Hyundai Tucson vs Hyundai Santa Fe
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-05 · Specs from the manufacturers and fueleconomy.gov
The short answer
The Tucson is the compact, cheaper pick: it starts at $29,700 and offers a plug-in hybrid with 32 miles of electric range. The 2027 Santa Fe, from $35,300, adds a third row (6–7 seats), a 277-hp turbo, 4,500 lb of towing versus 2,750, and 79.6 cu ft of max cargo versus 74.8.
Key differences
- The Hyundai Tucson starts $5,600 lower (base MSRP $29,700 vs $35,300, before destination).
- The Santa Fe is 7.5 in longer (182.7 vs 190.2 in).
- The Santa Fe seats up to 7; the Hyundai Tucson seats up to 5.
- Max cargo: 74.8 cu ft (Hyundai Tucson) vs 79.6 cu ft (Santa Fe).
- The Santa Fe tows up to 4,500 lb, 1,750 lb more.
- Best combined fuel-economy rating: 38 vs 36 mpg (Hyundai Tucson leads).
- Most powerful version: 268 hp (Hyundai Tucson) vs 277 hp (Santa Fe).
Tucson vs Santa Fe specs side by side
| Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai Santa Fe | |
|---|---|---|
| Model year compared | 2026 | 2027 |
| Base MSRP range (excl. destination) | $29,700–$48,900 | $35,300–$50,750 |
| Destination charge | $1,650 | $1,650 |
| Powertrains (hp / torque) | 2.5L 4-cyl: 187 hp / 178 lb-ft · 1.6L turbo 4-cyl hybrid: 231 hp / 271 lb-ft · 1.6L turbo 4-cyl plug-in hybrid: 268 hp / 271 lb-ft | 2.5L turbo 4-cyl: 277 hp / 311 lb-ft · 1.6L turbo 4-cyl hybrid: 231 hp / 271 lb-ft |
| Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined) | 2.5L FWD: 25/33/28 mpg · 2.5L AWD: 24/30/26 mpg · 1.6T Hybrid AWD: 36/37/36 mpg · 1.6T Hybrid Blue AWD: 38/38/38 mpg · 1.6T Plug-in Hybrid AWD (gas-only mpg; 77 MPGe combined): 35/35/35 mpg | 2.5T FWD: 20/29/24 mpg · 2.5T AWD: 20/28/23 mpg · 2.5T XRT AWD: 19/25/21 mpg · 1.6T Hybrid FWD: 37/36/36 mpg · 1.6T Hybrid AWD: 35/34/35 mpg |
| Range | 1.6T Plug-in Hybrid AWD (gas-only mpg; 77 MPGe combined): 32 mi | Not published |
| Seating | 5 | 6–7 |
| Cargo behind rear row | 38.7 cu ft | 14.6 cu ft |
| Max cargo (seats folded) | 74.8 cu ft | 79.6 cu ft |
| Max towing | 2,750 lb | 4,500 lb |
| AWD / 4WD | Available | Available |
| Length | 182.7 in | 190.2 in |
| Width | 73.4 in | 74.8 in |
| Height | 65.6 in | 67.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 in | 110.8 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in | 7 in |
- Hyundai Tucson: 2026 is current US model year (all-new 2027 Tucson announced but not yet priced/on sale). Pricing sheet eff. Jul 29, 2026 adds FWD Hybrid SE/SEL. Towing 2,750 lb gas / 2,000 lb hybrid & PHEV (Hyundai 2026 model-year-changes doc; spec sheet shows TBD). Height 65.6 in FWD / 66.3 AWD; ground clearance 7.1 FWD / 8.3 AWD. Cargo SAE 38.7/74.8 cu ft (Hyundai 'max' 41.2/80.3); PHEV 31.9/66.3. fueleconomy.gov lists no FWD hybrid record yet. PHEV row: rangeMi = all-electric range; 80/73/77 MPGe city/hwy/combined. Hybrid/PHEV hp/torque are total system output.
- Santa Fe: 2027 is a carry-over model. Towing 3,500 lb (XRT 4,500 lb; hybrid 2,000 lb). Height 67.7 in (69.7 with roof side rails). Ground clearance 7.0 in (XRT 8.3). XRT is AWD-only. Hybrid hp/torque are total system output. Seating 7 on SE/SEL/XRT, 6 or 7 on Limited, 6 on Calligraphy.
Reliability and known issues
More on each model
FAQ
Which is better, the Hyundai Tucson or the Santa Fe?
The Tucson is the compact, cheaper pick: it starts at $29,700 and offers a plug-in hybrid with 32 miles of electric range. The 2027 Santa Fe, from $35,300, adds a third row (6–7 seats), a 277-hp turbo, 4,500 lb of towing versus 2,750, and 79.6 cu ft of max cargo versus 74.8.
Is the Hyundai Tucson cheaper than the Santa Fe?
The Hyundai Tucson has the lower starting price: the 2026 Hyundai Tucson starts at $29,700 and tops out at $48,900, and the 2027 Santa Fe starts at $35,300 and tops out at $50,750. Those are base MSRPs before destination ($1,650 and $1,650), from the manufacturers.
Is the Hyundai Tucson bigger than the Santa Fe?
The Hyundai Tucson is 182.7 in long on a 108.5-in wheelbase; the Santa Fe is 190.2 in on a 110.8-in wheelbase. Maximum cargo space is 74.8 vs 79.6 cu ft. Seating: 5 vs 6–7.
Which tows more, the Hyundai Tucson or the Santa Fe?
The Santa Fe: up to 4,500 lb vs 2,750 lb, properly equipped, per the manufacturers.
Which gets better gas mileage?
Combined ratings: 26–38 mpg for the Hyundai Tucson and 21–36 mpg for the Santa Fe, depending on powertrain and drivetrain. Figures are EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov, or the manufacturer's estimate where the EPA has not yet listed the new model year (see notes under the table).
Related comparisons
Sources
- Hyundai News — 26MY Tucson pricing sheet (eff. Jul 29, 2026)
- Hyundai News — 2026 Tucson specs & features
- Hyundai News — 2026 Hyundai model year changes
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 49453
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 49500
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 49498
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 49499
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 49764
- Hyundai News — 27MY Santa Fe pricing sheet (eff. Jul 20, 2026)
- Hyundai News — 2027 Santa Fe features & specifications
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50530
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50541
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50540
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50528
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50538
"Not published" means the manufacturer has not released that figure for this model year; CarWhere does not estimate missing specs.
Cite this page: CarWhere Research, "Hyundai Tucson vs Hyundai Santa Fe," carwhere.com/car-comparisons/hyundai-tucson-vs-hyundai-santa-fe.