• Crain Hyundai Of Fayetteville

Feb 24, 2025
Side-by-side comparison of a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and a 2025 Toyota Highlander on a bold black-and-white background.

Choosing the Best SUV

If you’re looking for an SUV, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2025 Toyota Highlander are two of the best options on the market. Both offer advanced technology, strong performance, and spacious interiors. But which SUV is the better fit for Fayetteville drivers?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe stands out with its bold design, powerful engine choices, and available hybrid models. The Toyota Highlander, known for its reliability, also offers hybrid options but comes at a higher price. Let’s take a closer look at how these two SUVs compare.

Performance and Powertrain Options

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offers two powertrain options, giving drivers flexibility in performance and fuel efficiency:

  • 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower, providing a balance of power and efficiency.
  • Turbocharged 2.5L engine with 277 horsepower, perfect for drivers who want more power.
  • Hybrid option, delivering great fuel efficiency while maintaining strong performance.

The 2025 Toyota Highlander comes with a 2.4L turbocharged engine producing 265 horsepower, as well as a hybrid model for improved fuel economy. Both SUVs offer great efficiency, but the Santa Fe’s turbo engine provides more horsepower for an engaging drive.

The Santa Fe’s advanced transmission and available hybrid model make it a strong choice for drivers who want power and efficiency in one package.

Off-Road Capability

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim is built for rugged adventures. It includes:

  • Off-road tires for better traction.
  • Skid plates for underbody protection.
  • Advanced all-wheel drive, giving confidence on rough terrain.

The Toyota Highlander offers all-wheel drive but doesn’t have an off-road-specific trim like the Santa Fe XRT. If you need an SUV that’s ready for adventure, the Santa Fe is the better choice.

Technology Features

Both the Santa Fe and Highlander come packed with modern technology, but the Santa Fe provides premium features at a more affordable price.

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlights:

  • Standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
  • Available 12.3-inch digital display and infotainment screen.
  • Premium upgrades like a Harman Kardon audio system, wireless charging, and a 360-degree camera.

2025 Toyota Highlander Highlights:

  • A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard on higher trims.
  • JBL premium sound system is available as an upgrade.

While the Highlander has a larger touchscreen in higher trims, the Santa Fe delivers comparable technology at a lower price.

Interior Space and Comfort

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a spacious interior with seating for up to seven passengers. 

Premium features include:

  • Quilted leather seats, providing a high-end feel.
  • A panoramic sunroof, bringing in natural light.
  • Generous cargo space, making it perfect for groceries, luggage, or outdoor gear.

The 2025 Toyota Highlander can seat up to eight passengers, but its third row is tighter and less comfortable for adults.

For drivers who want a roomy, luxurious cabin, the Santa Fe Calligraphy trim provides premium features at a better price than the Highlander’s higher-end trims.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Both SUVs include advanced safety features designed to protect drivers and passengers.

Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Features:

  • Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of driver assistance features.
  • Forward Collision Avoidance to help prevent accidents.
  • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, giving extra visibility when changing lanes.
  • Highway Driving Assist, providing semi-autonomous driving on the highway.

Toyota Highlander Safety Features:

  • Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering adaptive cruise control and lane departure alerts.
  • Automatic emergency braking, helping to avoid collisions.

The Santa Fe’s Highway Driving Assist feature gives it an edge, making highway travel smoother and less stressful for long road trips.

Which SUV is the Best Choice?

The 2025 Toyota Highlander is a solid SUV for large families who need extra seating. However, it comes at a higher price and doesn’t offer an off-road trim like the Santa Fe XRT.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe stands out with:

  • More horsepower with its turbocharged engine option.
  • Off-road capability with the XRT trim.
  • Advanced technology and safety features at a lower price.
  • A spacious and stylish interior with premium upgrades.

For Fayetteville drivers who want an SUV that delivers power, technology, and comfort at an unbeatable value, the Santa Fe is the better choice.

Test Drive the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe at Crain Hyundai of Fayetteville

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe is the perfect SUV for families, outdoor adventurers, and tech-savvy drivers. Visit Crain Hyundai of Fayetteville to see it in person.

Test drive the Santa Fe today, explore available trims, and find the perfect model for your lifestyle. Browse our new or used inventory online or stop by our dealership to get started!