2025 HYUNDAI TUCSON VS. 2025 HYUNDAI SANTA FE: COMPARISON

EV Channels Review

This comparison pits the refreshed 2025 Hyundai Tucson Limited Hybrid against the all-new 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid. While both are siblings from Hyundai, their designs are distinctly different. The Tucson, priced around $42,000, offers a premium experience for its class with a comfortable ride and good fuel economy, slightly edging out the Santa Fe in EPA estimates. The Santa Fe, starting significantly higher at over $50,000 for the Calligraphy trim, justifies its price with a more luxurious interior featuring Nappa leather, a suede headliner, and a more advanced relaxation mode for the front seats. It also boasts a standard third row, a wider tailgate opening, and a more spacious center console, making it the practical choice for larger families or those needing maximum cargo flexibility. Despite the Santa Fe's advantages in luxury and space, the Tucson offers a compelling value proposition, delivering many similar features and technologies at a lower cost. The reviewer highlights the Santa Fe's softer suspension tuning for superior comfort, while the Tucson offers a sportier, more agile feel. Both utilize a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with a six-speed automatic transmission, providing similar acceleration and a traditional driving experience compared to CVT rivals. Ultimately, the choice depends on priorities: budget and sportiness lean towards the Tucson, while luxury, space, and versatility favor the Santa Fe.