Compare the2025 Lexus NXVS 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

Both the NX 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, front wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the NX is safer than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus NX is safer than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

The Lexus NX has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Santa Fe Hybrid is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

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 Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 16 points higher than the Santa Fe Hybrid and the Lexus NX is rated 35 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 Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 63 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 13th.

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

The NX 350h AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 9 more horsepower (240 vs. 231) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (275 vs. 231) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 271) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The NX 450h+ AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 73 more horsepower (304 vs. 231) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 350h AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid:

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h+ AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Santa Fe Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Both the NX and Santa Fe Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The NX (except NX 350h/450h+) has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

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

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

The NX’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 NX stops shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The NX 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.

The NX 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid AWD (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Santa Fe Hybrid (7.7 vs. 7 inches), allowing the NX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The NX’s minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the Santa Fe Hybrid (8.1 vs. 7 inches).

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 750 pounds less than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.

The NX is 6.7 inches shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid, making the NX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The NX has a much larger cargo volume than the Santa Fe Hybrid with its rear seat up (22.7 vs. 14.6 cubic feet).

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 78% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

The NX’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 NX’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.

The NX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The NX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 NX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Santa Fe Hybrid’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the NX offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The NX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Santa Fe Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Lexus NX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited/Calligraphy.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus NX and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.