2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

$24,445 · Crossover

$29,500 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between a traditional crossover feel and something with a bit more utility can be tough. The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport starts strong at an accessible MSRP of $24,445, undercutting the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz by $5,055. While the Outlander Sport is smaller, measuring 171.9 inches long, its 26 MPG combined rating edges out the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG combined, which might appeal to the budget-conscious commuter. However, if you need more grunt, the Santa Cruz dominates with 191 horsepower compared to the Outlander Sport's 148 hp. Despite the power difference, both vehicles use regular unleaded fuel. The main trade-off boils down to initial cost and maneuverability versus raw power and increased size for the Santa Cruz.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The Outlander Sport wins for commuters due to its significantly lower starting price of $24,445 and slightly better 26 MPG combined efficiency.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz is better for families because its larger dimensions (195.7 inches long) likely offer more interior passenger and storage space than the compact Outlander Sport.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Enthusiasts will prefer the Santa Cruz as it delivers 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than the Outlander Sport's 148 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The Outlander Sport provides great entry-level value with a $5,055 lower price tag while still offering standard all-wheel drive.

Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport if...

Your absolute top priority is keeping the initial purchase price low, starting at $24,445.
You want the slight advantage in fuel economy, achieving 29 MPG on the highway.
You prefer the tighter turning radius associated with its smaller 171.9-inch length and standard all-wheel drive.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...

You need significantly more performance, boasting 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque.
You value passenger comfort and cargo space afforded by its larger body (75.0 inches wide).
You prefer the traditional feel of an 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport	Hyundai Santa Cruz
Length	171.9"	195.7"
Width	71.3"	75.0"
Height	64.8"	66.7"
Wheelbase	105.1"	118.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Pre-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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	148 hp @ 6000 rpm	191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	145 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm	181 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	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	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)	23/29 MPG	22/30 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	363.4/458.2 mi.	389.4/531.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.8 gal.	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Push Button Start	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

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	39.4 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.6 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.2 in.	57.7 in.
Front Hip Room	52.1 in.	54.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—

Rearseats

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	37.9 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.3 in.	36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	56.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	51.6 in.	53.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mitsubishi	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P215/70R16	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

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.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.

How does the driving experience differ between the two vehicles given their transmissions?

The 2025 Outlander Sport uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), which generally prioritizes smooth, consistent acceleration and efficiency. Conversely, the 2026 Santa Cruz offers an 8-speed shiftable automatic, providing a more traditional and engaging driving feel, especially when utilizing its superior power output.

Is the extra cost of the Santa Cruz worth it for city driving?

While the Santa Cruz is more expensive, its extra power (191 hp vs. 148 hp) can make merging and navigating busy city streets easier. However, the Outlander Sport is slightly more fuel-efficient in the city at 23 MPG versus the Santa Cruz's 22 MPG.

Which vehicle offers better traction or stability in poor weather?

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport comes standard with all-wheel drive, which is a major benefit for navigating snow or slippery roads. The base 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz specification provided utilizes front-wheel drive, meaning AWD would be an extra-cost option there.

How much cargo room difference should I expect?

The provided cargo capacity for the Outlander Sport is 21.7 cubic feet, suggesting it's optimized for smaller loads. Since the Santa Cruz is considerably longer (195.7 inches) and wider, it is expected to offer substantially more usable space, even though its specific cargo volume wasn't listed.

If I prioritize lower running costs, which one is the winner?

The Outlander Sport is the clear winner for lower running costs, driven primarily by its $5,055 lower MSRP. Its 26 MPG combined fuel economy also helps keep weekly fuel expenses down compared to the Santa Cruz.

Are both vehicles suitable for long road trips regarding fuel type?

Yes, both models run efficiently on regular unleaded gasoline, which is convenient and keeps fuel stops relatively affordable. The Santa Cruz's extra power might make highway cruising more relaxed despite both having similar highway MPG figures (29 MPG for Car 1, 30 MPG for Car 2).