Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Hyundai Tucson: Choosing the Ideal Family SUV
When it comes to selecting the perfect family SUV, Hyundai offers two excellent options: the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson. These two vehicles cater to different needs, but both have their own set of advantages and features that make them appealing choices for families. In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key factors of size and safety to help you decide which of these Hyundai SUVs is better suited for your family’s needs.
Meeting your Budget
There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to purchasing a family SUV, cost is a critical factor that can significantly influence your decision. Here are both the starting MSRPs of each vehicle:
• The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe | Starting MSRP: $37,999
• The 2023 Hyundai Tucson |Starting MSRP: $34,199
Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson are competitively priced, but the 2023 Hyundai Tucson beats out the Santa Fe by a few grand at $34,199 if you’re looking to spend a little less money. Both vehicles come with an appealing set of standard features, like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch touchscreen, LED headlights, and a comprehensive array of advanced driver assistance systems.
When Size Matters
Interior comfort:
Another distinction between the 2023 Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe lies in their interior dimensions. Each offer ample space for you and your passengers to relax during extended journeys outside of Mason. The headroom and legroom measurements are quite similar, but the Tucson boasts a slightly greater cargo capacity compared to the Santa Fe.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize SUV that strikes a harmonious balance between spaciousness and maneuverability. While they are both standard 5 seaters, it’s worth noting that the Santa Fe is available in two versions: the standard 5-passenger model and the larger 7-passenger Santa Fe Calligraphy trim. Take a look at the interior dimensions in centimeters to determine whether the 2023 Hyundai Tucson or Santa Fe suits your needs:
2023 Hyundai Tucson:
- Cargo Space: 204.1 cm³
- Front/Rear Legroom: 105.2 / 104.9 cm
- Front/Rear Headroom: 101.9 / 100.3 cm
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a well-designed and comfortable interior. The front and rear seats offer ample legroom and headroom, making it a comfortable choice for families of all sizes. With a cargo capacity of up to 2 cubic meters when the rear seats are folded down, the Santa Fe provides plenty of storage space for your family’s belongings, whether it’s sports equipment, groceries, or luggage for a weekend getaway.
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe:
- Cargo Space: 183.4 cm³
- Front/Rear Legroom: 112 / 106 cm
- Front/Rear Headroom: 104.7 / 99 cm
The Tucson’s interior is intelligently designed to maximize space and comfort. While it may not offer as much legroom and headroom as the Santa Fe, it still provides a comfortable and roomy environment for passengers. The rear seats can be easily folded down to create a cargo area with up to 1.8 cubic meters of space, which is ample for most family needs.
Exterior dimensions:
In terms of exterior dimensions, the Santa Fe measures approximately 478.9 centimeters in length, 189.0 centimeters in width, and 168.4 centimeters in height. Its size strikes a balance between being spacious enough to accommodate your family’s needs while remaining manageable for city driving and parking. The vehicle’s modest length and width ensure that it can easily navigate through urban traffic and fit into standard parking spaces.
The Tucson is noticeably smaller than the Santa Fe in terms of exterior dimensions, measuring approximately 448.2 centimeters in length, 184.9 centimeters in width, and 166.4 centimeters in height. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for families who frequently navigate tight city streets and need a vehicle that’s easy to park. It’s also worth mentioning that the Tucson’s smaller dimensions contribute to its better fuel efficiency, which can be a significant advantage for families with long commutes.
Your towing needs
What happens when your vehicle is full of kids, and you don’t have any room left for all their hockey gear? Luckily, both the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2023 Hyundai Tucson have ample ability to tow just about whatever you made need.
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson is a contemporary compact SUV designed to accompany drivers on all their journeys and engineered to provide impressive towing capacity. The All-New Hyundai Tucson offers a maximum towing capacity of up to 907 kilograms with trailer brakes when equipped with the standard 2.5L GDI/MPI 4-cylinder FWD configuration paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC. When equipped with available HTRAC All Wheel Drive and trailer brakes, the SUV achieves the same 907-kilogram tow rating.
How much can the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Tow?
- Towing capacity of up to 907 kilograms with trailer brakes
- Towing capacity of up to 748 kilograms without trailer brakes
The trim level and engine type selected for your new 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe will impact the total towing capacity. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has a towing capacity of approximately 907 kilograms, while the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine option in select trims offers a maximum towing capacity of around 1588 kilograms. Regardless of your preference for trim level or engine type in your next SUV, all configurations of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe come pre-wired for a harness for towing, enabling you to begin transporting without delay.
How much can the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Tow?
- 5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a towing capacity of approximately 907 kilograms
- 5-liter turbocharged engine with a towing capacity of around 1588 kilograms
So, when your car is packed, you have nothing to worry about. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson have your back with some serious towing power. The Tucson can tow up to 907 kilograms with trailer brakes, while the Santa Fe’s got options: about 907 kilograms with its 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a whopping 1588 kilograms with the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine in select trims. Plus, all versions of the Santa Fe come ready for towing, so you can hit the road without a hitch.
Safety First
Ensuring the safety of your family is a top priority when choosing a vehicle, and both the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2023 Hyundai Tucson offer a range of safety features. Let’s take a closer look at the safety offerings of the Santa Fe.
The both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson have performed well in crash tests conducted by organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These high safety ratings offer peace of mind for families concerned about the well-being of their loved ones in the event of an accident. Additionally, they each come equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of advanced safety technologies.
Safety features include:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection: This system uses radar and camera sensors to detect potential collisions with vehicles or pedestrians and can automatically apply the brakes to avoid or mitigate an impact.
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist: This system monitors your blind spots and can provide visual and audible warnings, as well as intervene with steering to help avoid collisions.
- Lane Keeping Assist: It helps you stay in your lane by providing gentle steering inputs if you start to drift.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist: This feature warns you of approaching vehicles when you’re backing up and can apply the brakes to prevent a collision.
- Driver Attention Warning: Monitors your driving patterns and provides alerts if it detects signs of drowsiness or inattention.These features are designed to provide an extra layer of protection for you and your family while driving. The Tucson has also performed well in crash tests, earning favorable ratings from organizations like the NHTSA and the IIHS. These results underscore Hyundai’s commitment to producing safe vehicles that can offer peace of mind to families.
Which One Is Better for Families?
Choosing between the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2023 Hyundai Tucson ultimately depends on your family’s specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize spaciousness, the Santa Fe offers more interior space and cargo capacity, making it a better choice for larger families or those who frequently need to transport bulky items. Its midsize dimensions strike a balance between roominess and maneuverability, and its impressive safety features contribute to its family-friendly appeal.
On the other hand, if you live in a bustling city or simply prefer a more compact SUV, the Tucson offers a comfortable interior and a smaller, more nimble footprint. It’s an excellent choice for urban families who need a versatile and efficient vehicle for daily commuting.
Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson are equipped with advanced safety features and have received strong crash test ratings, so you can trust either option to keep your family safe on the road. Ultimately, test driving both vehicles and considering your family’s specific requirements will help you make the best decision. Whichever model you choose, Hyundai’s commitment to safety and reliability ensures that you’ll have a dependable and family-friendly SUV.
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