Here’s a side-by-side comparative assessment of the Toyota Kluger and the Hyundai Santa Fe. The 2014 Toyota Kluger is an incremental modification to the earlier models that significantly improve the kit.
We’re evaluating them since they’re both in the same price range.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a big improvement over the previous model and also a very excellent bundle, although it is a size more compact than the Kluger and in volume and strength is similar to the outmoded Subaru Tribeca, however, the Santa Fe is not exactly the best example of ‘value for money.
Other differences between both the vehicles are listed further in this article.
Key Takeaways
- Toyota Kluger offers a more powerful V6 engine, while Hyundai Santa Fe chooses a turbocharged 4-cylinder and a hybrid option.
- Toyota Kluger features a more spacious interior and higher towing capacity than Hyundai Santa Fe.
- Hyundai Santa Fe offers a longer warranty and a lower starting price than Toyota Kluger, providing better value for budget-conscious buyers.
Toyota Kluger vs Hyundai Santa Fe
The Toyota Kluger, also known as the Toyota Highlander, is a three-row SUV that is known for its reliability and practicality. The Hyundai Santa Fe is a two-row SUV that offers a more stylish and modern design, offering a comfortable and spacious interior, with a variety of modern features.
Toyota’s seven-seat soft-roader has cornered the market for big hybrid SUVs. It recently transitioned from mainstream SUV to MPV, swapping sales leadership including its hard-core sister, the Land Cruiser Prado.
The Toyota Kluger, also marketed as the Highlander in other regions, debuted in the Australian market in 2003 with something like a 3.0-liter V6 engine and was founded on the chassis of the Camry passenger vehicle.
The Hyundai Santa Fe seems to be a sport utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by Hyundai in South Korea from 2000. This was released for the 2001 generation year as Hyundai’s debut SUV and is nicknamed after the city of Santa Fe, Mexico.
The Santa Fe was a watershed moment in the industry’s late-90s restructuring program since the SUV was a success with American purchasers.
The Santa Fe was situated between the smaller Tucson compact sedan and the bigger Veracruz throughout 2006 and 2012.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Toyota Kluger | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Description | The Toyota Kluger, also marketed as the Highlander in other regions, debuted in the Australian market in 2003 with something like a 3.0-litre V6 engine and was founded on the chassis of the Camry passenger vehicle. | The Hyundai Santa Fe seems to be a sport utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by Hyundai in South Korea from 2000. Recent models date back to 2021. |
| Type | The Kluger is a crossover SUV and the Australian variant is an MPV. | It is a designated SUV or sports utility vehicle. |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic transmission gearbox with a top speed of 180kmph. | 6-Speed gearbox with automatic/manual transmission options. |
| Engine | 24 Valves 6V cylinders petrol engine. The compression ratio is 11:8:1. | 16 valves and 4 inline cylinders. With a compression ratio of 11:3:1. |
| Front and Rear Suspension | MacPherson Strut front suspension and Double Wishbone rear suspension. | MacPherson Strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. |
What is Toyota Kluger?
Toyota Kluger is an MPV or hybrid SUV that has been on the market since 2001. It’s a four-door vehicle with a front-engine configuration and all-wheel drive.
As a result, the model has undergone three waves of refinement and invention.
Including Hybrid technologies such as the traction control seen in Toyota vehicles. A technology that intelligently regulates and combines periods of 4 drives.
Electronic control braking systems, accelerator control, and real electronically controlled active steering are also available.
The second and third-gen Toyota Kluger vehicles, on the other hand, have a six-cylinder 3.5-liter powertrain that delivers 270 horsepower. The measurements of the beast are 4785 x 1910 x 1730 mm, making it bigger than the Toyota Vanguard SUV.
In 2008, a new model of the Toyota Kluger debuted, propelled by a bigger 3.5-liter V6. Seven years later, the 3rd-gen Toyota Kluger migrated to Australia. Toyota provides the Kluger in both front-wheel driving and all-wheel driving configurations.
The interiors of the Toyota Kluger automobile are both comfortable and stylish. Its supple, soft-touch material upholstery and neatly positioned cup and drink holders, for instance, provide a significant level of elegant and sophisticated comfort for bigger groups of passengers.
What is Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a decent and utilitarian vehicle with a slightly posh attitude that offers families a big interior, outstanding equipment, and a lot of streetscapes.
Customers may choose between two four-cylinder units, one of which is a turbocharged 2.5-liter, and into the front or all-wheel drive; a centrifugal supercharger is also an option.
However, in whatever configuration, the Santa Fe is a joy to drive and offers good fuel efficiency.
Those concerned with safety features will be glad to hear that Hyundai includes a slew of driver-assistance systems as equipment; the same goes for those who want the most up-to-date entertainment technology, which Santa Fe has enough of.
The third-generation Santa Fe, which debuted in 2012, was offered in two configurations: conventional (short) and enhanced long-wheelbase.
The short framework was marketed as the Santa Fe Sport in North American markets and merely the Santa Fe in international markets (three-row seating was standard or optional), whereas the extended long-wheelbase design was marketed as the Santa Fe in the United States, the Santa Fe XL in Ontario, and the Hyundai “Maxcruz” in South Korea.
Hyundai interiors are well-known for their dependable quality of construction and outstanding highlights over sharp designs and luxury components.
Still, Santa Fe boasts a lovely cabin with a variety of contemporary features like a digital meter cluster, a head-up screen, heated rear seating, ventilated front chairs, and much more.
Main Differences Between Toyota Kluger and Hyundai Santa Fe
- Toyota Kluger has 6 cylinder engine whereas Hyundai Santa Fe has 4 cylinder engine.
- The compression ratio for Toyota Kluger’s engine is 11:8:1 whereas the compression ratio for Santa Fe’s engine is 11:3:1.
- The Toyota Kluger is equipped with an 8-speed gearbox whereas the Santa Fe is equipped with 6-speed gearbox.
- Toyota Kluger is a 7 seater MPV whereas the Santa Fe is a 5 seater vehicle.
- Toyota Kluger is a crossover SUV and the Australian model is MPV whereas the Santa Fe is a designated SUV.
- https://www.carsales.com.au/toyota/kluger/
- https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/suv/santa-fe/highlights
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Both vehicles seem to be great options, but the Kluger’s V6 engine and more powerful performance could be a better fit for my needs.
I disagree, I think the Santa Fe is an excellent example of value for money, providing a great budget choice for buyers.
I have to agree with you Edward, the Santa Fe is far more comfortable than the Kluger.
The detailed comparison of both vehicles is highly valuable. The article made an excellent case for each of them.
I had no idea about the differences between these two models. Thanks for this informative piece!
This was an insightful article. I’ve been researching these two vehicles and this has helped me decide which one to go for.
The ironic tone used to describe the Santa Fe as ‘a joy to drive’ is quite amusing considering the article’s overall praise for it.