2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Mazda CX-90

$34,800 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between two excellent family crossovers often boils down to budget versus premium feel. If you're looking at the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Mazda CX-90, you are facing a $4,000 starting MSRP gap, with the Santa Fe kicking off at $34,800 against the CX-90's $38,800. While the Mazda edges out slightly on power, boasting 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Santa Fe's 277 hp and 311 lb-ft, the efficiency game is close. The CX-90 manages a marginally better combined 25 MPG (23 city/28 highway) versus the Santa Fe's 24 MPG (20 city/29 highway). Interestingly, the larger CX-90 (200.8 inches long) offers slightly more cargo space at 14.9 cu ft, though the Santa Fe is significantly narrower at 74.8 inches wide, which might help in tight city parking.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe wins for commuters due to its lower $34,800 MSRP and slightly better highway MPG of 29.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 wins for families because its standard All-Wheel Drive system and larger 200.8-inch length likely offer better year-round capability and interior room.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

Enthusiasts will prefer the Mazda CX-90 due to its superior 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe offers compelling performance figures (277 hp) at a significantly lower entry price point of $34,800.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

You need the absolute lowest upfront cost, as the Santa Fe starts $4,000 cheaper at $34,800.
You prioritize slightly better highway cruising economy, hitting 29 MPG on the highway.
You prefer a narrower vehicle footprint, with the Santa Fe measuring 74.8 inches wide compared to the CX-90's 78.5 inches.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You need the confidence of standard All-Wheel Drive for inclement weather.
You want the highest performance specs, delivering 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.
You need slightly more physical presence and space, as the CX-90 is over 100 inches longer and offers 14.9 cu ft of cargo capacity.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Mazda CX-90
Length	190.2"	200.8"
Width	74.8"	78.5"
Height	67.7"	68.3"
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	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
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	23/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	425.5/518.0 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	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	10.3 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
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Memory Card Slot	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

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	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way

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	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	265/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
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-90.

What is the primary financial difference between the 2026 Santa Fe and the 2026 CX-90?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe has a notably lower starting MSRP of $34,800, which is exactly $4,000 less than the 2026 Mazda CX-90's starting price of $38,800.

Is the Mazda CX-90 significantly more powerful than the Hyundai Santa Fe?

Yes, the CX-90 is slightly more potent, offering 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Santa Fe's 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.

Which crossover gets better fuel economy for city driving?

The Mazda CX-90 holds a small advantage in the city, rated at 23 MPG city, while the Hyundai Santa Fe is rated slightly lower at 20 MPG city.

Does either vehicle require premium gasoline?

No, both vehicles are designed to run happily on regular unleaded fuel, which helps keep running costs predictable for both the Santa Fe and the CX-90.