What To Know
- In terms of acceleration, the Santa Fe with the turbocharged engine is slightly quicker than the CX-50 with the turbocharged engine.
- The Hyundai Santa Fe with the non-turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
- The Santa Fe with the turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
The Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-50 are two of the most popular midsize SUVs on the market, and for good reason. Both offer a spacious interior, plenty of features, and impressive performance. But which one is the better choice for you? To help you decide, we’re comparing the Hyundai Santa Fe vs Mazda CX-50 in terms of price, performance, fuel efficiency, safety, technology, and more.
Price
The Hyundai Santa Fe has a starting price of $27,200, while the Mazda CX-50 starts at $26,800. However, the Santa Fe offers more standard features than the CX-50, such as a larger touchscreen display, a sunroof, and heated front seats. When you compare similarly equipped models, the Santa Fe is typically a few thousand dollars more expensive than the CX-50.
Performance
The Hyundai Santa Fe is available with two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The Mazda CX-50 also offers two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of acceleration, the Santa Fe with the turbocharged engine is slightly quicker than the CX-50 with the turbocharged engine. However, the CX-50 with the non-turbocharged engine is more fuel-efficient than the Santa Fe with the non-turbocharged engine.
Fuel Efficiency
The Hyundai Santa Fe with the non-turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The Santa Fe with the turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Mazda CX-50 with the non-turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The CX-50 with the turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Safety
The Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-50 both received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Santa Fe also received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), while the CX-50 received a Top Safety Pick+ award.
Technology
The Hyundai Santa Fe comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display, a six-speaker audio system, and Bluetooth connectivity. Available features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a wireless charging pad. The Mazda CX-50 comes standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, an eight-speaker audio system, and Bluetooth connectivity. Available features include a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a heads-up display, and a wireless charging pad.
Interior
The Hyundai Santa Fe has a spacious interior with seating for up to eight passengers. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the second row of seats offers plenty of legroom and headroom. The third row of seats is best suited for children, but it can be used by adults in a pinch. The Mazda CX-50 has a smaller interior than the Santa Fe, but it still offers plenty of room for five passengers. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the second row of seats offers plenty of legroom and headroom. However, the CX-50 does not offer a third row of seats.
The Bottom Line: The Verdict
The Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-50 are both excellent midsize SUVs. The Santa Fe offers more space, more features, and a more powerful engine, but it is also more expensive. The CX-50 is more fuel-efficient and has a more upscale interior, but it is also smaller and less powerful. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Quick Answers to Your FAQs
Q: Which SUV has a better warranty?
A: The Hyundai Santa Fe has a better warranty than the Mazda CX-50. The Santa Fe comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. The CX-50 comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Q: Which SUV has a better infotainment system?
A: The Mazda CX-50 has a better infotainment system than the Hyundai Santa Fe. The CX-50’s infotainment system is more user-friendly and has a better interface. It also comes with more standard features, such as a larger touchscreen display and a Bose audio system.
Q: Which SUV is better for off-roading?
A: The Hyundai Santa Fe is better for off-roading than the Mazda CX-50. The Santa Fe has a higher ground clearance and a more robust all-wheel drive system. It also comes with a variety of off-road features, such as hill descent control and rock crawl mode.