Hyundai Santa Fe vs Mazda CX-5

SANTA FE

$28,750 (2023)

Pictured: XRT 2.5L in Stormy Sea. AWD. MSRP as tested $35,380.

CX-5

$26,700  

Pictured: Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo in Soul Red Crystal Metallic ($595).  MSRP starting from $36,850.

Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is a roomy, likable, two-row SUV.  It’s full of great technology and offers terrific advanced driver safety features. The cabin is comfortable, well-designed and user-friendly.  Cargo space is great, too.

While the standard gas-only powertrain is a bit lackluster when it comes to initial acceleration, a more powerful turbo option is available.  The Santa Fe lineup also offers powerful hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

The Santa Fe is geared more for city adventures as opposed to off-road performance.  An XRT model provides more rugged looks, but don't expect upgraded capability.

Also be aware that an all-new 2024 Santa Fe will make its world debut in the summer of 2023 with its North American slated for the Los Angeles Auto Show in the fall.

CX-5

Mazda is known for its engaging driving dynamics, sophisticated style, and high-end interiors. The Mazda CX-5, the brand's best-selling vehicle in the U.S., delivers on all those fronts. The CX-5 lineup, however, is not the most updated in terms of tech; missing features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, that are offered by many segment competitors.

Despite our wish for a multimedia update, it's certainly not hard to see the CX-5's appeal. Its contemporary style, near luxury interior and sporty driving signature are all attractive propositions.

Mazda's unique Soul Crystal Red Metallic paint is one of the most gorgeous reds you can find on a vehicle today.

If you're looking for a Mazda SUV with slightly more ground clearance and towing capability you'll want to check out the CX-5.

SANTA FE

For 2023, the XRT trim is based on the SEL trim instead of the SEL + Convenience Package trim.

For 2023, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a carryover with minor updates. They include new over-the-air map updates for the SEL, XRT, SEL Prem, Limited, Calligraphy trims and new H-Tex seating surfaces for XRT, SEL Premium grades.

New for 2023, the XRT adds Highway Driving Assist.

CX-5

For 2023, the CX-5 is available in eight different packages. All 2023 CX-5 models will retain standard i-Activ all-wheel drive in the U.S.

The Rhodium White exterior premium paint color is new for 2023.

For 2024, Mazda will offer a new Carbon Turbo trim for CX-5 models equipped with the 2.5 Turbo engine. It's a unique style package with Zircon Sand paint on the exterior and a brown Terracotta leather interior.

SANTA FE

• Larger with more front and second-row legroom 
• Available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• More cargo space

CX-5

• Best-in-class near luxury interior
• Fun to drive with engaging handling
• Standard all-wheel drive

SANTA FE

• Not as fun or engaging to drive
• Interior isn't as near-luxury
  
  

CX-5

• Only offers a 7-inch LCD driver display
• Less passenger room and cargo space

SANTA FE

CX-5

Base engine:

• 26 mpg  (FWD)

• 24 mpg (AWD)

Turbo engine:

Base engine:

• 26 mpg (AWD)

Turbo engine:

• 24 mpg  (AWD)

Base engine:

• 25 mpg  (FWD)

• 22 mpg (AWD)

Turbo engine:

Base engine:

• 24 mpg (AWD)

Turbo engine

• 22 mpg (AWD)

Base engine:

• 28 mpg  (FWD)
• 25 mpg  (AWD) 

Turbo engine:

Base engine

• 30 mpg  (AWD)

Turbo

• 27 mpg  (AWD)

SANTA FE

CX-5

• 8-inch multimedia touchscreen display with SiriusXM/HD radio, Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10.25-inch is available on the SEL Premium, Limited and Calligraphy)
  
• 4.2-inch driver display standard. Available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
  
• Available 12-speaker Harman Kardon Premium Audio  
• Hyundai Bluelink Connected Car required to access navigation and voice recognition (complimentary for three years)
• Rear Seat Quiet Mode

• 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen is standard with HD radio, Bluetooth, Pandora along with non-wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.   
  
• 7-inch LCD Display 
• Bose® 10-speaker audio sound system 
• Rear View Monitor
• Mazda Connected Services (complimentary for three years.  After trial period annual subscription fees apply.)

• Wireless charging
• Four USB ports 
• 2 12 volts

• Turbo models features standard wireless charging
• Four USB ports
• 12-volt power outlets

SANTA FE

CX-5

• Hyundai SmartSense: Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist,Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Safe Exit Assist
• Rear Occupant Alert or Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert (adds ultrasonic sensor & Blue Link integration)
• Available Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse
• Highway Driving Assist I is standard on all trims but base SE model
• Rear view monitor with parking guidance
• Available Surround View Monitor 
• Available head-up Display

• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross Traffic
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Day and Night-time Pedestrian Detection
• Mazda Radar Stop and Go Cruise Control
  
• Available Front and rear parking sensors
• Rear View Monitor
• Available 360º View Monitor
• Available Driver Attention Alert
• Available Smart Brake Support-Rear 
• Available Traffic Jam Assist

• 3-point seatbelts outboard seats, inboard seatbelt (rear)
• Adjustable front-seat shoulder belt anchors
• Front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters
• LATCH lower anchors and upper tether anchors
• Rear child safety locks and power window lock-out button
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Six airbags: Driver (1) Front passenger (1) / Occupant classification system (OCS) seat weight sensor and seat track sensor Driver and front passenger side-impact FR (thorax) (2) / Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2)
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with 4-wheel disc brakes
• Electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control (TCS) and Brake assist
• Vehicle stability management

• 3-point seat belts for all seating positions
• Advanced dual front air bags with seat belt-use, passenger-weight sensors
• Front side-impact air bags and side-impact air curtains with rollover protection
• LATCH rear seat, child-safety-seat anchors & upper tether anchors
• Child safety rear door locks
• Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution & Brake Assist
• Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control System
• Side-impact door beams

SANTA FE

CX-5

188.4"

180.1"

74.8"

72.6"

66.3" without roof rails

2.5-liter 4-cylinder: 187 horsepower

2.5-liter Turbo:  227-horsepower (Regular) 256-horsepower (Premium) (Turbo)

310 pound-feet (Regular) 320 pound-feet (Premium) (Turbo)

15.3

3,728 lbs (Non-Turbo) / 3,867 lbs.  (Turbo)

2,000