Compare the2026 Toyota Rav4VS 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The Rav4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Rav4 and the Santa Fe Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Hyundai doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Santa Fe Hybrid.

There are over 45 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 60 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 5 more horsepower (236 vs. 231) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 93 more horsepower (324 vs. 231) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE/XSE can travel with zero emissions for 52 miles. The Santa Fe Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Rav4 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Santa Fe Hybrid are solid, not vented.

The Rav4 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Santa Fe Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (36.9 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The Rav4 GR Sport’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (37.3 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 GR Sport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Santa Fe Hybrid (7.5 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 Woodland’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the Santa Fe Hybrid (8.5 vs. 7 inches).

The Toyota Rav4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 800 pounds less than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.

The Rav4 is 9.2 inches shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid, making the Rav4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume than the Santa Fe Hybrid with its rear seat up (37.8 vs. 14.6 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is limited to 2000 pounds. The Rav4 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The Rav4’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Santa Fe Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Hyundai Santa Fe by over four to one during 2024.