2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

$40,445 · Crossover

$34,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical difference lies in the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe significantly undercutting the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV by $5,645, listing at $34,800 versus $40,445. Performance favors the Santa Fe, which boasts 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque compared to the Outlander PHEV's 248 hp. However, the Mitsubishi offers a specialized powertrain advantage with 38 miles of dedicated electric range, contrasting with the Santa Fe's standard gasoline configuration (implied FWD). Fuel efficiency splits based on priority: the Outlander achieves a superior combined 26 MPG (due to its PHEV nature), while the Santa Fe provides slightly better highway mileage at 29 MPG versus the Outlander's 27 MPG highway rating. Furthermore, the Santa Fe offers greater practicality, measuring 190.2 inches long and yielding 14.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, while the Outlander PHEV is shorter at 185.4 inches and has less cargo space at 12.8 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Outlander PHEV wins for daily commuting due to its substantial 38 miles of pure electric range, reducing reliance on gasoline.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe is favored for families because it offers a larger overall length (190.2 inches) and superior standard cargo capacity at 14.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its higher 277 hp output and greater torque rating of 311 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe provides better immediate value with an MSRP that is $5,645 lower and achieves higher standard horsepower.

Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if...

Your daily driving is consistently under 38 miles and you prioritize maximizing electric-only operation.
You require standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied traction conditions.
A hybrid system resulting in a 26 combined MPG rating is preferred over standard gasoline efficiency.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

Budget is a primary concern, as the MSRP is $5,645 less expensive than the competitor.
Performance metrics like 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque are prioritized.
You need maximum utility, indicated by 14.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, which exceeds the 12.8 cu ft of Car 1.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	Hyundai Santa Fe
Length	185.4"	190.2"
Width	84.4"	74.8"
Height	68.5"	67.7"
Wheelbase	106.5"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Headlight Washers	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	gas
Horsepower	248 hp	277 hp @ 5800 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Torque	—	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

Drive Train

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Transmission Type	1-speed direct drive	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/27 MPG	20/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	370.0/399.6 mi.	354.0/513.3 mi.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	67/61 MPGe	—
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	64 MPGe	—
EPA Electric Driving Range	38 mi.	—
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	52	—
Charging Time (240V)	6.5 hr.	—
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.8 gal.	17.7 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	CHAdeMO	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mitsubishi	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
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Front Head Room	40.6 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.9 in.	59.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 in.	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	40.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.1 in.	42.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.3 in.	54.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
One-Piece Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P235/60R18	235/60R18
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	—
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 30000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.

What is the primary powertrain difference between the 2025 Outlander PHEV and the 2026 Santa Fe?

The Outlander PHEV features a plug-in hybrid system providing 38 miles of all-electric range. The Santa Fe, based on the provided specs, utilizes a conventional powertrain with an 8-speed automatic transmission and FWD standard.

How does the passenger and cargo volume compare between these two crossovers?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is physically larger in overall length (190.2 inches vs. 185.4 inches for the Mitsubishi) and provides 14.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Outlander PHEV's 12.8 cu ft.

Is the higher horsepower in the Santa Fe noticeable compared to the Outlander PHEV?

Yes, the Santa Fe produces 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, which is 29 more horsepower than the Outlander PHEV's 248 hp, suggesting stronger acceleration metrics.

Which vehicle is better for saving fuel on long highway trips?

While the Outlander PHEV gets a better combined rating (26 MPG), the Santa Fe's standard configuration achieves a slightly higher highway rating of 29 MPG compared to the Mitsubishi's 27 MPG highway rating.

What is the direct cost consideration when choosing between these models?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe starts at an MSRP of $34,800, saving the buyer $5,645 upfront compared to the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV's $40,445 MSRP.

Does the drivetrain configuration affect performance expectations?

The Outlander PHEV features standard All-Wheel Drive, whereas the base Santa Fe listed utilizes Front Wheel Drive, which is relevant for drivers prioritizing grip versus pure traction on dry pavement.