2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the refreshed 2025 Toyota Highlander and the all-new 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe boils down to balancing initial cost against established reputation. If sticker shock is a primary concern, the Santa Fe starts notably lower at $34,800 compared to the Highlander’s $40,320, netting an immediate $5,520 savings. Performance figures are closely matched: the Santa Fe ekes out a slight advantage with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque versus the Highlander's 265 hp and 310 lb-ft. However, the Highlander maintains better fuel economy, achieving 25 MPG combined against the Santa Fe's 24 MPG combined, though both use regular unleaded fuel. While the Highlander is slightly larger in overall length (194.9 inches vs 190.2 inches), cargo space is marginally better in the Toyota at 16 cubic feet compared to the Hyundai's 14.6 cubic feet. Ultimately, buyers must weigh the immediate savings of the Santa Fe against the established reliability and fractional fuel efficiency edge of the Highlander.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander offers slightly better combined fuel economy at 25 MPG, which saves small amounts over many commuting trips.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander provides slightly more usable space with 16 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The new Santa Fe offers marginally higher output with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe wins on pure affordability, starting at $34,800, which is $5,520 less than the Highlander's starting price.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- You prioritize slightly better fuel efficiency with a combined rating of 25 MPG.
- You need the marginally larger cargo area, boasting 16 cu ft versus 14.6 cu ft.
- You prefer the familiarity and established brand equity associated with the 2025 Toyota model year.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...
- Saving $5,520 upfront is critical, as the MSRP starts significantly lower at $34,800.
- You prefer slightly more power, featuring 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
- You are interested in the latest generation design and engineering of the all-new 2026 model.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Highlander | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.9" | 190.2" |
| Width | 76.0" | 74.8" |
| Height | 68.1" | 67.7" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 110.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm | 277 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 310 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 | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | 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) | 393.8/519.1 mi. | 354.0/513.3 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | — |
| 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 | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | 41.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 44.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.0 in. | 59.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 57.2 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.4 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 42.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.7 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 54.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R V | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | 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 | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Highlander and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.
How does the price difference affect long-term ownership costs?
The Santa Fe saves you $5,520 immediately at the dealership. However, the Highlander's 25 MPG combined fuel economy is better than the Santa Fe's 24 MPG, which could lead to minor fuel savings over many years of ownership.
Is the performance difference between these two crossovers noticeable?
The difference is minimal; the 2026 Santa Fe has a slight edge with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque compared to the Highlander’s 265 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both utilize similar 8-speed automatic transmissions and FWD setups.
Which vehicle is better for hauling luggage or gear?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander offers slightly more dedicated storage space, coming in at 16 cu ft of cargo capacity, whereas the 2026 Santa Fe has 14.6 cu ft behind the rear seats.
Do these vehicles require premium gasoline?
No, both the 2025 Toyota Highlander and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping operating costs predictable.
Is there a significant size difference between the Highlander and the Santa Fe?
Yes, the Highlander is slightly larger overall, measuring 194.9 inches long, while the Santa Fe is 190.2 inches long. The Highlander is also marginally taller and wider.
Who should specifically consider the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Buyers prioritizing the lowest possible entry price point should lean toward the Santa Fe since it starts at $34,800. It appeals to those who want maximum power for the dollar.
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