The Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson are both popular SUVs from the South Korean automaker, but they cater to different segments of the market. The Santa Fe is a midsize SUV, while the Tucson is a compact SUV. This fundamental difference in size leads to several other distinctions in terms of space, performance, and features.
The Santa Fe, being larger, offers more interior space and is available with three rows of seating, making it suitable for larger families or those who need extra cargo capacity. The Tucson, on the other hand, is more compact and maneuverable, ideal for urban driving and smaller families. Both vehicles showcase Hyundai’s commitment to style, technology, and value, but they target different consumer needs.
Let’s take a closer look at the key differences between these two popular Hyundai SUVs:
| Feature | Santa Fe | Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Size Classification | Midsize SUV | Compact SUV |
| Seating Capacity | 6-7 passengers | 5 passengers |
| Engine Options | 2.5L Turbo or 1.6L Hybrid | 2.5L or 1.6L Hybrid |
| Max Cargo Space | 79.6 cu. ft. | 80.3 cu. ft. |
Size and Exterior Dimensions
The most obvious difference between the Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson is their size. The Santa Fe, as a midsize SUV, is noticeably larger than the compact Tucson. This size difference is reflected in their exterior dimensions.
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe measures 190.2 inches in length, 74.8 inches in width, and has a height of 67.7 inches for the base SE trim or 69.7 inches for other trims. It has a wheelbase of 110.8 inches, which contributes to its spacious interior and stable ride.
In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson is more compact, with a length of 182.7 inches, a width of 73.4 inches, and a height of 65.6 inches for front-wheel-drive models or 66.3 inches for all-wheel-drive versions. The Tucson’s wheelbase is 108.5 inches.
These differences in dimensions have practical implications. The Santa Fe’s larger size means it offers more interior space, particularly in terms of passenger volume and third-row seating options. However, the Tucson’s smaller footprint makes it more maneuverable in tight urban spaces and potentially easier to park.
It’s worth noting that despite its compact classification, the Tucson is not small by any means. It has grown in size with its latest generation, offering impressive interior space for its class. The Santa Fe, however, takes things a step further with its midsize proportions.
Interior Space and Seating
Interior space is a crucial factor for many SUV buyers, and this is where the Santa Fe and Tucson show significant differences. The Santa Fe’s larger exterior translates to a more spacious interior, particularly in terms of passenger volume and seating capacity.
The Santa Fe offers a total passenger volume of 152 cubic feet, which is significantly more than the Tucson. It comes standard with three rows of seating, accommodating either 6 or 7 passengers depending on the configuration. The second row can be equipped with either a bench seat for three passengers or captain’s chairs for two, offering more comfort and easier access to the third row.
In terms of legroom, the Santa Fe provides 44.4 inches in the front row, 42.3 inches in the second row (41.5 inches for hybrid models), and 30.0 inches in the third row. Headroom is also generous, with 41.1 inches in the front (40.2 inches with sunroof), 40.6 inches in the second row (39.6 inches with sunroof), and 37.7 inches in the third row.
The Tucson, being a compact SUV, offers seating for five passengers across two rows. Its total passenger volume is 108.2 cubic feet, which is impressive for its class but naturally less than the larger Santa Fe. The Tucson provides 41.4 inches of legroom in the front and 41.3 inches in the rear, which are excellent figures for a compact SUV.
While the Tucson doesn’t offer a third row, it makes up for it with impressive cargo space. It provides 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which expands to a maximum of 80.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Interestingly, this is slightly more than the Santa Fe’s maximum cargo capacity of 79.6 cubic feet, despite the Santa Fe’s larger overall size.
Performance and Powertrain Options
Both the Santa Fe and Tucson offer a range of powertrain options, including hybrid variants, but there are some key differences in their performance characteristics.
The 2025 Santa Fe comes with two engine options:
- A turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque
- A hybrid powertrain combining a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor, generating a total of 178 horsepower
The Santa Fe’s 2.5-liter turbo engine is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the hybrid uses a 6-speed automatic. The Santa Fe is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.
The 2025 Tucson also offers multiple powertrain options:
- A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque
- A hybrid system combining a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor, with a total output of 226 horsepower
- A plug-in hybrid variant of the 1.6-liter system with enhanced electric range
The Tucson’s standard 2.5-liter engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid models use a 6-speed automatic. Like the Santa Fe, the Tucson is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants.
In terms of towing capacity, the Santa Fe has an edge. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 3,500 pounds with the 2.5-liter turbo engine, or up to 4,500 pounds with the XRT trim. The Tucson, being smaller, has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.
Technology and Features
Both the Santa Fe and Tucson are well-equipped with modern technology and features, reflecting Hyundai’s commitment to providing value across its lineup. However, there are some differences in the availability and standard inclusion of certain features.
The Santa Fe, as the more premium offering, comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims. It also offers a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. The Santa Fe includes features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multiple USB ports, and available features such as a head-up display and a premium Harman Kardon audio system.
The Tucson, while also well-equipped, offers a 10.25-inch touchscreen on higher trims, with lower trims featuring an 8-inch screen. It also offers a digital instrument cluster, though the size may vary depending on the trim level. Like the Santa Fe, it includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, multiple USB ports, and available premium audio systems.
Both models offer Hyundai’s comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including features like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Smart Cruise Control. The Santa Fe, being the more premium model, may offer some advanced features as standard on lower trims compared to the Tucson.
Fuel Economy and Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is an important consideration for many SUV buyers, and both the Santa Fe and Tucson offer competitive figures in their respective classes.
The Santa Fe with the 2.5-liter turbo engine achieves an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive version sees a slight decrease to 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The hybrid variant significantly improves these figures, offering up to 36 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
The Tucson, being smaller and lighter, generally offers better fuel economy. The standard 2.5-liter engine achieves an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. The hybrid model pushes these figures even higher, offering up to 38 mpg in both city and highway driving.
It’s worth noting that the Tucson also offers a plug-in hybrid variant, which provides an all-electric range of about 33 miles before switching to hybrid operation. This can significantly reduce fuel consumption for drivers with shorter daily commutes.
FAQs About What Is The Difference Between Hyundai Santa Fe And Tucson
- Which is bigger, the Santa Fe or Tucson?
The Santa Fe is bigger, classified as a midsize SUV, while the Tucson is a compact SUV. - Does the Tucson have three rows of seating like the Santa Fe?
No, the Tucson has two rows seating 5 passengers, while the Santa Fe offers three rows seating 6-7 passengers. - Which model has better fuel economy?
Generally, the Tucson offers better fuel economy due to its smaller size and weight. - Can the Santa Fe tow more than the Tucson?
Yes, the Santa Fe can tow up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped, while the Tucson maxes out at 2,000 pounds. - Are hybrid versions available for both models?
Yes, both the Santa Fe and Tucson offer hybrid powertrain options for improved fuel efficiency.