Head-to-head
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Toyota RAV4
The Hyundai Santa Fe wins clearly, 91.4 to 81.5, on tech & comfort, performance, space & cargo. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range and price.
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2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Santa Fe Hybrid F…
vs
A2026 Toyota RAV4
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RAV4, is EPA-rated at 43 mpg c…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Clear winThe Hyundai Santa Fe wins clearly, 91.4 to 81.5, on tech & comfort, performance, space & cargo. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range and price.
Tech & comfort 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe leads by 68.4
Fuel & range 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads by 16.8
Performance 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe leads by 21.8
| Category · weight | 2026 Hyundai Santa Feoverall 91.4 | 2026 Toyota RAV4overall 81.5 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 91 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 83.2 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 82.9 | 85.6 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 86.6 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 78.2 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 31.6 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 91.4 | 81.5 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Hyundai Santa Fe: base trim SE FWD · Toyota RAV4: base trim LE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe wins
- It lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 17.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (47.5 points against 15 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It turns out 311 lb-ft of torque against 163.
Where the 2026 Toyota RAV4 answers
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 76).
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (52 against 60 filed with NHTSA).
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
56 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $35,050 | $31,900 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | Atkinson Cycle |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,497 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | Smartstream 2.5L Turbo GDI + MPI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder, aluminum alloy block with aluminum alloy cylinder head |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | D-4S |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 277 hp | 226 hp |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft | 163 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | 47 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 24 mpg | 43 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 29 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.510 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | automatic | Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) with sequential shift mode |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 7 in | 8.1 in |
| Overall height | 67.7 in | 66.7 in |
| Overall length | 190 in | 181 in |
| Overall width | 74.8 in | 73 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 79.6 cu-ft | 70.4 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 40.5 cu-ft | 37.8 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 14.6 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 167 cu-ft | 98.9 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 7 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41.1 in | 37.9 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40.6 in | 39.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.7 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 44.4 in | 41 in |
| Second-row legroom | 42.3 in | 37.8 in |
| Third-row legroom | 30 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,343 lbs | 3,640 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,343 lbs | 3,640 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 5,534 lbs | 4,920 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 1,191 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson strut with coil springs | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link Independent | Multi-link with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Rack and pinion, column-mounted | Electric Power Steering (EPS); rack-mounted parallel-type electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19 ft | 36.9 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 305 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electric with Auto Vehicle Hold | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 282 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | alloy |
| Wheel width | 7.5 in | 7.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 235/60 R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.7 gal | 14.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Bluelink | Toyota Safety Connect / Drive Connect / Remote Connect / Service Connect / Wi-Fi Connect |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 12 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 60 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 59.5 in | 57 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.1 in | 56.4 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 53.5 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
139 features · differences first, then sharedSafety30 differ · 42 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Warning (BCW) | std | — |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection | std | — |
| Smart cruise control with stop & go | std | — |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection | std | — |
| Lane Following Assist 2 | std | — |
| Lane Keeping Assist | std | — |
| 2nd Row seat side airbags (2) | std | — |
| Downhill Assist Control (DAC) | std | — |
| Driver Attention Warning | std | — |
| LATCH lower anchors and upper tether anchors | std | — |
| Park Distance Warning – Forward / Reverse (PDW – F/R) | std | — |
| Park Distance Warning – Forward / Reverse (PDW – F/R) | std | — |
| Safe Exit Assist | std | — |
| 2.5-MPH bumpers | std | — |
| Anti-theft system integrated with remote keyless entry and panic alarm | std | — |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | — | std |
| Brake Assist | std | — |
| Cruise controls (steering wheel) | std | — |
| Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Hold | — | std |
| Electric with Auto Vehicle Hold parking brake | std | — |
| Electronic shift lock system – electronic type | std | — |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control (TCS) and brake assist | std | — |
| Front crumple zone | std | — |
| Front, Side-impact and Roof-mounted Side-curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensors | std | — |
| High Beam Assist | std | — |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats | — | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (door-logic system) | std | — |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 4.0 (TSS 4.0) — Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control w/Eco Mode (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Proactive Driving Assist | — | std |
| Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS) | — | std |
| Vehicle stability management | std | — |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | std | std |
| Backup camera with dynamic gridlines | std | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Trailer-Sway Control (TSC) | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Star Safety System™ — includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST) | std | std |
| Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert | std | std |
Infotainment19 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Connect — includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Spotify® – separate subscription required) compatibility | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free w/ wireless audio stream | std | — |
| 10.5-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia, six speakers, with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® with 360L with 3-month trial | — | std |
| 12.3" Display Audio (ccNC Lite): AM/FM/HD Radio | std | — |
| 2 - 15w front USB-C charging ports and 1 center console media USB-C charging port | — | std |
| Audio controls (Volume up/down, Seek up/down, Mode) | std | — |
| Bluelink® Connected Car System | std | — |
| Drive Connect — Cloud Navigation with Google POI, Intelligent Assistant with Hey Toyota, and Destination Assist. 1-year trial (XSE, Limited, GR SPORT); capable/subscription required (all other grades) | — | std |
| Drive Recorder Dash Cam- integrated drive recording system that utilizes front and rear (front and Panoramic View Monitor if equipped) camera systems for video recording | — | std |
| High power USB charge ports (2 front, 2 rear) with additional 3rd row x2 | std | — |
| Over-the-air (OTA) updating capability | std | — |
| Over-the-air (OTA) updating capability | std | — |
| Phone controls (steering wheel) | std | — |
| Rear Seat Quiet Mode | std | — |
| Remote Connect — 1-year trial subscription | — | std |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance Button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and Stolen Vehicle Locator. 5-year minimum trial subscription | — | std |
| Service Connect — 5-year minimum trial subscription | — | std |
| Sport Paddle Shifters | std | — |
| Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay | std | — |
Convenience9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Height-adjustable, hands-free power liftgate with jam protection | std | — |
| Proximity w/ remote engine start and detachable valet key | std | — |
| Smart Key System on front doors and liftgate with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, and panic functions, power liftgate and remote illuminated entry | std | — |
| 12-volt outlet - 2 total: Front/cargo | std | — |
| Power door and liftgate locks | std | — |
| Power window switches - Front and rear | std | — |
| Power windows with driver auto-down/up | std | — |
| Remote releases - Fuel filler door | std | — |
| Remote releases - Hood | std | — |
Climate3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd row Air vents | std | — |
| Air conditioning | std | — |
| Dual zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter and rear-seat vents | — | std |
Seating9 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2-way lumbar | std | — |
| 50/50 sinking/folding 3rd row seat with room lamp | std | — |
| 6-way manual front passenger seat with seatback pocket | — | std |
| 60/40 split fold-flat seats with recline & adjustable head restraints (2nd row) | std | — |
| 60/40 split reclining fold-flat rear seat with center armrest and cup holders | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed seats; 8-way manual-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support; 6-way manual front passenger seat with seatback pocket | — | std |
| Map pockets (2nd row) | std | — |
| Remote Release (folding) 2nd Row Seats | std | — |
| YES Essentials® Stain-resistant cloth seats | std | — |
| Fabric-trimmed seats; 8-way manual-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support; 6-way manual front passenger seat with seatback pocket | std | std |
Interior19 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2-inch color multi-information display | std | — |
| 12.3-in. digital gauge cluster with customizable settings, integrated multimedia information, odometer, tripmeters, clock, outside temperature, rear passenger seatbelt indicators, fuel gauge, hybrid energy monitor, battery charge meter, fuel economy information, trip timer, shift-position and scheduled maintenance indicators, and warning messages | — | std |
