The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has been completely redesigned, bringing along a boxy new shape, three rows of seating, and cutting-edge technology. This includes everything from a biometric fingerprint reader to an enclosed UV sanitizing compartment.
In the opposite corner of this SUV comparison, the Nissan Murano is a 2-row midsize SUV with a reputation for coddling its occupants. Extremely supportive seats and high-quality interior materials are some of the things we’ve enjoyed most during many miles of road testing.
How does the all-new Santa Fe compare to a seasoned veteran like the Murano? Let’s examine some highlights of each.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe’s entry-level price is $35,345, including factory-to-dealer delivery fees. It is available in five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy.
Outside of a hybrid-powered variant that we review separately, the Hyundai Santa Fe gets down the road courtesy of a 277-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The majority of trims offer a choice of front- or all-wheel drive (AWD).
Hyundai Santa Fe Highlights
Extra seating: For the first time in the U.S., the Santa Fe comes standard with 3-row seating. The added versatility these extra seats bring could seal the deal for many SUV shoppers.
Class-leading warranty: The Hyundai Santa Fe boasts the best warranty coverage in its competitive class. Its 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty far outshine the coverage of the Nissan Murano.
Highway Driving Assist: This semi-autonomous drive system impressed us with its usability and its ability to reduce driver fatigue during long drives.
Outdoorsy XRT: Choose the XRT trim, and you will get go-anywhere gear like AWD, all-terrain tires, and 1.3 inches of added ground clearance. It also provides 4,500 pounds of towing capacity, which is 1,000 pounds more than other trims.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see Santa Fe models near you
2024 Nissan Murano
The 2024 Nissan Murano soldiers on with no notable changes this model year, though an updated model is expected soon. Pricing starts at $40,130, and after Nissan dropped the previous entry-level S model, there are now three trims: SV, SL, and Platinum.
Standard fare consists of an 8-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. Every Murano is fitted with a 260-hp 3.5-liter V6 with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard; AWD is optional.
Nissan Murano Highlights
Quiet cabin: Despite this generation of Murano being around since the 2019 model year, it still ranks as one of the most calming midsize SUVs to drive. SUV shoppers who want a luxurious and cozy interior will find this Nissan has lots to offer.
Spacy seating: The Murano comes with what Nissan calls Zero Gravity seating. The design takes engineering cues from seats created by NASA for space travel. Trust us, they deliver some pretty otherworldly degrees of comfort and support.
Luxurious Platinum model: The Murano Platinum has an asking price of around $48,000 in FWD configuration, but it comes loaded with leather seating upholstery, an 11-speaker Bose stereo system, heated and ventilated front seats, a 360-degree parking camera, and 20-inch wheels.
Smooth and strong V6: The 3.5-liter V6 suits Murano’s mellow driving dynamics well. There is plenty of acceleration and passing power, though it happily fades into the background (in a good way) when you’re simply puttering around.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Murano models near you.
Similarities
Want an SUV that goes above and beyond merely getting you from Point A to Point B? The Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan Murano have expressive designs and comfy interiors that help to separate them apart from the SUV herd.
Conclusion
The Nissan Murano makes a solid case for itself if you’re looking for an upscale midsize 2-row SUV with a more mainstream price. However, there’s no getting around the fact this generation is starting to feel dated.
This is only magnified by the all-new, high-tech Hyundai Santa Fe. Hyundai has raised the bar in terms of design, tech, and versatility. It’s also less expensive and boasts an outstanding warranty. We recommend it over the Nissan.
| 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2024 Nissan Murano | |
| Starting Price | $35,345 | $40,130 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 3.5-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 277 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 260 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 240 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel economy | 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway/ 24 mpg combined | 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 1.6-liter gas-electric 4-cyl., AWD | 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 | 111.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 190.2 inches | 192.8 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 75.4 inches |
| Height | 67.7 inches | 67.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.9 feet | 38.7 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.6 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 37.7 inches | NA |
| Legroom, Front | 44.4 inches | 40.5 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 42.3 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 30.0 inches | NA |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 59.5 inches | 59.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 58.1 inches | 58.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 53.5 inches | NA |
| Cargo Volume | 14.6/40.5/79.6 cubic feet | 32.1/67.0 cubic feet |
