There’s a ton of variety in the midsize SUV class. Some have 3-row seating, some have hybrid options, and some are better than others at towing and off-roading. The Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Passport are two examples of midsize SUVs with very different skill sets, making them suitable for different buyers.
Let’s take a closer look at the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Passport and see which is right for you.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the more affordable midsize 3-row SUVs. Its most recent redesign introduced a bold new aesthetic, a roomier interior with thoroughly modernized technology, and a new hybrid option.
Hyundai Santa Fe Highlights
3-row seating: The Hyundai Santa Fe has a surprisingly roomy third row of seats, while every Honda Passport is a 5-seater with 2-row seating. When folded down, the Santa Fe makes a generously sized cargo hold. This extra seating significantly enhances this SUV’s versatility.
Class-leading warranty: The Hyundai Santa Fe boasts best-in-class warranty coverage with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This provides a lot of peace of mind if you plan on owning the car for a long time.
Hybrid option: The efficient Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid returns up to 36 combined mpg and still has a lower starting price than the Honda Passport, which has no hybrid options. The optional hybrid powertrain adds to the Santa Fe’s value proposition.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Santa Fe models for sale near you.
2025 Honda Passport
The 2025 Honda Passport is in the final model year of its generation; an all-new 2026 model just came out. However, the 2025 Passport is still a compelling choice among midsize 2-row SUVs for its rugged aesthetics and capabilities, roomy, practical interior, and trustworthy powertrain.
Honda Passport Highlights
Rugged Trailsport trim: The rugged and capable Honda Passport Trailsport comes with all-terrain tires, an off-road-tuned suspension system, and a unique appearance package inside and out. The Hyundai Santa Fe lineup doesn’t have an off-roader quite like this.
Many standard features: The Passport’s starting price is higher than that of the Santa Fe’s because its base EX-L trim is so well equipped. Just a few standard features include leather seats (heated in front), all-wheel drive (AWD) with Intelligent Traction Management, a power moonroof, a wireless charging pad, and a power liftgate.
Trusty V6: The Honda Passport’s tried-and-true V6 engine boasts a healthy power and torque rating, a proven record of reliability and low maintenance costs, and a 5,000-pound max tow rating, which beats the Santa Fe. If you prefer a V6 over a turbo 4-cylinder engine, the Passport still has one under the hood.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Passport models for sale near you.
Similarities
These SUVs fit into the midsize SUV designation, but they have few similarities otherwise. They do have similar complements of safety and infotainment tech features.
Pricing
New 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (77019)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$35,775 |
$33,932 |
|||
$38,275 |
$36,380 |
|||
$42,425 |
$40,503 |
|||
$45,175 |
$43,164 |
|||
$48,325 |
$46,116 |
New 2025 Honda Passport Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (77019)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$43,850 |
$42,183 |
|||
$46,450 |
$44,592 |
|||
$49,920 |
$47,503 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles and New 2025 Honda Passport vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2025 Honda Passport | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 3.5-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 280 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy | 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway/24 mpg combined | 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 1.6-liter 4-cyl., AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 4-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 110.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 190.2 inches | 189.1 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 78.6 inches |
| Height | 67.7 inches | 72.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.9 feet | 36.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.6 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 37.7 inches | NA |
| Legroom, Front | 44.4 inches | 40.6 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 42.3 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 30.0 inches | NA |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 59.5 inches | 62.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 58.1 inches | 61.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 53.5 inches | NA |
| Cargo Volume | 14.6/40.5/79.6 cubic feet | 50.5/100.8 cubic feet |
Conclusion
The Hyundai Santa Fe is undoubtedly the more value-conscious option in this comparison. In addition to the considerably lower starting price, it also has a better warranty, slightly better resale value, and better fuel economy, especially with the hybrid option. That said, the Honda Passport has its virtues, like a reliable V6 with a good tow rating and the rugged TrailSport model.
