Compare the2025 Nissan PathfinderVS 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The Nissan Pathfinder has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps 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 Pathfinder Platinum has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Pathfinder and the Santa Fe Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, available all wheel drive and 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 Pathfinder is much safer than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

The Nissan Pathfinder 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 a “Good” 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.

There are over 28 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Pathfinder’s warranty.

The Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 53 more horsepower (284 vs. 231) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 64 more horsepower (295 vs. 231) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine) is faster than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid:

Both the Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Pathfinder has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Pathfinder, 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 Pathfinder’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Santa Fe Hybrid:

The Pathfinder’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.

For better traction, the Pathfinder has larger tires than the Santa Fe Hybrid (255/60R18 vs. 235/60R18).

The Pathfinder has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Pathfinder has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Santa Fe Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pathfinder’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the Santa Fe Hybrid (114.2 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pathfinder is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Santa Fe Hybrid.

For greater off-road capability the Pathfinder has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Santa Fe Hybrid (7.1 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Pathfinder to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Pathfinder Rock Creek’s minimum ground clearance is .7 inch higher than on the Santa Fe Hybrid (7.7 vs. 7 inches).

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Santa Fe Hybrid can only carry 7.

The Pathfinder has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear hip room, 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room, .1 inches more third row headroom, 4 inches more third row hip room and 4.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Santa Fe Hybrid.

The Pathfinder’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 Pathfinder. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Pathfinder’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is only 2000 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Pathfinder’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 Pathfinder’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.