Hyundai Santa Fe Vs. Tucson: Which is Right for Me?

Looking for a new Hyundai SUV? You’ve likely come across the 2025 Hyundai Tucson and the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe by now, but like many shoppers, you may be unsure which one is the better choice for you. Do you want more power, or is space more important? Which tech and safety features come standard on which vehicle? Is one better for towing larger payloads than the other?

If you’re shopping for a new SUV near Olathe, Overland Park, Lenexa, or Kansas City, chances are you’re comparing the 2025 Hyundai Tucson and the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. At McCarthy Hyundai of Olathe, we help drivers find the perfect Hyundai SUV based on their lifestyle, family size, and performance needs. Below, we break down the key differences to help you decide which model is right for you.

Hyundai Santa Fe Vs. Hyundai Tucson: Size

The first and most notable difference between the Santa Fe and the Tucson is their size. The Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize SUV (and is at the top of the list for best midsize SUV), while the Tucson is a small-but-mighty compact SUV. The Tucson seats up to five (5) passengers, making it an attractive option for new or smaller families. Stepping things up, the Santa Fe can seat between six (6) and seven (7) passengers (depending on the seating configuration you choose), making it an ideal midsize SUV for larger families or those who want a bit more space.

The interior dimensions of the Santa Fe and Tucson are:

Santa Fe

• Max cargo space: 79.6 cubic feet
• Max passenger volume: 152 cubic feet

Tucson

• Max cargo space: 80.3 cubic feet
• Max passenger volume 108.2

As you can see from the numbers above, the Tucson has a tad more cargo space due to its design, but the Santa Fe has a massive lead in passenger volume, meaning more room is dedicated to the comfort of riders than storage.

Hyundai Santa Fe Vs. Hyundai Tucson: Performance

As you may expect from the size difference, the base engines available in the Tucson and Santa Fe differ. The Tucson comes standard with a 2.5L, 4-cylinder engine that delivers 187 horsepower. The Santa Fe, on the other hand. Also has a 2.5L engine, but it’s a turbocharged 4-cylinder that pumps out 277 horsepower. Their maximum towing capacities reflect their engine sizes.

The Tucson can haul 2,000 lbs., while the Santa Fe can tow up to 4,500 lbs. Front-wheel drive comes standard on all five trims of the Tucson, while the Santa Fe has front-wheel drive standard on all but one trim, the Santa Fe XRT. However, all-wheel drive is available on all trims.

Hyundai Santa Fe Vs. Hyundai Tucson: Interior and Tech

The Tucson entry trims come with cloth seating, while the entry-level trim of the Santa Fe, the SE, comes with YES Essentials® stain-resistant cloth seats. To get to H-Tex® trimmed seats in the Tucson, you’ll have to choose the SEL Convenience Package. To get heated and ventilated leather seating, you’ll need to choose the Limited trim of both vehicles.

Regardless of the trim you choose, both the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe come standard with a 12.3” infotainment touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay® and available dynamic voice recognition. For those who like to feel the wind in their hair, only the Santa Fe has an available sunroof. A hands-free power liftgate is standard on all trims of the Santa Fe, while it’s an available feature on the Tucson.

Hyundai Santa Fe Vs. Hyundai Tucson: Safety

Both the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe come with Hyundai SafetySense, the safety and driver assistance suite that protects you and your passengers while driving in and around Kansas City, Olathe, and Overland Park. While some driver assistance features are only available on higher-level trims of either vehicle, standard safety features include:

• Blind-spot warnings
• Lane keeping assist
• Safe exit warning
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian (FCA-Ped), Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection
• Electronic stability control
• And more.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Santa Fe four stars overall for safety, and the Tucson received five stars overall.

Test Drive a New Hyundai Today

Still unsure of whether you should choose the Hyundai Tucson or Santa Fe? The best way to decide is to head down to our Olathe Hyundai dealership and test drive both vehicles to see which feels right. Our team is ready and excited to help you determine your wants and needs from your next Hyundai vehicle and guide you to the perfect fit. Contact us today to learn more about our Hyundai specials and to schedule a test drive, or schedule a test drive online.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hyundai Santa Fe vs Tucson

1. Which is bigger, the Hyundai Santa Fe or Tucson?

The Hyundai Santa Fe is larger. It is a midsize SUV with available third-row seating, while the Tucson is a compact SUV with seating for five.

2. Which Hyundai SUV has better towing capacity?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offers more towing power, with up to 4,500 lbs when properly equipped. The Tucson can tow up to 2,000 lbs.

3. Is the Hyundai Tucson or Santa Fe better for families?

The Santa Fe is better for larger families because it offers seating for six or seven passengers. The Tucson is ideal for smaller families or commuters.

4. Do both SUVs come with Hyundai SafetySense?

Yes, both the 2025 Tucson and Santa Fe come standard with Hyundai SafetySense driver assistance features.

5. Where can I test drive a Hyundai Santa Fe or Tucson near Kansas City?

You can test drive both SUVs at McCarthy Hyundai of Olathe, conveniently located at 683 North Rawhide Drive in Olathe, KS.

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