Hyundai Tucson vs Santa Fe Hybrid: Which model should you buy?

With perfect dimensions for the urban jungle, an impressive hybrid system, cutting-edge technology, unbeatable comfort and a smooth ride, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid leaves the competition in the dust. In short, this compact SUV has it all. The catch is that it’s only available in the “fully-equipped” versions, which cost a few thousand dollars more than the larger Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid in its base trim, not to mention, the Santa Fe boasts three rows of seats. So, which model should you choose — and why? We’ve got some answers for you.

In the red corner is Hyundai’s refreshed 2025 Tucson. This mid-generation update includes the usual aesthetic revisions, as well as a complete redesign of the front cabin. We could sum it up by saying that the compact SUV has adopted the best interior ergonomics and design features from its electric Ioniq cousins.

The gasoline-powered 2025 Hyundai Tucson starts at under $35,000 and goes up to $53,000 for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV). However, like Honda with its new CR-V Hybrid, the Korean manufacturer offers only fully loaded versions of the hybrid in the Canadian market. As a result, buyers must pay at least $43,399 for the sporty Hyundai Tucson N-Line Hybrid AWD and $47,399 for the Hyundai Tucson Ultimate Hybrid AWD — the “top of the line” trim we tested.

This brings us to the Hyundai Santa Fe, which sits in the blue corner, and uses the same hybrid powertrain as the Tucson: a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Although the midsize SUV is noticeably larger and heavier than the Tucson, it has the same power output of 231 horsepower. Here, the “big brother” benefits from a small torque surplus (271 lb-ft vs. 258 lb-ft for the Tucson), but it just compensates for the extra avoirdupois. It’s worth noting that if Santa Fe’s performance numbers place it on par with its competition, the Tucson’s acceleration places it above its rivals, in some cases by at least by 10%.

Unlike the Tucson, the Santa Fe offers the hybrid powertrain in a base model, which is the least expensive. Consequently, the Hyundai Santa Fe Preferred Hybrid AWD starts at $42,499 (all-wheel drive is also standard here).

You read it right: That price tag is below that of the “baby” Tucson Hybrid. However, it would be too easy to end our comparison right here by saying, “Go for the Santa Fe.” As with everything, it’s not that simple. Read below to get a better sense of why the more-expensive-baby-brother is somewhat superior despite its higher price tag.

Plenty of reasons to choose the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

For its high-flying hybrid system: Of all the gasoline-electric vehicles that don’t need to be plugged in, the new 2025 Tucson Hybrid is the one that gets closer to a 100% electric vehicle. You can see it in the cabin, you can read it on the screen (where the battery icon is frequently seen as recharging) and you can feel in the drive. Among other “EV” cues:

• It has a steering column-mounted gearshift lever like the Hyundai’s Ioniq
• It has much more dynamic acceleration than expected from a compact SUV
• It has “intelligent” regenerative braking that automatically adjusts according to the road, speed, and other coasting parameters
• It has a quiet ride rarely disturbed by the gasoline engine
• Believe it or not, we were able to drive (smoothly) up to 100 km/h on the electric mode alone

For the smoothness of its powertrain: As we just mentioned, the Tucson Hybrid behaves like an EV, but when its gasoline engine kicks in, it does so very smoothly and with an impressive flexibility.

Unlike most of the hybrid competition, which opts for an Atkinson-cycle engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Tucson Hybrid banks on a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, mated to a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, albeit specially tuned for hybrid performance.

According to the manufacturer, the idea behind this out-of-the ordinary choice is to deliver a “completely normal” driving experience. Not only is it a resounding success, but the combination of electric power and turbo response provides the near-instantaneous acceleration that électromobilistes love.

For its soundproofing: Because of the reasons listed above, and because of special soundproofing efforts such as the acoustic windshield, the 2025 Tucson Hybrid envelops its occupants in a hushed silence worthy of a luxurious Lincoln. Honestly, it has one of the quietest cabins in its class — the kind you wouldn’t expect from a compact SUV.

For its “plus-plus-plus” technology: It’s simple. All the functions for comfort, technology, and driving aids are front and centre on the Tucson Hybrid. It has all-wheel drive with three modes (Snow, Mud, and Sand); a panoramic sunroof; heated and ventilated front seats; a heated rear bench; a head-up display; a proximity-activated smart lift gate (just walk up to it with the remote control in your pocket and it will open); a very convenient cell phone charging pad; and a Bose audio system that delivers fantastic sound.

