2025 Mazda CX-70 vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

$40,445 · Crossover

$34,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The comparison between the 2025 Mazda CX-70 and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe reveals significant divergence, starting with the $5,645 MSRP gap, where the Santa Fe is substantially more affordable at $34,800 versus the CX-70's $40,445. Performance metrics favor the Mazda slightly, as the CX-70 generates 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Santa Fe's 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is tight, with the CX-70 achieving 25 combined MPG (24/28 City/Highway) against the Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG (20/29 City/Highway). Crucially, size and utility differ greatly: the CX-70 is significantly longer at 200.8 inches and offers 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, dwarfing the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft, even though the Santa Fe is FWD standard versus the CX-70's standard AWD setup.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2026 Santa Fe's lower initial cost of $34,800 makes it the pragmatic choice for budget-conscious daily commuting.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-70

The 2025 CX-70 provides superior utility with 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly more than the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-70

The Mazda CX-70 holds a minor performance edge, delivering 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Santa Fe’s 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe offers a much lower entry price point, providing a compelling base cost despite its smaller cargo volume.

Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...

Maximum utility is required, given the CX-70’s superior 39.6 cu ft of standard cargo capacity.
All-wheel drive security is a baseline requirement, as the CX-70 includes this standard.
A user prioritizes slightly higher engine output, featuring 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

Keeping the initial purchase price below $35,000 is essential, as the Santa Fe MSRPs start at $34,800.
Highway fuel efficiency is critical, with the Santa Fe achieving 29 MPG highway versus the CX-70's 28 MPG.
A smaller footprint is preferred for urban maneuvering, as the Santa Fe is 10.6 inches shorter (190.2 inches long).

Key Dimensions

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

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
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	✓	✓
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	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling 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	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	3.3 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5000 rpm	277 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

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

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.2 in.	59.5 in.
Front Hip Room	56.2 in.	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	4-way	—
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
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

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

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What is the primary drivetrain difference between the two crossovers?

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), suggesting better traction in varied conditions. Conversely, the base 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe utilizes Front Wheel Drive (FWD) as its standard configuration.

How significant is the cargo space disparity?

The difference in cargo capacity is substantial; the CX-70 offers 39.6 cubic feet, while the Santa Fe provides only 14.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, indicating the Mazda is vastly more practical for hauling.

Which vehicle has a better base fuel economy?

While both are close, the CX-70 achieves a slightly better combined rating at 25 MPG compared to the Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG. However, the Santa Fe wins on the highway (29 MPG vs. 28 MPG).

Are the horsepower figures very close for these competitors?

Yes, the power outputs are nearly identical; the CX-70 produces 280 hp, while the Santa Fe is rated at 277 hp, a negligible 3 hp difference.

How does the pricing strategy compare for the entry-level trims?

The 2026 Santa Fe undercuts the Mazda significantly, with an MSRP of $34,800, creating a $5,645 savings over the CX-70's starting price of $40,445.

Which vehicle is physically larger?

The Mazda CX-70 is significantly larger overall, measuring 200.8 inches in length compared to the Santa Fe's 190.2 inches, and it is also taller at 68.2 inches.