Hyundai Tucson vs Santa Fe: Which Hyundai SUV Should You Buy?
Published October 23, 2026 · Last updated October 23, 2026
The Tucson is the smaller, cheaper and more efficient SUV, and the easier one to park; the Santa Fe adds a third row, a 277-hp turbo engine and more cargo room for about $5,600 more. With front-wheel drive, the 2026 Tucson SE ($29,700) costs $5,600 less than the 2027 Santa Fe SE ($35,300); with all-wheel drive, the gap is $5,900 ($31,200 against $37,100). The Tucson seats five, is 7.5 inches shorter, gets up to 38 mpg combined as a hybrid and is the only one offered as a plug-in hybrid. The Santa Fe seats six or seven, holds 79.6 cubic feet of cargo and tows up to 4,500 pounds. Both are on the lot at Plaza Hyundai. Here is how they compare for drivers in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and across New York City.
Tucson or Santa Fe: The Short Answer
- Choose the Hyundai Tucson if you carry four or five people and want the easiest SUV to live with in the city: it starts $5,600 lower, is 7.5 inches shorter, gets up to 38 mpg combined as a hybrid, and offers a plug-in hybrid the Santa Fe does not.
- Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need more seats or more muscle: a standard third row for six or seven, 277 hp from the turbo, up to 4,500 pounds of towing on the XRT and 79.6 cubic feet of cargo space.
- Hybrid against hybrid: both use the same 231-hp turbo hybrid system. In the lighter Tucson it is rated 38 mpg combined with AWD (Blue SE); in the Santa Fe it is rated 34 with AWD and 36 with front-wheel drive.
- Our take: for most New York drivers, the Tucson Hybrid is the smarter buy. Pick the Santa Fe when the third row is a weekly need, not a once-a-year one.
Model-year timing: This comparison uses the 2026 Tucson and the 2027 Santa Fe, the model years Plaza Hyundai is selling now. An all-new 2027 Tucson launches in South Korea in the fourth quarter of 2026, with U.S. arrival to follow; see our 2027 Tucson and Tucson Hybrid guide. The 2027 Santa Fe is on sale with no major changes from 2026, according to Edmunds; see our 2027 Santa Fe guide. Prices are manufacturer MSRPs before the $1,650 destination charge, which is the same on both. Browse Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid inventory, or all new Hyundais at Plaza Hyundai.
Tucson vs Santa Fe at a Glance
| Spec | 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $29,700 (FWD); $31,200 (AWD) | $35,300 (FWD); $37,100 (AWD) | Tucson |
| Price range | Gas $29,700–$41,175; hybrid $31,300–$42,925; plug-in hybrid $40,675–$48,900 | Gas $35,300–$49,650; hybrid $36,650–$50,750 | Tucson |
| Engines | 2.5L four, 187 hp; hybrid 231 hp; plug-in hybrid 268 hp | 2.5L turbo four, 277 hp, 311 lb-ft; hybrid 231 hp, 271 lb-ft | Santa Fe |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic; hybrids 6-speed | 8-speed automatic; hybrid 6-speed | — |
| All-wheel drive | HTRAC AWD, $1,500 on gas and SE/SEL Hybrid; standard on other hybrids and the plug-in | HTRAC AWD, $1,800; standard on XRT | Tucson (cost) |
| EPA mpg (combined) | Gas 28 FWD / 26 AWD; hybrid 36–38; plug-in 35 plus 32 miles electric | Gas 24 FWD / 23 AWD; XRT 21; hybrid 36 FWD / 34 AWD | Tucson |
| Recommended fuel | Regular | Regular | Tie |
| 0–60 mph (Edmunds tests) | 10.2 s (gas AWD); 7.6 s (plug-in hybrid) | 7.2 s (XRT) | Santa Fe |
| Length / wheelbase | 182.7 in / 108.5 in | 190.2 in / 110.8 in | Tucson (parking) |
| Seats | 5 | 7 (6 with second-row captain's chairs) | Santa Fe |
| Second-row legroom | 41.3 in | 41.5 in | Tie |
| Third-row legroom | No third row | 30.0 in | Santa Fe |
| Cargo (behind 3rd / 2nd / 1st row) | — / 38.7 / 74.8 cu ft (plug-in hybrid 31.9 / 66.3) | 14.6 / 40.5 / 79.6 cu ft | Santa Fe |
| Max towing | 2,750 lb (gas) | 3,500 lb; XRT 4,500 lb | Santa Fe |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in FWD; 8.3 in AWD | 7.0 in (XRT sits 1.3 in higher) | Tucson (AWD) |
| IIHS 2026 | Top Safety Pick+ | Top Safety Pick+ | Tie |
| NHTSA overall | 5 stars | 5 stars | Tie |
| Model reliability (RepairPal) | 4.0/5, #10 of 29 compact SUVs; $390 a year in repairs | 3.5/5, #17 of 32 midsize SUVs; $448 a year | Tucson |
| Edmunds expert rating | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 | Tucson |
| Warranty (basic / powertrain) | 5 yr/60,000 mi / 10 yr/100,000 mi | 5 yr/60,000 mi / 10 yr/100,000 mi | Tie |
| Hybrid battery warranty | 10 yr/100,000 mi | 10 yr/100,000 mi | Tie |
Want Today's Price on a Hyundai Tucson or Santa Fe?
