2023 Hyundai Santa FE vs Tucson review // Premium Package

[@VagabondBuilds]

A bit of a surprise that Tucson is just a roomy as Santa Fe. Watch the comparison to see exact dimensions and price tags from dealership. ❤

[@jaydee5156]

The current model Tucson is much larger than previous models.

[@brianlammers2743]

I have a 2023 Santa Fe. The extra length 6 inches mostly goes to the second row for the leg room and front area engine bay. The cargo area figures don't take into account the under floor storage in the Santa Fe either.

[@johnfriend862]

I compared both and bought a 2023 Santa Fe Limited. I absolutely love that when I hit the turn signal to change lanes or turn the left mirror camera appears on the left where the speedo is, the right camera appears on the right where the tach is. I would never have believed that I would like, much less buy a Hyundai, but I was seriously impressed. It's roomy, quiet, comfortable, rides and drives great, and gets better mileage than the EPA estimates. Only one thing I'd do differently is go for the AWD with 2.5 Turbo, it's got too much power for just a front wheel drive. It'll boil the tires, and has massive torque steer. Other than that it's been great. The panoramic roof is great, the adaptive cruise works flawlessly, cameras automatically come on when it senses and obstacle in front. The tech is excellent, and bang for the buck you can't touch it with anything comparable. It feels like a much bigger vehicle than it is. I also have a 2020 Tahoe, I drive the Santa Fe more. It's much more maneuverable and gets about 50% better mileage.

[@VagabondBuilds]

That feature where the camera shows up is one of my favorite and I would add that on any car that has a 360 camera system. Thanks for sharing.

[@GLSmith1013]

The Santa Fe SEL Premium and Tucson Limited were close in price when I was shopping. I went with the Tucson Limited. Liked the exterior and interior look over the Santa Fe SEL Premium and additional features such as actual leather seats, rear heated seats for cold winters and ventilated seats for hot summer days.

[@VagabondBuilds]

Glad you made the choice! Glad to hear you’re liking it!

[@mssatire14]

First of all, Thank you for the thorough review. For me I think the Santa Fe looks classy and big, Tucson is sporty and looks better in the wind and other driving conditions. I definitely prefer the sporty because I'm going for performance for my lifestyle over look. It's like a nice dress shoe compared to my favorite gym shoes. I choose gym shoes every day.

[@VagabondBuilds]

Haha glad you liked it. Thank you for the input and perspective. We hope that it is well for you and it helps others make their decision as well!

[@romeolopez757]

Santa Fe all the way!….a big brother to tucson….more premium and quieter cabin…i just switch from tucson to Santa Fe….

[@VagabondBuilds]

Haha haha so I take it that you like it?

[@Lowns_300]

I prefer the tuscon, has more cargo room, quieter, smoother, and definitely better looking exterior

[@jaydee5156]

I had a Tucson and a Santa Fe. Absolutely loved the Santa Fe, but traded it for a Santa Cruz. I still have the Tucson. I've easily beat the advertised mileage on all three.

[@VagabondBuilds]

Nice, glad you like them. Treating you well I suppose?

[@jaydee5156]

@@VagabondBuilds Absolutely. No complaints, though I do miss the storage tray in the dashboard on the passenger side in the Santa Fe, as well as the sunglass storage overhead.

[@Ricky-mo6mv]

Wow, Santa Cruz is kind of cool but definitely a step down from the Santa Fe. What made you trade?

[@jaydee5156]

@@Ricky-mo6mv Believe me, it was the hardest trade we've ever made and I'd buy another in a heartbeat. The Santa Fe was older than the Tucson and with more mileage, so it was the most likely trade candidate. Add to that, that the Santa Cruz is really as much truck as I need these days and neither of us really saw it as a step down. I can easily pull a boat or my utility trailer and I can carry things in and under the bed. The retractable tonneau is a must-have.

[@hotelval21]

Are rear blinker lights on the bumper?

[@VagabondBuilds]

Can’t remember exactly, but at one point that is shown in the video once I get to the back of the car. We usually take pictures with all the lights on.

[@jeffreypanaligan6588]

Philippine-spec Sta Fe comes with 2.2 Turbo diesel engine with 199 hp and a whopping 325 lb ft of torque mated to a DCT

[@VagabondBuilds]

Diesel is awesome.

