Renita Naraine: We’ve been doing a long-term test of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid for a little while now and it has impressed us quite a bit, especially considering the hybrid model we’re testing is just one trim above the base model. It’s got adequate amounts of tech, though it is missing memory seats, and it is plenty spacious, even in the third row, though cargo space behind the third row is seriously lacking, more on that in a bit. But let’s dig a little deeper; exactly how good is the Hyundai Santa Fe when compared to others in the segment?
Sami Haj-Assaad: We decided to see how it fares against a vehicle that’s a class above. The 2025 Honda Pilot has a mighty reputation and is well-known among crossover shoppers who want a spacious and family-friendly three-row crossover. Although the Santa Fe also packs three rows, it’s interesting to see how these two vehicles approach the concept of a family-friendly ride.
Hyundai Santa Fe is cheaper than the Honda Pilot, but by how much?
Since the Santa Fe is smaller, it also enjoys a lower price than the Pilot. It starts at $45,229 and tops out at around $57,529. The entry-level Santa Fe models feature a hybrid powertrain, which means that in addition to saving you money off the bat with a lower price tag, it also saves you a considerable amount of gas compared to the Pilot, as well as the top trims of the Santa Fe. Our long-term tester is the entry-level Preferred trim with the $4,000 Trend package, which adds several features you may expect in a higher equipped model, including leatherette seats, a dual-pane sunroof, wireless phone charging, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and more.
The price of entry for the 2025 Honda Pilot is around $55,486, which means it starts right where you’d find the most expensive Santa Fe. If you spring for all the bells and whistles, the Pilot Black Edition costs a budget-busting $67,236, which is almost $20,000 more than the entry-level Santa Fe. What are you really getting in the Pilot for that much more money? In terms of exclusive features, not much, but this Black Edition has real leather seats and ventilated front seats, which weren’t too useful in these wintery conditions.
What powers these three-row crossovers?
Another significant difference between these two crossovers is what is found under the hood. Every Pilot is powered by a 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine that makes 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. That’s paired with an all-wheel-drive system and a 10-speed automatic that returns about 11 L/100 km combined, if you’re lucky. Both Renita and I found the Pilot engine to sound loud but not feel particularly energetic.
Hyundai offers a more versatile powertrain for the Santa Fe. Entry level models feature a hybrid setup that uses a 1.6L four cylinder engine, delivering a total of 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, which feels surprisingly adequate, especially compared to the Pilot. That motor is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive to achieve around 7 L/100 km combined.
The higher trims of the Santa Fe feature a turbocharged 2.5L engine that has 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. That gets matched to an eight-speed automatic, and is good for just under 11 L/100 km combined.
RN: During the first drive of the Hyundai Santa Fe, we drove the top trim that houses that turbocharged engine. The most expensive Santa Fe is also impressive (and has some interesting additional features, including captain’s chairs and a UV-C tray that can sanitize small items — it’s just a small storage space in the other trims, but handy nonetheless), and a bit more powerful, so note that if power is what’s most important when you’re looking for a new car, then you may need to forego the cheaper variants and fuel savings to opt for the higher trim. That said, I didn’t think the Santa Fe hybrid was lacking in power. It’s not the quickest SUV, but personally, quick and powerful isn’t necessarily something I’m looking for in a family-first vehicle.
SHA: On paper, this hybrid Santa Fe should feel outdone by the Pilot, but in reality, it doesn’t feel any less responsive than the Honda alternative. It can get a bit buzzy when you need to make a pass on the highway, but otherwise, it’s a perfectly usable amount of power and comes with much better fuel efficiency compared to the Pilot.
On the other hand, families with toys to tow will find the Honda more accommodating as all Pilot trims have a maximum tow rating of 5,000 lbs, while the Santa Fe tops out at 4,500 lbs and that’s only with the XRT model; the hybrid models can only muster 2,000 lbs.
Honda Pilot offers tons of space
Despite the price difference, the Pilot doesn’t seem particularly fancy inside. Sure there are leather seats, and the top Black Edition has niceties like heated and cooled front seats, as well as a head-up display. however, the heated steering wheel (RN: that gets quite a bit warmer than the Pilot’s) and wireless phone charging are also found on our mid-trim Santa Fe. There’s really nothing here in the Pilot that feels special, or worth 67-grand.
