Compare the2025 Mazda CX-50VS 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The Mazda CX-50 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 CX-50 has standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the Santa Fe Hybrid.

Both the CX-50 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, 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 Mazda CX-50 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 an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Santa Fe Hybrid has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 4 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (256 vs. 231) and 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 271) than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-50 4 cyl. is faster than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-50 gets better mileage than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-50 (except Turbo/Hybrid)’s fuel efficiency. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the CX-50 Turbo/Hybrid and the Santa Fe Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All CX-50 Turbo/Hybrids have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The CX-50 has a standard 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 CX-50 stops shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid:

The CX-50 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.

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus handles at .84 G’s, while the Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid AWD (26.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-50 Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The CX-50’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Santa Fe Hybrid’s (36 feet vs. 37.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 Hybrid Preferred has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Santa Fe Hybrid (7.6 vs. 7 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus’ minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Santa Fe Hybrid (8.6 vs. 7 inches).

The Mazda CX-50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 700 pounds less than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.

The CX-50 is 4.4 inches shorter than the Santa Fe Hybrid, making the CX-50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume than the Santa Fe Hybrid with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 14.6 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is limited to 2000 pounds. The CX-50 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The CX-50’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 CX-50’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.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-50 Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Santa Fe Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-50’s optional 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance.