Head-to-head
2027 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2027 Subaru Outback
The Hyundai Santa Fe wins clearly, 98.5 to 88.2, on fuel & range, performance, tech & comfort. The Subaru Outback is ahead on price.
A
2027 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2027 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
A*2027 Subaru Outback
The 2027 Subaru Outback is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Outback AWD, is EPA-rated at 2…
Verdict · default weights
2027 Hyundai Santa Fe
Clear winThe Hyundai Santa Fe wins clearly, 98.5 to 88.2, on fuel & range, performance, tech & comfort. The Subaru Outback is ahead on price.
Fuel & range 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe leads by 25.7
Performance 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe leads by 34.1
Price 2027 Subaru Outback leads by 6.5
| Category · weight | 2027 Hyundai Santa Feoverall 98.5 | 2027 Subaru Outbackoverall 88.2 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 93.5 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 74.3 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 94.4 | ||||||||||||
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 | 99.6 | 90.3 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 65.9 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 91.7 | ||||||||||||
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 | 98.5 | 88.2 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Hyundai Santa Fe: base trim SE FWD · Subaru Outback: base trim Base AWD. 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 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe wins
- It lists 31 standard driver-assist features against 24.
- It turns out 311 lb-ft of torque against 178.
- It costs $650 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,850 against $2,500).
Where the 2027 Subaru Outback answers
- It starts $2,305 lower ($32,995 against $35,300 base MSRP).
- It opens up to 80.5 cu ft of cargo against 79.6.
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
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
54 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $35,300 | $32,995 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,497 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | Smartstream 2.5L Turbo GDI + MPI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder | DOHC 4-cylinder horizontally opposed SUBARU BOXER; aluminum cylinder block and heads |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 277 hp | 180 hp |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 24 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 29 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.510 | 4.111 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | cvt |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 7 in | 8.7 in |
| Overall height | 67.7 in | 67.5 in |
| Overall length | 190 in | 192 in |
| Overall width | 74.8 in | 74 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in | 108 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 79.6 cu-ft | 80.5 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 40.5 cu-ft | 34.6 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 14.6 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 167 cu-ft | 112 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 7 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41.1 in | 41 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40.6 in | 40.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.7 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 44.4 in | 43 in |
| Second-row legroom | 42.3 in | 39.5 in |
| Third-row legroom | 30 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,343 lbs | 3,700 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,343 lbs | 3,700 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 5,534 lbs | 5,027 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson strut with coil springs | MacPherson-type struts, lower L-arms, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar, hydraulic engine mounts |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link Independent, separated spring & shocks | Double wishbone, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS), rack and pinion, column-mounted | Electric Power Assisted Rack-and-Pinion (Dual Pinion) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 37.9 ft | 36.5 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 325 mm | 315 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electric with Auto Vehicle Hold | electronic |
| Rear brake diameter | 325 mm | 300 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | ventilated disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | alloy |
| Wheel width | 7.5 in | 7 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 235/60 R18 | 225/60R18 100H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.7 gal | 18 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Blue Link | MySubaru Companion |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 60 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 59.5 in | 57.9 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.1 in | 57.4 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
143 features · differences first, then sharedSafety49 differ · 52 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning | std | — |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection | std | — |
| Smart Cruise Control with Stop/Start | std | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction-Turning Detection | std | — |
| Lane Following Assist 2 | std | — |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | std | — |
| 1st Row seat side airbags (2) | std | — |
| Driver advanced front airbag / Passenger advanced front airbag | std | — |
| Lane Keep Assist | std | — |
| Rear View Camera | std | — |
| Roof-mounted Side-curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensors | std | — |
| Downhill Brake Control (DBC) | std | — |
| Driver Attention Alert including Hands-off Detection | std | — |
| Park Distance Warning – Forward (PDW - F) | std | — |
| Park Distance Warning – Reverse (PDW - R) | std | — |
| Rear side airbag / 2nd Row seat side airbags (2) | std | — |
| Safe Exit Assist (SEA) | std | — |
| Trailer Sway Control | std | — |
| ABS with EBD and Brake Assist | std | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control w/Lane Centering | — | std |
| Auto Vehicle Hold | — | std |
| Auto Vehicle Shut Down | — | std |
| Automatic Emergency Steering | — | std |
| Automatic on/off headlights with High Beam Assist | std | — |
| Blind Spot Warning | — | std |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Burglar Alarm | std | — |
| Driver's knee airbag | std | — |
| DriverFocus® Driver Monitoring System | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake with Automatic Vehicle Hold | std | — |
| Emergency Lane Keep Assist | — | std |
| Emergency Stop Assist | — | std |
| EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology | — | std |
| Hill Assist Control | std | — |
| Lane Change Assist | — | std |
| Lane Departure & Lane Sway Warning | — | std |
| Lead Vehicle Start Alert | — | std |
| Passenger Airbag ON / OFF Indicator | — | std |
| Pre-Collision Braking, Follow Distance Warning, and Throttle Management | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Warning | — | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA, door-logic only type) | std | — |
| Rear Radar Detection Sensors | — | std |
| Rear Seat Reminder | — | std |
| Rear-Vision Camera | — | std |
| Reverse Automatic Braking | — | std |
| Seatbelt: Driver's Warning Light & Chime | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Management | std | — |
| Immobilizer | std | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Individual Tire Pressure Indicator | std | — |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensors | std | std |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensors | std | std |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensors | std | std |
Infotainment18 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3" ccNC Lite AVT Head Unit (Non-Navigation) | std | — |
| 6-speaker system | — | std |
| AM/FM Stereo HD Radio® | — | std |
| Blue Link® Connected Car System | std | — |
| Bluetooth® Audio Streaming, Hands-Free Phone Connectivity, SMS Text Messaging | — | std |
| Bluetooth® Hands-free with Wireless Audio Streaming | std | — |
| Front high-power USB Charge Ports (2) / Rear USB Charge Ports (2) | std | — |
| HD Radio® | std | — |
| MySubaru Companion (5-Year Free Trial/Subscription Required After): SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Advanced Automatic Collision Notification, Maintenance Notifications, Diagnostic Alerts, Vehicle Condition Check, Vehicle Health Report, Service Appointment Scheduler, Remote Vehicle Locator, Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Immobilization | — | opt |
| MySubaru Companion+ (Subscription Required): Remote Engine Start w/Remote Climate Controls, Remote Lock, Unlock, Horn and Lights; Curfew, Boundary and Speed Alerts; Valet Mode w/Password Reset, Pin, and Speed Alert; Trip Logs; Driving Journal; MySubaru Personal Assistant | — | opt |
| Over-The-Air (OTA) updating compatibility | std | — |
| Rear Seat Quiet Mode | std | — |
| SiriusXM with 360L (4 Month Free Trial / Subscription required after) | — | opt |
| SiriusXM® | std | — |
| Steering-wheel Audio, Cruise and Phone Controls | std | — |
| Subaru 12.1-inch Multimedia System | — | std |
| Voice Activated Controls | — | std |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ | — | std |
| Paddle Shift Control | std | std |
Convenience9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-free Power Liftgate with Hands Free-Auto Open | std | — |
| Proximity Key System with Push Button Start | std | — |
| Proximity Key System with remote engine start (on key fob) | std | — |
| 12-Volt Power Outlet | — | std |
| Door Handles: w/ Driver & Front Passenger Door Unlock/Lock Sensor | — | std |
| Illuminated Engine Start / Stop Switch | — | std |
| Keyless Access w/ Push Button Start | — | std |
| Power Door and Liftgate Locks | std | — |
| 12-volt Power Outlet | std | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dual FATC with Touch Segment LCD | std | — |
Seating6 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Front Seats (All-Weather Package) | — | std |
| 3rd row seating with Room Lamp | std | — |
| 60/40 split second row fold-flat seats with Recline and Center Armrest | std | — |
| Rear Seatback 60/40 split | — | std |
| Reclining Seatback | — | std |
| Whiplash Reducing Front Seats | — | std |
| 6-way Manual Driver's Seat | std | std |
| 10-way Power Driver's Seat (includes 2-way Power Lumbar Support) | std | std |
| Black Cloth Upholstery | std | std |
Interior15 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2" TFT Color LCD Multi-information Display | std | — |
| 12.3-inch full digital instrument display | — | std |
| Bi-directional Center Console Armrest with Two-Level Storage Compartment | std | — |
| Center Dash Panel: Black Tricot Cloth (No Stitch) | — | std |
| Cord Management Clip | — | std |
| Interior Lights, Map lights and Cargo-area Light (LED) | std | — |
| Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel | std | — |
| Rear Seatback and Cargo Floor (Carpeted) | — | std |
| Rear Seatback Release Levers | — | std |
| Soft Grip Urethane Steering Wheel | — | std |
| Tilt-and-Telescopic Steering Wheel | std | — |
| Welcome Lighting | — | std |
| Illuminated Vanity Mirrors with Extensions | std | — |
| Cloth headliner | std | — |
| Trip odometer | std | — |
| Rear View Mirror: Day / Night | std | std |
Exterior24 differ · 27 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Full LED Projector Headlights with LED Headlight Accents | std | — |
| 18" Alloy Wheels (black machine finished / hyper silver) | std | — |
| Door Handles: Body Color | — | std |
| Front Badge: Subaru 6 Star Logo | — | std |
| Front Grille: Black Insert Material w/ Black Accent | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | std | — |
| LED Fog Lights | — | std |
| LED Steering Responsive Headlights w/Automatic High Beams | — | std |
| LED Taillights | std | — |
| Power Mirrors: Black | — | std |
| Rear Badge / Black: OUTBACK | — | std |
| Rear Badge / Black: SYMMETRICAL AWD | — | std |
| Rear Badge: 6 Star Logo | — | std |
| Rear Bumper Trailer Hitch Cover | — | std |
| Rear quarter glass Privacy | std | — |
| Roof Rail Tie Down Points: Black Finish | — | std |
| Roof Rails: Raised Ladder Type: Black finish w/ Black finish End Mount Accent Covers and Crossbar | — | std |
| Side Cladding Letter Imprint: SYMMETRICAL AWD | — | std |
| Wheel Arch & Side Cladding: Black | — | std |
| Windshield Wiper De-Icer (All-Weather Package) | — | std |
| Rear window defroster with timer | std | — |
| Solar Front Glass | std | — |
| Solar Front Glass and Privacy Rear Glass | std | — |
| Temporary Compact Spare Tire | std | — |
| Heated Power Exterior Mirrors (All-Weather Package) | std | std |
| Sound Insulating Windshield | std | std |
| Rear Roof Spoiler: Body Color w/ Black Edge & End Panels | std | std |
Powertrain6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive | — | std |
| Front-Wheel Drive | std | — |
| Drive Mode Select (Normal, Sport, My Drive) | std | — |
| Idle Stop & Go | std | — |
| Shift-By-Wire to maximize interior design creativity & storage | std | — |
| X-MODE® Single-Mode System with Hill Descent Control | — | std |
Cargo4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-floor Cargo Area Storage Cover | — | std |
| Sub-floor Tire Repair Kit | — | std |
| Trailer Prep Package (Pre-wiring) | 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 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 1 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (1), Engine (1)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Subaru Outback
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints —
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Hyundai Santa FeSE FWD | Subaru OutbackBase AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35,300 (base trim) | $32,995 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $35,300 – $50,750 21 trims | $32,995 – $46,595 7 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Santa Fe Hybrid FWD | Outback AWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 36 | 27 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,850 | $2,500 |
| 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 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe or the 2027 Subaru Outback?
The Hyundai Santa Fe wins clearly, 98.5 to 88.2, on fuel & range, performance, tech & comfort. The Subaru Outback is ahead on price. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 98.5 and the 2027 Subaru Outback 88.2. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe or the 2027 Subaru Outback?
The 2027 Subaru Outback starts lower — $32,995 against $35,300, a gap of $2,305 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe or the 2027 Subaru Outback?
2027 Hyundai Santa Fe: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Subaru Outback: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 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 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2027 Subaru Outback?
Where the 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe wins: it lists 31 standard driver-assist features against 24, turns out 311 lb-ft of torque against 178, and costs $650 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,850 against $2,500). Where the 2027 Subaru Outback answers: it starts $2,305 lower ($32,995 against $35,300 base MSRP) and opens up to 80.5 cu ft of cargo against 79.6. What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.