2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. 2025 Land Rover Defender Review

Picture of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

2025 Hyundai
Santa Fe

MSRP*: $34,300 to $48,650
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Picture of the 2025 Land Rover Defender

2025 Land Rover
Defender

MSRP*: $56,900 to $167,800
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MPG - City 19 - 20 MPG Info not available
MPG - Hwy 26 - 29 MPG Info not available
Seating Capacity 6 - 7 seats 5 - 8 seats
Cargo Space 79.6 ft3 44.6 - 76.1 ft3
Engine
  • 277-hp, 2.5-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 296-hp, 2.0-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 296-hp, 3.0-liter, Straight 6 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline/Mild Electric Hybrid)
  • 395-hp, 3.0-liter, Straight 6 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline/Mild Electric Hybrid)
  • 493-hp, 5.0-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 518-hp, 5.0-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 626-hp, 4.4-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline/Mild Electric Hybrid)
Transmission Automatic Automatic
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive, Front Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive
Horsepower 277 hp 296 - 626 hp
Towing Capacity 3,500 - 4,500 lbs 7,716 - 8,201 lbs
Exterior Length 190.2 in 180.5 - 211.7 in
Exterior Width 74.8 in 79.1 in
Leg Room Front 44.4 in
Rear 42.3 in
Front 39.1 in
Rear 36.6 - 38.4 in
Head Room Front 40.2 - 41.1 in
Rear 39.6 - 40.6 in
Front 40.6 in
Rear 40.4 in

*MSRP and Invoice prices displayed are for educational purposes only, do not reflect the actual selling price of a particular vehicle, and do not include applicable gas taxes or destination charges.

Comparison Review

Comfort
Rear passengers will be able to stretch out a lot more in the Hyundai Santa Fe than in the Land Rover Defender. The Hyundai Santa Fe will be popular with taller drivers and passengers in the front seat, due to its greater front head- and legroom than the Land Rover Defender.

Cost
There are a lot of factors to consider when calculating the overall cost of a vehicle. The main consideration is Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Clearly, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a better financial choice over the Land Rover Defender, when considering MSRP.

Dimensions
Since the Hyundai Santa Fe is much slimmer than the Land Rover Defender, it'll be much easier to find a wide enough space in a crowded parking lot. The Hyundai Santa Fe is slightly shorter than the Land Rover Defender, which may make it easier to park.

Handling
The Hyundai Santa Fe has a significantly smaller turning radius than the Land Rover Defender, allowing you to much more easily maneuver in and out of tight spots.

Performance
In terms of towing capacity, the Land Rover Defender is clearly the choice over the Hyundai Santa Fe for pulling heavy loads. When it comes to horsepower, the Hyundai Santa Fe has a lot less horsepower than the Land Rover Defender.

Powertrain
The Hyundai Santa Fe has much lower torque than the Land Rover Defender, which generally means that it won't feel as fast or powerful.

Utility
The Hyundai Santa Fe offers greater seating capacity than the Land Rover Defender, making it a better choice for those who find themselves chauffeuring others around. The Hyundai Santa Fe has a roomier cargo area for putting your bags or other items than the Land Rover Defender.