2025 Lexus RX vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Lexus RX enters the ring offering a bastion of refinement and expected luxury, underpinned by its $49,125 MSRP and the recommended use of premium unleaded fuel for its 275 hp engine. Conversely, the stunningly redesigned 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe ignites excitement with its bold, angular aesthetic and significantly lower starting price of $34,800, while delivering marginally more power at 277 hp. While the Lexus boasts a superior 29.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft, the Santa Fe shines in operating costs, accepting regular unleaded fuel versus the Lexus's premium requirement. Both vehicles share an 8-speed automatic transmission and nearly identical combined fuel economy at 25 MPG (Lexus) and 24 MPG (Hyundai), but the massive $14,325 price gap makes the Santa Fe an immediate challenger on pure budget grounds.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Lexus RX
The Lexus RX offers slightly better fuel economy at 29 MPG highway versus the Santa Fe's 29 MPG highway, combined with the quiet refinement expected from the brand.
2025 Lexus RX
The Lexus RX provides nearly double the usable storage, offering 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2026 Santa Fe generates slightly more power with 277 hp, giving it the fractional edge in raw performance figures over the 275 hp Lexus.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe wins definitively by saving the buyer $14,325 upfront and running on cheaper regular unleaded fuel.
Choose the Lexus RX if...
- You prioritize cargo volume, as the Lexus RX offers a substantial 29.6 cu ft capacity.
- You demand the established prestige and expected cabin isolation of the Lexus brand.
- You prefer the slightly higher efficiency rating of 25 combined MPG.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- Saving $14,325 on the initial purchase price is a top priority ($34,800 vs $49,125).
- You wish to save on running costs by using regular unleaded fuel.
- You prefer the higher peak output of 277 horsepower.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Lexus RX | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 192.5" | 190.2" |
| Width | 75.6" | 74.8" |
| Height | 67.3" | 67.7" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Lexus | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog 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 | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 275 hp @ 6000 rpm | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft @ 1700 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 | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/29 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 391.6/516.2 mi. | 354.0/513.3 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.8 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 9.8 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 12 | — |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.5 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.1 in. | 44.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.1 in. | 59.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.7 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.6 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 37.4 in. | 42.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.5 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 55.9 in. | 54.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Painted Alloy Wheels | ✓ | — |
| Polished Alloy Wheels | ✓ | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | ✓ | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ 10000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lexus RX and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.
What is the most significant financial difference between the 2025 Lexus RX and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe has a drastically lower MSRP, starting at $34,800, which is $14,325 less than the Lexus RX's $49,125 entry price. Furthermore, the Santa Fe uses regular unleaded fuel, whereas the Lexus recommends premium unleaded, adding to long-term operational savings.
Which crossover offers better utility for hauling gear?
The 2025 Lexus RX is the superior choice for cargo needs, providing 29.6 cu ft of storage space behind the second row. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe offers significantly less utility here, registering only 14.6 cu ft of cargo capacity.
Are the performance figures very different between these two models?
The performance numbers are remarkably close despite the price disparity. The Santa Fe technically leads with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, while the RX counters with 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, resulting in similar driving dynamics from their 8-speed automatic transmissions.
How do the fuel economy ratings compare for daily driving?
Both crossovers deliver comparable highway efficiency, achieving 29 MPG in highway cycles for both models. However, the Lexus RX manages 22 MPG city compared to the Santa Fe's 20 MPG city rating, giving the Lexus a slight advantage in stop-and-go traffic.
Which vehicle has a larger physical footprint?
The Lexus RX is slightly larger overall, measuring 192.5 inches in length compared to the Santa Fe's 190.2 inches. The Lexus is also wider at 75.6 inches versus the Hyundai's 74.8 inches, although the Hyundai is fractionally taller.
Does the difference in fuel type affect the enthusiast appeal?
Yes, while the Santa Fe offers slightly more horsepower, its ability to run on regular unleaded gas makes its accessible performance less expensive to enjoy regularly compared to the Lexus RX, which requires premium unleaded fuel.
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