Compare the2025 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 4Runner has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the 4Runner and the Santa Fe Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

There are over 45 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 4Runner’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4Runner’s reliability 36 points higher than the Santa Fe Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

The 4Runner’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (278 vs. 231) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 271) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The 4Runner Trailhunter’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 92 more horsepower (323 vs. 231) and 194 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 271) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 95 more horsepower (326 vs. 231) and 194 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 271) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota 4Runner is faster than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid:

Both the 4Runner Limited/i-FORCE MAX and the Santa Fe Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All 4Runner Limited/i-FORCE MAXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The 4Runner has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Santa Fe Hybrid (19 vs. 17.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is available on the Toyota 4Runner, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Santa Fe Hybrid.

For better stopping power the 4Runner’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Santa Fe Hybrid:

The 4Runner’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Santa Fe Hybrid are solid, not vented.

The 4Runner stops shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger tires than the Santa Fe Hybrid (265/70R17 vs. 235/60R18). The 4Runner SR5’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Santa Fe Hybrid (265/70R17 vs. 255/45R20).

The Toyota 4Runner’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Santa Fe Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 4Runner offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4Runner’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Santa Fe Hybrid (112.2 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 4Runner is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Santa Fe Hybrid.

The 4Runner’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.4% to 50.6%) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (54% to 46%). This gives the 4Runner more stable handling and braking.

The 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid AWD (28 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner SR5 has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Santa Fe Hybrid (8.1 vs. 7 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 3.1 inches higher than on the Santa Fe Hybrid (10.1 vs. 7 inches).

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Santa Fe Hybrid.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 4Runner. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (6000 vs. 2000 pounds).

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Santa Fe Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 4Runner’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Santa Fe Hybrid has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The 4Runner’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Santa Fe Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.