2026 GMC Acadia vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

$43,700 · Crossover

$34,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most substantial numerical divergence between the 2026 GMC Acadia and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, with the Acadia starting at $43,700 compared to the Santa Fe's $34,800—a difference of $8,900. This price gap correlates with performance figures, as the Acadia delivers 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, substantially more than the Santa Fe's 277 hp and 311 lb-ft. Despite the power deficit, the Santa Fe achieves a marginally better combined fuel economy rating of 24 MPG versus the Acadia's 23 MPG. Physically, the Acadia is significantly larger, measuring 204.0 inches long, while the Santa Fe occupies 190.2 inches of road length. This size translates to substantially more storage: the Acadia offers 23.0 cubic feet of cargo space, contrasting with the Santa Fe's 14.6 cubic feet, making the Acadia the physically dominant option across dimensions and output.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe offers superior fuel efficiency at 24 MPG combined and a lower entry cost of $34,800.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 GMC Acadia

The Acadia provides considerably more utility with 23.0 cubic feet of cargo capacity, significantly eclipsing the Santa Fe's 14.6 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 GMC Acadia

The Acadia is the superior choice for acceleration metrics due to its 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque output.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe presents a better monetary value proposition by offering comparable FWD and automatic transmission at an $8,900 lower starting MSRP.

Choose the GMC Acadia if...

Maximum power output is required, as the Acadia produces 328 horsepower.
The larger vehicle footprint is necessary, given the Acadia's 204.0-inch length and 79.6-inch width.
Over 20 cubic feet of cargo volume is mandatory, with the Acadia offering 23.0 cu ft.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

Budget constraints prioritize a lower entry price, with the Santa Fe starting $8,900 less at $34,800.
Marginally better fuel economy is needed, as the Santa Fe achieves 24 MPG combined versus 23 MPG.
A smaller exterior footprint is desired, evidenced by the Santa Fe's 190.2-inch length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Santa Fe
Length	204.0"	190.2"
Width	79.6"	74.8"
Height	71.0"	67.7"
Wheelbase	120.9"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	GMC	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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	328 hp @ 5500 rpm	277 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	326 lb-ft @ 3500 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	GMC	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/27 MPG	20/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	0/0 mi.	354.0/513.3 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	—	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Digital Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	15.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Bose	—
Speaker System	12	—
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Front Head Room	42.6 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	44.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	59.5 in.
Front Hip Room	59.2 in.	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	40.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.5 in.	42.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.4 in.	54.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R18	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 GMC Acadia and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.

How significant is the performance gap between the two crossovers?

The 2026 GMC Acadia holds a distinct advantage in performance, generating 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe trails this output with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, meaning the Acadia has 51 more horsepower available.

Which vehicle is better for maximizing cargo space?

The GMC Acadia is the clear winner for utility, boasting 23.0 cubic feet of dedicated cargo space behind the rear seats. The Hyundai Santa Fe offers substantially less capacity at only 14.6 cubic feet.

Is the higher price of the Acadia justified by better fuel economy?

No, the Acadia is slightly less efficient despite its higher MSRP of $43,700. The Santa Fe achieves 24 MPG combined on regular unleaded fuel, whereas the Acadia is rated at 23 MPG combined.

Are there major differences in size dimensions between the two crossovers?

Yes, the Acadia is substantially larger; it is 204.0 inches long compared to the Santa Fe's 190.2 inches, and also wider (79.6 inches vs 74.8 inches).

Do these FWD models utilize the same type of automatic transmission?

Both the 2026 GMC Acadia and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe are equipped standard with a front-wheel-drive layout utilizing an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

What is the difference in starting cost between the 2026 Acadia and Santa Fe?

There is an $8,900 difference in the starting MSRP, with the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe being significantly more affordable at $34,800 compared to the Acadia's $43,700.