Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Hyundai Tucson

Which SUV Fits Your Lifestyle?

Irwin Hyundai has plenty to offer if you want a family-friendly SUV. We know the selection can be overwhelming. Here, we look at the Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Tucson to help you decide which is best for your lifestyle.  

Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson are leaders in their segments. Each has a wide range of desirable features. If you’re new to SUVs or have changing needs, it can be hard to choose between the two. Find out what you need to know to make an informed decision.

   

Choosing a Size Based on Intended Use

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size SUV. The Tucson is a compact SUV. The difference in size isn’t huge, but it does mean you’ll have more space overall if you choose the Santa Fe. To be clear, the overall size difference between the two SUVs is negligible. The Santa Fe is 188.4 inches long, while the Tucson is 182.3. However, the two SUVs use the space available in different ways. Both model lineups have seating for five. The Santa Fe prioritizes front passenger comfort over cargo, though, and the Tucson does the opposite. The smaller SUV offers 38.7 cu ft of cargo space to the mid-size model’s 36.4. To do so, it loses several inches in leg and shoulder room. If you plan on using your Hyundai SUV to haul cargo around town, the Tucson may be a better option. Since it’s smaller, some people find it easier to drive, yet it offers more cargo space. The Santa Fe is a better option as a family hauler and for longer trips.

Understanding Differences in Performance

The Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson are both powered by a 2.5L 4-cyl engine. However, the Santa Fe is slightly more powerful, producing 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. The Tucson produces 187 hp. If you want something extra under the hood and don’t mind upgrading to a higher trim level, the Santa Fe is a better option. Limited trim models feature a 2.5L turbo that increases output to 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The higher trim models of the Tucson don’t get an engine upgrade

There’s a trade-off for the extra power and larger size associated with the Santa Fe. While both SUVs are relatively fuel efficient, the Tucson boasts 28 mpg combined to the Santa Fe’s 26 mpg. You can get an AWD Santa Fe or an AWD Tucson, but both require upgrades to higher trim levels. The base models for both SUVs come with FWD. While most drivers aren’t taking their Tucson or Santa Fe off-road, AWD can be helpful in challenging weather conditions.

How to Decide Which Hyundai SUV Is Right for Your Lifestyle

Whether you’re looking at a new Hyundai Santa Fe for sale or a used Tucson, you’ll need to decide what to prioritize. If you want a comfortable ride for longer trips, the Santa Fe has more passenger space. For city drivers, the smaller Tucson may be a better fit. If you’re having trouble deciding which SUV is the better option for your lifestyle, the best thing to do is to head to the Irwin Hyundai showroom. Take them out for test drives, discuss options with our team of experts, and make sure you drive away with the right SUV to fit your needs.