[@SK-um4px]

In Kazakhstan there’s a small price differences between those two cars in luxe packages. Santa Fe will cost you 2200$ more than Tucson. We have 2.5 Santa Fe (could be upgraded to 3.5, costs 11k$) And 2.5 Tucson Love both cars but there’s a dilemma for me😂 Don’t know what to buy… Santa Fe 2.5 or Tucson 2.5 😄

[@VagabondBuilds]

Hard choice. I’m sure other countries get different options when it comes to trims

[@tatya7553]

Что купили в итоге ? У меня такая же дилемма сейчас, предмакисмалку по ценам разница на 2.5к$ всего идет , но нас пока два человека и чисто по городу гоняем)

[@jimwal10]

Plus, the best warranty of all: 10 years/100,00 miles on the drive train, and 6 years all other.

[@VagabondBuilds]

I can’t argue that honestly. They sit behind their brand. Haha

[@b.r1880]

No waaayy!!! the trunk is bigger on the Tucson?!? everything looks much better in the santa fe starting from the front and not to mention the center console

[@VagabondBuilds]

That’s what we said.

[@anothercomment3451]

Absolutely.

[@samdovels1234]

I love in general the Santa Fe over the Tucson, however the one point where the Tucson excel, is the regular gear selector and much roomier center stack. The Santa Fe feels very cramped compared.

[@VagabondBuilds]

Thank you for the info. Hopefully this will help others. Thanks for the interaction!

[@STVVlogs071970]

Lot of sites are reporting the gas mileage of 2023 Santa Fe as 25 city and 28 highway..which is correct?

[@VagabondBuilds]

I get my mpg specs directly off of the dealer stickers. So you decide on that one. I realized that.

[@plannermalaysia4795]

Vote for santa fe

[@VagabondBuilds]

Great! Appreciate the feedback!

[@jamesfrey200]

Santa Fe Calligraphy trim.

[@VagabondBuilds]

Is that your pick?

[@choke2122]

I love mine.

[@jamesfrey200]

@@VagabondBuilds yes. If you have the money, go with Calligraphy

[@Valid_Points]

I have motion sickness problem. Toyota rav4 bounces a lot. Which of these two bounce less?

[@VagabondBuilds]

What a question to be honest… I didn’t drive them so that would be something I couldn’t answer honestly.

[@Ricky-mo6mv]

Santa Fe for sure. Yeah, Toyotas run a long time but they suck for comfort, and basically everything.

[@jaydee5156]

My brother in law has the Rav. It rides like a go-cart.

[@barrieford3522]

Santa Fe everyday

[@VagabondBuilds]

Winner winner chicken dinner !

[@kennethtaylor1760]

Which is the smoother and quieter ride?

[@VagabondBuilds]

I would have to say the Santa Fe.

[@FrankTheTank14507]

Tuscon is lighter. IF you want the base engine the Tuscon makes the most of the power and better mpg. Santa Fe is too heavy for that engine. If you can afford turbo then go Santa FE.

[@VagabondBuilds]

Thank you for the input, hopefully it is of big help to others!

[@EffectualPoet]

Less cargo space on Santa Fe is a serious bummer.

[@VagabondBuilds]

Yes… is that a make it or break it?

[@EffectualPoet]

@@VagabondBuilds Yes because it is a bigger size, harder to fit in parking spot, and less fuel economy for no cargo benefit.

[@zenyachty8999]

No cargo space review??????????

[@VagabondBuilds]

Sorry!!! Camera gave out 😅

[@kaikaoto]

Never had a santa fe but prefer my tucson it's more class for me😂

[@VagabondBuilds]

Thanks for sharing.

[@keithnewton8981]

It's not real leather interior on the seats? Our hyundai tucson has real leather

[@VagabondBuilds]

There is option in getting leather seats in all options.

[@JTKels]

On both models, the turn signals in the back are too low on the bumper. Hyundai engines are old-school not even near the reliability of Toyota Lexus. No thank you

[@VagabondBuilds]

I don’t know, they have been stepping up their game and more and more people are liking these cars. Atleast that is what I’m getting

[@User.2024.1]

USB A, what the hell they were thinking?

[@VagabondBuilds]

Haha that’s the point, maybe they weren’t thinking haha lol

[@anothercomment3451]

Front ends are Tied for UGLY.

[@VagabondBuilds]

Lol hahaha tied haha well then, which one would be a winner?

[@Ricky-mo6mv]

I can see what you mean. I think most manufacturers are trying really hard to find attractive front ends. At least 75% of them are failures.

[@anothercomment3451]

@@Ricky-mo6mv I hear they want "bold", "aggressive" (futuristic) styles. UGly.