Santa fe vs. pilot: the ultimate suv comparison guide for adventure seekers
What To Know
- The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe achieves an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, compared to the 2023 Honda Pilot’s 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
- When it comes to features, the Hyundai Santa Fe comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a suite of advanced safety features.
- The Hyundai Santa Fe has a more modern and aggressive exterior design, while the Honda Pilot has a more conservative and traditional look.
When it comes to midsize SUVs, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Pilot stand out as two formidable contenders. Both vehicles offer an array of features, ample space, and impressive capabilities, making the choice between them a challenging one. To help you make an informed decision, we delve into a comprehensive comparison of the Hyundai Santa Fe vs Pilot, exploring their key attributes, strengths, and weaknesses.
Performance and Fuel Economy
Under the hood, the Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a 2.5-liter inline-four engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. While the Pilot offers more power, the Santa Fe compensates with its lighter weight, resulting in comparable acceleration and handling.
In terms of fuel economy, the Santa Fe has a slight edge over the Pilot. The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe achieves an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, compared to the 2023 Honda Pilot’s 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Interior and Features
Inside, both the Santa Fe and Pilot offer spacious cabins with seating for up to eight passengers. The Santa Fe features a modern and well-equipped interior with an intuitive infotainment system, while the Pilot’s cabin is more traditional but equally comfortable and functional.
When it comes to features, the Hyundai Santa Fe comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a suite of advanced safety features. The Honda Pilot offers a larger 9-inch touchscreen, a premium sound system, and a panoramic sunroof as standard equipment.
Safety and Reliability
Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Pilot have earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Santa Fe comes standard with a range of advanced safety features, including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Pilot also offers a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition.
In terms of reliability, the Hyundai Santa Fe has a slightly better track record than the Honda Pilot. According to J.D. Power’s 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study, the Santa Fe ranks above average in reliability, while the Pilot ranks slightly below average.
Cargo Space and Towing Capacity
When it comes to cargo space, the Hyundai Santa Fe offers 36.4 cubic feet behind the third row of seats, compared to the Honda Pilot‘s 18.5 cubic feet. With the second and third rows folded down, the Santa Fe provides a maximum cargo capacity of 72.1 cubic feet, while the Pilot offers 109.2 cubic feet.
In terms of towing capacity, the Honda Pilot has a slight advantage. The Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the Santa Fe‘s towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds.
Price and Value
The Hyundai Santa Fe has a lower starting price than the Honda Pilot. The 2023 Santa Fe starts at $29,090, while the 2023 Pilot starts at $39,270. However, the Santa Fe offers a more comprehensive range of standard features, making it a better value proposition for budget-conscious buyers.
Which SUV Is Right for You?
Ultimately, the choice between the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Pilot depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize fuel economy, a lower price, and a comprehensive range of standard features, the Santa Fe is an excellent choice. If you need more power, towing capacity, and a larger cargo space, the Pilot is a better fit.
Other Considerations
In addition to the key factors discussed above, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind when comparing the Hyundai Santa Fe vs Pilot:
- Styling: The Hyundai Santa Fe has a more modern and aggressive exterior design, while the Honda Pilot has a more conservative and traditional look.
- Off-road capabilities: The Honda Pilot offers an optional all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring, which provides better off-road performance than the Santa Fe’s standard front-wheel drive system.
- Hybrid and plug-in hybrid options: The Hyundai Santa Fe offers a hybrid and plug-in hybrid option, while the Honda Pilot only offers a gasoline engine.
Final Verdict: The Ultimate SUV Champion
After carefully weighing all the factors, the Hyundai Santa Fe emerges as the winner of this comparison. It offers a compelling combination of value, fuel economy, features, and safety, making it the ideal choice for buyers seeking a well-rounded and affordable midsize SUV.
Popular Questions
1. Which SUV has better fuel economy, the Santa Fe or Pilot?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has better fuel economy than the Honda Pilot, with an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway compared to the Pilot’s 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
2. Which SUV has a more powerful engine, the Santa Fe or Pilot?
The Honda Pilot has a more powerful engine than the Hyundai Santa Fe, with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower compared to the Santa Fe’s 2.5-liter inline-four engine that produces 191 horsepower.
3. Which SUV has a larger cargo space, the Santa Fe or Pilot?
The Honda Pilot has a larger cargo space than the Hyundai Santa Fe, with a maximum cargo capacity of 109.2 cubic feet compared to the Santa Fe’s 72.1 cubic feet.