Tell us the model, trim, drivetrain and color you have in mind and the best way to reach you, and a Plaza Hyundai product specialist will send current Tucson and Santa Fe availability, Plaza pricing with today's incentives and a test-drive time, usually within the hour during business hours. Not sure which one fits? Tell us how many people you carry, and we will price a comparable Tucson and Santa Fe side by side. No deposit, no obligation, no middlemen.
Size and Dimensions
The Santa Fe is the bigger SUV in every direction. It is 190.2 inches long on a 110.8-inch wheelbase, 74.8 inches wide and 69.7 inches tall. The Tucson is 182.7 inches long on a 108.5-inch wheelbase, 73.4 inches wide and 65.6 to 66.3 inches tall. That makes the Tucson 7.5 inches shorter, 1.4 inches narrower and about 4 inches lower, which is the difference between taking the first open spot on a Bay Ridge block and circling for another ten minutes.
The Tucson with all-wheel drive actually sits higher off the ground, with 8.3 inches of clearance against 7.0 for most Santa Fe trims; the Santa Fe XRT closes that gap with a 1.3-inch lift and all-terrain tires.
| Dimension | 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.7 in | 190.2 in |
| Width | 73.4 in | 74.8 in |
| Height | 65.6 in FWD; 66.3 in AWD | 69.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 in | 110.8 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in FWD; 8.3 in AWD | 7.0 in (XRT 1.3 in higher) |
Seating: 2 Rows vs 3 Rows
This is the clearest difference between the two. The Tucson seats five. The Santa Fe has a third row on every trim and seats seven with a second-row bench or six with the captain's chairs on the Limited and Calligraphy. Its third row offers 30 inches of legroom, which works for children and for adults on a short run across the city, and it has its own vents, cupholders and USB-C ports.
If you only need two rows, the gap is smaller than the sticker suggests. Second-row legroom is 41.3 inches in the Tucson and 41.5 in the Santa Fe, so rear passengers get almost the same space in both, and the Tucson's rear seats recline. Bring your car seats to Plaza Hyundai and try them in both.
Cargo Space
With five people aboard, the two are almost even: the Tucson holds 38.7 cubic feet behind its rear seats, and the Santa Fe holds 40.5 behind its second row with the third row folded. With every seat up, the Santa Fe still has 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row, enough for a stroller or a week of groceries. Fold everything down and the Santa Fe leads, 79.6 cubic feet against 74.8, through a wider, squarer tailgate opening that makes an IKEA run to Red Hook easier. The Tucson Plug-in Hybrid gives up some space to its battery, with 31.9 and 66.3 cubic feet.
Engines, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid
The gas engines are where these two differ most. The Tucson uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 hp and an eight-speed automatic. It is smooth around town but slow when you need to merge onto the Belt Parkway: Edmunds measured 10.2 seconds from 0 to 60 mph with AWD. The Santa Fe uses a 2.5-liter turbo with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft, also with an eight-speed automatic, and an AWD Santa Fe XRT reached 60 mph in 7.2 seconds in Edmunds testing.
The hybrids are much closer. Both use the same 1.6-liter turbo hybrid system with 231 hp and a six-speed automatic, so the lighter Tucson Hybrid feels quicker and uses less fuel. Only the Tucson offers a plug-in hybrid: 268 hp, AWD and 32 miles of EPA-rated electric range, enough for most daily city trips if you can charge at home or at work.
Towing favors the Santa Fe: 3,500 pounds on most gas trims and 4,500 on the XRT, against 2,750 for the gas Tucson. Hybrid tow ratings are lower on both, so check the exact trim if you pull a trailer.
