11 Alternatives to the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

MotoPickers recently reviewed Hyundai’s 2024 Santa Fe and gave the redesigned model a favorable 8.5/10 rating. We attribute this high score to the Santa Fe’s combination of luxury, robust performance on- and off-road, and design that’s eye-catching that remains exceptionally functional. 

The 2024 Santa Fe starts at $33,950, which is an accessible price point given all that the SUV has to offer. However, we understand that this facelifted model’s bold exterior with rugged characteristics might not be a fit for all—and that’s why we’ve assembled a list of 10 2024 Santa Fe alternatives, from least to most expensive, with a focus on base model value.

Explore your options below.

2024 Volkswagen Tiguan – $28,880

When it comes to exterior design, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan contains more European aesthetics than its Santa Fe counterpart, which many consider to be more premium. The Tiguan offers two standard rows of seating, but larger families can opt for the available third row. Those without a need for three rows may appreciate a choice between the two configurations over the Santa Fe’s standard third row. 

Drivers will receive slightly better mileage with this Volkswagen than its Hyundai counterpart at 22/29 city/highway MPG. Besides their mid-size SUV classification, these vehicles have enough similarities to make the Tiguan a comparable alternative to the Santa Fe. For example, motorists in both vehicles use a rotary dial to switch between drive modes. Drivers can also skip AWD and select front-wheel drive (FWD) within these SUVs, which fosters more car-like handling.

2024 Subaru Outback – $28,895

One key advantage of selecting a 2024 Subaru Outback over a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is that the former offers standard AWD instead of optional AWD. Subaru complements this popular SUV’s standard AWD with a higher ground clearance—.4” taller than the Santa Fe’s at 8.7”. Subaru’s Outback also delivers better MPG at 21-26 MPG in the city and 26-32 MPG on the highway. Non-hybrid Santa Fe drivers receive 19-20 MPG in the city and 26-29 MPG on the highway. 

Regarding loading and unloading items from the roof, Subaru’s 2024 Outback beats the 2024 Santa Fe with its lower roofline streamlining cargo management. While the Outback has some minor drawbacks, like a slightly smaller 11.6” infotainment display than the Santa Fe’s 12.3” version—the Outback is a lot more affordable with its starting price of around $28,000. You can expect this Subaru’s starting MSRP to decrease since the automaker has begun advertising its 2025 Outback model.

Some drivers may gravitate toward the 2024 Santa Fe due to its rugged exterior that’s off-road-ready. Still, the Outback is Subaru’s most rugged model, and its 2024 production year prominently reflects this design philosophy while adding car-like handling.

2024 Mazda CX-5 – $29,300

Mazda’s 2024 CX-5 is slightly more affordable than the 2024 Santa Fe with its $29,300 starting price. It’s also Mazda’s best-selling vehicle. Key highlights within the CX-5 include quality mileage at 22-26 MPG in the city, 27-31 MPG on the highway—plus a fun driving feel.

This fun yet practical performance primarily manifests through precise steering inputs that translate to benefits like comfortable cornering, reducing driving fatigue. Braking within this Mazda is also impressive. AWD is standard across all CX-5 trims, unlike its Santa Fe counterpart. However, those seeking more highway acceleration for maneuvers like passing should stick with the 2024 Santa Fe, as the CX-5’s most powerful turbocharged engine produces 256 horsepower.

2024 Kia Sorento – $31,990

Fans of the 2024 Santa Fe’s rugged exterior can find a similar package with the 2024 Kia Sorento’s X-line trims. A 2024 Sorento X-line grade contains a boxy front end, but its exterior differs from Santa Fe’s with its sloping rear roofline reminiscent of modern SUV design principles. Drivers also receive standard all-terrain tires within X-line trims, which can facilitate more road traction than the Santa Fe’s standard all-season tires on dirt off-road terrain.

Other alternatives on our list have smaller displays, but the 2024 Kia Sorento matches the 2024 Santa Fe with a 12.3” infotainment screen. The 2024 Sorento’s interior feels like the type of cabin that’s more fit to thrive in urban environments, so while the Santa Fe can operate as a daily driver, those selecting a car to optimize routes like work commutes may find that this Kia better suits their needs.

2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid – $32,325

Hyundai’s 2024 Tucson Hybrid starts at $32,325 for its entry-level Blue trim, reflecting that hybrid options can remain affordable for a wide range of buyers. Since we’re focusing on the Tucson’s hybrid model, it’s vital to highlight its fuel efficiency, which is 38 MPG in the city and on the highway, thoroughly beating non-hybrid Santa Fe models. Hybrid Santa Fe models contain a starting price that’s around $4,000 more than the Tucson Hybrid.

The Blue trim’s standard wheels are on the smaller side at 17”, but Hyundai compensates with attractive exterior features like LED headlights and Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), heated side mirrors, and LED tail lights. Hyundai’s Tucson hybrid nearly matches the Santa Fe in the rear cargo capacity department with 38.7 cubic feet (cu. ft.) of room behind the second row, but doesn’t offer a third row, making it a better fit for smaller families. 

Hyundai is more conservative when it comes to the 2024 Tucson Hybrid’s exterior, but the design remains sleek, with well-placed hood and side lines helping the vehicle establish a contemporary presence. 

Both the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Santa Fe use cloth upholstery in their base trims’ interiors. Still, it’s worth noting that the Tucson Hybrid’s interior has a less upscale feel despite similarities in areas like material options.

2024 Chevrolet Traverse – $37,600

Chevrolet’s 2024 Traverse impresses with its mid-size configuration, which accommodates three rows of passengers while simultaneously offering exceptional cargo space. The 2024 Traverse features 23 cu. ft. of storage behind its third row, which is over 8 cu. ft. more than the 2024 Santa Fe.

