2026–27 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota Highlander: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Highlander — it leads our weighted scorecard 6.5–2 across 9 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.39 vs 0.55) and better 5-year value retention (52.7% vs 44.6%). Choose the Santa Fe if the lower sticker matters most ($34,800 vs $46,270 to start).
Scorecard: Santa Fe 2 pts · Highlander 6.5 pts across 9 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Santa Fe | 2026 Highlander | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $34,800 | $46,270 | Santa Fe |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.55 | 0.39 | Highlander |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 44.6% | 52.7% | Highlander |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 36 mpg | 35 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 277 hp | 265 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 4,500 lb | 5,000 lb | Highlander |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 14.6 cu ft | 16 cu ft | Highlander |
| Standard seats (1) | 6 | 7 | Highlander |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 1% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 10 | 10 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 2 | 6.5 | Highlander |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Santa Fe 36 mpg vs Highlander 35 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Highlander — 7 vs 6 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Santa Fe — $34,800 vs $46,270 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $23,366 for the Santa Fe vs $27,723 for the Highlander.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Highlander — 52.7% vs 44.6% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Highlander — 5,000 lb vs 4,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Santa Fe starts at $34,800 and tops out at $48,450; the Highlander runs $46,270 to $55,675 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Highlander buyers paid a median 1% off MSRP across 19 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 3.5% off. Used, the median asking price is $23,366 for the Santa Fe and $27,723 for the Highlander (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Santa Fe: 0.55 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 44th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Highlander: 0.39 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 67th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Santa Fe 10, Highlander 10.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Santa Fe 2016 (solid) · Highlander 2016 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Santa Fe | 2026 Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $34,800 | $46,270 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $48,450 | $55,675 |
| Horsepower | 231–277 hp | 243–265 hp |
| Max torque | 311 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 21–36 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 24–35 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 4,500 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 6 / 7 | 7 / 8 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 14.6 cu ft | 16 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Santa Fe | Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 190.2 in | 194.9 in |
| Width | 74.8 in | 76 in |
| Height | 67.7 in | 68.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 in | 112.2 in |
| Ground clearance | 7 in | 8 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Santa Fe lists for a median $19,817 — 44.6% of today's median new price of $44,436. A 5-year-old (2021) Highlander lists for a median $30,260 — 52.7% of today's median new price of $57,374.
Shop both
- See 30,822 new 2027 Hyundai Santa Fes for sale →Median listed price $43,824 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Toyota Highlanders for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Hyundai Santa Fe
More on the Toyota Highlander
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Santa Fe better than the Highlander?
On our data, no — the Highlander comes out ahead. Our pick: the Highlander — it leads our weighted scorecard 6.5–2 across 9 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.39 vs 0.55) and better 5-year value retention (52.7% vs 44.6%). Choose the Santa Fe if the lower sticker matters most ($34,800 vs $46,270 to start).
Which is more reliable, the Santa Fe or the Highlander?
On federal data, the Highlander: owners filed 0.39 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold versus 0.55 for the Santa Fe (2015–2022 sales years). That's complaint volume, not a survey score. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Santa Fe and 10 for the Highlander.
Which holds its value better, the Santa Fe or the Highlander?
The Highlander: a 5-year-old example lists for 52.7% of the new price, versus 44.6% for the Santa Fe, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Santa Fe or the Highlander?
The Santa Fe starts lower: $34,800 vs $46,270 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Santa Fe or the Highlander?
It's a wash: 36 mpg vs 35 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota Highlander: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/hyundai-santa-fe-vs-toyota-highlander, updated November 8, 2026.