8 Top Hyundai Santa Fe Competitors
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 is just one of the Hyundai Santa Fe competitors you should consider if you’re in the market for a new compact or midsize SUV.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The spacious Kia Sorrento, the fuel-efficient Toyota RAV4, and the off-road-ready Jeep Grand Cherokee are just a few of the Hyundai Santa Fe’s top competitors you might want to consider if you’re in the market for a top-notch SUV.
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe has plenty going for it among the midsize SUV class. It’s practical and spacious with an upscale interior that delivers a smooth and comfortable ride for daily drivers. Starting at an affordable price point, the Santa Fe also comes with tons of standard safety features and great fuel economy to give you peace of mind on the road.
But depending on your ideal SUV, you might want to consider one of Hyundai Santa Fe’s top competitors instead. That’s why
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers1. Kia Sorento
Starting price: $29,590 to $43,190
Selling points: Several powertrain options, three rows of seats, good fuel economy
Weak spot: Lack of cargo space
Like the Santa Fe, the 2022 Kia Sorrento comes with a base 2.5-liter inline-4 engine that generates 191 horsepower. But if you’re looking for more pep in your step, both have an optional turbocharged engine option though the Sorrento boasts slightly more power with 281 horsepower compared to the Santa Fe’s 277-hp engine.
Other similarities that the Sorrento shares with the Santa Fe include both having a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and 26 mpg combined. But the Sorrento shines when it comes to roominess—providing more cargo space and up to seven seats for passengers. If you require a roomier SUV with a third row of seats, the Santa Fe competitor is worth looking at.
MORE: Kia Sorento LX towing capacity
2. Honda CR-V
Starting price: $26,800 to $36,600
Selling points: Affordable, plenty of interior and storage space, great fuel economy
Weak spot: Lack of performance power and towing capacity
The 2022 Honda CR-V may not be the fastest compact SUV even with a standard turbocharged engine or the strongest with a less than desirable 1,500 maximum towing capacity. But the affordable family-friendly vehicle is safe, practical, and functional for everyday driving.
Who needs performance power when you can save on fuel economy with 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway? Compared to the Santa Fe, the CR-V provides more space with a maximum cargo value of 75.8 cubic ft to provide a comfortable ride for all. And you can drive your family around with confidence as the Honda comes with tons of standard safety features such as forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
MORE: How to remote start your Honda CR-V 2021
3. Nissan Rogue
Starting price: $27,150 to $36,930
Selling points: Good fuel economy, standard safety features for all trims
Weak spot: Slow to accelerate, certain tech features only available on higher trims
The 2022 Nissan Rogue is another practical compact SUV competitor that provides a spacious cabin, along with plenty of cargo space and standard safety features at an affordable price point. But compared to the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Rogue falls short when it comes to towing strength with a maximum towing capacity of only 1,500 pounds.
But if you’re looking to save at the pump, the Rouge will have you covered for any upcoming road trip. With 30 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, the compact SUV blows the rest of the competition out of the water when it comes to fuel economy. The Nissan Rogue may not be the most exciting ride, but it’s a well-mannered ride that’s safe for the whole family to enjoy.
4. Toyota RAV4
Starting price: $26,975 to $36,9155
Selling points: Spacious interior, generous standard safety features, off-road option
Weak spot: The cabin can be noisy, base model is very basic
If practicality, affordability, and safety are at the top of your list when looking for a new vehicle, then look no further than the 2022 Toyota RAV4. The compact crossover SUV is one of the best-selling vehicles around the globe after all—and for good reason.
The RAV4 gives the Hyundai Santa Fe a run for its money when it comes to the price point and fuel economy with 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Both have the same towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, but the RAV4 slightly disappoints with less cargo room at 69.8 cubic feet.But if you’re a true warrior, you’ll want to check out the RAV4 TRD off-road-ready trim to handle the roughest trails.
5. Subaru Forester
Starting price: $25,895 to $35,955
Selling points: Plenty of cargo space, good fuel economy, standard all-wheel drive
Weak spot: Lackluster engine power
Looking for a compact crossover SUV that can handle the great outdoors? Then the 2022 Subaru Forester, equipped with an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive, might be the perfect off-road vehicle for you.