Fuel Economy
The Tucson wins on fuel cost, and both run on regular. The gas Tucson is rated 25 mpg city, 33 highway and 28 combined with front-wheel drive, and 24/30/26 with AWD. The gas Santa Fe is rated 20/29/24 with front-wheel drive, 20/28/23 with AWD and 19/25/21 as an XRT. Among hybrids, the Tucson Hybrid Blue SE is rated 38/38/38 with AWD and other Tucson Hybrid trims 36/37/36, while the Santa Fe Hybrid is rated 37/36/36 with front-wheel drive and 35/34/34 with AWD (cars.com, Edmunds).
| Version | Fuel | Gallons a year | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson gas AWD (26 mpg) | Regular | 462 | $2,033 |
| Santa Fe gas AWD (23 mpg) | Regular | 522 | $2,298 |
| Tucson Hybrid Blue SE AWD (38 mpg) | Regular | 316 | $1,391 |
| Santa Fe Hybrid AWD (34 mpg) | Regular | 353 | $1,554 |
With AWD, the gas Tucson saves about $265 a year over a gas Santa Fe; the Tucson Hybrid saves about $900 a year over a gas Santa Fe and about $160 over the Santa Fe Hybrid.
Technology and Safety
Both come standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Edmunds scored the in-cabin tech of both at 9.7 out of 10. On the Tucson, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster arrives with the SEL Premium and Hybrid SEL Convenience, and the Limited adds Bose audio, a 360-degree camera and blind-spot cameras in the cluster. On the Santa Fe, the Limited adds the digital cluster and 12-speaker Bose audio, every row has USB-C ports, and the Limited and Calligraphy show a live camera view of your blind spot when you signal, which helps on an avenue full of double-parked trucks and delivery bikes.
Every 2026 Hyundai comes with Hyundai SmartSense safety features as standard, including forward collision-avoidance assist and blind-spot warning. Both SUVs earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the top award under tougher 2026 criteria for back-seat protection and crash avoidance, and both have five-star overall NHTSA ratings, as do the Tucson Hybrid and Santa Fe Hybrid (Hyundai).
Reliability and Resale Value
RepairPal rates the Tucson 4.0 out of 5, 10th of 29 compact SUVs, with average repairs of $390 a year, and the Santa Fe 3.5 out of 5, 17th of 32 midsize SUVs, at $448 a year (Tucson, Santa Fe; RepairPal data via Edmunds, based on earlier model years). The current Tucson has been on sale since 2022 and the current Santa Fe since 2024. Edmunds lists five recalls for the 2026 Tucson, most of them software updates that dealers perform free, and none for the 2027 Santa Fe; check any vehicle's VIN at NHTSA before you buy.
Ownership coverage is identical: a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage for the original owner, 10 years or 100,000 miles on hybrid batteries and 5 years of roadside assistance (Hyundai warranty). A Hyundai Certified Used Vehicle must be six model years old or newer with no more than 80,000 miles, passes a 173-point inspection and keeps 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage from the original in-service date. See certified pre-owned Hyundais and the Certified Used Vehicles program.
Trims and Price Compared
Trim for trim, the Santa Fe costs about $5,600 more: $35,300 against $29,700 with front-wheel drive, $37,100 against $31,200 with AWD, and $38,450 against $32,800 for an AWD hybrid. The more useful comparison is equipment against space. A loaded Tucson Limited AWD at $41,175 costs more than a Santa Fe SEL AWD at $39,640, so the same money buys either a five-seat SUV with leather, Bose audio and a 360-degree camera, or a seven-seat SUV with a 277-hp turbo and leatherette.
