Audi Q3 vs. Hyundai SANTA FE
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi Q3 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 Audi Q3 and the Hyundai SANTA FE.
In comparing the Audi Q3's and the Hyundai SANTA FE's specifications and ratings, the Audi Q3 has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. 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, reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Audi Q3's and the Hyundai SANTA FE's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SANTA FE is a better car than the Audi Q3.
Pricing: A used 2024 Audi Q3 ranges from $37,981 to $47,178 while a used 2024 Hyundai SANTA FE is priced between $35,754 to $50,129. For a new model, the Audi Q3's price is between $41,536 and $50,024, 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 Audi Q3 loses 47.6 percent of its value and the Hyundai SANTA FE loses 45.7 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai SANTA FE retains 1.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi Q3.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi Q3 is 8.1 out of 10 while the Hyundai SANTA FE's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Audi Q3 being ranked 2 out of 13 Best Luxury Subcompact SUVs and the Hyundai SANTA FE being ranked 3 out of 32 Best Midsize SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi Q3 is 6.8 out of 10. For the Hyundai SANTA FE the reliability rating is 8.6 out of 10. This gives the Hyundai SANTA FE an advantage in reliability compared to the Audi Q3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi Q3’s base engine makes 184 horsepower, and the Hyundai SANTA FE base engine makes 277 horsepower. The Q3 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 461 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 Audi Q3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Hyundai SANTA FE the advantage in maximum range. Both models use 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 shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Audi Q3, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage in the area of cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Audi Q3 and the Hyundai SANTA FE have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$41,536 - $50,024
Starting MSRP:
$37,400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$40,572
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$25,600 - $49,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$36,405 - $50,125
Starting MSRP:
$33,950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$37,697
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$31,990 - $43,320
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$41,880
Price Range:
$37,981 - $47,178
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$45,794
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$28,730 - $58,418
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
776
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
11,080
# Good or Great Deals:
109
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$42,365
Price Range:
$35,754 - $50,129
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$47,563
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$40,678 - $66,020
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,604
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
4,129
# Good or Great Deals:
289
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$18,036
Depreciation %:
48.2%
Resale Value $:
$19,364
Residual Value %:
51.8%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
46.1%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
43% - 50.6%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$15,611
Depreciation %:
46%
Resale Value $:
$18,339
Residual Value %:
54%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
46.3%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
27.5% - 53.5%
Audi Q3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
6.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Hyundai SANTA FE Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi Q3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
11.8
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
11.1 - 12.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
9.1%
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:
20.2%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
1.3 - 6.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.6 - 14.8
Audi Q3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 59Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 68Ranking
11 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
24 out of / 68Ranking
26 out of / 68Ranking
31 out of / 68Ranking
43 out of / 68Ranking
44 out of / 68Ranking
53 out of / 68Ranking
58 out of / 68Ranking
61 out of / 68Hyundai SANTA FE Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 39Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 39Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 39Ranking
4 out of / 32Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 34Ranking
7 out of / 39Ranking
8 out of / 39Ranking
8 out of / 16Ranking
10 out of / 39Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 21Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 32Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
18 out of / 39Ranking
18 out of / 39Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
22 out of / 32Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
23 out of / 30Ranking
26 out of / 39Ranking
27 out of / 39Ranking
28 out of / 39Ranking
34 out of / 59Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
50 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi Q3 Trim Levels
quattro Premium 40 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 40 TFSI, quattro S line Prem Plus 45 TFSI, quattro S line Premium 45 TFSI
Hyundai SANTA FE Trim Levels
Calligraphy, Limited, SE, SEL, XRT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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:
Not yet available
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:
184 hp @ 4800 rpm
Torque:
221 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.047 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):
22 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
350 / 461 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular 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
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
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
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
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
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
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
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
40 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
23.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
48 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
107.7 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:
3902 lbs
Width:
79.7 inches
Height:
62.9 inches
Length:
176.6 inches
Wheelbase:
105.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.7 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:
18.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Chronos Gray Metallic / Nano Gray Metallic
Orange
Pulse Orange
Red
Progressive Red Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Phantom Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Ecotronic Gray Pearl / Hampton Gray Metallic
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Shimmering Silver Metallic
White
Serenity White Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Pearl Beige
Black
Black
Brown
Okapi Brown
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Gray
