Hyundai Santa Fe vs Mazda CX-90
What's the difference?

Hyundai Santa Fe

$45,990 - $88,777

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Mazda CX-90

$55,990 - $87,276

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Summary

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

2025 Mazda CX-90

By Emily Agar

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.5L

Inline 6, 3.3L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

9.3L/100km (combined)

8.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Superb storage in cabin
Forgiving to drive for most driver types
Passenger comfort in all three rows

Luxury look and feel
Powerful, efficient drivetrain
Adults can fit in the third row

Dislikes

Not as efficient as hybrid siblings
Exterior design won't land with everyone
Basic warranty terms on offer

Transmission should be smoother
Ride still a bit hard
Price attracts unfavourable comparisons

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Summary

A big welcome to one of the first turbo-petrol four-cylinder versions of the new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, a model that launched locally with only its hybrid variants available to our market.

While it might not satisfy the fans of the previous-gen's V6 petrol engine, it might be enough for those who have been on the fence about going the hybrid route.

This is my third time in the new Santa Fe, and each tested variant has managed to offer something different and the base petrol grade, in FWD, is no different – but does it offer enough?

View full pricing & specs

2025 Mazda CX-90 Summary

When it comes to Mazda’s luxury aspirations, the CX-90 is it. The big Kahuna. Seven seats of what should be the Japanese brand’s exceptionalism amongst its mainstream rivals.

But does this more than five-metre-long Mazda have what it takes to elevate the brand beyond the likes of Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Kia?

Importantly, is this base version - which is closer to Mazda’s traditional price point - a bit of a luxury seven-seat SUV bargain?

We drove a CX-90 G50e Touring (the most affordable CX-90 of the lot) for a week to find out.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 2025 Mazda CX-90

Verdict

So I asked at the beginning if the Hyundai Santa Fe FWD petrol offered enough for families looking for a large seven-seat SUV and the answer is: YES!

It's practical, has people-mover space and storage and is downright comfortable to drive. There's so much to like here.

Verdict

There are many reasons I quite like this CX-90. It sells the plush luxury promise when it comes to its interior and design, it feels big and purposeful, and has a refreshingly minimalist approach to its cabin tech. As a seven-seat SUV it’s particularly impressive, with plenty of amenity and a third row that can genuinely fit an adult in comfort.

However, there are areas where it could use more polish, from the drivetrain to the ride, and it ultimately strikes an odd point for price and ownership which feels lost between the premium segment and the mainstream rivals.

If you’re a long-term Mazda owner, I still think you’ll love it, and this Touring grade is definitely the best value in the range. It offers the lion’s share of equipment at a price more comparable to Mazda’s traditional mainstream rivals.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Mazda CX-90 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Mazda CX-90
What's the difference?