Used courtesy of Alexander Migl under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Original location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toyota_Highlander_Hybrid_%28XU70%29_1X7A0197.jpg - Downloaded on 09/29/2025
The midsize SUV market is heating up, and hybrid options are leading the way. Two of the most popular choices in 2025 are the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Both models bring modern styling, advanced safety features, and solid fuel economy to families who need three rows of seating. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's compare them head-to-head across exterior design, interior features, performance, fuel economy, pricing, and reliability.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid: Exterior
Both SUVs deliver a modern and practical look, but with different design philosophies. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid emphasizes a sleek, family-friendly appearance with flowing lines, while the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid takes a bolder approach with boxier proportions and a tech-forward vibe.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Exterior
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid stands out with its squared-off silhouette, wide stance, and modern lighting signature. Its design is both stylish and practical, with a wider tailgate opening and lower load floor that makes it easier to pack large or heavy items. Standard features include aluminum wheels, privacy glass, and a rear spoiler.
Options like a roof rack or running boards add flexibility for outdoor adventures. Hyundai also offers functional touches like variable-speed intermittent wipers, power-folding mirrors, and a hands-free liftgate on higher trims, ensuring convenience for busy families.
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Exterior
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid takes a more traditional approach to SUV styling, with a slightly longer body and sleeker roofline. It comes standard with features like LED lighting, roof rails, and 18-inch wheels, though many details for the 2025 model year are still listed as "coming soon."
Toyota has historically prioritized conservative styling that appeals to a wide audience, and the Highlander continues this tradition. While it offers plenty of curb appeal, its higher cargo floor and narrower rear opening make loading bulkier items a bit more challenging compared to the Santa Fe.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid: Interior
Let's have a look at the interiors of the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Inside, both SUVs are designed to transport families in comfort, with plenty of tech and safety features included. However, Hyundai leans into modern, tech-centric design, while Toyota focuses on traditional comfort and practicality.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Interior
Hyundai's interior design feels futuristic, with dual 12.3-inch displays standard across trims. The squared-off body design pays dividends for interior space: second-row passengers get 41.5 inches of legroom, while third-row riders enjoy a bit more space than in the Toyota, with 30 inches of legroom and 37.7 inches of headroom. Cargo space maxes out at 79.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. Smart storage solutions, like a double-hinged center console and a tunnel between the front seats with two shelving levels, make the Santa Fe highly functional for families who carry everything from sports gear to school bags.
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Interior
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid maintains a well-designed cabin with intuitive technology. An 8-inch touchscreen is standard, though a 12.3-inch upgrade is available and recommended for its crisp graphics. Voice controls respond quickly to "Hey Toyota," making infotainment easy to use on the go. The Highlander's third-row seating is notably tighter, with only 28 inches of legroom, making it better suited for children. Cargo capacity is solid, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row and 48.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Overall, Toyota provides slightly more cargo space than Hyundai, but less third-row comfort.
Performance and Handling
When it comes to performance, both 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Toyota Highlander Hybrid blend efficiency with capability. The Santa Fe Hybrid emphasizes torque and daily drivability, while the Highlander Hybrid prioritizes towing power.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Performance
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor, producing 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. The Santa Fe delivers smooth handling and a pleasant driving experience, though it is limited to a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. For most families, this will be plenty, but it falls short of Toyota's heavier towing capability.
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Performance
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid uses a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor for a total of 243 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. While torque is lower than the Hyundai, the Highlander Hybrid is more capable for weekend towing, offering up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. Its standard all-wheel-drive system ensures added stability and traction in challenging road conditions, giving it an advantage for families who tow trailers or travel in snow-prone regions.
Fuel Economy
Fuel efficiency is a major reason families consider hybrid SUVs. Both models perform well, though Hyundai edges out Toyota in official ratings.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid MPG
The Santa Fe Hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated 36 mpg city / 35 mpg highway in front-wheel drive. Opting for all-wheel drive reduces fuel economy by only 2 mpg. Real-world tests suggest the Santa Fe may struggle slightly to meet its official figures, but even so, its efficiency remains excellent for a three-row SUV.
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid MPG
The Highlander Hybrid delivers 35 mpg combined regardless of drivetrain configuration, thanks to its standard all-wheel-drive setup. While its mpg ratings are nearly identical to Hyundai's, Toyota offers slightly more consistency in real-world driving, making it a strong option for families prioritizing predictable fuel savings.
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Pricing
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Toyota Highlander Hybrid are both competitively priced, but Hyundai undercuts Toyota at nearly every trim level.
How Much Does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Cost?
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid starts at $37,800 MSRP for the base trim and rises to $41,095 when equipped with all-wheel drive. At the top end, the Santa Fe Calligraphy AWD costs $51,145 fully loaded, which is still less than a top-spec Highlander Hybrid.
How Much Does the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Cost?
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid starts higher, at $39,820 MSRP, with average paid prices closer to $41,250. At the Platinum trim level, a fully loaded Highlander Hybrid costs $55,470, roughly $4,000 more than the most expensive Santa Fe Hybrid.
Warranty and Reliability
Both SUVs have strong reputations for reliability, but Hyundai's warranty coverage is best-in-class.
How Reliable Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?
Hyundai's hybrid scores an 8.8 overall rating with a strong 9.1 critics' score. It comes backed by Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, one of the most generous in the industry. Reliability ratings sit at 79/100, just below Toyota but still strong.
How Reliable Is the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
Toyota continues to shine with reliability, earning an 81/100 score. The Highlander Hybrid also scores well overall, with an 8.6 rating. However, Toyota's warranty coverage is less impressive, limited to 5 years/60,000 miles on the powertrain, which is half of Hyundai's coverage period.
Which is Better Between the Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid?
The choice between the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid depends on your priorities.
- Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if you need more cargo capacity, towing strength, and standard all-wheel drive. It's a practical choice for families who camp, tow, or travel in rugged conditions.
- Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid if you want more legroom, a modern interior, lower pricing, and a better warranty. It's the better value overall, especially for families prioritizing comfort and tech.
Both SUVs are excellent options, but the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid offers the most well-rounded package for the price.
Get Your Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid at Granite Hyundai
Continue your comparison of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vs. Toyota Highlander Hybrid at Granite Hyundai. Visit our dealership in Somersworth, NH, to explore our inventory, compare trims, and take advantage of competitive financing offers.
Shop Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Inventory
