2026 Hyundai
SANTA FE vs. Competitors

The Hyundai Santa Fe checks many boxes: three-row seating, midsized versatility, and the latest safety and infotainment technology. Add Hyundai’s value-focused approach, and this adventure-ready crossover becomes a compelling choice in a competitive marketplace. The Santa Fe’s chiseled exterior and modern cabin also help it stand out. That said, savvy consumers know there are plenty of competitors, and they’re aware that they have options. We set out to see how the Santa Fe stacks up against some key rivals: the Toyota Highlander, Kia Sorento, and Ford Explorer. All comparisons that we make here involve the least-expensive trim with all-wheel drive (AWD) for the 2026 model year.

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Pricing

Pricing is one of the clearest differentiators in this group. The Santa Fe’s $36,600 starting MSRP makes it the lowest-cost vehicle in this group. The Sorento’s $37,090 base price makes it a closer competitor, but be sure to review its powertrain specifications, which we detail in the next section. At the high end of the scale, the cheapest AWD-equipped Explorer costs $40,465. For 2026, Toyota dropped the entry-level LE from the Highlander’s lineup, giving it a minimum MSRP of $45,270 for the XLE. It’s not quite an exact match to the Santa Fe priced here due to differences in equipment levels. In other words, Toyota forces buyers to purchase a higher level of the Highlander than they might prefer. Opting for a more premium Santa Fe trim level would still yield a lower sticker price for equivalent equipment levels (or higher).

Powertrain

Hyundai sets up the Santa Fe with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 277 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque, giving it the strongest torque rating in this group. Toyota’s 2.4-liter turbo-four in the Highlander produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, keeping it competitive on torque but slightly lower in horsepower. The Sorento’s 191-hp naturally aspirated four-cylinder sits well behind the others in both power and torque (181 lb.-ft.). Ford uses a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the Explorer with 300 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, putting it ahead of the Santa Fe in hp output.

Warranty

Warranty coverage remains one of Hyundai’s strongest selling points. The Santa Fe carries a 5-year or 60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Kia mirrors these terms on the Sorento, while Toyota and Ford offer the more traditional 3-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and 5-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Roadside assistance differs as well: Hyundai provides five years of unlimited-mileage coverage, while Kia and Ford offer 60,000 miles over the same period. Toyota’s roadside assistance is valid for 2 years with no mileage limitations.

Expert and Consumer Ratings

Edmunds’ editorial team gives the Santa Fe a 7.5 out of 10 overall, citing strong scores in value and in-cabin tech. The Sorento edges it slightly with a 7.7, while the Highlander and Explorer trail at 6.7 and 7.1, respectively. Consumer ratings follow a similar pattern. Both the Santa Fe and Sorento hold a 4.3 out of 5 rating from owners, while the Highlander sits at 3.6 and the Explorer at 3.5.

Cabin Comfort

Cabin measurements place the Santa Fe among the roomiest entries in this comparison. It provides 41.1 inches of front headroom and 44.4 inches of front legroom, which exceed the Highlander (39.6 inches/42.0 inches), Sorento (40.3 inches/41.4 inches), and Explorer (40.7 inches/43.0 inches). The second row is another strong point, with the Santa Fe’s 42.3 inches of legroom outpacing the Highlander’s 38.7 inches, the Sorento’s 41.7 inches, and the Explorer’s 39.0 inches. The Santa Fe also offers more third-row legroom—30.0 inches—than the Highlander (28.0 inches) and the Sorento (29.6 inches).

Sales tax, title, reg, and $995 dealer conveyance fee not included in vehicle prices shown and must be paid by the purchaser. MSRP is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the vehicle. Stock photos may not represent actual vehicle. Listed MPG are based on EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions and how you drive and maintain your vehicle. See full site disclosure here. For In-Transit Inventory, any date of arrival is estimated. The actual date of delivery may vary due to circumstances beyond Hyundai and the dealer’s control. Please contact your local Hyundai dealer for availability details.

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	Hyundai Certified Used Vehicles	Hyundai Select Used
Vehicle eligibility	6 model years old and newer with 80k miles or less	6 model years old and newer with 80k-120k miles 7-10 model years old vehicles with 120k miles or less
Vehicle inspection	173-point inspection	117-point inspection
Limited warranties	Comprehensive 5 Years/60,000 miles Powertrain 10 Years/100,000 miles HEV/PHEV/EV Battery 10 Years/100,000 miles	Powertrain 90 Days/5,000 miles HEV/PHEV Battery 10 Years/100,000 miles
If anything happens	Roadside Assistance 10 Years/Unlimited miles Rental Car $35/day up to 10 days Trip interruption $100/day up to $300 max	Roadside Assistance 90 Days/Unlimited miles Rental Car $35/day up to 5 days
Complimentary trials	SiriusXM 3-month Platinum Plan trial Bluelink®+ Complimentary 1 Year (Connected Care & Remote Pkgs)	SiriusXM 3-month Platinum Plan trial Bluelink® Complimentary 3 months (Connected Care & Remote Pkgs)