Acura RDX vs. Hyundai SANTA FE
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Acura RDX and Hyundai SANTA FE contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Acura RDX and the Hyundai SANTA FE.
When we compare the Acura RDX's and the Hyundai SANTA FE's specifications and ratings, The Hyundai SANTA FE has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Acura RDX's and the Hyundai SANTA FE's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SANTA FE is a better car than the Acura RDX.
Pricing: A used 2024 Acura RDX ranges from $42,582 to $55,604 while a used 2024 Hyundai SANTA FE is priced between $35,754 to $50,129. For a new model, the Acura RDX's price is between $45,700 and $56,095, with the Hyundai SANTA FE priced between $36,405 and $50,125.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Acura RDX loses 46.4 percent of its value and the Hyundai SANTA FE loses 45.7 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai SANTA FE retains 0.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Acura RDX.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Acura RDX is 8.4 out of 10 while the Hyundai SANTA FE's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Acura RDX being ranked 1 out of 28 Best Luxury Small SUVs and the Hyundai SANTA FE being ranked 7 out of 34 Best SUVs with 3 Rows.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Acura RDX is 8.5 out of 10. For the Hyundai SANTA FE the reliability rating is 8.6 out of 10. This gives the Hyundai SANTA FE a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Acura RDX.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Acura RDX’s base engine makes 272 horsepower, and the Hyundai SANTA FE base engine makes 277 horsepower. The RDX is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 462 miles. The SANTA FE is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 513 miles. This gives the Hyundai SANTA FE the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Acura RDX. The RDX uses premium unleaded, and the SANTA FE uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai SANTA FE, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Acura RDX, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Acura RDX and the Hyundai SANTA FE have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Acura RDX has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
45700 - 56095
Starting MSRP:
44350
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
50139
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
22400 - 79100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
36405 - 50125
Starting MSRP:
33950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
37697
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
31990 - 43320
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
48095
Price Range:
42582 - 55604
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
57314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
27806 - 84530
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
456
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
12124
# Good or Great Deals:
110
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
42365
Price Range:
35754 - 50129
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
47563
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
40678 - 66020
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1142
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
10108
# Good or Great Deals:
401
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
20710
Depreciation %:
0.4669765
Resale Value $:
23640
Residual Value %:
0.5330235
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.50544779
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.40388799 - 0.56584885
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
15611
Depreciation %:
0.45982171
Resale Value $:
18339
Residual Value %:
0.5401782900000001
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
0.4631145
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
0.27538997 - 0.53491193
Acura RDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.367532 / 10
Reliability:
8.493495 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6091 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Hyundai SANTA FE Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.737512 / 10
Reliability:
8.554214 / 10
Retained Value:
7.658323 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura RDX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
10.7 - 13.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.351
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai SANTA FE
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
10.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.6 - 13.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.202
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.822963997981713
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 26.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.9946325165676613
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.6 - 14.8
Acura RDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
5 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
8 out of / 28Ranking
8 out of / 27Ranking
9 out of / 68Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
12 out of / 68Ranking
15 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 64Ranking
19 out of / 68Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
27 out of / 68Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
42 out of / 68Ranking
44 out of / 68Ranking
50 out of / 68Hyundai SANTA FE Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 32Ranking
4 out of / 30Ranking
4 out of / 30Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 34Ranking
7 out of / 34Ranking
7 out of / 34Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 32Ranking
9 out of / 34Ranking
9 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 34Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 34Ranking
11 out of / 34Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 34Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 34Ranking
20 out of / 67Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
22 out of / 56Ranking
24 out of / 32Ranking
24 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 34Ranking
27 out of / 34Ranking
29 out of / 34Ranking
33 out of / 56Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
41 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Acura RDX Trim Levels
SH-AWD, SH-AWD w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD w/Advance, SH-AWD w/Advance w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD w/Tech
Hyundai SANTA FE Trim Levels
Calligraphy, Limited, SE, SEL, XRT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
272 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.068 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
277 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
311 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
359 / 462 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 29 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
354 / 513 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
60 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Cargo Space:
29.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
133.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
79.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
166.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4014 lbs
Width:
74.8 inches
Height:
65.7 inches
Length:
187.4 inches
Wheelbase:
108.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.2 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4343 lbs
Width:
74.8 inches
Height:
67.7 inches
Length:
190.2 inches
Wheelbase:
110.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Majestic Black Pearl
Blue
Fathom Blue Pearl
Gray
Liquid Carbon Metallic
Red
Performance Red Pearl
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Phantom Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Ecotronic Gray Pearl / Hampton Gray Metallic
Red
Not available
Silver
Shimmering Silver Metallic
White
Serenity White Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment
Black
Ebony
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