| 4-Spoke steering wheel | std | — |
| Assist Grips | std | — |
| Bottle holders - Front, rear and 3rd row | std | — |
| Center console armrest - Two level storage armrest with bidirectional opening | std | — |
| Central dome light (with delay) and auto cut-off | std | — |
| Cupholders, dual - Front center console-mounted | std | — |
| Door storage pockets - Front and rear | std | — |
| Floor mats - Carpeted | opt | — |
| Glove compartment with damper | std | — |
| Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with silver accent and controls for audio, Multi-Information Display (MID), Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice-command, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) | std | — |
| LED interior cabin lights | std | — |
| Maplights with sunglass holder & cargo area light | std | — |
| Multi-information display controls (steering wheel) | std | — |
| Rear center armrest with cupholders | std | — |
| Tilt and Telescoping steering wheel | std | — |
| Sunvisor - Dual vanity mirror with cover, W/ extension, W/ illumination | std | — |
| Headliner - Cloth | std | — |
| Day/night rearview mirror | std | std |
Exterior19 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 18 X 7.5J Alloys / 235/60 R18 - Goodyear | std | — |
| Acoustic laminated, windshield and front side glass | std | — |
| Bodycolor door handles | std | — |
| Dual exhaust | — | std |
| Front 2-speed/variable intermittent windshield wipers | std | — |
| Heated side mirrors | std | — |
| Intermittent rear window wiper/washer (non-variable) | std | — |
| LED taillights | std | — |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Low-profile black roof rails | — | std |
| Privacy glass - Rear/quarter/back glass | std | — |
| Privacy glass on all rear side, quarter and liftgate windows | — | std |
| Roof antenna, shark-fin | std | — |
| Automatic headlights | std | — |
| Rear window defroster with timer | std | — |
| Solar front glass - Front door, windshield | std | — |
| Mud Guards | opt | — |
| Rear spoiler - Integrated with CHMSL, bodycolor | std | — |
| Roof-mounted center high-mount stop lamp | std | — |
| LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, daytime running lights (DRLs), front side marker lamp, parking lamp and front turn signal lamp with chrome accent, Automatic High Beams (AHB) auto on/off | std | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | std |
| Spare Tire/Wheel Temporary | std | std |
Powertrain5 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 8-speed automatic transmission | std | — |
| AWD Lock warning indicator | opt | — |
| Idle Stop & Go | std | — |
| Shift-By-Wire (SBW) | std | — |
| Smartstream 2.5L Turbo GDI + MPI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder (2,497 cc) | std | — |
| FWD (LE, SE, XLE Premium) | std | std |
| Drive mode (trail, snow, normal and EV mode) | std | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| MacPherson strut with coil springs front suspension | std | — |
| Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Rack and pinion steering, column-mounted | std | — |
| Multi-link Independent, separated spring & shocks rear suspension | std | — |
Cargo4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo area tonneau cover | — | std |
| Cargo-area cover - Retractable-type | opt | — |
| Trailer Pre-Wire Connection | std | — |
| Underfloor storage tray | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPHyundai Santa Fe
Safety Signal 76 C
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 4
Owner complaints 60 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (14), Forward Collision Avoidance (13), Electrical System (11)
Top recalls
- high Seat Belts 26V218000 · 294,448 vehicles
- high Air Bags 25V809000 · 258 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 25V549000 · 29 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 26V047000 · 41,651 vehicles
Toyota RAV4
Safety Signal 94 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 52 · 4 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Forward Collision Avoidance (18), Unspecified (16), Electrical System (11)
Top recalls
- minor Engine And Engine Cooling 26V659000 · 30,978 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V571000 · 135 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35,050 (base trim) | $31,900 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $35,050 – $50,500 17 trims | $31,900 – $48,500 13 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Santa Fe Hybrid FWD | RAV4 |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 36 | 43 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,750 | $1,450 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
The Hyundai Santa Fe wins clearly, 91.4 to 81.5, on tech & comfort, performance, space & cargo. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on fuel & range and price. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 91.4 and the 2026 Toyota RAV4 81.5. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 starts lower — $31,900 against $35,050, a gap of $3,150 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 4 recalls. 2026 Toyota RAV4: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 2 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
Where the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe wins: it lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 17, lists more comfort and tech equipment (47.5 points against 15 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and turns out 311 lb-ft of torque against 163. Where the 2026 Toyota RAV4 answers: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 76) and has drawn fewer owner complaints (52 against 60 filed with NHTSA).