2026 Hyundai Tucson trims
| Trim | MSRP | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| SE | $29,700 FWD; $31,200 AWD | 187-hp 2.5L, 17-in wheels, 12.3-in touchscreen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, SmartSense |
| SEL | $31,050 FWD; $32,550 AWD | Adds 18-in wheels, hands-free power liftgate, heated front seats |
| XRT | $33,725 FWD; $35,225 AWD | Black cladding, dark chrome grille, Terrain Mode |
| SEL Premium | $34,050 FWD; $35,550 AWD | Adds moonroof, 12.3-in digital cluster, navigation, Digital Key 2 |
| Limited | $39,675 FWD; $41,175 AWD | Adds 19-in wheels, leather, Bose audio, 360-degree camera |
| Hybrid SE | $31,300 FWD | 231-hp hybrid, front-wheel drive |
| Hybrid SEL | $32,750 FWD; $34,250 AWD | Adds 18-in wheels, heated seats, hands-free liftgate |
| Hybrid Blue SE | $32,800 (AWD) | 38 mpg combined, the most efficient Tucson |
| Hybrid SEL Convenience | $35,250 (AWD) | Adds digital cluster and wireless charging |
| Hybrid Limited | $42,425 (AWD) | Full Limited equipment |
| Hybrid Night | $42,925 (AWD) | Limited with gloss-black 19-in wheels and trim, black headliner |
| Plug-in Hybrid SEL | $40,675 (AWD) | 268 hp, 32 miles electric range |
| Plug-in Hybrid Limited | $48,900 (AWD) | Limited equipment with plug-in powertrain |
Shop the Hyundai Tucson and Tucson Hybrid at Plaza Hyundai, or compare every grade in Hyundai Tucson Trims Compared: SE vs SEL vs N Line vs XRT vs Limited.
2027 Hyundai Santa Fe trims
| Trim | Gas MSRP | Hybrid MSRP | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE | $35,300 FWD; $37,100 AWD | $36,650 FWD; $38,450 AWD | 18-in wheels, LED lights, hands-free power liftgate, remote start, 12.3-in touchscreen |
| SEL | $37,840 FWD; $39,640 AWD | $38,940 FWD; $40,740 AWD | Adds leatherette, heated front seats, 8-way power driver's seat, rear A/C, wireless charging |
| XRT | $42,290 (AWD) | — | 1.3-in lift, all-terrain tires, navigation, sunroof, 4,500-lb towing |
| Limited | $44,850 FWD; $46,650 AWD | $45,950 FWD; $47,750 AWD | Leather captain's chairs (bench optional), ventilated front seats, digital cluster, Bose |
| Calligraphy | $47,850 FWD; $49,650 AWD | $48,950 FWD; $50,750 AWD | Adds Nappa leather and head-up display |
Shop the Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid, or see Hyundai Santa Fe Trims Compared: SE vs SEL vs XRT vs Limited vs Calligraphy.
Plaza Hyundai layers its own offers on top of Hyundai's, so check the current Hyundai specials in Brooklyn, get pre-approved for financing and get your trade-in value before you visit.
Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need a third row every week, tow a trailer or want real power for highway merges: it seats six or seven, offers 277 hp and tows up to 4,500 pounds. Buy the Hyundai Tucson if four or five seats are enough: it costs about $5,600 less, is easier to park, rates higher for reliability and, as a hybrid, gets up to 38 mpg combined. For most New York drivers, the Tucson Hybrid is our pick.
Best for city driving
231 hp, 38 mpg combined with AWD (Blue SE) and a footprint that parks easily, from $31,300.
Best for bigger families
Standard third row, 6 or 7 seats and 79.6 cu ft of cargo, from $35,300.
32 miles electric
268 hp and enough electric range for most daily city trips, from $40,675.
4,500-lb towing
277-hp turbo, standard AWD, 1.3-in lift and all-terrain tires for $42,290.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Tucson | $29,700 vs $35,300 (FWD); $31,200 vs $37,100 (AWD) |
| City size and parking | Tucson | 7.5 in shorter, about 4 in lower |
| Seating | Santa Fe | 6 or 7 seats vs 5; 30.0-in third-row legroom |
| Cargo | Santa Fe | 79.6 vs 74.8 cu ft max; 40.5 vs 38.7 behind the second row |
| Power and towing | Santa Fe | 277 vs 187 hp (gas); up to 4,500 vs 2,750 lb |
| Fuel economy | Tucson | Hybrid 38 vs 34 mpg (AWD); gas 26 vs 23 (AWD); plug-in option |
| Safety | Tie | Both 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and 5-star NHTSA |
| Reliability | Tucson | RepairPal 4.0 vs 3.5; $390 vs $448 a year |
| Warranty | Tie | 5-yr/60,000-mi basic and 10-yr/100,000-mi powertrain on both |
| Overall for NYC | Tucson | Lower price, lower fuel cost, easier to park; Santa Fe if you need the third row |
Still deciding? Step up to three full-size rows in Hyundai Santa Fe vs Palisade, go smaller in Hyundai Kona vs Tucson, or compare grades in Hyundai Tucson Trims Compared and Hyundai Santa Fe Trims Compared. Cross-shopping other brands? Read Hyundai Tucson vs Mazda CX-50 and Hyundai Tucson vs Chevrolet Equinox.