Simply put, the Santa Fe Hybrid isn’t far behind. It has almost all the same goodies, even in this lower trim model, lacking just the cooled front seats, memory seating, a head-up display and window shades. However, these features are available in higher trims. The Santa Fe also features a dual pane sunroof, and larger infotainment screens, which looks fantastic compared to the small nine-inch unit in the Pilot.
However, there’s something to say about the touch-oriented HVAC setup of the Santa Fe. It works most of the time, but it is a fingerprint magnet. I’m also worried about how resilient it may be, and how much a replacement panel would be. There are no worries about that with the dated Pilot’s setup which feels much more analog in comparison.
The Honda Pilot truly delivers more interior space than the Santa Fe. The Pilot’s 635 litres of cargo room behind the third row is generous compared to the 413 L in the Santa Fe, which is really noticeable, especially on a family road trip or even errands with the kids. My baby stroller barely fits behind the third row of the Santa Fe, but it’s no problem in the Pilot.
There’s an even bigger difference when you fold the third row down, with the Pilot offering almost 1,702 L while the Santa Fe only offers 1,148 L. Fold both sets of seats down and the Pilot offers a total of 3,175 L and the Santa Fe sits at just 2,267 L. If hauling stuff is a priority, the Pilot’s price tag is worth it alone.
What about the passenger room? Not surprisingly, the Pilot’s third row feels much more spacious compared to the Santa Fe, which feels a bit flimsy and uncomfortable. If you need a third row for every drive, there’s no doubt the Pilot delivers exactly what you’re looking for… but at this point, why not consider a minivan instead? The Pilot also offers a novel middle seat in the second row, which can be removed and stashed in the trunk. It’s not the most graceful thing to do by yourself, but it’s better than nothing. It’s a great feature for when you need an extra seat or additional space.
RN: I’m always game for considering a minivan instead, but that’s not what consumers want anymore. Since we’re doing a long-term test of the Santa Fe, we’ve been frequently using that third row because I’ve got three kids. Technically, they’d all fit in the second row but then I’d be listening to constant complaining about shoulders touching. The highest trim offers captain’s chairs, and I wish it was an option for the lower trims as well because I really do appreciate that middle seat being able to come out completely. It would allow my third-row passenger to be able to get back there without having to fold down the second row, every single time.
The Hyundai Santa Fe feels more modern than the Honda Pilot
SHA: While the Pilot delivers with its family-friendly promise, it’s the Santa Fe that feels like a more modern car thanks to its tech and safety features. Not only is the Santa Fe’s infotainment screen larger, the system is easier to use with paired devices. There’s also a large and gorgeous digital gauge cluster that shines in the Hyundai.
In addition to the infotainment features, the two cars are loaded with safety equipment to keep the vehicles and their occupants safe. That means there’s adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring and more. I found the suite of safety tech in the Santa Fe to feel more natural on the highway. While neither system is hands free, the Hyundai model feels a bit less jerky when reacting to other vehicles around it.
Honda Pilot drives big and boring
There’s also something to be said about how much more responsive in general the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe feels to drive. Steering is well weighted, with the three-row reacting nicely and appropriately to inputs. The ride isn’t too stiff or uncomfortable, and we found ourselves reaching for the Hyundai keys whenever it was time to head out.
The Pilot is lanky and slow in comparison. It feels like its lumbering down the road, and lacks road feel and responsiveness. It made every drive feel more like a chore.
Final Thoughts
We have really enjoyed our time with these two three-rows, but found they definitely feel like they cater to two different types of families. The Hyundai Santa Fe is ideal for families that don’t often need the third row, as it just doesn’t feel quite as spacious in the rear-most seats, or practical with the reduced cargo room with all seats up.
The Honda Pilot on the other hand is ideal for the large family that doesn’t want to switch to a minivan or truck-based SUV. It’s spacious and comfortable, though expensive. If you need the space and have to choose between these two, it’s the only pick.
However, the lower costs and better driving feel of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe make it easier to recommend overall, so long as you don’t need that third row very often.
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