Thinking about buying a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe? Here are other top choices to consider
Kudos to Hyundai executives for having the guts to approve and market the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. In a part of a conservative market where design uniformity is king, this is a three-row SUV that's unafraid to show it's an SUV fashionista of the first order.
While many casual onlookers remarked that Hyundai's brutalist breadbox resembled a Land Rover Defender or Range Rover, some found it profoundly unappealing. Its slab sides deliver a spacious interior, including 15 cubic feet of cargo space that opens up to 80 cubic feet with the seats stashed. For passengers, it means a comfortable seat height and lots of headroom, although third-row legroom is tight. Given its design ethos, it's no surprise that the interior's mix of light colors and interesting textures emits a premium vibe.Motivating the Santa Fe is a 277 horsepower 2.5-liter direct-injected, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. You can also opt for a 231 horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid with a six-speed automatic transmission. Either driveline can be matched with front or all-wheel drive.
The Santa FE's towing capacity is 3,500 pounds when equipped with trailer brakes, dropping to 1,650 pounds without them. Choosing the XRT trim with trailer brakes increases the rating to 4,500 pounds.
Driving the 2.5-liter reveals a noticeable case of turbo lag, a bit too much engine noise, and a nervously shifting transmission. Regrettably, it lacks the sophistication of its design.
Like most of the SUVs listed here, ride comfort is prioritized over handling, but that's no surprise given most SUVs' family-based prerogatives or the Santa Fe's fashion-forward ones. Like every Santa Fe ever built, driving one is wholly unremarkable, but it looks fab, and that's what matters here.
Still, there are others that share the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's proclivities and might be worth a look,With its Camaro-inspired design, Chevrolet seemed to have a handle on the SUV fashionista class until the Hyundai and Kia showed up. Yes, it only has two rows, not three, but that's why there are 31 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats and 64 with them stowed. The cabin is equally spacious and comes with a decent tech package, including a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Blazer is powered by a 228-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or an optional 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard, with front- or all-wheel drive. Towing is rated at 4,500 pounds. While the Blazer boasts smooth, strong power delivery and impeccable road manners, it never proves engaging. But we really dig its round air vents.
Quiet, comfortable, and refined, the Kia Telluride belies its price, particularly on upper trims. It's like costume jewelry: it looks like a luxury SUV without being priced like one. That's why it's been such a hot commodity since it debuted in 2020. There are three adult-sized rows and 21 cubic feet of cargo capacity, expanding to 87 cubic feet with the seats stowed. The interior's premium allure comes from its padded and appropriately premium surfaces as well as its 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
A potent 291 horsepower 3.8-liter V6, 8-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive are standard. All-wheel drive is optional. Towing is rated at 5,000 pounds. It certainly rivals the Hyundai for the top spot in this glamorous segment of the SUV market.Having chosen refinement over ruggedness, the Mazda CX-90's designers bypassed any false stylistic mock allusions to off-roading. Instead, it radiates a sleek urbanity, an understatedly elegant form that offers three rows and an interior that also belies its price. Lined with sophisticated finishes, its only flaw is its infotainment system, with clunky software and a console-mounted controller. If you can live with it, you'll like the CX-90.
Powertrains include a 3.3-liter inline six-cylinder mild hybrid system with 280 horsepower or 340 horsepower, depending on the model. You can also choose a 323 horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid with 26 miles of pure electric range. An 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. Towing is rated at 5,000 pounds with the Towing Package and 3,500 pounds without it. Cargo space is rated 14.9 cubic feet, expanding to more than 74 cubic feet.
While adeptly athletic, there's no hiding its size and weight. Well-controlled body motions and nicely weighted steering help compensate, making the CX-90 a massive Mazda that drives well.
Don't hate it because it's beautiful; the Nissan Murano has always been an automotive fashionista. Open its door, and you'll see its cabin's spa-like ambiance anchored by a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Every comfort and convenience feature is included, even massaging seats. The seats prove comfy, and there's decent space, including a cargo capacity of 33 cubic feet, expanding to 64 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. There is no third row.Nissan's standard engine is a variable-compression turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 241 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on all trims, but base models can be fitted with front-wheel drive. The towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.
Unfortunately, the four-cylinder engine possesses complicated engineering that's supposed to supply strong power and superior fuel efficiency but noticeably lacks both. Sadly, this is just a pretty face.
Replacing the lovely but unloved Venza in the Toyota line-up, the Crown Signia is similar to its departed relative in that it's a hybrid-powered, all-wheel drive SUV meant to overcome foul weather rather than hit the Rubicon Trail. This makes it a perfect SUV fashionista, one with a comfortably soft ride and a cabin that's quieter than a college library on a Saturday night. This is a cruiser, not a bruiser.
A 2.5-liter four-cylinder and three electric motors send 240 horsepower to all four wheels. Towing is rated at 2,700 pounds.
Inside, you'll find the roomy accommodations to be very acceptable. Behind its two rows is 25 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 66 cubic feet with the rear row stowed. There's a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen along with the requisite indulgent comfort and convenience items. Much like the dearly departed Avalon, the Crown Signia is aimed at buyers who want a Lexus for Toyota money. Mission accomplished.
It's pretty, it's comfortable, and it has adequate speed. For some, that's more than enough.Going for glam over game, these chic SUVs value appearance and attitude over athleticism, with the exception of the Mazda CX-90, which proves to be a standout in midsize SUVs. That said, none of these are true off-road warriors. Instead, they're meant for the urban jungle and overcoming foul weather.
The Kia Telluride and the Crown Signia play this game fairly well. The Chevrolet Blazer isn't bad either, but there's not enough distinctive design here to help it overcome the class winners. The Nissan Murano is a fine candidate, but Nissan's variable-compression turbocharged engine doesn't accomplish any of its goals, making the Murano a good candidate for a heart transplant.
Lastly, one hopes that Hyundai refines the Santa Fe's driveline. Given its heritage, however, driving excellence should not be expected.
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