Hyundai Tucson vs Hyundai Santa Fe

Tucson

Base trim: $26,900 

Pictured: N Line in Quartz White ($400). MSRP of 2022 model as as tested $34,070.

Santa Fe

Base trim: $28,750.

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

Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is a roomy and enjoyable two-row SUV with a nice ride and drive.  It offers a comfortable cabin,  great cargo space, terrific advanced driver safety technology and 2023 sees the expanded availability of some features.

Horsepower is OK given its size but we'd still love a more powerful gas-only engine option.  (The Tucson lineup does offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants with more power.)

The Tucson isn't geared for off-roading performance. But an N Line trim gives it a sporty vibe.

All in all, the 2023 Tucson is a great value for all the technology, safety, comfort and convenience features it offers.

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.

Tucson

For 2023, the Tucson is largely a carryover model that sees the expanded availability of some features. Some grades swap cloth for H-Tex seating surfaces.

A 10.25” color touchscreen with onboard Navigation & Traffic flow expands availability as does Dynamic Voice Recognition.

2023 brings more standard safety features, too.  Smart Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, FCA with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning  Detection (sensor fusion-type) are now standard across the lineup.

Santa Fe

For 2023, the Santa Fe is largely a carryover model that sees the expanded availability of many features across more models.

Over-the-air map updates are a new feature to the lineup enjoyed by the SEL, XRT, SEL Premium, Limited andCalligraphy trims. H-Tex seating surfaces are new for XRT, SEL Premium grades.

Hyundai also expands the availability of some its technology including its Highway Driving Assist semi-autonomous system, Blind Spot View Monitor and Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert.

Tucson

• Better acceleration, ride and handling
• More cargo space
• Slightly more fuel efficient  
  
  

Santa Fe

• More passenger space
• Larger available digital instrument cluster
• Fewer trips to the gas station thanks to a bigger fuel tank

Tucson

• Only offers one gas-only powertrain
• Doesn't offer a heads-up display or rear seat quiet mode

Santa Fe

• Not as quick to accelerate due to its larger size
• Not quite as fuel efficient  

25 mpg  (FWD)

23 mpg (AWD)

Base engine:

• 25 mpg  (FWD)

• 22 mpg (AWD)

Turbo engine:

32 mpg (FWD)

28 mpg (AWD)

Tucson

Santa Fe

• 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display or 10.25-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
• 8-inch touchscreen or available 10.25-inch color touchscreen  
• Android AutoTM & Apple CarPlay (Wireless with 8” Display Audio)
• 6-speaker or available 8-speaker BOSE Premium Audio System  
• Rearview camera with dynamic parking guidelines, standard
• Available Bluelink® Connected Care Package (3-year complimentary service)

• 4.2-inch color info display or available 12.3-inch digital driver display
• 8-inch multimedia touchscreen display with SiriusXM/HD Radio, Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• For 2023, a 10.25-inch is available (SEL Premium, Limited and Calligraphy).
  
• Available 12-speaker Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System
• Rear view monitor with parking guidance
• Available Hyundai Bluelink Connected Car (complimentary for three years)
• Rear Seat Quiet Mode

• Front dual USB ports (Standard)
• Second row Dual USB ports (XRT, N Line, Limited)
• 2 12-volts (front/cargo)

• Available wireless charging
• Dual Front/Rear USB ports 
• 2 12 volts

Tucson

Santa Fe

Hyundai SmartSense:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection (sensor fusion-type) 
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist 
• Lane Following Assist
• Driver Attention Warning 
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Safe Exit Warning
• Rear Occupant Alert Or Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert

Limited Trim:

• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse  (Limited)
• Parking Distance Warning – Front & Rear (Limited)
• Surround View Monitor (Limited)
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control (Limited)
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (Limited)
• Highway Driving Assist (Limited)

• 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)
  
  
  
• Highway Driving Assist I  -  Standard on all but base trim
  
  
• Limited and Calligraphy:
  • Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
  • Surround View Monitor (SVM)
  • Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse
  • Remote Smart Parking Assist

• 3-point/ELR Outboard seatbelts/inboard seatbelt (rear)
• Adjustable front-seats shoulder belt anchors
• Front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters
• AirBags (advanced)- 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)
• LATCH Lower Anchors and Upper Tether Anchors
• Power window lock-out button
• Child safety locks (rear)
• 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 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 (VSM)
  
• Hillstart Assist Control (HAC)
• Downhill Brake Control (DBC) (AWD only)

Tucson

Santa Fe

182.3"

188.4"

73.4"

74.8"

65.6 (FWD), 66.3 (AWD) w/roof rails

63.7"

Base engine:

• 191-horsepower

Turbo: 

• 281-horsepower

181 pound-feet

17.7

3,664 (N Line AWD)

3,960

2,000 with trailer brakes

2,000 with trailer brakes

Tucson

Santa Fe