Hyundai Tucson vs. Hyundai Santa Fe: which is better?
Pitting two siblings against one another isn't always easy, especially as the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe are so similar – but which one is better for you?
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Hyundai has two main offerings in the UK when it comes to SUVs – the Tucson and the Santa Fe.
One is considered a smaller SUV and the other is a seven-seat MPV replacement.
Both serve very different purposes and offer different experiences – but which should you buy?
Styling
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As far as looks are concerned, the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe are a bit like Maryland chocolate chip cookies and shortbread biscuits.
Both are exceptional biscuits, but one is more elaborate looking than the other.
The Tucson features a much more angular design than the larger Santa Fe.
With its side creases and impressive unique grille, there’s very little on the same level as it.
It reminds us of the Citroen C4 Cactus or Lamborghini Urus – two cars that tried out a new form of design and succeeded.
The Santa Fe, on the other hand, is proof that Hyundai wanted to play it somewhat safe.
This handsome giant is one of those cars you look at and think, 'yes, that’s a really handsome car'.
It’s got clean and crisp lines, is perfectly proportioned and blends in with the SUV crowd very well.
What are they like to drive?
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When you get behind the wheel of the Tucson, the first thing you’ll notice is how low it is to the ground compared to most other SUVs.
It’s a lot like the BMW X1 and Mini Countryman in that respect – both of which are very popular small SUVs.
This means it has better handling than most SUVs because it’s lower to the ground, so you don’t need to worry about it being too wallowy.
The steering is also light, so parking in tight spaces or navigating small streets is a doddle.
As for the Santa Fe, this is a much larger vehicle, so you won’t be going quickly at all.
After all, it does have seven seats so you wouldn’t want to be driving fast anyway.
But saying that, it’s a very easy car to drive and is very comfortable on all kinds of roads, but motorways is where it’s most happy to cruise.
Interior and technology
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The cabin of the Tucson is a little more reserved than its exterior, but it’s very modern and up-to-date as you’d expect.
It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus all the bells and whistles you’d expect to find.
On the other hand, the Santa Fe’s cabin is much more impressive because it has seven seats in total.
This layout means the interior room is expansive and it’s perfect for families. In terms of tech, you won’t be disappointed.
The entry-level SE model comes well-equipped with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
The Premium trim comes with a larger touchscreen, spaceship-like digital instruments and heated leather seats.
It’s good to think of both the Tucson and Santa Fe as budget supermarkets such as Lidl or Aldi.
They offer the same produce as their pricier rivals, but for less money – something to think about.
Bootspace and practicality
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When it comes to bootspace, while the Tucson may not be the largest of SUVs, it still packs a punch in this department.
When pitting it against the Nissan Qashqai, it dominates in bootspace – offering up 620 litres.
However, the Santa Fe is a larger vehicle, so you’d think it would dominate, but this isn’t the case.
You see, because of the two extra seats, the bootspace is compromised – leaving 571 litres of space at your disposal.
So, the question is: do you want more seats or more luggage space? Of course, there’s no reason why you couldn’t put bags on the Santa Fe’s seats if you needed to.
Read our in-depth car reviews:
Safety and reliability
Being modern Hyundais, there's very little to worry about regarding reliability.
These engines are well made and if you service them regularly, you have no reason to fret.
As far as safety is concerned, both the Tucson and Santa Fe scored a full five stars following their most recent Euro NCAP crash testing.
This is thanks to their great safety features, such as anti-lock braking system (ABS), forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist and more.
Dimensions:
Hyundai Tucson
Length: 4630mm
Width: 1865mm
Height: 1665mm
Boot space: 620 litres
Hyundai Santa Fe
Length: 4785mm
Width: 1900mm
Height: 1710mm
Boot space: 571 litres
Verdict: Hyundai Tucson vs Hyundai Santa Fe: which should you buy?
When it comes down to it, either model is a great choice. Both are reliable, practical, economical and affordable (compared to their rivals) – but which is better for you?
If bootspace is what you’re after then the Tucson would be better suited to you.
It’s got a larger boot then its bigger sibling and it’s lower to the ground, making loading and unloading luggage or shopping bags easier.
However, if you have a large family or help other parents out with the school run, then the Santa Fe is more than capable for your needs.
It’s got seven comfortable seats, loads of great tech and it’s very safe.