2013 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Its Competition

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport FWD 4-door Sport Angular Front Exterior View

8.2

/ 10

TCC Rating

How does the
TCC Rating work?

The TCC Rating is a clear numeric rating value based on a 10-point scale that reflects the overall opinion of our automotive experts on any vehicle and rolls up ratings we give each vehicle across sub-categories you care about like performance, safety, styling and more.

Our rating also has simple color-coded “Stop” (red), “Caution” (orange),
or “Go” (green) messages along with the numerical score so you can easily understand where we stand at a glance.

Our automotive experts then also collect and show you what other websites say about these different aspects of any vehicle. We do this leg work for you to simplify your research process.

Learn more about how we rate and review cars here.

Get FREE Price Quote
What’s this?

What’s this? X

Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

Marty Padgett

May 7, 2013

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe gives crossover buyers a choice, compact utility or spread-out space.

That means it competes with some of the better five-passenger and seven-passenger crossovers on the market, including the Ford Explorer, which features lots of technology options, from MyFord Touch's LCD- and voice-driven controls to blind-spot monitors.

The Explorer also offers good fuel economy with the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine--but the Santa Fe promises better towing capacity.

The new Nissan Pathfinder scores better gas mileage too, and in size and feel, it's almost in the league of the GM three-row utes (Acadia, Enclave, Traverse).

Then there are the compacts.

With lots of cargo space and a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, the Chevy Equinox is a major contender in this segment, and the only other entry with a sliding second-row seat.

We can't forget about the Toyota Venza, which offers both four- and six-cylinder engines not to mention a track record for durability.

Finally, the Santa Fe has some kinship with the Georgia-built Kia Sorento, another five- or seven-passenger crossover packed with value and with an available V-6 engine, no matter which seating configuration you choose.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Chevrolet Equinox Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Ford Explorer Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Kia Sorento Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Nissan Pathfinder Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Toyota Venza Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
7.4 / 10 TCC Rating The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe splits its identity in two: the three-row ute goes V-6 only, while the five-passenger Sport leans on turbo power, a flexible second-row seat and a cushy ride to make its best case ever.	8.0 / 10 TCC Rating The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is a good, affordable choice for cost-conscious families, but it doesn't skimp on comfort, safety, or the latest connectivity features.	8.8 / 10 TCC Rating The Ford Explorer trades some trail-riding and towing for on-road driving lessons, and comes out fluent.	8.0 / 10 TCC Rating It's an easy call among crossovers: the 2013 Kia Sorento has the right features, the right fuel economy, and the right size.	8.0 / 10 TCC Rating The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is in a new place that's just right for families who want a big, comfortable, sensible wagon, but it's given up some of its path-finding heritage to get there.	7.4 / 10 TCC Rating The Toyota Venza gets substantial improvements in entertainment and connectivity for 2013; otherwise it remains a comfortable, practical, and somewhat stylish pick for those who don't need a rugged SUV.
MSRP From
N/A	$24,225	$29,100	$23,150	$28,650	$27,850
Gas Mileage
	20 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy	16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy
Engine
N/A	Gas/Ethanol I4	Gas V6	Gas I4	Gas V6	Gas I4
EPA Class
N/A	2WD Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD	Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD	2WD Sport Utility	Sport Utility
Style Name
N/A	FWD 4-Door LS	FWD 4-Door Base	2WD 4-Door I4 LX	2WD 4-Door S	4-Door Wagon I4 FWD LE (Natl)
Drivetrain
N/A	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
N/A	5	7	5	7	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
N/A	Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility	Wagon
Transmission
N/A	Automatic	Automatic w/manual shift	Automatic w/Manual Shift	Continuously Variable Ratio	Automatic