Hyundai SANTA FE vs. Lexus RX 350
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai SANTA FE and Lexus RX 350 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 Hyundai SANTA FE and the Lexus RX 350.
When we compare the Hyundai SANTA FE's and the Lexus RX 350'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, overall quality score and base engine power. The Lexus RX 350 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai SANTA FE's and the Lexus RX 350's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SANTA FE is a better car than the Lexus RX 350.
Pricing: A used 2024 Hyundai SANTA FE ranges from $35,754 to $50,129 while a used 2024 Lexus RX 350 is priced between $52,993 to $66,936. For a new model, the Hyundai SANTA FE's price is between $36,405 and $50,125, with the Lexus RX 350 priced between $52,880 and $67,145.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Hyundai SANTA FE loses 45.7 percent of its value and the Lexus RX 350 loses 42.5 percent of its value. This means the Lexus RX 350 retains 3.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Hyundai SANTA FE.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Hyundai SANTA FE is 8.7 out of 10 while the Lexus RX 350's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Hyundai SANTA FE being ranked 3 out of 32 Best Midsize SUVs and the Lexus RX 350 being ranked 2 out of 20 Best Luxury Midsize SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Hyundai SANTA FE is 8.6 out of 10. For the Lexus RX 350 the reliability rating is 8.9 out of 10. This gives the Lexus RX 350 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Hyundai SANTA FE.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai SANTA FE’s base engine makes 277 horsepower, and the Lexus RX 350 base engine makes 275 horsepower. The SANTA FE is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 513 miles. The RX 350 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 516 miles. This gives the Lexus RX 350 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Hyundai SANTA FE. The SANTA FE uses regular unleaded, and the RX 350 uses premium unleaded.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Hyundai SANTA FE has higher safety ratings than the Lexus RX 350, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.42 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Lexus RX 350 has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
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
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$52,880 - $67,145
Starting MSRP:
$48,600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$72,087
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$48,600 - $127,200
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:
3,243
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,987
# Good or Great Deals:
483
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$59,910
Price Range:
$52,993 - $66,936
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$82,938
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$54,923 - $133,203
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
727
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
8,455
# Good or Great Deals:
114
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%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$21,021
Depreciation %:
43.3%
Resale Value $:
$27,579
Residual Value %:
56.7%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
53.4%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
43.3% - 61%
Hyundai SANTA FE Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Lexus RX 350 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
8.4 / 10
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%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus RX 350
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
10.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
7.9 - 12.8
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
49.6%
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
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
3.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.8 - 41.1
Hyundai SANTA FE Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 39Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
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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
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15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 32Ranking
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17 out of / 39Ranking
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18 out of / 39Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
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22 out of / 32Ranking
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26 out of / 39Ranking
27 out of / 39Ranking
28 out of / 39Ranking
34 out of / 59Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
50 out of / 67Lexus RX 350 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 68Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 20Ranking
20 out of / 20Ranking
21 out of / 59Ranking
26 out of / 68Ranking
32 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
40 out of / 68Ranking
42 out of / 68Ranking
62 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Hyundai SANTA FE Trim Levels
Calligraphy, Limited, SE, SEL, XRT
Lexus RX 350 Trim Levels
Base, F SPORT Handling, Luxury, Premium, Premium+
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.42 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
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
275 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
317 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.066 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
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):
20 / 29 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
354 / 513 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
392 / 516 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention 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
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
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:
N/A
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
29.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
46.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4155 lbs
Width:
75.6 inches
Height:
67.3 inches
Length:
192.5 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/60R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Phantom Black Pearl
Gray
Ecotronic Gray Pearl / Hampton Gray Metallic
Silver
Shimmering Silver Metallic
White
Serenity White Pearl
Blue
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Caviar
Gray
Cloudburst Gray
Silver
Iridium
White
Eminent White Pearl
Blue
Nightfall Mica
Green
Nori Green Pearl
Red
Matador Red Mica
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/ Black Cascade Trim
Gray
Not available
White
Macadamia w/ Black Cascade Trim