Hyundai Tucson vs Santa Fe: Frequently Asked Questions
How much bigger is the Santa Fe than the Tucson?
The Santa Fe is 7.5 inches longer (190.2 against 182.7 inches), 1.4 inches wider, about 4 inches taller and rides on a wheelbase 2.3 inches longer. That buys a third row and 79.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo space against 74.8, while second-row legroom is nearly the same (41.5 against 41.3 inches).
Does the Santa Fe have a third row?
Yes, on every trim. The Santa Fe seats seven with a second-row bench or six with the captain's chairs on the Limited and Calligraphy, and its third row offers 30 inches of legroom with its own vents and USB-C ports. The Tucson has two rows and seats five.
Tucson Hybrid vs Santa Fe Hybrid: which gets better mpg?
The Tucson Hybrid. Both use the same 231-hp turbo hybrid system, but the lighter Tucson Hybrid Blue SE is rated 38 mpg combined with AWD, against 34 for the Santa Fe Hybrid with AWD and 36 with front-wheel drive. At 12,000 miles a year and $4.40 a gallon, that saves about $160 a year over an AWD Santa Fe Hybrid.
Which is better for a family?
It depends on the size of the family. For four or five people, the Tucson gives almost the same rear-seat room and cargo space behind the rear seats (38.7 against 40.5 cubic feet) for less money. If you regularly carry six or seven, the Santa Fe's standard third row makes it the better family SUV.
Which is more reliable, the Tucson or the Santa Fe?
The Tucson rates higher. RepairPal gives it 4.0 out of 5, 10th of 29 compact SUVs, with average repairs of $390 a year, against 3.5 out of 5, 17th of 32 midsize SUVs, and $448 a year for the Santa Fe. Both carry the same 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage.
Which is cheaper, the Tucson or the Santa Fe?
The Tucson. It starts at $29,700 with front-wheel drive, $5,600 less than the Santa Fe at $35,300, and at $31,200 with AWD against $37,100. As AWD hybrids, the Tucson Hybrid Blue SE ($32,800) costs $5,650 less than the Santa Fe SE Hybrid ($38,450). Prices exclude the $1,650 destination charge.
2021 Hyundai Tucson vs Santa Fe: what is different on a used one?
In 2021, both were earlier generations and both had two rows. The current Tucson, with its hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, arrived for 2022, and the current Santa Fe, with a standard third row, arrived for 2024. A Hyundai Certified Used Vehicle must be six model years old or newer with no more than 80,000 miles and keeps 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage from its original in-service date.
Free home delivery within 25 miles. Plaza Hyundai delivers your new or pre-owned Hyundai to your door — free within a 25-mile radius, which covers all five boroughs, much of Nassau County and parts of northern New Jersey. Our service department also offers pickup and drop-off across New York City.
Ask Our Team About DeliveryTest-Drive the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe at Plaza Hyundai
Visit Plaza Hyundai (2726 Nostrand Ave) to drive the Tucson and the Santa Fe back to back, try the Santa Fe's third row with your own car seats and see which one fits the way you drive. Part of the family-owned Plaza Auto Mall, serving New York since 1975, with free delivery within 25 miles. No Hassle, No Pressure, No Middlemen. Call Plaza Hyundai sales at (800) 556-2369, or browse the inventory below.
*MSRP excludes destination ($1,650 for both the Hyundai Tucson and the Hyundai Santa Fe), taxes, title and registration fees. Specifications and pricing are based on manufacturer information for the 2026 Hyundai Tucson and 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe available as of October 23, 2026, as published by Edmunds, with dimensions from iSeeCars and EPA ratings from cars.com and Edmunds. Acceleration figures are Edmunds test results. Reliability ratings and repair-cost estimates are from RepairPal; safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA; fuel prices from AAA. EPA ratings are estimates; actual mileage will vary. See dealer for details.
Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe Inventory at Plaza Hyundai
Below is every new Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid at Plaza Hyundai, with Plaza pricing, trim and drivetrain on each listing. Use it to run the same comparison as this article: a Tucson Hybrid Blue SE against a Santa Fe SE Hybrid, or a loaded Tucson Limited against a Santa Fe SEL at about the same price. Listings marked In Transit are on their way to Nostrand Avenue and can be reserved now. Found one? Tap Confirm availability or Schedule a test drive on the listing, or call (800) 556-2369, and we will have it ready next to its Tucson or Santa Fe counterpart. Free delivery within 25 miles.