Most importantly, everything is easy to tame and to manage, beginning with the infotainment system, which offers a lot of customization options on its large, integrated and visually appealing screens.

For its perfect dimensions: Not too big and not too small, the Tucson is, size-wise, right in the middle of the compact SUV class. But add its concave interior doors and its gearshift-free console, and the cabin feels like there’s more — much more, even —“open area” than it actually has.

And thanks to its sophisticated camera system showing everything around — even when you activate the turn signals — the Tucson weaves its way through city traffic and parking lots with ease. (Frankly, if you hit anything while parking the Tucson, it’s probably a sign that you shouldn’t be driving.)

Four reasons to choose—or not—the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

For its two extra seats: No surprise there. With three rows of seats, the Santa Fe (hybrid or not) can fit two more people than the Tucson.

Moreover, these two rear seats are among the least punitive in their class. First, the roof cleverly uses the sunroof to increase headroom by a few millimetres (958 mm). If legroom isn’t quite enough for you in that third row (761 mm), at least the middle row seats can generously slide forward, almost touching the front seats, therefore providing a bit more space for the third-row passengers’ knees.

That said, one minor criticism: Unlike the Tucson, the Santa Fe Hybrid does not offer climate controls for second-row passengers. God knows why, only third-row passengers have access to some ventilation commands.

Not really for the cargo space: For those who want to transport the world, the fact is… the Santa Fe doesn’t hold that much more cargo than its “little” brother. With all the seats folded down, the Santa Fe can hold 2,254 liters—just 7% more than the Tucson.

However, the Santa Fe has the advantage of folding down all its rear seats underneath the body, minivan-style. This creates a flat floor ready to engulf cargo, unlike the Tucson, which suffers a step between the floor and the seats, while the backrest doesn’t fold totally flat.

Our recommendation: pay the extra $4,000 for the “Trend” option package on the Santa Fe Hybrid. You’ll then have the convenience of remotely folding the heavy second-row seats – a nice feature to save your back.

For its XL storage: In addition to its two (!) glove compartments and large storage extending into the doors, the Santa Fe has the most spacious — and certainly the most interesting — centre console we’ve seen in recent years. Not only is it cavernous, but it opens forward and backward; very practical for backseat passengers looking for a snack.

There is one drawback, however: The plastics used for the interior trim of the Santa Fe are cheap and rough, with a nasty tendency to scratch easily. In contrast, the Tucson’s choice of materials is unmatched, exceeding the expectations of its class.

Not so much for its driving: As much as we liked the Tucson’s dynamic, light and confident handling, we found the Santa Fe too big and ponderous. Wider than the Tucson by 9%, the midsize SUV constantly made us feel like it was carrying more than its fair share of kilos, which hindered acceleration and lightness of handling.

Our Santa Fe had 20-inch wheels, which explains why the ride was not as smooth as what the Tucson was able to deliver on its 19-inch wheels. Similarly, the Santa Fe’s suspension settings weren’t as effective at absorbing bumps as the Tucson’s, resulting in more jostling and less damping than you’d expect from a midsize SUV.

Add to this the fact that the “big square box” gives a lot of opportunities for the wind noise to intrude into the cabin, and you’ll understand our general preference for the Tucson.

Conclusion: Tucson Hybrid or Santa Fe Hybrid?

Although the Hyundai Tucson Ultimate Hybrid AWD is expensive at almost $50,000, we still recommend this model over the Santa Fe.

Of course, that only works if you don’t need to seat seven passengers, in which case you’re better off with the “big brother.” But then, you’ll have to do without some of the equipment offered by the Tucson Hybrid, such as ventilated front seats and a heated bench (those are offered only on the Santa Fe’s highest — and not hybrid — trims). You’ll also have to live with the rectilinear silhouette that many people, including the undersigned, find rather unpleasant to look at.

You may have noticed that we haven’t addressed the question of fuel consumption yet. While Hyundai’s two hybrids boast combined fuel consumption figures as low as 6.7 L/100 km (Tucson Hybrid) and 6.9 L/100 km (Santa Fe Hybrid), we were unable to replicate these results in our late fall and early spring test drives. For the Tucson Hybrid, all is not lost. We could manage between 7.5-8.6 L/100 km. But for the Santa Fe Hybrid, it was no better than 9 L/100 km.

In short, the “high-flying” hybrid system we mentioned above is obviously an asset during acceleration, but not so much in terms of sipping fossil fuels. If fuel economy is your main goal, may we recommend that you look at another hybrid: The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.