Compare the2023 Hyundai Santa Fe HybridVS 2022 Fiat 500X

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Santa Fe Hybrid and 500X have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Santa Fe Hybrid has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The 500X’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Santa Fe Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The 500X doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist in the Santa Fe Hybrid as “Superior.” The 500X scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited has standard Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The 500X doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The 500X doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the 500X and is only available on 500X Trekking/Sport/Trekking Plus.

The Santa Fe Hybrid offers an optional Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 500X only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the 500X’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the 500X Trekking/Sport/Trekking Plus offers a rear cross-path warning system and it costs extra.

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 500X doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Santa Fe Hybrid and the 500X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid weighs 773 to 922 pounds more than the Fiat 500X. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Santa Fe Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 87 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 500X last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The Santa Fe Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 500X’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Santa Fe Hybrid 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Fiat covers the 500X. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the 500X ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the 500X’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Santa Fe Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Fiat doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 500X.

There are over 2 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Fiat dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Santa Fe Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard 760-amp battery. The 500X’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 49 more horsepower (226 vs. 177) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 210) than the 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Santa Fe Hybrid gets better mileage than the 500X:

		MPG
Santa Fe Hybrid
	Blue 1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/31 hwy
	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	33 city/30 hwy
500X
	1.3 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Santa Fe Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The 500X doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 500X requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Santa Fe Hybrid has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the 500X (17.7 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Fiat 500X (6). This means the Santa Fe Hybrid produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 500X every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Santa Fe Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 500X:

	Santa Fe Hybrid	500X
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	10.95 inches

The Santa Fe Hybrid stops shorter than the 500X:

	Santa Fe Hybrid	500X
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	146 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Santa Fe Hybrid has larger tires than the 500X (235/65R17 vs. 215/60R17). The Santa Fe Hybrid Blue’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 500X (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Santa Fe Hybrid’s wheelbase is 7.7 inches longer than on the 500X (108.9 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Santa Fe Hybrid is 4.2 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the 500X.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited handles at .79 G’s, while the 500X Trekking pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 500X Trekking (28 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Santa Fe Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the 500X (8.2 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Santa Fe Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The design of the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid amounts to more than styling. The Santa Fe Hybrid has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the 500X (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Santa Fe Hybrid get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The Santa Fe Hybrid has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front legroom, 4.2 inches more front hip room, 4.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 6 inches more rear legroom, 4.1 inches more rear hip room and 5.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the 500X.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Santa Fe Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The 500X’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Santa Fe Hybrid is 1.9 inches lower than the 500X (17.5” vs. 19.4”). The Santa Fe Hybrid’s rear step up height is 1.3 inches lower than the 500X’s (18.3” vs. 19.6”).

Cargo Capacity

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the 500X with its rear seat up (36.4 vs. 14.1 cubic feet). The Santa Fe Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the 500X with its rear seat folded (72.1 vs. 39.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Santa Fe Hybrid easier. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the 500X’s liftover is 31.4 inches.

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the 500X’s in every dimension:

	Santa Fe Hybrid	500X
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42.4”/77.4”	n/a
Max Width	54”	41.3”
Min Width	43.4”	37.8”
Height	31”	28.8”

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Santa Fe Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 500X doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Santa Fe Hybrid’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The 500X doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

Standard Trailer Sway Assist on the Santa Fe Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The 500X doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Santa Fe Hybrid uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The 500X uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited, the memory system makes it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The 500X doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 500X doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The 500X doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the 500X’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The 500X only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Santa Fe Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 500X doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The 500X’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Santa Fe Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the 500X, and aren’t available on the 500X Pop. The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the 500X.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 500X doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 500X doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 500X doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the 500X and isn’t available on the 500X Pop.

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The 500X Pop doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Santa Fe Hybrid has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 500X doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 500X doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The 500X doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The 500X doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The Santa Fe Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Santa Fe Hybrid will retain 50.72% to 50.86% of its original price after five years, while the 500X only retains 36.13% to 38.37%.

Recommendations

The Hyundai Santa Fe outsold the Fiat 500X by almost 93 to one during the 2021 model year.