Santa Fe vs Telluride
Hyundai versus Kia: the Santa Fe and the Telluride go after the same three-row suv buyer. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 2 of 3 areas go to the Telluride, and the gap is widest in off-road & towing.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trade-off
- Space & Practicality Telluride wins
- Off-road & Towing Telluride wins
- Engine & Performance5.5
- Off-road & Towing3.3
- Engine & Performance5.1
- Off-road & Towing5.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Telluride has 1,500 lb more towing capacity
Not a close call. The Telluride lists 5,000 lb and the Santa Fe lists 3,500 lb. That’s a substantial gap. A higher towing capacity lets you pull bigger trailers, boats and campers.
-
The Santa Fe has 49 lb-ft more torque
Among all the differences on this page, 311 lb-ft against 262 lb-ft is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Santa Fe. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
-
The Telluride has 14 hp more power
The Telluride has a modest edge on total system output: 291 hp against 277 hp for the Santa Fe. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
-
The Telluride has room for 8 seats
It’s a small lead (8 seats versus 7 seats), but it’s real, and it goes to the Telluride. The Telluride has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Santa Fe | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 78.3 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 114.2 in |
Engine & Performance
Trade-off
Give the Santa Fe credit for 49 lb-ft more torque, and the Telluride credit for 14 hp more power. In short, engine & performance splits the vote, and your use case casts the deciding one.
Torque
Santa Fe: 311 lb-ft Telluride: 262 lb-ft The Santa Fe’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Total system output
Santa Fe: 277 hp Telluride: 291 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Space & Practicality
Telluride leads
On space & practicality, the Telluride comes out slightly ahead. The Telluride has the edge with room for 8 seats. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there. If space & practicality is your priority, the Telluride is the car to pick.
Seats
Santa Fe: 7 seats Telluride: 8 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Off-road & Towing
Telluride leads
The off-road & towing comparison is one-sided. The Telluride leads where it counts. Choose the Telluride and you get 1,500 lb more towing capacity. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment, so check the exact trim you’re looking at. If this section decides it for you, choose the Telluride.
Max towing
Santa Fe: 3,500 lb Telluride: 5,000 lb If you tow regularly, the Telluride’s higher rating gives you more margin.
Safety & Tech
This section is descriptive. The Santa Fe and the Telluride list different components for safety & tech, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Santa Fe | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.5L turbo I4 | 3.8L V6 |
| Total system output | 277 hp | 291 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft (winner) | 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed dual-clutch | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Santa Fe | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | N/A (not specified) | 22 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | N/A (not specified) | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | N/A (not specified) | 26 mpg |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 18.8 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Santa Fe | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats | 8 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 21 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | N/A (not specified) | 87 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Santa Fe | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 3,500 lb Lowest towing capacity | 5,000 lb (winner) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Santa Fe | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 12.3 in |
| Driver-assist suite | Hyundai SmartSense | Kia Drive Wise |
| Basic warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Santa Fe | Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 78.3 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 114.2 in |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Santa Fe if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (311 lb-ft vs 262 lb-ft of torque)
- you’re comfortable with how Hyundai does things
Choose the Telluride if…
- you want the higher towing capacity (5,000 lb vs 3,500 lb)
- you want more power (291 hp vs 277 hp)
- you need more seats (8 seats vs 7 seats)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Santa Fe or the Telluride?
The Telluride wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d rather have 49 lb-ft more torque on the Santa Fe.
Executive Summary
The Santa Fe against the Telluride: two brands, one class, and more nuance than the marketing suggests. What I like most about the Telluride here is 1,500 lb more towing capacity. I also like that the Telluride brings 14 hp more power. The Santa Fe has a trump card of its own in 49 lb-ft more torque.
Your priorities do the choosing here: pulling power points to the Santa Fe, space & practicality to the Telluride.
My pick: the Telluride; the one scenario where I’d reach for the Santa Fe is if you’d trade the rest for 49 lb-ft more torque.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.