2024 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Toyota Highlander

Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Toyota Highlander Comparison

Feature	Hyundai Santa Fe (Our choice!)	Toyota Highlander
Starting Price	$33,950	$39,270
Engine Power	277 hp	265 hp
Fuel Efficiency	FWD 20/29 MPG (City/Hwy) AWD 20/28 MPG (City/Hwy) Hybrid FWD 36/35 MPG (City/Hwy) Hybrid AWD 35/34 MPG (City/Hwy)	Gas 21/29 MPG (City/Hwy) Hybrid 36/35 MPG (City/Hwy)
Warranty	5 Years/60,000 Miles	3 Years/36,000 Miles

Overview

At Crain Hyundai of Bentonville, we know that choosing the right midsize SUV is an important decision. Two of the top contenders in the market for 2024 are the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Toyota Highlander. Both vehicles offer great features, performance, and safety, but which one is the best fit for your needs? Let’s compare these SUVs across key categories to help you decide.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a blend of style, technology, and affordability, making it a great option for families and adventure seekers alike. The Santa Fe is available in several trims, from practical and budget-friendly models to more upscale options like the Calligraphy trim, which brings luxury-level features.

The 2024 Toyota Highlander is known for its reliability and reputation as a family-friendly SUV. It offers a spacious cabin and strong safety features, but tends to be priced higher than the Santa Fe. The Highlander is available in both gasoline and hybrid models, which appeal to eco-conscious drivers.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Trims

SE
SEL
XRT
Limited
Calligraphy
Hybrid SEL
Hybrid Limited
Hybrid Calligraphy

2024 Toyota Highlander Trims

LE
XLE
XSE
Limited
Platinum
Hybrid LE
Hybrid LE Nightshade
Hybrid XLE
Hybrid XLE Nightshade
Hybrid Limited
Hybrid Platinum

Performance & Powertrain Options

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe comes with two powertrain options. The base engine is a 2.5L four-cylinder that delivers 191 horsepower. For those looking for more power, there’s an available 2.5L turbocharged engine that generates 277 horsepower. The Santa Fe also offers a hybrid version, making it a good option for drivers looking for better fuel efficiency.

The 2024 Toyota Highlander offers a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower as its standard powertrain. The Highlander also has a hybrid option, which provides excellent fuel economy for those prioritizing efficiency. Both SUVs offer strong performance, but the Santa Fe’s turbocharged engine provides more horsepower than the Highlander’s, giving it a slight edge in power.

Off-Road Capabilities

For drivers looking to venture off-road, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim is designed for rugged adventures. It includes skid plates, off-road tires, and enhanced all-wheel drive to handle tougher terrain.

The Toyota Highlander doesn’t offer a specific off-road-focused trim, but its available all-wheel-drive system provides reliable traction in various road conditions. While both SUVs can handle light off-road trails, the Santa Fe XRT is better suited for more adventurous driving.

Technology Features

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is packed with advanced technology. The SUV comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen but offers an available 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Higher trims add a Harman Kardon premium audio system, wireless charging, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Toyota Highlander features a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims and also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both vehicles offer strong tech features, but the Highlander’s standard larger screen in higher trims may appeal to tech enthusiasts. However, the Santa Fe offers comparable technology at a more affordable price.

Interior Space & Comfort

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe provides a comfortable and spacious interior with ample legroom for passengers. Its Calligraphy trim offers luxury touches like quilted leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The all-new Santa Fe now has a third row and can seat up to 7 passengers, making it ideal for families.

The 2024 Toyota Highlander offers seating for up to eight passengers with its available third row, making it a better option for larger families. However, its third-row seating can feel a bit cramped compared to other three-row SUVs. The Highlander Platinum trim offers luxury features similar to the Santa Fe Calligraphy, but at a higher price point. If you need more passenger space, the Highlander is the better choice, but for comfort and luxury in an SUV, the Santa Fe delivers more value.

Safety & Driver Assistance

Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Highlander are equipped with a full suite of advanced safety features. The Santa Fe includes Hyundai SmartSense, which comes standard with features like forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

The Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which offers similar features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Both SUVs provide excellent safety systems, but Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist in higher trims allows for more semi-autonomous driving features, which isn’t available on the Highlander.

Our Choice

Both the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2024 Toyota Highlander are great choices in the midsize SUV category. The Santa Fe stands out for its powerful engine options, luxury features, and value at a lower price point. Meanwhile, the Highlander is ideal for larger families that need more seating and appreciate Toyota’s reputation for reliability.

For drivers looking for a versatile, feature-packed SUV with great technology and a premium feel at an affordable price, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is our top recommendation. Visit Crain Hyundai of Bentonville today to test drive the Santa Fe and experience its performance and features firsthand.

Prices do not include additional fees and costs of closing, including government fees and taxes, any finance charges, service and handling fee of $129, or emissions testing fees. All prices, specifications, and availability subject to change without notice. Crain Hyundai of Bentonville retains all incentives.

For In-Transit inventory, any date of arrival is estimated. The actual date of delivery may vary due to circumstances beyond Hyundai and the dealer’s control. Please contact your local Hyundai dealer for availability details.

Compare Certified Programs

	Hyundai Certified Used Vehicles	Hyundai Select Used
Vehicle eligibility	6 model years old and newer with 80k miles or less	6 model years old and newer with 80k-120k miles 7-10 model years old vehicles with 120k miles or less
Vehicle inspection	173-point inspection	117-point inspection
Limited warranties	Comprehensive 5 Years/60,000 miles Powertrain 10 Years/100,000 miles HEV/PHEV/EV Battery 10 Years/100,000 miles	Powertrain 90 Days/5,000 miles HEV/PHEV Battery 10 Years/100,000 miles
If anything happens	Roadside Assistance 10 Years/Unlimited miles Rental Car $35/day up to 10 days Trip interruption $100/day up to $300 max	Roadside Assistance 90 Days/Unlimited miles Rental Car $35/day up to 5 days
Complimentary trials	SiriusXM 3-month Platinum Plan trial Bluelink®+ Complimentary 1 Year (Connected Care & Remote Pkgs)	SiriusXM 3-month Platinum Plan trial Bluelink® Complimentary 3 months (Connected Care & Remote Pkgs)