2025 Nissan Rogue vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the versatile crossover and the sporty pickup lookalike can be tough when practicality is key. The 2025 Nissan Rogue offers a more traditional crossover experience, prioritizing efficiency with a combined 33 MPG, significantly better than the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz's 25 MPG combined. While the Rogue boasts a starting MSRP of $28,590 against the Santa Cruz's $29,500, the Rogue's powertrain produces a healthier 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Santa Cruz’s 191 hp and 181 lb-ft. On the practical side, the Rogue offers 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space, but the Santa Cruz is substantially longer at 195.7 inches versus the Rogue's 183.0 inches. This comparison boils down to mileage and traditional utility versus size and a unique style.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Nissan Rogue
The 2025 Nissan Rogue wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 33 MPG combined versus the Santa Cruz’s 25 MPG.
2025 Nissan Rogue
The Rogue offers a more predictable and efficient crossover package with a competitive 31.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Santa Cruz's unknown but potentially less enclosed space.
2025 Nissan Rogue
The Rogue provides slightly better on-paper performance metrics, delivering 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque compared to the Santa Cruz’s 191 hp and 181 lb-ft.
2025 Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is the better value proposition, starting at a lower MSRP of $28,590 and offering significantly better fuel costs.
Choose the Nissan Rogue if...
- You prioritize fuel savings and need the best efficiency, indicated by its 33 MPG combined rating.
- You want a lower entry price, as the Rogue starts at $28,590.
- You prefer a reliable 201 horsepower output paired with 225 lb-ft of torque for everyday driving.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- You desire the unique styling of a crossover with a truck bed, despite the FWD configuration.
- You need the slightly larger physical footprint, as the Santa Cruz is 195.7 inches long compared to the Rogue's 183.0 inches.
- You prefer the responsiveness of a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Nissan Rogue | Hyundai Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.0" | 195.7" |
| Width | 72.4" | 75.0" |
| Height | 66.5" | 66.7" |
| Wheelbase | 106.5" | 118.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-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 Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 201 hp @ 5600 rpm | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 225 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 12 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 30/37 MPG | 22/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 33 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 435.0/536.5 mi. | 389.4/531.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Nissan | 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 | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | — |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.1 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.5 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.1 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.1 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 | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.2 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.5 in. | 36.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 56.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.4 in. | 53.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | ✓ | — |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.5 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R17 | 245/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
Warranty
| Feature | Nissan | 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. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Rogue and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
How much more fuel efficient is the 2025 Nissan Rogue than the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The Rogue holds a significant advantage in efficiency, delivering a combined 33 MPG compared to the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG combined, which translates to an 8 MPG difference in mixed driving.
Is the 2026 Santa Cruz powerful enough compared to the Rogue?
While both are adequate, the Rogue has a slight edge in power specifications, generating 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, versus the Santa Cruz's 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.
Which vehicle is physically larger?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the larger vehicle overall, measuring 195.7 inches in length compared to the Rogue’s 183.0 inches, though both share a similar height around 66.5 inches.
Do these models come standard with All-Wheel Drive?
Based on the provided data, both the base versions of the 2025 Nissan Rogue and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz come standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD).
What is the difference in starting price between these two vehicles?
The 2025 Nissan Rogue offers a lower starting MSRP at $28,590, while the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz begins at $29,500, giving the Rogue a $910 cost advantage.
Which vehicle has better cargo capacity?
The 2025 Nissan Rogue provides a clear measurement of 31.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seats, whereas the Santa Cruz's utility volume is not specified here.
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