A 2024 Chevrolet Traverse has a lighter low-end towing range than the 2024 Santa Fe at 1,500 lbs, but this capacity can increase to 5,000 lbs, which is 500 lbs more than this Hyundai when the SUV is properly equipped. 

Chevrolet’s Traverse also matches many of the 2024 Santa Fe’s available amenities with features such as second-row captain’s chairs. Regarding standard horsepower and torque, the Traverse handily exceeds its Santa Fe competitor with 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque while maintaining a starting price under $40,000.

2024 Ford Edge – $38,465

The 2024 Santa Fe offers a competitive standard horsepower and torque rating of 277 and 311 lb-ft, but the Ford Edge might be a better choice for drivers seeking more robust powertrains. Ford offers Edge drivers a choice between a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine and the 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost motor. The 2.0L EcoBoost engine is a bit weaker than the Santa Fe’s base powertrain, with 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, but the optional 2.7-liter V6 ups the ante with 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. 

Drivers who select the more powerful 2024 Ford Edge engine won’t have to worry about sacrificing lots of mileage, and the configuration remains fairly efficient at 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The standard powertrain delivers 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. 

Ford complements the 2024 Edge’s robust 2.7-liter V6 engine with sportier handling than the 2024 Santa Fe. Aside from offering more torque, the 2024 Edge provides increased stopping power. Higher torque helps this Ford feel less poky when accelerating with heavier cargo. However, its higher horsepower and torque levels within the 2.7-liter V6 powertrain fall short of the 2024 Santa Fe in towing, with a 1,500-3,500-lb capacity. The Santa Fe’s towing capacity ranges from 3,500-5,000 lbs.

2024 Dodge Durango – $39,670

Dodge’s 2024 Durango shares some similarities with Hyundai’s 2024 Santa Fe, like the use of an eight-speed automatic transmission. Still, the 2024 Durango can tow significantly more weight with a max capacity of 6,200-8,700 lbs. This towing prowess is partially attributed to the Durango’s exceptional horsepower range of 293-710. 

The most powerful engine within this Dodge’s lineup is the 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI V8 with all-wheel drive (AWD) capability. Drivers in a 2024 SRT Hellcat Premium Durango can go from 0-60 MPH in 3.5 seconds. The 2024 Durango also contains more cargo capacity behind its third row at 17.2 cu. ft. compared to the Santa Fe’s 14.6 cu. Ft.

Regarding exterior aesthetics, the 2024 Durango sports a muscle car-inspired design, whereas the 2024 Santa Fe is more boxy, with a configuration reminiscent of models like Toyota’s Land Cruiser. The 2024 Durango carries this outside design philosophy into its interior with options like the AlcHEMI Edition, which features yellow and silver 392 stitching on seats and forged carbon fiber accents. While the Santa Fe is no slouch with its exterior and cabin design, the Durango has more attitude.

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander – $43,320

While mid-size SUVs have several advantages over their full-size counterparts, such as increased maneuverability, their third rows can feel cramped with adults or kids occupying the area. The 2024 Santa Fe is no exception to this common mid-size SUV drawback, but certain models, like Toyota’s 2024 Grand Highlander, aim to overcome the issue by optimizing this area for comfort in more ways than one.

Toyota’s 2024 Grand Highlander contains a third row with large windows featuring wide-view angles. These outside perspectives and increased legroom measuring 33.5” help this Toyota thrive within its competitive segment. Passenger comfort is solidified across the 2024 Grand Highlander’s three rows with tri-zone automatic climate control existing as standard offering.

The Grand Highlander isn’t to be confused with Toyota’s standard Highlander. Toyota launched its Grand Highlander’s production in August 2023 in response to complaints regarding the standard Highlander’s tight third row and below-average cargo capacity of 16 cu. ft. By comparison, the 2024 Grand Highlander offers 20.6 cu. ft. of cargo space.

Hyundai’s 2024 Santa Fe includes Sport, Eco, Normal, EV (hybrid), and Multi-Terrain Select driving modes. The Grand Highlander also offers capable drive modes, like Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart.

2024 Cadillac XT5 – $43,895

The 2024 Cadillac is the second-most premium model on our list of alternatives to the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. While the XT5’s cabin has two rows of seating instead of three, you’ll receive several features reducing cabin clutter, like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This Cadillac contains a nine-speed automatic transmission instead of the Santa Fe’s 8-speed automatic, which fosters performance perks like smoother acceleration via closer gear ratios. 

This Cadillac’s exterior is somewhat akin to the 2024 Santa Fe’s boxy exterior, so if these proportions suit your tastes, the XT5 is a viable alternative. The XT5’s mileage is also similar to the Santa Fe, with 18-22 MPG in the city and 26-29 MPG on the highway.

2024 Buick Enclave – $43,900

Buick’s 2024 Enclave offers three rows of seating and 23.6 cu. ft. of cargo capacity behind its rearmost row, thoroughly beating the Santa Fe and serving as a better option for families needing more storage.

The price discrepancy of around $10,000 between the 2024 Enclave and Santa Fe can be attributed to the Enclave’s status as a full-size SUV with a more premium interior. This Buick’s cabin earns its premium status with nicer materials and finishes and higher-end touches within the base trim, such as a plethora of soft-touch surfaces.

Drawbacks regarding the 2024 Enclave include a smaller 8” infotainment display and less mileage at 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2024 Enclave its highest crash protection score of five stars but hasn’t yet rated the 2024 Santa Fe. However, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) officials gave the 2024 Santa Fe its second-highest crash protection rating of Top Safety Pick, but an incomplete evaluation for the Enclave.