2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Mazda CX-70

$34,800 · Crossover

$42,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant disparity between the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Mazda CX-70 is the MSRP, with the Santa Fe starting at $34,800 compared to the CX-70's $42,250, a $7,450 gap. Performance metrics are closely matched; the CX-70 holds a slight edge with 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque over the Santa Fe's 277 hp and 311 lb-ft. Fuel economy is nearly identical, with the CX-70 achieving a 25 MPG combined versus the Santa Fe's 24 MPG combined. However, significant physical differences emerge in size, as the CX-70 is 10.6 inches longer (200.8 inches vs 190.2 inches) and offers vastly superior utility, boasting 39.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Santa Fe's minimal 14.6 cu ft. Furthermore, the CX-70 includes standard All-Wheel Drive while the Santa Fe comes standard with Front Wheel Drive.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe wins for commuters due to its lower initial MSRP of $34,800 and better city MPG rating of 20 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-70

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is the superior family choice, offering significantly more cargo volume at 39.6 cu ft compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-70

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 appeals more to enthusiasts by offering higher torque output at 332 lb-ft and standard All-Wheel Drive capability.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe provides better entry-level value, undercutting the CX-70 by $7,450.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

You prioritize minimizing the initial purchase price, as the Santa Fe starts at $34,800.
You primarily commute in lower-speed, city driving environments where the FWD configuration suffices.
Your cargo needs are minimal, as the 20 MPG city rating is acceptable for your routine.

Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...

Maximum cargo capacity is critical, given the CX-70 offers 39.6 cu ft versus 14.6 cu ft.
You require the superior traction of standard All-Wheel Drive for varying road conditions.
You seek the highest available output, benefiting from 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Mazda CX-70
Length	190.2"	200.8"
Width	74.8"	-
Height	67.7"	68.2"
Wheelbase	110.8"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
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 Solid 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	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	444.0/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speaker System	—	8
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	56.2 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	21 x 9.5 in.
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	275/45R21
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2026 Mazda CX-70.

How much larger is the cargo area in the CX-70 compared to the Santa Fe?

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 offers substantially more cargo space at 39.6 cubic feet. In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe provides only 14.6 cubic feet, indicating a major functional difference for utility.

Is the performance difference significant between the two crossovers?

While both offer comparable horsepower (280 hp for CX-70 vs 277 hp for Santa Fe), the CX-70 generates higher torque at 332 lb-ft versus the Santa Fe's 311 lb-ft. Both utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission.

What explains the $7,450 price difference between the two base models?

The significant price gap stems from the CX-70's inclusion of standard All-Wheel Drive and its superior physical dimensions, alongside likely higher trim specifications associated with its $42,250 MSRP.

Which vehicle offers better fuel efficiency for long highway trips?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe marginally leads in highway driving efficiency with 29 MPG compared to the CX-70's 28 MPG highway rating. Both are rated at 24 MPG combined (Santa Fe) and 25 MPG combined (CX-70).

Are both vehicles similarly sized for parking?

No, the Mazda CX-70 is physically larger, measuring 200.8 inches long, while the Hyundai Santa Fe is shorter at 190.2 inches. This 10.6-inch difference impacts maneuverability and garage fit.

What type of drivetrain does each vehicle feature?

The base 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD). Conversely, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 is equipped with standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD).