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Built by Hyundai, the Santa Fe has been in production since 2001 and is in its fourth generation. However, it received a slight facelift in 2020. While Santa Fe has withstood the test of time, many new SUVs have entered the market since 2001.
Today, there are more SUVs and crossovers to choose from than ever, and choosing one can be a challenge! So, you need to know everything you can before you buy! The Santa Fe is offered in five trim levels, with two engine options, and all-wheel-drive is an available option on all models.
The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The top trim levels get a turbocharged four offering 90 more horsepower and 130-pound feet more torque, increasing the towing capacity from 2000 to 3500 pounds. Mileage for the 4cylinder is 25 city/ 28 highway and 26 combined miles per gallon.
Their base model’s MSRP of a Hyundai Santa Fe SE is $27,700. Go on up to the top of the line Santa Fe Calligraphy, and the price of entry increases to $41,410. The zero to 60 times for the two models is 7.6 seconds for the SE and 6.0 seconds for the turbocharged Calligraphy.
Over a dozen alternatives to the Hyundai Santa Fe serve the same purpose: to get you and four passengers from point A to B in economical comfort. Following are fourteen SUVs similar to the Hyundai Santa Fe!
1. Chevrolet Blazer
A fresh face on the market that is a contender for the Santa Fe, the Chevrolet Blazer is a revived model, turning heads and winning hearts. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 228 horsepower and 258-pound feet of torque powers the base Blazer. A 308 horsepower V6 is an option on the Blazer RS.
The front-wheel-drive Blazer 2LT trim has an MSRP of $34,595, 22 city/29 highway, and 25 miles per gallon combined, and can tow up to 1500 pounds.
The 0-60 time of the four-cylinder Blazer is 7.2 seconds, and when powered by the V6, the time drops to 6.6 seconds. With the V6, the Blazer’s towing capacity increases to 4500 pounds, and the base price to $42,295. All trim levels are available with all-wheel-drive.
2. Chevrolet Trailblazer
Another name revived by Chevy from the past, the 2022 Chevy Blazer, is a fresh face with an MSRP of $22,995 with front-wheel drive and $24,995 with all-wheel drive. The downside is its towing capacity is only 1,000 pounds when configured with all-wheel drive and it is not suggested to use it for towing if it is not.
Power for the Trailblazer comes from a 2.0 L turbocharged EcoTec four-cylinder that produces 137 horsepower and 162-pound feet of torque. The 1.3L three-cylinder engine, in the upper trim levels, produces 155 horsepower and 174-pound feet of torque.
The 0-60 times of the 1.2L model is 9.3 seconds, and with the 1.3L, the time is the same. However, the lower price of entry and fuel mileage of 29 city/ 31 highway, and 30 combined miles per gallon, make the Chevy Trailblazer a viable contender against the Santa Fe.
3. Honda CRV
The Honda CRV has been on the market since 1997. It has withstood the test of time, and Honda has worked to keep a fresh face on its bestseller. The MSRP of the CRV in LX trim is $26,800, which is in line with the base Santa Fe.
Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 190 horsepower and 179-pound feet of torque, the CR-V returns fuel mileage of 28 city/ 34 highway and 30 combined miles per gallon. Towing capacity for this Ute is 1500 pounds for all non-hybrid models.
Acceleration from 0-60 is 9.3 seconds, keeping in line with the other SUVs on this list. With the same five-passenger seating, clean lines, and a badge that says quality, the Honda CR-V is worth a look when shopping for SUVs.
4. Honda Passport
The Honda Passport is another SUV that has been on the market for several decades. From 1993 until 2017, it was the same vehicle. However, in 2018, the Passport got a complete redo and became a front-wheel-drive instead of a rear-wheel-drive SUV.
Very close to Santa Fe, the Passport has a base MSRP of $38,370, in line with the higher-end Hyundai. For that price, you get a newly designed SUV from Honda that is powered by a 280 horsepower 3.5L V6 that produces 262-pound feet of torquey pulling power.
This engine option enables the Passport to tow up to 5000 pounds when equipped with the optional all-wheel-drive and 3500 pounds when it is not.
Mileage is a bit lower, and the Honda Passport gets 20 city/ 25 highway and 22 combined miles per gallon. Not stellar, but it is mileage keeping in line with the Passports capabilities.
5. Jeep Cherokee
Part of the appeal of Jeeps from every era is, instead of replacing a model, they refine it and make it more than it was last year. The Jeep Cherokee is not different and is a feasible option over the Hyundai Santa Fe. With a base MSRP of 33,995, the Cherokee comes with a 3.2L V6 standard that produces 271 horsepower and 239-pound feet of torque.
In addition, an optional 2.0L four-cylinder is available that will deliver 270 horsepower and 295-pound feet of torque. All trim levels come standard with all-wheel drive, except for the Latitude Lux, a front-wheel drive, with all-wheel-drive as an option.
The towing capacity of the Cherokee is 4500 pounds with the V6 and 4000 with the optional four-cylinder engine. The fuel mileage of the Cherokee is 19 city/27 highway and 22 combined miles per gallon when equipped with the V6.
6. Kia Sorento
With an MSRP of $29,590 and seating for seven, the Kia Sorento offers more features for a little more money. The standard power for the Sorento comes from a 2.5L four-cylinder delivering 191 horsepower and 182-pound feet of torque. The ratings of this engine are very close to the standard power of a Santa Fe.
You can opt for the 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine if you want more power. It produces 281 horsepower and 311-pound feet of torque available on the upper trim levels. The mileage for the Sorento is also comparable to the Santa Fe.
It comes in at 24 city and 29 highway miles per gallon. Towing capacity is up to 3500 pounds and depends on how you configure your Sorento. The 0-60 time with standard power is leisurely 9.9 seconds. However, when equipped with the turbocharged four, that number becomes more lively at 6.3 seconds.
7. Kia Sportage
The 2023 Kia Sportage is already on sale and is another contender. Although it is slightly smaller than the Sorento, it is still in the price range of the Santa Fe. A 2.5L four-cylinder powers the newest Sportage and produces 187 horsepower and 178-pound feet of torque. It can tow up to 2000 pounds with trailer brakes and 1653 pounds without it.
Fuel mileage for the Kia Sportage is 25 city/32 highway and 28 combined miles per gallon. The Kia Sportage is available in seven trim levels. The MSRP for the Kia Sportage LX is $25,990 and rises to $36,790 for the Sportage X-Pro Prestige.
8. Mitsubishi Outlander
The base model Outlander, the ES 2.5 2WD, has an MSRP of $26,495, which is well in line with the price of Santa Fe. As far as trim level choices, Mitsubishi offers three Outlander models with about ten trim levels per model, so have fun. However, outside of options, the only engine used in the Outlander is a 2.5L four-cylinder that produces 181 horsepower.
That puts this SUV in line with all but the V6-powered models on this list. Similar to the Hyundai Santa Fe in size, power, and price, the Outlander is worth a look.
Fuel mileage for the Outlander is 24 city/31 highway and 27 combined miles per gallon. The Outlander has seating for seven, standard, and can tow 2000 pounds. Available in front or all-wheel drive, the Outlander is similar to the Hyundai Santa Fe.
9. Mitsubishi Eclipse Crossover
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With room for five passengers, which is similar to the Santa Fe, the Eclipse crossover fills the same niche in a different style. Priced from $23,695 for the base EX 1.5T to $25,045 for the ES 1.5T S-AWC, the Eclipse is priced lower than the Santa Fe.
Power for the Eclipse comes from a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder that produces 152 horsepower and 184-pound feet of torque. This engine will push the Eclipse from 0-60 mph in 8.3 seconds. Fuel mileage for the base ES is 26 city/29 highway and 27 combined miles per gallon.
10. Nissan Rogue
As Nissan’s bestseller, you know they are doing something right with the Rogue. With an MSRP of $27,150, its price is very similar to the Santa Fe. However, powered by a turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder that puts out 201 horsepower and 225-pound feet of torque, the Rogue will run up to 60mph in 7.5 seconds.
Mated to either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, the Rogue can tow up to 1500 pounds. Fuel mileage for the Rogue is 30 city/ 37 highway and 33 combined miles per gallon. With a new engine and the backing of Nissan, the Rogue is in competition with the Santa Fe and other SUVs in this class.
11. Subaru Forester
The MSRP of the legendary Subaru Forester is $25,895, which is lower than the similar Hyundai. In addition, the Forester has all-wheel-drive at that price. What a deal! Like on the Santa Fe, seating is for five only, and there is no option for a third-row seat.
Powered by a 2.5L flat-four that produces 335 horsepower and 176-pound feet of torque, it will propel the Forester from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour in 8.5 seconds. Fuel mileage is 26 city/33 highway miles per gallon. All trim levels can tow up to 1500 pounds, except for the Forester Wilderness, which can tow up to 3000 pounds when properly equipped.
12. Subaru Outback
For decades, the Subaru Outback has been the leader in off-road forays. Built rugged, reliable, and able to take on the competition easily, it travels the city streets as easily as it makes the trail. Fuel mileage for the Outback is 26 city and 33 highway miles per gallon.
Available in eight trim levels, the lower levels are powered by a 2.5L Boxer four-cylinder that produces 182 horsepower and 176-pound feet of torque. The upper four trim levels are powered by a 2.5L Boxer four-cylinder with 260 horsepower and 277-pound feet of torque. The towing capacity of the non-turbo models is 2700 pounds. However, the turbocharged Outback can tow up to 3500 pounds.
13. Toyota RAV4
Another SUV that we have become accustomed to seeing is the Toyota RAV4. With an MSRP of $26,975, the RAV4 is very similar in price to the Hyundai Santa Fe. However, it is a Toyota, and they are known for their dependability and reliability, and the RAV4 is no different.
In addition, there are still a few older RAV4s around that are over 20 years old and still running on the roads.
Powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder that produces 203 horsepower and 184-pound feet of torque, the Corolla has a little more power than the Santa Fe. However, fuel mileage is similar, and the RAV4 gets 27 city and 35 highway miles per gallon. In addition, the two-wheel-drive RAV4 can tow up to 1500 pounds and up to 3000 pounds when properly equipped.
14. Toyota Corolla Cross
One of the newest crossovers to the market, the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross, is an old name wrapped in a new concept. With an MSRP of $22,445, it is lower in price than the Santa Fe, but it also seats five. Powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder that makes 169 horsepower and 151-pound feet of torque, the Corolla Cross is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Fuel mileage for the Corolla Cross L is 31city/33 highway and 32 combined miles per hour. Towing capacity is 1500 pounds, like many cars on this list. Similar to Santa Fe, the Toyota Corolla Cross is a fresh face and worth a look if you are looking for a five-passenger SUV or crossover.