The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is completely redone this model year and boasts a dizzying array of tech, standard 3-row seating, and an attention-grabbing bold design. Its newfound boxy shape pays off in more passenger space and cargo volume than the outgoing iteration.
Yet, bringing its own strengths to this competition is the highly regarded Honda Passport. It might have only two rows of seating, but it comes with one of the biggest cargo areas you’ll find in any midsize SUV. Let’s not forget that the Passport is also endowed with Honda’s enviable reputation for resale value, build quality, and long-term dependability.
Does the Hyundai Santa Fe have what it takes to outshine the Honda Passport? Let’s explore the highlights of each to see how they compare.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
No one will ever mistake this new Santa Fe for the relatively subdued outgoing model, that’s for sure. Pricing starts at $35,345, including destination charges, and there are five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy.
The sole powertrain is a 277-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on all but the XRT trim. Thanks to its off-road theme, the XRT comes with AWD standard. A hybrid engine is available, but we review it separately.
Hyundai Santa Fe Highlights
Bold exterior: Calling planet Earth, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe seeks permission to land. Hyundai’s design team apparently had an aversion to curves when it came to this SUV’s exterior. Clever details include a gigantic rear tailgate and an illuminated H-patten worked into the headlights and taillights.
Highway Driving Assist: This is one of our favorite semi-autonomous drive systems, and it comes in two flavors in the new Santa Fe. The fancier of this duo comes with the Calligraphy model and has lane-change functionality. No matter which you choose, this takes a lot of fatigue out of long highway trips thanks to combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering functionality.
Panoramic Curved Display: A digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen are mounted flush along the dashboard’s upper surface. This expanse of information imparts a futuristic feel to the minimalist cabin.
Class-leading warranty: The Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a class-leading warranty. With a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, it handily beats the coverage of the Honda Passport.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see Santa Fe models near you
2024 Honda Passport
The 2024 Honda Passport offers three trims: EX-L, TrailSport, and Black Edition. The Black Edition serves as the replacement for the previous top-of-the-line Elite trim. It comes with 20-inch black alloy wheels, heated front and rear seats, and ambient interior lighting.
Every Passport comes with a 280-horsepower V6 paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Pricing starts at $43,295, including delivery charges.
Honda Passport Highlights
Strong resale value: Among midsize 2-row SUVs, the Honda Passport has exceedingly strong resale value. Higher resale value can translate to more money down for your next vehicle when it’s time to trade in or sell.
Smart entry with walk-away auto lock: Isn’t it fun when your arms are loaded with, say, shopping bags, luggage, or a screaming kid, and you can’t get to your keys? This system uses sensors to detect the proximity of the key fob and will lock or unlock the Passport automatically. It’s standard on every trim.
Cargo volume: The Passport is a cargo-hauling champion thanks to 50.5 cubic-foot max space behind the rear seats. That’s bigger than the cargo hold behind the second row in the Hyundai Santa Fe. Fold the second row down, and the space swells to more than 100 cubic feet maxium.
Outdoorsy TrailSport model: Planning on taking your Passport on journeys minus paved roads? The TrailSport model has a stronger suspension, roof rails, off-road tires, underbody skid plates, and LED fog lights.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see Passport models near you.
Similarities
With the exception of the Hyundai Santa Fe having a third row of seating, it’s very evenly matched with the Honda Passport. These are two SUVs that go above and beyond in terms of value, tech features, and even honest-to-goodness off-road capability.
Conclusion
The Hyundai Santa Fe has raised the game among midsize SUVs when it comes to design, tech items, and seating flexibility. Having the option of a couple of extra seats or more cargo volume is a major bonus for many car shoppers.
And let’s admit, where the Passport’s interior is functional, roomy, and robust in terms of material quality, the Santa Fe’s cabin looks absolutely cutting edge. In this match-up, the more affordable Hyundai Santa Fe will likely sway more families seeking an SUV.
| 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2024 Honda Passport | |
| Starting Price | $35,345 | $43,295 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 3.5-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 280 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy | 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway/24 mpg combined | 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 1.6-liter 4-cyl., AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | NA | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 110.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 190.2 inches | 189.1 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 78.6 inches |
| Height | 67.7 inches | 72.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.9 feet | 36.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.6 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 37.7 inches | NA |
| Legroom, Front | 44.4 inches | 40.6 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 42.3 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 30.0 inches | NA |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 59.5 inches | 62.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 58.1 inches | 61.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 53.5 inches | NA |
| Cargo Volume | 14.6/40.5/79.6 cubic feet | 50.5/100.8 cubic feet |
