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Honda Pilot vs. Hyundai SANTA FE

When we compare the Honda Pilot to the Hyundai SANTA FE, the Honda Pilot has the advantage in the areas of interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Hyundai SANTA FE has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Honda Pilot versus the Hyundai SANTA FE, the Honda Pilot is a better car than the Hyundai SANTA FE.

Honda Pilot versus Hyundai SANTA FE Pricing

A used 2023 Honda Pilot ranges from $41,900 to $55,238 while a used 2023 Hyundai SANTA FE is priced between $29,999 to $45,039. For a new model, the Honda Pilot's price is between $43,049 and $53,847, with the Hyundai SANTA FE priced between $31,821 and $45,794.

Honda Pilot versus Hyundai SANTA FE Quality Rating

The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Honda Pilot is 8.7 out of 10 while the Hyundai SANTA FE's quality rating is 8.5 out of 10. This results in the Honda Pilot being ranked 2 out of 25 Best Midsize SUVs and the Hyundai SANTA FE being ranked 4 out of 25. Out of 61 Best Crossover SUVs, the Honda Pilot is ranked 61 and the Hyundai SANTA FE is ranked 6. The Honda Pilot is also ranked 4 out of 31 Best SUVs with 3 Rows while the Hyundai SANTA FE is ranked 6 out of 31.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison

For engine performance, the Honda Pilot’s base engine makes 285 horsepower, and the Hyundai SANTA FE base engine makes 191 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison

While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the Honda Pilot has the advantage of offering more front shoulder room, rear head room and rear shoulder room. The Hyundai SANTA FE has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room, rear leg room, and trunk space.

Hauling, Towing, and Off-Road Capabilities Comparison

The Hyundai SANTA FE has the advantage of offering higher ground clearance and payload capacity than the Honda Pilot.

Safety Ratings Comparison

When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Honda Pilot and the Hyundai SANTA FE have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.

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2023 Honda Pilot

2023 Hyundai SANTA FE

Pricing

New Asking Price:

$43,049 - $53,847

Used Asking Price:

$41,900 - $55,238

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

44.4%

Pricing

New Asking Price:

$31,821 - $45,794

Used Asking Price:

$29,999 - $45,039

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

50%

iSeeCars Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.7 / 10

Reliability:

8.6 / 10

Retained Value:

7.4 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

iSeeCars Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.5 / 10

Reliability:

8.5 / 10

Retained Value:

7.0 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

iSeeCars Rankings

1 / 61
2 / 31
2 / 25
2 / 25
2 / 25
2 / 15
3 / 61
3 / 61
3 / 28
4 / 31
4 / 21
6 / 25
8 / 31
8 / 31

Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value

8 / 25

SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value

12 / 31

Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value

33 / 61
42 / 61

iSeeCars Rankings

1 / 25
2 / 31
3 / 25
4 / 61
4 / 31
4 / 25
4 / 25
4 / 15
5 / 61
6 / 61
6 / 31
6 / 28
6 / 21
10 / 31

Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value

22 / 25

SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value

27 / 31
28 / 61

Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value

58 / 61

Summary Review

The Honda Pilot is one of America’s favorite three-row family vehicles. All but two trim levels offer seating for eight passengers, though many buyers opt for the 7-passenger configuration with two large captain's chairs in the second row.

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Summary Review

Hyundai’s Santa Fe has evolved rapidly over its generations into one of the most satisfying to drive midsize crossover SUVs on the market. There are many versions of the Santa Fe, some with two rows and some with three, depending upon the model year and trim.

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Pros and Cons

  • Seating for up to 8 in almost every trim 
  • Family-friendly features galore
  • Among the largest interior volume and cargo capacity of this segment’s SUVs
  • One of the most “made-in-America” models in this segment (Alabama)

  • No green (hybrid/electric) powertrain option available
  • Overdue for an update

Pros and Cons

  • New engines for 2021 including a hybrid
  • Cutting-edge infotainment
  • Excellent safety ratings

  • Only two rows for 2021

Available Body Styles

SUV

Available Body Styles

SUV

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Trim Levels

Elite, EX-L-7P, EX-L-8P, LX, Sport, Touring, TrailSport

Trim Levels

Calligraphy, Limited, SE, SEL, XRT

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 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

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specifications

Horsepower:

285 hp @ 6100 rpm

Torque:

262 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.071 hp per pound

Towing Capacity:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specifications

Horsepower:

191 hp @ 6100 rpm

Torque:

181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.052 hp per pound

Towing Capacity:

Not yet available

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

3.5 liters

Engine Configuration:

V

Number of Cylinders:

6

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD / AWD

EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):

Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

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):

25 / 28 / 26

Range (city/hwy):

443 / 496 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Heated Seats:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Standard/Optional Features

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Heated Seats:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

40.5 inches

Front Leg Room:

41 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

61.9 inches

Rear Head Room:

40.2 inches

Rear Leg Room:

40.8 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

61.7 inches

Cargo Space:

18.6 cubic feet

Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:

87 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

177.0 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

41.2 inches

Front Leg Room:

44.1 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

59.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

39 inches

Rear Leg Room:

41.7 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

58.3 inches

Cargo Space:

36.4 cubic feet

Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:

72.1 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

147.9 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

4030 lbs

Width:

78.5 inches

Height:

71 inches

Length:

199.9 inches

Wheelbase:

113.8 inches

Ground Clearance:

7.3 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3649 lbs

Width:

74.8 inches

Height:

66.3 inches

Length:

188.4 inches

Wheelbase:

108.9 inches

Ground Clearance:

8.2 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 inches

Wheel Type:

painted alloy

Tire Size:

255/60R18

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 7.5 inches

Wheel Type:

alloy

Tire Size:

235/60R18