2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Subaru Outback

$34,800 · Crossover

$34,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Subaru Outback often boils down to a power vs. practicality trade-off. If outright performance matters, the Santa Fe delivers a substantial punch with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Outback's 180 hp and 178 lb-ft. However, that power comes at a fuel economy cost: the Santa Fe achieves 24 MPG combined, while the Outback offers a thriftier 27 MPG combined. Priced nearly identically at $34,800 (Santa Fe) versus $34,995 (Outback), the biggest functional difference appears in the rear. While the Santa Fe lists a surprisingly tight 14.6 cu ft of cargo space, the Outback boasts a cavernous 34.6 cu ft. For city driving prioritizing acceleration, the Santa Fe wins; for maximizing hauling capability and highway efficiency, the Outback is the clear choice.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback offers superior fuel economy at 27 MPG combined, making daily driving costs lower than the Santa Fe's 24 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Outback

The Outback offers nearly double the utility with 34.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Santa Fe's 14.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe provides significantly more power with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque versus the Outback's 180 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Outback

The Outback's lower running costs and substantially greater cargo capacity provide better overall utility for its slightly higher MSRP.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

You prioritize acceleration, benefiting from the Santa Fe's 277 hp engine.
You prefer the traditional feel of an 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.
You want the slightly smaller footprint (190.2 inches long) for easier parallel parking, though it sacrifices interior volume.

Choose the Subaru Outback if...

You need maximum cargo room, as the Outback offers 34.6 cu ft compared to 14.6 cu ft in the Santa Fe.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) capability is a non-negotiable requirement for your climate or driving style.
You want the best fuel efficiency, netting 31 MPG highway versus the Santa Fe's 29 MPG highway.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Fe	Subaru Outback
Length	190.2"	191.7"
Width	74.8"	74.0"
Height	67.7"	67.5"
Wheelbase	110.8"	108.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
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	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	277 hp @ 5800 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 4800 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	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	25/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.0/513.3 mi.	450.0/558.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	18.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
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	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.1 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	—	6
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	44.4 in.	43.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	57.9 in.
Front Hip Room	56.5 in.	55.5 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	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Rear Head Room	40.6 in.	40.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.3 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	57.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
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 Subaru Outback.

How significant is the power difference between the 2026 Santa Fe and Outback?

The difference is substantial; the Santa Fe produces 277 horsepower, which is 97 more horsepower than the Outback's 180 hp rating. This means the Santa Fe will feel noticeably quicker when merging or passing.

Which vehicle is better for carrying luggage and gear?

The 2026 Subaru Outback is vastly superior for cargo, offering 34.6 cubic feet. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe only lists 14.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, suggesting it might struggle with large family hauls.

Does the higher power in the Santa Fe hurt its gas mileage significantly?

Yes, the power deficit translates to lower efficiency; the Santa Fe gets 24 MPG combined on regular unleaded, whereas the Outback achieves 27 MPG combined.

Why is the Subaru Outback's drive type listed as All-Wheel Drive?

The standard AWD setup on the Outback provides better traction management in adverse weather conditions like snow or heavy rain. Conversely, the base Santa Fe comes standard with Front Wheel Drive.

Are the dimensions very different for city driving?

They are very close in size, with the Outback being slightly longer at 191.7 inches compared to the Santa Fe's 190.2 inches. The Santa Fe is slightly wider (74.8 inches vs. 74.0 inches for the Outback).