2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Nissan Murano

$34,800 · Crossover

$41,670 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical difference between the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Nissan Murano is the $6,870 MSRP gap, with the Santa Fe starting at $34,800 compared to the Murano's $41,670. Performance metrics favor the Santa Fe, which delivers 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque versus the Murano's 241 hp and 260 lb-ft. Fuel economy is nearly identical, with the Santa Fe achieving 24 MPG combined (20/29 City/Highway) versus the Murano's 23 MPG combined (21/27 City/Highway). Dimensionally, the Murano is wider at 78.0 inches compared to the Santa Fe's 74.8 inches, although the Santa Fe is 8 inches shorter in length (190.2 inches vs. 192.9 inches). Critically for practicality, the Murano offers significantly more cargo volume at 32.9 cubic feet compared to the Santa Fe’s 14.6 cubic feet, despite the Santa Fe's lower starting price point.

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 substantially lower $34,800 MSRP compared to the Murano.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Murano

The 2026 Nissan Murano is the family winner by providing nearly double the maximum cargo capacity at 32.9 cu ft versus the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2026 Santa Fe appeals more to driving enthusiasts by generating 36 more horsepower (277 hp) and 51 lb-ft more torque (311 lb-ft).

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe offers superior power metrics for its segment starting price, representing better quantitative value at $34,800.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

Budget constraints necessitate a lower initial outlay, as the MSRP is $6,870 less than Car 2.
Maximum acceleration is prioritized, given its superior output of 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
A preference exists for a slightly more maneuverable platform, indicated by its shorter overall length of 190.2 inches.

Choose the Nissan Murano if...

Maximum hauling capability is essential, as its cargo capacity is 32.9 cu ft, significantly more than Car 1's 14.6 cu ft.
Standard All-Wheel Drive capability is required, whereas Car 1 defaults to Front Wheel Drive.
A wider stance is preferred for road presence, as the Murano measures 78.0 inches wide compared to 74.8 inches for Car 1.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Nissan Murano
Length	190.2"	192.9"
Width	74.8"	78.0"
Height	67.7"	67.9"
Wheelbase	110.8"	111.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
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	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	241 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 4400 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	Hyundai	Nissan
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	21/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	392.7/504.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
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	3 months
Speaker System	—	6
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	1	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	60.8 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	56.9 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: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	6-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	36.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 in.	56.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	P255/55R20
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full
Wheel Diameter	—	20 in.

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
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 Nissan Murano.

What is the primary reason for the $6,870 price difference between the two crossovers?

The primary price difference stems from varying standard equipment levels, notably the Santa Fe's standard FWD setup versus the Murano's standard AWD. Furthermore, the performance gap favors the Santa Fe, which offers 36 more horsepower for its lower base price.

How does the standard drivetrain affect performance and efficiency?

Car 1 (Santa Fe) comes standard with Front Wheel Drive and achieves 24 MPG combined, while Car 2 (Murano) includes All Wheel Drive and nets 23 MPG combined. The Santa Fe's 277 hp setup outperforms the Murano's 241 hp output regardless of the drive configuration.

If I need to carry significant luggage, which vehicle is better equipped?

The 2026 Nissan Murano is decisively better equipped for cargo, offering 32.9 cubic feet. This is substantial when contrasted with the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe's significantly smaller listed cargo volume of 14.6 cubic feet.

Are the engine power outputs comparable, given the difference in horsepower?

No, the outputs are measurably different; the Santa Fe generates 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, whereas the Murano lags behind with 241 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, making the Santa Fe the clear performance leader.

Do both models use the same fuel type?

Yes, both the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Nissan Murano are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel. This keeps ongoing fuel costs predictable and identical between the two models.

Which car provides a slightly larger exterior footprint?

The 2026 Nissan Murano is the larger vehicle overall, measuring 192.9 inches long and 78.0 inches wide, making it longer and significantly wider than the Santa Fe's dimensions.