Hyundai SANTA FE vs. Mazda CX-7
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai SANTA FE and Mazda CX-7 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 Mazda CX-7.
In comparing the Hyundai SANTA FE's and the Mazda CX-7's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SANTA FE has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, interior volume and base engine power. The Mazda CX-7 has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai SANTA FE's and the Mazda CX-7's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SANTA FE is a better car than the Mazda CX-7.
Pricing: A used 2012 Hyundai SANTA FE ranges from $5,499 to $14,271 while a used 2012 Mazda CX-7 is priced between $4,367 to $12,999.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai SANTA FE’s base engine makes 175 horsepower, and the Mazda CX-7 base engine makes 161 horsepower. The SANTA FE is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 504 miles. The CX-7 is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 443 miles. This gives the Hyundai SANTA FE the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Mazda CX-7. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai SANTA FE 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, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Hyundai SANTA FE has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23225
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
27219
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
18995 - 32835
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
22190
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
9325
Price Range:
5499 - 14271
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
11614
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
7775 - 18747
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
92
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
136887
# Good or Great Deals:
32
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
8405
Price Range:
4367 - 12999
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
9
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
140588
# Good or Great Deals:
6
Hyundai SANTA FE Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.737512 / 10
Reliability:
8.554214 / 10
Retained Value:
7.658323 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Mazda CX-7 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai SANTA FE
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-7
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6947179978948503
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.4 - 15.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.9344469781619416
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Hyundai 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 / 67Mazda CX-7 Rankings
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Hyundai SANTA FE Trim Levels
GLS, Limited, SE
Mazda CX-7 Trim Levels
i Sport, i SV, i Touring, s Grand Touring, s Touring
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
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:
2 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):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
175 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
169 foot-lbs @ 3750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.047 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
161 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
161 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.046 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
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):
20 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
360 / 504 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
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 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
328 / 443 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
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
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
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
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.6 inches
Cargo Space:
34.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
78.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
142.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.8 inches
Cargo Space:
29.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
131.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3725 lbs
Width:
74.4 inches
Height:
67.9 inches
Length:
184.1 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3496 lbs
Width:
73.7 inches
Height:
64.8 inches
Length:
184.3 inches
Wheelbase:
108.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/70R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Twilight Black
Blue
Pacific Blue Pearl
Gold
Cabo Bronze
Gray
Mineral Gray
Green
Black Forest Green
Red
Sierra Red
Silver
Moonstone Silver
White
Frost White Pearl / Glacier White
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black Clearcoat
Blue
Stormy Blue Mica
Gold
Not available
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Black Cherry Mica / Copper Red Mica
Silver
Liquid Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Gray
Gray
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Sand
Gray
Not available
Black
Black