While the Forester may not deliver in terms of performance power with an underwhelming 182-hp four-cylinder engine and 3,000-pound towing capacity, the compact SUV rides smoothly with comfortable spacious seating and decent cargo space. And compared to the Santa Fe, you’ll save more on gas with 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway which will come in handy if you’re planning a road trip for some off-roading adventures this summer.
MORE: Subaru Forester Sport towing capacity
6. Jeep Grand Cherokee
Starting price: $38,325 to $58,300
Selling points: Off-road ready, three rows of seats, impressive towing
Weak spot: Poor fuel economy with V8
Ready to venture off the beaten path? For serious off-roaders, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee may need no introduction. It’s hard for the Hyundai Santa Fe to compete with the rugged mid-size SUV that boasts impressive off-road capabilities with available all-wheel drive, 8.4 inches of ground clearance, and a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds.
While the Grand Cherokee beats the competition in many ways, it receives a poor fuel economy compared to the rest with 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. And the cargo capacity is nothing to ride home about either with 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. But when it comes to safety, the Grand Cherokee comes with tons of standard driver-assistance features like forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and a rearview camera—just to name a few.
MORE: Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk towing capacity
7. Hyundai Tucson
Starting price: $24,950 to $35,300
Selling points: Tons of standard safety and tech features, roomy interior
Weak spot: Slow acceleration
Can the Hyundai Santa Fe handle some friendly competition with the 2022 Hyundai Tucson? With a 9/10 rating from Car and Driver, along with a #1 ranking in the compact SUV class from the U.S. News and World Report, the Tucson may be a better overall choice among the Hyundais.
The Tucson not only comes with a much lower starting price of $24,950 but also boasts more interior space with a maximum cargo capacity of 80.3 cubic feet. In addition to roomy seating and cargo space, the compact SUV barely beats the Santa Fe when it comes to fuel economy with 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. But if you’re really looking to save at the pump, the Tucson is also available in a standard hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that can drive up to 28 miles of electric range.
8. Kia Sportage
Starting price: $24,090 to $33,750
Selling points: Affordable, smooth ride, spacious front seats
Weak spot: Disappointing fuel economy, poor cargo space compared to rivals
If you’re looking for a compact crossover SUV on a budget, the 2022 Kia Sportage is the most affordable option on this list with a starting price that’s over $3,000 cheaper than the Santa Fe.
Unlike most of the competition, the Sportage comes with two engine options, including a peppy turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that cranks out 237 horsepower on all-wheel drive models. The only downside to a more powerful engine is the less than ideal fuel economy it comes with at 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
But if you can do without the turbo engine, your fuel economy will slightly improve with 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway on front-wheel drive models. You’ll also be more cramped in the Sportage with 60.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity compared to the rest of the competition. However, if you’re on a tighter budget, the Kia Sportage might be worth another look as you’ll receive more bang for your buck.
Hyundai Santa Fe vs. the competition
How does the Santa Fe stack up against the competition? Here is our side-by-side comparison of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe with its toughest competitors.
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum cargo volume | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$27,200 to $41,410 | In-line 4 or Turbo In-line 4 | 5 seats | 72.1 cubic ft | 3500 lb | 25/28/26 mpg | |
$29,590 to $43,190 | In-line 4 or Turbo In-line 4 | 7 seats | 75.5 cubic ft | 3500 lb | 24/29/26 mpg | |
$26,800 to $36,600 | Turbo four-cylinder | 5 seats | 75.8 cubic ft | 1500 lb | 28/34/30 mpg | |
$27,150 to $36,930 | Turbo three-cylinder | 5 seats | 74.1 cubic ft | 1500 lb | 30/37/33 mpg | |
$26,975 to $36,9155 | Inline-4 | 5 seats | 69.8 cubic ft | 3500 lb | 27/35/30 mpg | |
$25,895 to $35,955 | Four-cylinder | 5 seats | 74.2 cubic ft | 3000 lbs | 26/33/29 mpg | |
$38,325 to $58,300 | V6 or V8 | 7 seats | 84.6 cubic ft | 6200 lbs | 19/26/22 mpg | |
$24,950 to $35,300 | Four-cylinder | 5 seats | 80.3 cubic ft | 2000 lbs | 26/33/29 mpg | |
$24,090 to $33,750 | In-line 4 or Turbo In-line 4 | 5 seats | 60.1 cubic ft | 1653 lbs | 23/30/26 mpg |
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