFINITI QX50 and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Does the fuel requirement affect the true cost difference between the two crossovers?

The QX50 recommends premium unleaded fuel, which typically costs more per gallon than the regular unleaded accepted by the Santa Fe. This increased fuel expense could erode some of the $8,200 initial purchase price savings over several years of ownership.

Which vehicle is physically larger based on exterior measurements?

The 2026 Santa Fe is longer by 5.5 inches (190.2 inches total) and taller by 1.7 inches (67.7 inches total) than the 2025 QX50, potentially impacting garage fitment.

How do the base transmissions compare in performance characteristics?

The QX50 utilizes a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), optimized for efficiency, whereas the Santa Fe features an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, often favored for perceived driver engagement and distinct gear steps.

Is the QX50's significantly smaller cargo area a data entry error?

No, the provided data shows the QX50's cargo capacity is 31.4 cubic feet, which is more than double the Santa Fe's listed 14.6 cubic feet, suggesting a major difference in usable rear storage space.

Is the 280 lb-ft torque figure on the QX50 competitive with the Santa Fe's output?

The QX50's 280 lb-ft of torque is notably lower than the Santa Fe's 311 lb-ft. However, the QX50 achieves 268 horsepower with 280 lb-ft, slightly less power than the Santa Fe's 277 hp.

What is the drivetrain difference between the two base models?

The standard configuration for the 2025 INFINITI QX50 is All-Wheel Drive (AWD), whereas the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe utilizes Front Wheel Drive (FWD) as standard equipment.